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In February of 2015, our Interact Club sent nine travelers: Piper (sophomore), Marah (sophomore), Riley (sophomore), Hannah (junior), Libby (junior), Sammy (junior), Rachel (junior), Kristen (junior), and Danielle (senior). The bus departed Saugatuck High School for Detroit. From Detroit, they took a flight to Santo Domingo. The travelers spent five days in the Dominican Republic to work in Batey 106.
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In the Batey, the group finished the latrine that was started in the June 2014 trip. Since the trip was in the winter, the group was able to see first hand the school that students in the batey attend. On the first day, the travelers arrived in Santo Domingo and drove to La Romana. During the trip, the travelers teamed up with the Good Samaritan Hospital which provided them room and board, guides, and drivers for the duration of the trip.
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Piper sweeps out the new latrine.
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Rachel paints the outside of the new latrine.
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The second day, the travelers drove to Batey 106. They met everyone in the batey and began work on the latrine. They carried 250 blocks and 100 loads of sand to the building site. After a long day of work, the travelers went to the public beach to relax. The next day, the travelers drove to Batey 106 and began work. The travelers painted the latrine, wheeled in more loads of sand and 100 loads of gravel to the site. The travelers mixed concrete that would help complete the latrine. Later, the travelers played with the children.
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That night, the travelers went to Altos de Chavon, a replica of a European village. At Altos de Chavon, the travelers were immersed in traditional Dominican culture. On the fourth day, the travelers went to Saona Island and got to experience some of the beauty that the Dominican had to offer.
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The group departs of Saona Island.
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A student in Batey 106 stands in his one room school eager to learn.
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On the fifth day, the travelers went back to Batey 106 and put the finishing touches on the latrine. The last day, the travelers packed up and said their goodbyes to everyone that helped in the Good Samaritan Hospital. The travelers then had a long plane ride back to Michigan followed by a bus ride to Saugatuck High School.
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