Hurry… after a long trip down to the Dominican Republic from B.C. & Ontario, a stop at JFK, and an early landing in the DR- we’re HERE!!!!!!Everyone got here safe and sound. Most people went swimming, some slept, and others just sat in the sun with their new friends. Dinner is at 6, then off to orientation at 8. First work day starts tomorrow- I cant wait.
We have always said that our staff and student interns are the “unsung heroes” in what we do, and once again they proved this to be true. On Sunday night there was a car accident involving some Hero Holiday staff, student interns and adult participants, when their SUV rolled and came to stop on its roof when swerving to avoid oncoming traffic and an unmarked 45 gal steel drum in the middle of the road. Fortunately all injuries were minor, everyone is in good spirits and able to continue on with their Hero Holiday trip.After hosting more than 20 Hero Holiday trips for more than 1200 students, this is our first serious incident that we have had to deal with, and a big thank you goes out to all of our key Hero Holiday Staff members who were directly involved with this situation. (Specifically: Cole Brown, Nicole Dufault and Christal Earle) Your quick thinking, the decisions you made, and the excellent care you provided, is a testament to your years of experience working with students in countries around the world.We are very grateful for the attitudes of those involved as they have kept cool heads throughout the whole series of events. We would especially like to express our gratitude to Cole Brown, a veteran Hero Holiday staff member, who was driving the vehicle. His quick thinking and actions kept this situation from being potentially worse. The circumstances were out of his control, but he reacted quickly and limited other potential dangers and injuries.We are encouraged to have such a competent Staff and Interns currently on the ground in Dominican Republic. Keep up the good work guys!
Coming into this trip, we didnt know what to expect. We felt excitement for our new adventure to come, but we were uneasy as to how we would react physically, mentally, and emotionally to the experience.Physically, we thought we were in shape, but to our dismay we were extremely wrong! With the sun beaming on our backs, kids jumping on you, and constant thirst for water, we found that feeling so exhausted had never felt so rewarding. Working side by side with the locals, only motivated us more to give it our all because they deserve all we can offer.Mentally, the visions of poverty have given us a true understanding of what hardships people encounter through life here. At times it has been straining to know this is a reality and that you can only do so much to help, yet it never feels enough. But we do understand that to them, it means so much.Emotionally, neither of us were prepared for what this journey had to offer. Never in our lives, in such a short period of time, did we expect to encounter every emotion. The mixture of sadness, laughter, heartache, joy, and frustration all combine into the most powerful emotion a human can offer, love.
Threw moments of weakness, we have discovered that ultimately love has been carrying our pain. The way they demonstrate their love for their work, their families, their friends, even us is so captivating because even though they have so little, they have the most inspiring life lessons to teach us.
All in all we cannot begin to understand their appreciation for life and how grateful they all are. A simple “hola” sparks a smile with a wave and that connection, even if it lasts two seconds, is a bond created between two strangers.Nikki & Kayle- Students 
” Today our team was given the chance to visit an orphanage. I however, have never been to an orphanage before so I had no idea what to expect. 
While on the bus I was completely calm and didn’t really think much of it. But once we got to the orphanage, this one boy came running up to our bus and started saying hello. At that point, I was starting to get nervous because as I looked outside I saw many different kids in wheelchairs and through the window I could see children standing in their beds. I was nervous because I have never really worked with children who are disabled and I know it was going to be a different environment, but I was not ready for what I was about to experience.The first room we went into had eight beds and each one had a child that was bone thin and not smiling. It was totally unexpected and overwhelming for not only myself but for my whole group as well. No one really knew what to do, except cry and let everything out. Surprisingly, I did not cry right away because I was more in shock then anything else, but seeing those children bed-ridden for their entire life completely hit the heart.After visiting that room, everyone went and explored the orphanage and went to meet the other children. I went into one room upstairs and I was immediately drawn to this one boy. I was really scared to touch him because he was bed-ridden and looked so fragile. I gently stroked his hand and before I knew it he grabbed my hand with so much force, but with so much compassion. A smile just appeared on my face and when I looked at him he had the same expression as me. I lost all control at that point because even though there was the language barrier we were still able to understand one another. Just sitting on the floor and holding his hand through his crib, all the fear and sadness that I had felt
disappeared. That connection that we created was nothing but love and laughter.Our group was also fortunate to work with an amazing woman, Allyson Grant. She is a clown doctor that works with children and we were lucky enough to bring clowning around to the orphanage. One again, I did not know what to expect and how the children would react to us wearing a red nose. But the moment we all put them on you could hear laughter pouring at almost every child that we played with. Each child extended a smile from ear to ear. Even those who could not laugh, you could see the sparkle in their eyes and that was enough to change anyone’s day.It’s hard to believe that even the smallest mask in the world can make a difference but it can and I have witnessed it. Yes, there may be a language barrier, but that should never stop us from putting a smile on a child’s face. The simplest thing in the world that any human can do is smile. Today at the orphanage smiling was my only way of communication and I was able to communicate with every child and staff member. It didn’t matter whether I spoke Spanish because every single human being can understand the language of a smile.”Kayla Lim- Student
