I also got to visit a new beach and introduce the Dominican Republic to Caitlin! Caitlin is one of my very best friends. We met on our first day in college, and since then I have lived with both her and her fiancé. Caitlin came to Puerto Plata and bought us 3 nights at a beautiful all-inclusive. One of our best memories comes from Cayo Arena, or Paradise Island. We went here one day and snorkeled, and it was GORGEOUS!
I’m in the middle stages of my work with the Escojo program in San Juan. Last week I distributed the pre-test to all the participants, who will take the same test in June in order to determine what they learned. We know Escojo is an effective program at the community level, if effectiveness can be measured in terms of commitment to the group, but at the school level it’s a mystery. In some of the classes there are over 50 students. That might be too many youth to have in one room. It’s certainly too many to participate in many of the interactive activities that characterize Escojo. It’s exciting to become involved in a pilot program, and I hope that my work can help make Escojo Mi Vida more effective at the national level.
Time is certainly passing quickly. I'll be moving back to the USA in exactly 4 months!! More on that next time.
The picture of Cayo Arena is amazing! I'm so glad you got to explore some new places and spend time with other volunteers and with Caitlin! It sure does seem like time is going by quickly, and in less than a month you'll be back home for your last visit! Then in no time at all you'll be living in Portland and on with the next big adventure in your life....Thanks for keeping up this blog Mer. I'm sorry I never posted a comment for the last two entries, but I really am grateful that you are taking the time to do this!
ReplyDeleteLove you tons~
Mom