Chulo and Dante greeted us bright and early this morning for the first leg of our journey into the Batey. We were all a little weary from our travels, but fortunately the coffee in the Dominican Republic is both strong and delicious. So, slathered with sunscreen and bug spray, we clambered aboard their little bus and headed out.
Our more than hour long ride to the Society of the Holy Child Jesus School, was filled with laughter and excited chatter about what the day might bring, but when we rounded the final turn into the entrance to the Batey, the silence in the van was deafening.
The poverty all around us was staggering. Everywhere we looked was evidence of family after family, without even the most basic of human needs.
The few local residents who were outside their homes, quietly observed our arrival, but then as we approached the entrance to the school, we began to hear the excited cries of children's voices: "Pofe Mona! Profe Teresa! Profe Shivani! Profe...". It was the children of SHCJ shouting our welcome. With open arms they ran to greet us with giant hugs and the most amazing smiles. Amongst all this poverty, there they were, happy to see us. There are no words to describe that moment.
And of course, standing right there with them, was Sister Mary Alice, beaming from ear to ear (though she did take a moment to scold Chulo and Dante for not getting us to the school faster!).
We were welcomed inside, where we spent our morning meeting all of the wonderful children and teachers of SHCJ. They were eager to show us their lessons, and were very proud to display how they had made our photos and name cards into a matching work! No wonder they all knew us when we stepped off the bus!
The children were quick to put us to work, including making Profe Mona participate in gym class!
After a wonderful morning, we were invited to a traditional lunch of arroz con pollo, ensalada, and ensalad rusa, after which we were invited on a tour of the Batey.
The triumph of the human spirit was almost completely overwhelming, as these people who literally have nothing so warmly welcomed us into their homes. First, we were invited into the home of Elizabeth. It was literally one tiny room, which she shares with her sister, mother and their children.
Next we were invited to visit Gladys' home. She proudly showed us a stove that she had constructed from slabs of stone. Gladys also showed us the floor where her four boys sleep and told us about her one daughter "who is in heaven now". After our tour of the Batey, many of the children gathered to walk us back to the school for our departure. We will never forget the hospitality shown to us today, by all of the people of the Batey Lecheria. We can only imagine what tomorrow may bring.
Hi my name is Elizabeth and I am from the DR, from an area nearby, what your are doing by going to help reinforce education into such an impoverished area of the DR is a truly kind effort, these children will probably know there is more out there than the lack and necessity they have endured since they were born.
ReplyDeleteAnd by doing this you are giving them hope that the world has more to offer them...
I am humbled and grateful for all these children you may be able to help.
Keep it up!