” I thought that the clown doctoring today in the orphanage went amazing. Both speaking as a performer, and as a leadership student; I feel the connection you can make with a mask (clown nose) leaves a way bigger impression on the kids then without a mask. The nose is a basic extension of a mask, masks do not hide you; but actually open you up way more and help to make bigger connections. With even a slight mask you feel safe and able to step out of your comfort zone. You end up releasing the more intimate parts of yourself and the children enjoy it more. Speaking of which the children and staff LiveDifferent (formerly Absolute)ly loved it! You never know what it’s like until you try it. Words can’t describe it. Just being there and helping was truly amazing. I personally am not shy at all, but everyone from the super shy to the “older” more mature adults were getting involved and having a blast. You really realize the diversity of the children personalities and appreciate what you are doing and the difference you are making in those lives. Thank you to Jest for Joy and Hero Holidays and the orphanage for what we were given today it was truly amazing!”-Dustin Innes, Student
My team leader posed a question to us after a day spent at a nearby orphanage for disabled children- What makes an “orphan” an orphan?Is it someone without any parents, a child scarred by abandonment… or perhaps just an individual lacking emotional and financial support?Hero Holiday is allowing each of us to see that despite our many differences in terms of talent, passion, finances and more… we all have one crucial similarity. In a world exemplifying so many global issues and challenges, we all share the ability to love the unloved. 
We have been given the opportunity to reach out in a tangible way whether it be building a school, a house or merely holding and humming in the ear of a child who may never respond…We can all be successful at loving others.Lover Never Fails!!-Grace Voteary, Student.
7:15 – beep beep: the sound of our clock awakes us all from the restless sleep that night. Honestly though, who could sleep while knowing the next day would be full of first and unexpected surprises?Six out of the nineteen wonderful people from team three choose to go horse back riding on their day off. The day started as usual, meeting at 7:30, getting ready for the day and at 8:30 boarding the van. Minus the sounds of the Dominican horn blowing, it was a quiet ride there, but seeing as there may have only been two of us who had ever ridden horses before, you can imagine there was a lot to think about.Once there, we emptied out of the van to look at the rocky red dirt of the jungle and our 6 horses being untied from the trees. As we mounted the horses we could all see the same look in our eyes, “Holy cow, we’ve never done this before.” Fortunately, this didn’t stop us. After our 4T’s guide Anthony gave us a quick lesson on how to steer (and stop), we were on our way. It was rough terrain at first but through the rocks and after relaxing on our horses we were able to see the beautiful landscape. We went through the jungle seeing old caves placed in the middle of trees and bushes, looking at burnt out forestry which now has vibrant baby green trees growing through the white rocks surrounding the area. After trusting the horses and becoming more comfortable on the saddle we were able to experience “galloping”. Meanwhile learning (in the moment) how to stop.When we reached as far as the trail went, we got off our horses and shared cut up fruit with our guides on banana leaves. Of course this was after they showed us the cave full of water that we (obviously) had to jump into. The water was clear, blue and so refreshing. It took a little encouragement for some, but after a few minutes we were all in the water. Looking back on the experience it still calms me when thinking about the scenery and how awakening the water felt as i jumped from the rocks.Elizabeth Doney- Student Leader
When you think of a dump, your initial thought is a place where your garbage is disposed of, not a place where it’s the only way of earning a living. Almost all the workers are Haitian refugees who are stateless, living in the Dominican Republic. The “workers” make less than a dollar a day by collecting plastic bottles, tin cans and scrap metal. Each bag that the workers fill is worth approx. 5 pesos, which converts into approx. 17cents Canadian. 
For us, the Hero Holiday students, we were able to step into the shoes of these workers and getting covered in who knows what. At times the smell was so over whelming we wanted to barf, but after spending three hours in the dump the smell became “normal”. Living in Canadian society, most of us grew up with a need of accomplishment and success, It’s amazing how the dump brought forth these needs. Our goal was to fill over sized bags provided by the workers. Surprisingly, it was rather difficult to find plastic bottles. After walking on mountains of garbage, there it was, “poking out of rotting banana peels- our first plastic bottle! The amount of success that overwhelmed our bodies from finding one little bottle was amazing.
From this dump experience I have come to the realization that our society takes things for granted way to much. I know that every time I look at a plastic bottle again, my mind will fill with the memories of the dump. Also, I plan to take some action after seeing and experiencing this accomplishment. I really want to encourage people to see the same realization as myself.Rebecca Price- Student Leader.
