As our time in the Dominican Republic has now come to and end and we return to
the states for the start of classes, I have been reflecting on everything that has happened
here and the impact it has had on my life and the lives of those who we have helped.
Coming back for the second time, it was amazing to find that the people I met last year
still vividly remembered who I was, as if I was just one of the people in town. Having
that type of connection to the people we were helping made me forget that I was even in
a foreign country, and the people were welcoming everywhere that we went. It was also
reminder of just how lucky were all are and the luxuries we have.
The families we were building latrines for were the poorest of the poor in the
community, many who had 7-9 people living in a room equivalent in size to a standard
American living room in a middle class house. Keep in mind that for these families,
this was all they had in terms of living space, so having a building dedicated solely as
a bathroom is something of a luxury. The work was very taxing on us and there wasn’t
a day that went by when we weren’t sore and exhausted by lunchtime, only half way
through our day. Our temporary pain was worth the end result though.
Now that you are able to see the end result of your contribution to this great
cause, we hope that you feel the same way that we do about what we have done for a
community where you are considered well off if you have running water. If more people
in the world were as generous and caring as you, imagine how much change we could
bring to the world and the people who struggle with basic necessities on a daily basis.
Again, I would like to personally thank you for your contribution to our trip. You truly
have made an impact on so many people that will now have a better life just by having a
sanitary and stable place to use as a bathroom. The brothers of Sigma Chi and the people
of Don Juan are eternally grateful for your dedication to service.
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