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Category: Dominican Republic

Giving Back

My name is Lesley. I’m 16 years old and I’m from Musgravetown, Newfoundland. This is my first, but definietly not last, Hero Holiday with LiveDifferent! I first heard of this organization from a presentation at my school back in March. Listening to the speakers talking about children and families that have nothing really hit home for me.

Last July, my family home burned down. We lost everything we owned, including our family pets. I realized after the fire that I only owned the clothes on my back. Although this was tragic, everyone in our community was so supportive. People I didn’t even know were coming into my work place and handing me $50 bills! After hearing about Hero Holiday, I knew that this could be my way to give back. I have been amazed by the kindness of strangers, and I want to give others the same feeling. 

Today we did an awareness tour of some of the houses that LiveDifferent has built in the previous years. We got the chance to visit Nuevo Renacer. The first thing I noticed was that everyone was so friendly! People were waving to us as we were driving down the street, and we were all greeted with a smile. During our walk through the community, a little girl ran towards me and jumped into my arms. We instantly became best friends! She was so cute. She took my camera out of my hands and started taking pictures of anyone and anything. When it was time to go, she wouldn’t let me go. I attempted to tell her in Spanish that I would see her tomorrow. I’m so excited to spend the rest of the week with her and the rest of the children.

The next community that we went to was Arroyo Seco. We got to visit a school that had been built there and it was fun to try to read the Spanish words that were up on the walls. It’s great to know that the children there can get an education. A specific thing that caught my attention today was that although these people don’t have very much, they are very generous. The last house that we went to was on top of a huge hill. The family there was so kind to us. The boys picked some mangos and gave them to our team. They also gave out fruit that looked like mini limes. They were so good! The children and families in these communities warmed my heart and inspire me to be a better person. I’m looking forward to spend the rest of my trip working with them and my team.

Lesley ~ Hero Holiday Volunteer 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: July 6th, 2013

Not ready

Today was the day we have been dreaming of since our arrival.  The energy, the excitement, the anticipation has consumed us. The house is finally complete.  A house that we built for Paulina.  A house that we built for the community and we cannot wait any longer to turn it over.  But wait, a sudden thought hits us.  If we pass over the keys now, we have completed our project.  Our time here is over. We are not yet ready to go home.  We are not yet ready to stop building.  We are not yet ready to stop playing, laughing and smiling with the children.  We are not yet ready to say good-bye to William, Junior, Gustavo, Martin, Spiderman and Carmen. We are not yet ready to say good-bye to our team of “Glamazons”.  A group of ladies we have formed an unbreakable bond with and who are now considered family. 
 
 
If we were home and a real estate agent turned over the keys to a new home owner, it would be a joyous day for everyone.  The real estate agent would get their 5 % on goodness knows how many hundreds of thousands, the seller would be cashing their cheque and the new owners would be so happy and proud to be moving into their new home.  Today, we gave more than joy to a handful of people.  We gave a new home and life to 83 year old Paulina. We gave hope to a whole community – a community of young and old, who only last Friday, were complete strangers to us.
 
 
All 10 of us arrived here thinking that building this house was our goal, our mission, our reason for coming here.  We thought we would wake up each morning with such pride knowing we were one day closer to completing this house for Paulina while adding to the LiveDifferent housing community. But very early on it became about more than just a house.   Little did we know, this project would play a huge part in shaping our thoughts.  It has changed the way in which we act and the things we say and do.  Each day was a journey.  We learned a lot about love, strength, kindness and the gift of giving, never considering the monetary side, just of faith, hope and change.  Pastor Garcia and Sandra attempted to open our eyes to this on our first day but we were too naive to know the real purpose of our journey to their wonderful country.  
 
