Goodbye to Altagracia and Cotui; Off to Santo Domingo

 This may be the last daily blog post, although there will certainly be at least one more after our safe return.  On Saturday we will traveling to Santo Domingo and busy all day, and after we check into our hotel with sketchy wi-fi, we’ll be checking out at 12:30 a.m. Sunday to go to the airport.  So, no promises after today’s account of our final Friday in Cotui. We arrived at the Altagracia School on time for the normal opening routine of two national anthems, although their recording of the Star Spangled Banner provided all three verses, challenging those of us singing along. I know that the third verse begins with “Oh, thus be it ever, where free men shall stand…” but not much after that. The closing ceremony for our time at the school included a speech by one of Mari’s star English students, and then gifts for all of us.  The guys got key chains made by Mari, and the women got hair clips, which the Director lovingly clipped in place on each recipient.  An Altagracia student chorus sang a song that they had composed about DR Projects, and the well-rehearsed DRP Chorus sang “Over The Rainbow”. Then two student dance teams performed routines that were extraordinary. The well-drilled baton team had actually won some competitions, and it was easy to see why.  Then six students in traditional costumes danced, and when they were all done, we were invited to dance with them. We took a group photo with both student groups, and it is likely to become our favorite photo of the trip. 

 

Even with the extended morning assembly, there was time for us to teach a 4th grade class before recess, which was extended to include several field day activities, including an epic game of musical chairs, pitting all eight of the DRP students.  With hundreds of students cheering lustily, Chloe used her Sunapee High Spirit Week skills to good use, and was literally mobbed by dozens of adoring students.  You had to be there.  We had a quick lunch at the hotel, and then returned for a final class with a 6th grade group that we had not seen previously during the week.  It was so fitting to end with students who had been learning for three years with us.  It was a small class, and so we had no worse than a two to one teaching ratio.  We said goodbye to them at the end of class and deputized them to wish a fond farewell to the rest of the students.  We left gifts for the teachers and staff, and we were off.

 

From the school, we drove straight to Hernando Alonso, where the entire group had the chance to see the completed paint job on the basketball court.  We inaugurated the court with a four-on-four game involving our students and some of theirs.  We also delivered a projector which would enable them to project computer images on a wall or screen. That’s standard for every room in a U.S. school, but a first for this little school in the hills. We had time after leaving the school to drive down a long hill to the shore of the huge Hatillo reservoir, encountering a flock for egrets and spying a heron in a nearby tree. The road ended abruptly in the reservoir. Decades ago, it continued to the other side of what was then a valley.  Several villages were abandoned and drowned in the process of making the reservoir.

 

After our final supper (outstanding pizza and passion fruit ice cream bars reminiscent of Creamsicles), we had a final team meeting and shared “shout-outs”.  Everyone had the chance to praise other members of the group, and we heard some warm plaudits for many members of the team. Many of the adults had very warm words for our eight students, and it was a little daunting to hear that they will all be graduates six weeks from now.  They have been so tireless and dedicated to our work. We promised each other that we would do our best to show up for our scheduled DRP Celebration on Sunday, May 17th at 4:00 at the Norwich church.  You should come, too!  After the meeting we were bussed to a local Karaoke establishment for an evening of shared song. There are no photos or accounts available.  What happens after dark in Cotui stays in Cotui.  But a great time was had by all. School Director Maria Del Carmen joined us and showed off her really impressive voice.  She had also shared dinner with us, and we had the chance to tell her how much we loved her school and her students.  We’re already planning for next year’s visit, and how we can support them between now and then.  We may be asking you for your help.  For now, we take great satisfaction that this well-organized mission trip was such a success. Congratulations to Rita Severinghaus and the Leadership Team.  Hasta ano proximo!

























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