Oh my goodness! So very much happens everyday that writing for two days seems overwhelming. Julie and I have been to the medical clinic twice. We spend the mornings there and then work with the kids after lunch. The clinic is an a clinic that works with patients who have HIV and AIDS. We sat in on a consultation today and the poor woman was just a mess. She appeared at first fine, Dominicans take a great deal of pride in their appearance. We then found out that she had cyrosis (I am sure that is incorrectly spelled), Hep. C. and HIV. She cannot be given all the medicine she needs to relieve the pain, because her liver cannot handle it. She was an alcoholic, apparently is now sober. We learned there are about 2000 people with HIV in the DR. 92% of the adults with AIDS contract it through sexual relations. 17,000 childern approximately are born with HIV and only 150 of them are receiving good care. 150 are living with parents who have the disease. For such a small country these numbers are huge. We (Julie and I) are teaching one of the health center employees English- should be interesting.
The kids are great. Today we took them to the Malicon (boardwalk). It was the first time in a long time they could act like children in public. The tourist police harassed them, but could only say so much since they were with four gringas. The boys loved how safe they felt with us. I did worry about running into their bosses, fortunately we did not. Some of these boys are six or ten years old and living basically on their own (no family) and working. I have been coloring with them frequently. The task of properly holding a marker is difficult for some. They are quickly learning to let their imaginations run wild. Playing cards are a blessing for teaching math- I hope to bring back more this summer.
I worked on Suzanna´s school yesterday. Hopefully windows will be put in tomorrow- but who knows when you are on Dominican time.
I have had my hair in cornrows the past three days- super idea. China, the cook, has a cousin who has done it twice for me now. I currently I have beads in them. It is so much cooler and since I am working on day 3 with no shower, it keeps my hair neat.
I wish I had more time to write about the culture, but alas.
So long from the DR.
The kids are great. Today we took them to the Malicon (boardwalk). It was the first time in a long time they could act like children in public. The tourist police harassed them, but could only say so much since they were with four gringas. The boys loved how safe they felt with us. I did worry about running into their bosses, fortunately we did not. Some of these boys are six or ten years old and living basically on their own (no family) and working. I have been coloring with them frequently. The task of properly holding a marker is difficult for some. They are quickly learning to let their imaginations run wild. Playing cards are a blessing for teaching math- I hope to bring back more this summer.
I worked on Suzanna´s school yesterday. Hopefully windows will be put in tomorrow- but who knows when you are on Dominican time.
I have had my hair in cornrows the past three days- super idea. China, the cook, has a cousin who has done it twice for me now. I currently I have beads in them. It is so much cooler and since I am working on day 3 with no shower, it keeps my hair neat.
I wish I had more time to write about the culture, but alas.
So long from the DR.
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