 
Working so closely with 10 amazing women, we began to share their thoughts, see their strengths, help them with their weaknesses.  This journey would not be complete without recognizing these 8 women: 
To Barb, our “Moufasa”, who has watched over us and given us a perfectly timed smile, word or hug.  
To June, who’s laugh, chatter and reminder to “Wake up June!” gave us a lift whenever we were feeling low.
To Viola, a woman initially of few words (and now not so much…lol) can lift your heart with one simple gesture of love, without needing it returned.
To Michelle, the quiet, driven, not so photogenic lady who always “has your back”.  
To Laurie, the nurturing spirit who is ever patient (Karen’s roomie) and who always comes to life when a child catches her hand.  
To Karen, our “walking zombie”, our fly dope distributor, our chicka who is equally as excited about knowing the recipe for different types of concrete as she is about making the human connection with each community member.  
To Lisa, the master of timing – whether we needed a funny English Harbor West saying (“shined up”) or an uplifting song or nudge, she was always there.  To Jacinta, the creator of “this mess”…lol. To put 10 women together for 10 days knowing that each and every personality would complement the other is no easy feat.  She gave us the opportunity to feel and see what she had previously experienced and we will be forever grateful.  She lives for each and every day.
As for us two, when the monkeys are running the zoo, who knows what can happen?  Can you say “PARTY ALL NIGHT???”  The “Glamazon girls” will continue to lead our warrior pack to whatever adventure they are unsure about tackling. 
 
 “I thought that if I touched this place or feel it, the brokenness inside me might start healing”. 
 
Debbie and Amy – Raising the Roof Volunteers – 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: July 1st, 2013

The little things

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault
 
 
With such poverty and chaos enveloping us this week, it is difficult sometimes to see any positive moments amongst it.  Even with the enthusiasm surrounding the building of Paulina’s house, the items on the metaphorical tick-list that need to be ‘done’ here in the Dominican is endless.  There is such frustration around the helplessness I’ve been feeling and injustices witnessed, that it is hard to imagine there ever being anything “good” found anywhere down here.  
 
 
However, upon arrival at both Arroyo Seco and Nuevo Renacer, we were welcomed like we were family returning home after a long journey.  And, moment by moment, I began to realize, that while there were a lot of “big things” that were not immediately in our control,  there were many “little things”, a few of which I’d like to mention that captured my heart and attention over these last seven days.
 
 
• On tour of Nuevo Renacer, we were welcomed and embraced by Yolanda as though it were HER house we were building, as she knew the purpose of our passing-through.
• On the second day of the build, I was one of the first people off the back of the truck, and received the love and embracing arms of a delighted, smiling four-year-old… I held her for as long as possible, before getting down to work. 
• Seeing the radiating pride and sense of empowerment experienced by the workers as they revealed their expertise and tricks-of-the-trade in the construction process.
• The group of little kids that know the sound of our truck approaching the worksite better than an old dog that recognizes the familiar sound of the family vehicle pulling into the driveway, and how they come out every day onto their front step to wave and chant excitedly “Gringas! Gringas! (loosely translated as foreigners/white people/English-speaking ladies).
• In the middle of the dump, about an hour into sifting through unimaginable conditions, like GeGe, I became excited about the new dump truck entering, to the point he gestured and scolded me in Spanish.  To ensure my understanding, I hushed my voice and said “Oh! Be cool?”   And he responded “Si,” as he did not want to capture the attention of the other workers. 
• Playing basketball with the boys, and trying to keep the game moving as they fight over fouls, travelling, and double-dribbles. 
• How delighted the children are when we remember and use their names [especially if they are tricky names  like Jamaleigha (Ja-me-lay-a) , which took me two days to learn, until I finally linked her to ‘Jamie-Lee’ Curtis so that I could get remotely close to saying her name properly].
• The ‘round the bay’ Garden Parties we have at the end of the work day when the mixing of our group and the community members reminds me of an isotonic solution (for you non-science people, it’s like a perfect mixing of Kool-Aid and water – completely intermingled). 
• Singing happy birthday five times in five different languages!
• Having a two-hour conversation with two ladies through an interpreter that turned her home into a real hen-house, that we likened to an episode of Coronation Street (minus the British accent of course, considering it was two Dominicans and two Newfies)
• Hearing my name chanted by the children today as we boarded the bus “Lisa! Lisa! Lisa! Lisa!”
 
