We just had a team here doing nutritional training for the mothers of the bateys. They also did checkups on the kids to make sure they were getting their nutrients. Michelle´s job is working with these teams. She organizes their transportation, food, jobs, translators, all the things that clueless Americans need an experienced intern like Michelle for. She´s great. We really enjoyed the team last week, it´s a neat opportunity to get to meet new people and hear their ideas on missions, how the work looks from the outside, and just talk some good old english!
Monday, May 29, 2006
What are you having for lunch, Michelle?
This is Michelle, my new pal. She´s a great addition to DR life, and knows a lot of Spanish grammar, which is great for me!! We are having a good time getting to know eachother in working together, doing classes, etc... Look closely on her plate, and you´ll see that I succeeded in making her eat a chicken foot. Yes....
My Moño
Here´s me with my newly acquired Rapunzel Locks....They reached to my waist, were so thick I couldn´t fit my hand around them, and weighed about five pounds. (Yes, I had extentions put in). This week I trimmed them about 6 inches in order to stop the headaches I was getting from lugging so much hair around. I can´t help thinking with chagrin about how long it will take to get them all out.
¨This is sure slippery!¨
Here´s me getting my hair braided by two of my good friends and students from Algodon, Yoanny and Yoleiny. It was a 7 hour task, but lots of fun.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Do You Want a KISS?
Do they get any cuter? Michelle and I spent an afternoon in Los Robles with our little friends. We both agreed that there was no place we'd rather be.
Getting their Sewing Kits
This is Algodon, in our bathroom-sized classroom. On the left is Yoleiny, middle is Kenia, and on the right is Yulisa. They especially loved the ribbon in the sewing kits.
Sewing Kits!!!!
I am so excited about the sewing kits we were able to put together for the girls. I don't know who was more excited, the giver or the recievers, but we both are enjoying them. This is an amazing gift for them. Thank you to everyone who gave!!!!
Los Robles
This is a view from the road we trek after the public guagua drops us off. The big yellow buildings are the school. Beyond that begin the houses. Welcome to Los Robles!
Los Robles
This is the "main road" in Batey Los Robles. Notice the fences around the houses, everyone has them. These are a few of the nicer houses.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
oh, what fun it is to cut....
Yulisa, my little friend. We have so much fun in class, I can't imagine regretting the time spent with these fabulous girls.
There are still a few girls who don't have sponsors, so if you are interested, let me know at dominicana20@gmail.com and I'll get you hooked up with a student!
There are still a few girls who don't have sponsors, so if you are interested, let me know at dominicana20@gmail.com and I'll get you hooked up with a student!
Sarah
After three months of awesome times together here in the DR, Sarah's internship was over and she left for the states on Sunday. I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to be friends, she was an awesome encouragement to me. I am going to miss her!
"Americans are weird!"
"Why are we doing this, Sarah?"
This is one of Sarah's PE classes attempting a pushup, aren't they funny? Sarah had so much fun teaching her little tots to do their stretches and jumping jacks. I have to admit I was a little jealous several times of her students....even though I love mine, there's nothing quite like seeing ten little bottoms pointed strait up in imitation of a pushup:)
This is one of Sarah's PE classes attempting a pushup, aren't they funny? Sarah had so much fun teaching her little tots to do their stretches and jumping jacks. I have to admit I was a little jealous several times of her students....even though I love mine, there's nothing quite like seeing ten little bottoms pointed strait up in imitation of a pushup:)
Charo
The Lord has really answered a prayer of mine concerning the continuation of the classes here. A dear friend of the mission, a woman named Charo is an avid sewer, and has been wanting for years to be involved in the work COTN is doing here. Well, starting this week she is going to be assisting me in my classes, being groomed to continue this work after I leave in August. This is so exciting to me! She, in many ways, is going to be much more of an asset to the women here than I could be. First, she is Dominican! This means that she knows what they like. No matter how much cultural psyching I give myself I still have American eyes and American taste. (which is very different, let me assure you. For example, I’m not crazy about ornate gold and red plasticy bedspreads…) But Charo has the advantage of being of their culture and mindset. Secondly, she speaks their language fluently, and has sewed in the DR all her life. She knows when Dominicans use what, something that I would just have to learn over time. I’m willing to learn those things, but I don’t have a lot of time left.