Dominican Republic – Orphanage Day- by Allyson J Grant a participant on Hero Holiday July 2008Joy and inspiration. These are the two words that I emphasized with our group today, our “Spirit Clowns”, as we readied ourselves for entering the orphanage.Apart from a few new brave souls, we as a group have worked together in the past creating compassion and 
leadership in school-related events. However, we were slightly tentative about the emotional impact that this particular site would have on us. Knowing that all the children were mentally or physically disabled and that we had to be cognizant of the language barrier. We decided that we would enter “in clownito” (as my mentor had dubbed it), or in other words out of clown, to assess the situation, the needs of the children, and to get ourselves accustomed to what for the most of them was an entirely new element.I was not one of the first of our troupe off the buss and into the first room, but as I approached the door a handful of red eyes and wet faces were emerging overwhelmed and overcome with a resounding question about the sights: why? As we made our way through the various rooms of the new facility, the reactions became vast-some of us were carrying children in our arms, others were grasping for breath and comprehension, and all reactions were okay. Were they going to be able to- or WANT to- create the “spark of light” that is integral to this form of clown work? What would it take to go from feeling consumed with sorrow to giving the gift of love?We helped with the lunch feedings, and gathered to reconfirm the details: we were there to provide our spirit. Spirit clowning in this environment was new to us all, but the sound of giggles, the squeals of glee and the
toothy grins were not. The unmistakable impact of our work fueled us right from the moment the children saw us re-enter donned in Red noses. We danced with some, sang with some, were gregarious and physical, or were tender and subtle with some, but we smiled with all.The red nose works as a remarkable tool-it allows the wearer to step into a realm of profound intimacy, connection and child-like wonder that we so often do not allow ourselves; but it also allows the viewer to accept love and laughter on a new level.Spirit clowns retreated at their own pace after we had been at it for quite a while, either being satisfied that they had given what they wanted, or were emotionally or physically exhausted and needed to re-charge. And all reasons were okay.As we collected, noses-off and sweat-laden in the sunlit and breezy room at the top of the stairs, we called out in unison, Buenos tardes. Amigos! “to the room of full of smiling faces, I descended wondering who received the biggest gift of joy and inspiration.**Spirit Clowning is a branch of Jest for Joy that promotes Education/Outreach opportunities in Red Nose. Spirit Clowns are non-professional performers who are facilitated by a professional clown-doctor to promote joy and inspiration through Red Nose work. Leadership students from JN Burnett Secondary School have had workshopping in the art of Spirit Clowning over the past 2 years, which was co-created with Kristi Molnar.Allyson J Grant is the Artistic Director of the newly developed organization Jest for Joy. Jest for Joy is a clown-doctoring program which focuses on prompting wellness of patients through wit, physical theatre and song. Clown doctors are not merely entertainers; they are professional performers are highly trained, and are an integral part of the health care team. For more information, please visit www. Jestforjoy.caFor more stories of the students of J.N. Burnett please visit their blog at www.burnettkids.blogspot.com
What! Hard work, hot days and sweat could equal fun??… To the students here with us in the Dominican Republic it does. Throughout the trip, our students travel to one of the four work sites and work their butts off and… for some weird reason they like it. I guess you would too if you got to see what a life changing difference your hard work could make in a developing community.Our first project, Arroyo Seco, is a school that Hero Holiday has worked on since 2006. Three
years ago we stepped out of our trucks onto a field where local farmers kept their cows and pigs and now have built a two story school with an on site medical clinic (to be completed this August), a full fence, and play ground for it’s students. This July we are completing the inside and have already witnessed many paint wars and ceilings being put up. At the end of July this school will be fully painted and ready for classes to start!
The second project is, Cangrejo, we started this 
school build last summer. A few days before the trip started the cement roof was put on the second floor. We have to wait 15 days for it to cure so in the mean time the students have started digging the washrooms. Yesterday, they laid the last cement in the bathroom footings and the walls should go up any day now. We are also moving dirt to even out an area for parking.
The third project is another school, we are working to put a fence around a school called Dominican Advance. Kent, our on staff Kiwi, works the students like crazy and is hoping to get the fence up and around the school. He seams to think that we may have this fence completed by the end of the week. Go Team!
Out last project which is dear to each on the staff and participant’s hearts is the house we are building for Bernard. Bernard has been helping with Hero Holiday since our first trip to the Dominican Republic. He is known f
or his BIG smile, hilarious personality and generous heart. The student’s are digging through hard dirt to make a trench for the footings and foundation of his home. Bernard is a Haitian and has had to over come many racial barriers while living in Dominican. Despite all of this he keeps a positive attitude and gives back to his community in helping to build schools, providing opportunities for struggling artists to sell their art and he also supports his brother who runs an orphanage in Haiti.There are two other activities (an orphanage visit and a half day of helping people working in a local dump) that the students participate in… stay tuned for more pictures and stories tomorrow.I will say, so far our trip has been a success, communities are receiving the help they need and student’s lives are being changed.~Nettie Brown