 
While too often, we can become bogged down by the powerlessness and anger we feel, the payoff of those “little moments” remind us of why we are here and what type of lasting impact we can have anywhere if we choose to live in the moment, notice the little things, and focus on connection with others as we keep throwing those starfish we find on the beach back into the ocean.  
 
Lisa ~ Raising the Roof volunteer 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date:

Scaredy Squirrel

 
Have you ever read the book Scaredy Squirrel? I’m a smidge like him. I like schedules.  I’m afraid to ride a rollercoaster. I’m terrified to zip-line. I rarely go over the speed limit and when I’m in the back seat of a car I always go for the middle (because it’s safest in case of a side-impact collision). I’m not much of a risk taker …I guess I could say that I like “both feet on the ground.” Yet, I find myself many miles away from home with a group of 9 other awesome women participating in a LiveDifferent trip to Dominican Republic. I’m riding to work each day in the back of a truck…..yes, that means no seat belt. I guess you could say that I’m totally out of my element.
 
 
So, why am I here?  I’m here for 12 year old Maria who I met yesterday.  This girl spends her days rummaging through a garbage dump to find recyclables, water, food and anything that helps her family survive. When she pointed to my hand I had assumed that she was asking for my watch, but she had no interest in that; she wanted my gloves so that her job of searching through bags of garbage would be easier. Maria, who ran to a garbage truck with excitement the way my children run toward the Christmas tree surrounded with gifts. Maria who lit up when I gave her my rubber boots and begged me to get her another bag of food.  Maria who will never leave my mind and the mention of her name brings tears to my eyes. 
 
 
I am here for Suly. Who has fire inside her. She bites her siblings when they take something from her. She refuses to be out of a game even though she is clearly out. She won’t get in a “fila” (a line), even though I use my firm teacher voice. Suly, who pushes her way to the front of a crowd to get the biggest balloon. Yet, she climbs on my back when I’m least expecting it (and I secretly love it!). She smiles from ear to ear and shows off that her two bottom teeth are missing. Suly, who could take on the world…if only she had a chance.
 
 
I am here for Wendy (Suly’s best friend/enemy). She has attitude of a teenager, but I think she is 5 years old.  She pushes Suly back when necessary and is ready for a fight at the drop of a hat. This girl can carry a bucket of mortar that I can barely lift. She thinks it’s funny that I can’t skip as well as her.  She has trouble pronouncing my name…and the way she says it is the best, so I hope that she doesn’t get it right.
 
 
 
I am here because I believe that every child has a right to opportunities in life. Maria, Suly and Wendy will forever remind me to keep trying to impact children.
Oh! And guess what I’m doing on Friday….ZIP-LINING!
 
Laurie ~ Raising the Roof volunteer 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: June 27th, 2013

When worlds collide

We are very near the border with Haiti, and many impoverished Haitians have made their way across the border to live as illegal immigrants in Dominican Republic. Several hundred of them found their way to an area on the outskirts of La Union Dump where they moved into abandoned shacks that once housed workers of factories that have long since closed. Here they have formed a community and try their best to look out for one another. However, because they are unable to compete with the locals for the scarce jobs that are available to the uneducated and unskilled, these people face an incredible challenge just to survive and they are considered the poorest of the poor in Dominican Republic. 
 
 
Today, instead of going to our construction site, we donned our rubber boots and gloves, and headed to the dump to work alongside these Haitians who survive by sifting daily through the mounds of trash for anything that can be eaten, worn, or turned into cash.
I didn’t sleep last night thinking about what I might be subjected to in the morning, and I had known in in my heart before coming on this mission that this would be the most difficult experience of the whole trip. It turned out to be the most difficult day of my life! Indeed, it was life-changing!
 
As we approached the entrance to the dump in our open air bus on this swelteringly hot morning, the stench of rotten garbage and the swarms of flies were overpowering. But that did not hit me nearly as hard as the sight of the human beings, dozens of them, from toddlers to the very elderly, spread throughout the dump, bent down and rooting through piles of rubbage.
 
