DR 2006 Diary Page 1

Student Teaching in Dominican Republic 2008

< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Dr. Senesac Blog >

Page 21 (March 30 and 31)

March 30, 2008 - Sundays have a slow start in Monte Cristi. The restaurant at the hotel opened at 10 am. There was a Dominican take out place next to the hotel that had coffee juice and typical Dominican breakfasts-sandwiches. Most of us bought juice and a ham and cheese sandwich that really tasted good. We loaded up about 9:45 and headed for the “Hope of the Child” orphanage. We were met by Coco who is one of the administrators at the orphanage. She was delighted to receive the food that we had brought and took the time to give us a history of the orphanage and to give us a tour.

There were 9 people from Mt. Pleasant Community Church there as volunteers when we arrived. Mt. Pleasant and CMU have quite a history with this orphanage. Volunteers have been helping here since 1999. Brian and Amy Lynck, CMU graduates and former students of mine have started an English Language Institute in Monte Cristi that involves students from the orphanage and from the community at large. They run three classes every day at a redecorated hotel that was bought by Orphanage Outreach. They also teach English in all of the public and private schools in Monte Cristi.

At the orphanage Sara Tennant conducted a service learning project that she had developed with her 4^th grade class at the International School. Her class had been studying Africa. The class put together coloring books for the orphans in Spanish that described animals from Africa and how they adapted to their environment. Here is a picture of Sara with some of the children at the orphanage enjoying the coloring books.

In addition to the 20 coloring books the children each received a box of crayons and a picture of Sara’s class.

Some of the group went for a swim after we left the orphanage and then we ate at a local hostel. One of the delicacies of the area is goat. Here is a picture of my goat stew. It was wonderful!

After our meal we headed back to Santo Domingo. It rained on the way back but nearly everyone was sleeping so it did not matter much. We were all awakened by the president’s convoy that speeded by us in a police escorted string of Lexus SUV’s. When we got back into town, Victor went by the first student’s home and turned down a street where none of the students lived. We pulled up in front of a Baskin Robbins ice cream store and all of the students yelled out that they were buying me an ice cream because I was leaving them the next day. I told them goodbye at that point buy told them how I could help them in their job seeking process. Great group! I will miss them.

March 31, 2008 - I spent much of my last day in the Dominican Republic helping Dr. Senesac with the transition of the program, packing and doing the last minute banking that needed to be done. I ran our of time so was not able to say goodbye to all of the students at their schools. I was able to see Kelly, Diana, Sara and Nikki before I left. I gave hugs to Joyce, my house mom and to Bernadette before I left.

Victor took me to the airport, and my flight to Atlanta was uneventful except for the flying around in circles before we could land. I had a wonderful time with the great bunch of students and will miss the people and WEATHER in the Dominican Republic but am looking forward to being home with my family. This Tom Kromer signing off.

Kelly with her house mom Iro and me in front of the coconut stand.

< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 >