PUERTO PLATA!

A week and a half ago (I know, long overdue) I had the privilege to travel up to Puerta Plata for 5 days and visit my friend and fellow intern, Travis. It was a great time to see where he is working and the programs that consume his time. The main event of the week was to see the conclusion of the program `40 Días de Propósito´ or `40 Days of Purpose´, based on the book by Rick Warren. The program was initiated by an intern who preceeded Travis, which then was his responsibility when she left. About 15 Haitian women were asked to participate in this program, all of whom work/worked in prostitution. Out of these 15 women, about half of them have HIV/AIDS. The group gathered every weekday for 40 days to hear a devotional from the book, presented by a local volunteer or pastor, as well as little health presentations. It was so encouraging to hear the women in deep discussion about the topic of the day despite the fact that I knew not one word of Criole. I just sat and watched intently, wondering what their lives were like outside of the little church sanctuary. Travis leaned over and told me that the one girl to my left, the one holding the baby, was 18. She had a 4-year-old son running around the church wreaking havoc and the 8-month-old baby boy that looked about 3 months old (pictured above, front center). He was so malnourished because she could rarely afford to feed it milk. Instead she often arrived to meetings feeding it juice or sugar water.

Friday afternoon into the evening we all celebrated-the women, their families, the volunteers, and the Esperanza staff. There was music, dancing, singing, food, pictures, sharing and laughter. Seeing how Travis had formed relationships with these women and got a glimpse into their lives was well worth the trip. The next step in the process is to get these women loans so that they may start businesses and provide for their families in a safe and healthy manner.



The energetic boys fighting for camera time and their angel counterparts. Riiiiight.

The trip didn´t stop there. After all, you can´t go to Puerto Plata, the biggest beach resort area in the country, and not go to the beach. Travis led a few of us girls to his favorite spot close to Sosua Beach where we spent most of the day enjoying the magnificent coastline and the chrystal clear water. After some snorkeling, reading, and sunburning (I just made that a verb), we called it quits.

Me and brother Travis. Everyone here thinks we´re related.