 
As our bus came to a stop and we got out, many of them stopped their work to come and greet us. I was immediately surrounded by a group of little children, smiling brightly and reaching out to hug me – right there in the middle of that most unimaginable place! I squeezed them and gave warm smiles back although inside I was in total turmoil. Nothing about this seemed real. Then, one little boy tugged my arm and pointed to a section of the dump, indicating I should go there with him. And then he did the one thing that always warms me like no other feeling when it comes to a child. He slipped his little hand in mine. In an instant, I was flashing to the familiar feel of my grandchildren’s hands in mine, and to us walking in a much different place – a trail in the woods behind my house, an aisle in the toy store, a street in the Magic Kingdom. Yet, here I was holding the hand of this beautiful little boy with the big brown eyes, gorgeous curly hair, and broken flip-flops in the middle of a place to which there is no comparison.  
 
 
I tried to behave normally and not appear as though I was freaking out at the incomprehensibility of this scene. So, we chatted as we walked. He told me his name was Adolpho, and I pointed to myself and said “Barb”. In French, I asked his age, and when he said he was nine years old, the tears that I had been fighting burst forth, and I began to sob, This could be my precious Ethan! Ethan and I could be spending this day, and every day, digging through garbage to help make it through to the next day. I could not imagine such a fate for my grandson. How could I, how could we, be allowing it for this darling little boy? Yet, it was his reality! And so, I knew I had to compose myself and help him fill his bag with plastic bottles that could earn his family 15 pesos – the equivalent of about 40 cents.   On the outside, I shared in his pride as he or I found and salvaged bottle after bottle. On the inside, I raged with anger at the unfairness of it all. And when our bag was full, we shared a high five and took our finds to the family pile. I then led him to our bus where a meal was waiting for anyone with whom we had worked today.  
 
With a warm hug and a big smile, he was on his way, and I turned my attention to helping an elderly lady who at that moment was sifting through a garbage bag filled with used needles, syringes, and medical waste in her bare hands????
 
Barb ~ Raising the Roof volunteer 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date:

Learning from the Locals

We started out the day with sore muscles but with the same unflagging enthusiasm as the previous day, to get the job done. Yesterday was a huge learning curve, as many of us were learning to do things we had never done before. Today, however, we felt like professionals.  While some in the group mixed cement, the rest began the task of sifting the sand in preparation for the smooth coat which will be applied Wednesday. What particularly amazed us today was the energy and agility of 60 year old Martin, a respected local building contractor, who nimbly scaled the 10 ft. heights of the upper levels of the structure and provided directions for our team.  Martin was one of the many locals from this community who we immediately connected with.
 
 
Today we had an opportunity to hang out with some of the local children.  Kelly, our LiveDifferent Team Leader, had brought along some skipping ropes, a basketball, and badminton rackets and encouraged us to take some time to get to know and interact with the kids.  The children are very affectionate and welcomed the attention, especially the younger ones.  In addition to hanging out with the younger kids:  Jacinta, Amy, Debbie and Lisa tore up the court with some of the older local boys in a game of basketball.  Little did they know that they had met their match.  It was a lot of fun and it is easy to become very attached to these beautiful people. 
 
 
One of the most inspiring young people we have met so far would have to be Junior ( Castel Dakid ).  Junior is working with LiveDifferent for the summer as a translator for their projects during the day.  In the afternoon, when we are calling it a day,  Junior continues his studies in the Industrial Engineering Program from 4 o’clock until 10 pm.  If that isn’t challenging enough, originally from Haiti, he is pursuing this in a new language here in the Dominican Republic. But wait for this, Junior speaks four languages all of which he has learned on his own!  With a leader such as this, we are inspired to do more than we ever thought possible.
 
 
 
Viola and Michelle – Raising The Roof Volunteers – 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: June 25th, 2013

The Sisterhood starts the house

 
We started the day with excitement and enthusiasm. We came here with a mission and finally we began the project. Upon arrival at the work site, we had to be taught different aspects of how to build this house. For us this meant we were learning jobs from mixing the motar and cement to brick laying and tying the rebar. We were eager learners and tried our hands at every task. The team that Jacinta put together is amazing. We enjoyed working together as a team and we became more empowered as the day went on. 
 