So, we’re all thinking, “why did we send Maggie to the DR if there was a Dominican woman fully capable of teaching classes in the bateyes?” Yes, I asked myself that same question. The answer can be summed up in two words, “money” and “organization”, neither of which the Dominicans have a lot of. The mission here did not have the money to buy the machines that were purchased, nor was there anyone really with the time, capability, or desire to take the huge task on of organizing something in the land of disorganization! (that is written lovingly, of course!) So, here I am, passing the baton with incredible peace about “my precious project” being carried on by Charo. To be honest, my prayers for someone like Charo held a hint of anxiety, because as I got to know how things work here, I realized that after I leave in August, if I didn’t have a successor there was an almost 100% chance that the machines would sit there, unused, like so many other donations that have lacked a pushstart. Unless I found a way to work my way out of a job here, my six months of work would have been six months of work. Period. Thank the Lord for Charo!
It is interesting to me how when we give our abilities and time to God, it is with an open hand, relinquishing them to whatever He has planned. I didn’t even know the name Charo when I signed up for this job, I had no idea anything that has come to pass would do so. But in everything that has happened I have incredible peace and contentment and continually find joy in not being the director of my life!
So, we’re all thinking, “why did we send Maggie to the DR if there was a Dominican woman fully capable of teaching classes in the bateyes?” Yes, I asked myself that same question. The answer can be summed up in two words, “money” and “organization”, neither of which the Dominicans have a lot of. The mission here did not have the money to buy the machines that were purchased, nor was there anyone really with the time, capability, or desire to take the huge task on of organizing something in the land of disorganization! (that is written lovingly, of course!) So, here I am, passing the baton with incredible peace about “my precious project” being carried on by Charo. To be honest, my prayers for someone like Charo held a hint of anxiety, because as I got to know how things work here, I realized that after I leave in August, if I didn’t have a successor there was an almost 100% chance that the machines would sit there, unused, like so many other donations that have lacked a pushstart. Unless I found a way to work my way out of a job here, my six months of work would have been six months of work. Period. Thank the Lord for Charo!
It is interesting to me how when we give our abilities and time to God, it is with an open hand, relinquishing them to whatever He has planned. I didn’t even know the name Charo when I signed up for this job, I had no idea anything that has come to pass would do so. But in everything that has happened I have incredible peace and contentment and continually find joy in not being the director of my life!
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Political shindig
We're getting ready for elections in a few weeks so we had a little parade to demonstrate and remind us all who to vote for. Wasn't it nice of me to host it right in front of my house? I got to enjoy it for about 2 or 3 hours. I even got a hat.
Note the disco mobile in the background! Did I mention that it was a loud parade?
Note the disco mobile in the background! Did I mention that it was a loud parade?
Politics came to my house on Saturday!
I think they wanted to influence us....I'm not sure what tipped me off, maybe the flag? the purple hats? the sagging overfilled guagua or blasting dominican tunes?
me and my mom
Here I'm having a moment with my dominican mom. She's the mission's head nurse and came out to administer medications in Los Robles where I was teaching. She is such a blessing to me! Not only a mom and friend, but an incredible language helper, too! She is one of the few dominicans who understands that if I don't understand a word, it's not because they didn't say it loud enough or fast enough....probably I just didn't know the word! She takes the time to explain the word in a way I do understand, and I learn better that way. She loves to laugh and be silly, which is a perfect match for me.
Let me cut that for you
Helping, helping....this is my Los Robles class, all of whom are very young. It's a little slow going for that reason. It's hard when you have to learn to use the machine and keep it maintained all at the same time. They are doing well to stay motivated, I'm proud of them!
Yes, all of the lines...
Profesora Sopita explaining the homework, again.....I had to do it to each gal, but I think they understand now! :) I've learned to appreciate when they are not paying attention and I have to say everything five times, because that just means that I get five extra times to practice my spanish! I have to say that I'm pretty fluent at explaining that type of homework now.
Try the other way!
My little kidlets....Enis at the machine and Ruth doing her best to direct from the other side, all the while drinking her milk to help her bones grow strong. Aren't they just the cutest ever? They haven't figured out yet how to make it go forward, but they're cute!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
