Women leaders

Yesterday was a long day. I love the Dominican Republic, the culture, the food, the relationships that I have developed, the beach. However, sometimes there are cultural differences that I lose patience with and miss home, family, friends, the food, speaking in English, the change of seasons...

Yesterday was one of those days that I was frustrated and at the end of the work day ready to go home and relax, escape the world I'm living in for an evening. But Denisse, my wonderful boss, asked me to go with her and a few women I work with to check out possible spaces for a homework room. Although tired, I accompanied them. What I thought would be just a little bit of time, stopping to see a couple building spaces turned into something completely different.

We met with a group of women leaders from the community, all gathering in a little chapel, although it was really just a piece of concrete with a pavilion style tin roof. It is a Cathlic chapel but the women were proud to explain that they all came from different Christian churches and respect each other for their different beliefs and political views. I found this surprising and wonderful. In this culture it is difficult to find people open-minded.

At first I was rather impatient and wanted Denisse to get down to business; state the reason that we had come (to see the homework room spaces) and then we go on our way. However, that is not that way business works in Dominican culture. We spent a good 30 minutes sitting around talking and eating lemonsillos (their little fruits that are growing on trees now, look like little lemons, delicious!) Then we participated in their meeting of women leaders, talking about the problems in their community, what they want to see change, how they want to see it change. This included the big problem that's in many communities here with education, lack of space in schools, not allowing children to enter school because they are behind or without documents. This included the lack of recreational space for their youth, such as a basketball court or community center, baseball field. The problem of trash. This area is further away from the center of town and where they used to throw the city trash. Although it's improved since the community has grown, there is still big open fields filled with trash, all dirt roads with lots of holes. This were all concerns they addressed and talked about how they have been working to make change and what they will continue to do.

I found it to be an incredibly inspirational meeting. The women ranged from 18 years old to 80 and were all very energetic and passionate about their opinions, they listened to each other and even asked each of us as visitors to express our opinions. I was honored to be among these women. Most of all this gave me hope. I have gotten to know many children from this community. Some shoe shinning boys that come from very economically poor families, children that have participated in the homework room; each of these children behind in school, with learning or behavioral problems and dysfunctional families (abusive, orphans, neglected children, etc.) The children that come from this community I've noticed are generally quicker to start a fight or be aggressive. The women addressed these problems that they see within the family, in their community and how they want to work with the families, educate women, teach them a skill and help them get jobs.

After seeing so many problems among the population of children I saw a sign of home from these woman. Strong, inspired woman that are not just talking of the problems, but working to be the change within their community!

Although I returned to my house 3 hours later than I had hoped, it had been a wonderfully, inspiring experience.