 
Paulina watched from the side as we built her house and I can only imagine the thoughts running through her head. The children were running around us as we worked and several community members dropped by to give a helping hand. Despite our language barriers we learned how to work side by side. The translators were a great help when it came to certain details and were always eager to chat. Paulina loves to talk and when we engaged in a conversation with her our translators made it possible for us to really connect with her. 
 
 
To realize that we are bringing so much hope to those in poverty is empowering. Not only are we changing the lives of those in poverty, but we are changing our own lives. How can we return home and say that we have not been changed? This trip will change our outlook on so many aspects of our lives. The people here have taught us how to look after each other, to appreciate what you have and above all to be happy. 
 
Today was rewarding, exciting and fun.
 
 
June – Raising the roof volunteer – 2013
 

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: June 24th, 2013

Sisterhood of the Traveling T-shirts

 
It’s late March, I’m supposed to be at a high school gymnasium to coach a basketball game in ten minutes and instead I’m consulting with a graphic designer to ensure our official team t-shirts for our LiveDifferent Hero Holiday project are exactly what we had ordered.   ‘Raising the Roof from the Rock to the Republic’ – yes, that would be us.  Short sleeve, white lettering, black, cotton tees.   And so begins the story of the sisterhood of the traveling t-shirts.
 
 
There are events in everyone’s lives at one point or another where you know your life has taken a turn and probably will never be the quite the same again.  One of those moments for me was back in 2011 when I signed up for my first LiveDifferent Hero Holiday.  It is safe to say the experience certainly lives up to its name – ‘LiveDifferent’, as your life will most likely never be the same again after you have experienced the joy of building a house for a family and a community in need.  The only thing that I can think of that would be better than this would be to share in that joy with nine of your closest friends – so here we are, all the way from the Rock to the Republic. 
 
 
June 23 2013 – Day 1.  Today was absolutely amazing.  We started up the morning with a visit to Pastor Garcia to see first hand how one person can have such a lasting impact on the lives of others.  The Pastor has reformed this tiny rural village into a sanctuary of hope – provided a place of worship, a place to learn and most of all place to move forward into a future with hope.
 
 
The afternoon carried us into the renamed town of Neuvo Renacer where we met the beautiful Ms. Sandra.  Together with LiveDifferent, Sandra has helped flip this impoverished town into a place of new birth – a place where 48 new houses now stand where dilapidated shacks once stood.  Our team had the opportunity to tour the town, see some of the work that has been done to date and meet Paulina, the lady who we will be building for.   What a beautiful spirit.  Our team was so impressed with the genuine feeling of love and joy that seemed to envelope the town despite the deplorable conditions they were faced with each day.
 
 
As I sit and reflect on day one, I feel it is ironic that we will begin work tomorrow in a town that has been renamed the English equivalent of ‘New Birth’.  Perhaps that new existence will be instilled in each of us as we look at our lives throughout this project.  The sisterhood of the traveling t-shirts signed on to give to a people who have so little, and to create change in the lives of others.  I have a funny feeling that we will leave this trip with much more than we came here with and the greatest change we see will be rooted deep within our own souls from this day forward. 
 
 
Toothbrushes for village kids– check.  Box of handmade dresses from the Holyrood Women’s Institute – check.  Towels and bed sheets for host family – check.  When one leaves home on a humanitarian venture blissful thoughts run through our heads on the joy we will bring with all the goods we bring from home to share with our less fortunate sisters.
 
Jacinta ~ Hero Holiday Volunteer 2013
 

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: June 23rd, 2013

A win-win situation!

I was fortunate enough to take part in a hero holiday in Dominican Republic from April 4-13. How I got there with a bunch of westjetters is a story in itself!!!  Up until I received a misdirected phone call I had NO idea who LiveDifferent were, much less what they did. I operate a small convenience store in a very small community in rural Newfoundland with a population of just under 500 people. At the time I received a phone call that was intended for our school (it seems that LiveDifferent was contacting our local school to come do a presentation). While phone to ear and hands vigorously typing on laptop I quickly came to the realization of who and what LiveDifferent really are. I asked the person on the other end of the phone how to register online…and it spiraled from there. I am happy to report that a few months ago LiveDifferent did indeed do a presentation at our local school and I did indeed register and go on the hero holiday as well!!!   It was a win-win situation!
 
