Hotel Costa Larimar Barahona

... Intelligent students do not get the same opportunites that we do in the states and never will, soley based on the fact that they were born and raise in a developing country here in the DR. For the first time it really hit me when I was talking to my best friend in the community, Pepe, and another friend, Yadira, that even though they had goals and dreams that they would never have the same opportunities as myself. I was telling them about my high ...

... made me really happy because they deserved to win something. It was really cool this year having a group as opposed to last year as a trainee. I felt like a proud father watching his kids hit the game winning homerun or in a music recidal. Now, I'm working with them to search for more funds to actually start the business (less than USD$2000). They're driven, motivated, and passionate and there is nothing more I can ask for.<br><br>CLASS INTERUPTION: I ...

... s Catholic holiday excuse to party. The first three nights of Patronales include La Campana, where the entire community attends church services, but directly following that the town flips a switch, the music blares louder than I've ever heard and the drinks start flowing. Live performances are common, including a Michael Jackson impersonator that danced to Billy Jean, Thriller, and Bad and also local bands. My friend Alexis was the announcer and ...

... wine, buen provecho!), we sat down with the newly appointed Director and had real conversations where he told us of his days living in a campo in La Republica Dominicana. I feel honored to have met someone so inspiring who actually knows what it is like to be a volunteer and will be fighting for us on Capitol Hill. It was also nice to dress up for a change and not smell like pulvo y pez.<br><br>FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER: One part of training for each volunteer ...

... dime) and perform medical duties in developing countries for the last 5 months or so. It was very hectic organizing and planning the event because 1) it is always difficult to plan ANYTHING in this country, 2) meeting with my community groups usually proves to be a long process, and 3) you have to expect the unexpected. I contacted other Peace Corps Volunteers to translate along with having the help of community members from active community groups. We put ...

... extraordinary to see and something that lacks back home.<br><br>A LITTLE R&amp;R: Before I headed out to the capital to language training (a week of practicing, clarifying, and learning all things Spanish), I decided to aprovechar my location and head up to the north because my girlfriend&#8217;s family had come from the states. It was nice to finally meet them, but also it was bien because when a Peace Corps Volunteer&#8217;s family comes ...

... world, and even though there is a big demand for it in the community, I feel there are better ways to spend my days of service (and bigger needs). This is when I thought to put on a 'Noche de Ingles,' (English Night) where people are not aloud to speak Spanish, only English. I made guacamole, popcorn, cookies, and bought some soda. It was a good turnout and they seemed to enjoy the night, where I had them introduce themselves in English and ...

... or experience. With change, comes challenges. So far, we have all dealt with something that has been a challenge - language, culture, homesickness, lack of motivation, tests of patience, project failures, and/or scorpions crawling inside your mosquitero when you are sleeping, but we have gotten through it in some way or another. We are Peace Corps volunteers ...

... it is kind of nice that there are little activities like these throughout my service to keep me balanced (and have some fun!). <br> <br>MEETINGS: Starting at least half an hour late, the meeting begins. Sometimes it has an agenda, sometimes it doesn't. More than half of the group members did not show up (or clearly showed up late) and they talk about where those people are; the excuses of why they ...

... all come in. Please visit the following link to make a donation of WHATEVER SIZE POSSIBLE. From giving up that double white chocolate mocha latte for a day or two, you can really help give these kids a great weekend that may inspire them for the rest of their lives. (I mean, or give up that shirt, ipod, or car too, feel free ...