The group is ready to begin installing water filtration systems in a batey.
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In June 2012, Saugatuck High School teamed up with Rockford High School. Saugatuck High School sent four travelers: Matt (senior), Sal (junior), Kelli (senior), and Nicole (senior). The travelers met at Saugatuck High School and departed for Chicago. In Chicago, they took a flight to Miami. Next, they took a flight from Miami to Santo Domingo. Drivers from the Good Samaritan Hospital picked them up at the airport and drove them to La Romana. After a long day of travel, the travelers arrived and settled into Casa Pastoral. Casa Pastoral provided room and board, drivers, and guides to the travelers during their stay in the Dominican Republic.
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The next day, the travelers got to enjoy the city since their were no jobs to do on Sunday. They immersed into the Dominican culture after they went to historical sites, walked the streets of La Romana, went to a mega-grocery store, the local beach, and attended a church service. The third day, the travelers worked at a construction site helping to build part the Good Samaritan Hospital. They also got a tour of the entire hospital.
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Sal takes a picture with a group of girls from a batey.
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Dominican Republic 2012 from Sal Maicki on Vimeo. |
The next day, the travelers loaded the buses and headed to several bateys to install water filtration systems. The travelers had to assemble them in locals' homes and teach them in Spanish how to maintain and clean them. The travelers also got to play with the children and tour the bateys. After a long day of work, the travelers headed back to Casa Pastoral in La Romana.
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The next day, the travelers woke early and headed to a batey to hand out shoes. The situation turned chaotic and violent fast. Some men brought machetes, the crowd got pushy, and someone threw a shoe at Kelli's head. The travelers had to problem solve to keep the situation non-violent. None of the travelers were hurt, but they did learn how valuable something so simple as a shoe is to some people. In the afternoon, the travelers went to an all girls orphanage. They brought nail polish, string for bracelets, and music to dance to.
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This is a batey where the group installed water filtration systems.
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The next day, the travelers went to Saona Island and took in the beauty of the Dominican Republic. On their last day in the Dominican Republic, the travelers spent exploring Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and the oldest city in the Americas. They took a tour and saw many historical sites around the city. That night, Casa Pastoral threw a good-bye party for the travelers. The next day, the travelers woke early, packed their bags, said their final good-byes to everyone who helped them on their journey at Casa Pastoral and headed for the airport. They took a flight from Santo Domingo to Miami and Miami to Chicago followed by a long bus ride back home.