 
I have said from day one that ” everything happens for a reason” and YES,  I know that now to be true.  Not only did I meet 30+ fantastic people who completed this journey with me,  I also met hundreds of Dominican and Haitian people as well. I have also said that from the very beginning of this journey that it was like an emotional roller coaster for me. I honestly have no other way to describe it. I cried enough tears while I was there to fill an ocean I’m sure, but at the same time, one huge smile could absorb it all.
 
 
I find it very hard to put into words all the feelings that consumed me while on this journey, and it really doesn’t matter because no amount of words, story telling, or photos could even begin to describe the feelings that one will endure after completing this type of journey. My only regret is that I did not find out about this earlier in my life however that will not stop me from continuing on to help for as long as I can.
 
 
I feel that not only did I go help build houses for five families, I also built life-long friendships with my fellow workers, the Dominican people, and the phenomenal crew of LiveDifferent. I will DEFINITELY go do this again and again and again.  The smiles on every face makes every blister, every tear,  and every sad moment  SO worth it at the end ! There are a lot of problems around the world and yet there is always hope…and I’m feeling so blessed right now that I actually got to be a part of that HOPE and let me tell you it feels Awesome!! They certainly named it right when they named the organization LiveDifferent because anyone ever fortunate enough to participate in this will most certainly  LIVE  DIFFERENT!!
 
Janet – LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, Dominican Republic 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: May 30th, 2013

Five Days In

I can’t believe we are five days into our trip. It’s been an amazing experience from learning Spanish, to playing with the crazy amounts of children. There are truly no words to describe how amazing this trip has been so far. Here we are, 17 high school teenagers in various grades with five different teachers. We have not only come together as a hard working group but we have become a family. On Tuesday night I became extremely ill and I can’t count how many times the other guys and girls had come to check up on me. It felt so nice to have people that truly cared.

Today we did A LOT of cement mixing. The process is frustrating at first but you soon figure out a system that makes everything much easier. It starts off with four wheelbarrows of dirt, then one wheelbarrow full of sand, two cement bags, and a lot of mixing together with water. There is never a dull moment on the site. Either you are playing with the children, the kids are chasing you around, or cement is being splashed at your face. The kids here are amazing and all they want to do is help. It’s great because they even try to teach you Spanish by either hand gestures or just repeating the word over and over again. They love us all so much, I feel like they are all my younger siblings. They just want to laugh, cuddle and run around. Nicole and Freddy have to be the cutest kids on earth. They are Pastor Garcia’s grandchildren! Nicole is adorable and follows me around with buckets to try to help us out and her smile is precious. Freddy is just crazy! He hides in the bushes with his friend and while you are working on the cement mixing they are screaming and tickling us. Trust me when I say that is hard to work when the kids are around.


The contractors do like to laugh at our weakness sometimes, which I respect because, man how do they do all that work as a living!! Props to them. On the basketball court sight all you hear is AGUA, AGUA, AGUA!!!! It’s HARD work and extremely tough on your Canadian muscles! But we showed them today by creating our own cement volcanos. Junior and Kent were definitely our cheerleaders throughout today.

 

After the half day at the site we got the go the Monkey Jungle. Let me tell you that is one thousand times better than the Toronto Zoo! Have you ever had squirrel monkeys climb on your head?! They just jumped on us and hung off us. They are adorable!! They love fruit and after they ate all mine they just use you as a object to get from place to another. You feel a little betrayed to be honest. But it was an amazing experience.

Well off to karaoke night now! Rubin and Marcel have made the band Queen a bit of memory now. It’s too funny. Sending love to all in Canada, we miss you all but I’m pretty sure none of us want to leave, hehe.

– Sloan, LiveDifferent Hero Holiday Volunteer, 2013

Author: LiveDifferent

Date: April 26th, 2013