“Hello, my name is….”
This was the lesson when I participated in a session of Community English during my February trip with Fathom as a brand ambassador. We had the pleasure of working in groups of 6 – three Americans and three Dominicans in the first lesson of a 240 hour training program to teach these beautiful people English. The Dominicans in my group included a young woman and her 7 year old daughter as well as a very soft spoken woman a little bit older than me. Our session in February was difficult, those 8 years of French that I took in grade school and high school were of no help when trying to teach English to these women who spoke only Spanish. During our time together neither me, nor my companions were able to get the soft spoken women to communicate with us.
I was hesitant to participate in the Community English impact activity last week when I returned to the Dominican Republic aboard the Adonia with my family.
While we were on the bus last week on our way to the neighborhood we would be helping I noticed some familiar sites, eventually, it became clear. Out of the several neighborhoods that the Community English trip visits, I was returning to San Antonio. I wondered if I would recognize anyone. I wondered if we would still be on the first lesson. Honestly, I wondered if the Community English program was working.
Upon entering the community center I did recognize some familiar faces, I scanned the room looking for Stacy, the 7 year old I had helped a few months prior. I wanted to introduce her to my own daughter, who is about the same age. I didn’t see Stacy, or her Mom, but I did see the third woman. I asked our guide, Abel, to translate for me and tell her that we had met during her first lesson. He did and I was met with a huge smile and a hug.
I never expected what happened next. She extended her hand and said “Hello, my name is Jacinta. How are you?” I wasn’t sure whether I was going to cry or fall on the floor, so we hugged again. I couldn’t believe that after only a few lessons she had come so far. Remember, Fathom is brand new, we were the 6th cruise to the Dominican Republic.
After a few ice breaker activities it was time to break off into smaller groups and begin the lesson of the day, food! Together my husband, daughter and myself spent the next 90 minutes with ElJuan, Emelda, Illuminatia, Juana and Sandra reviewing older lessons and learning each other’s favorite foods. The were very enthusiastic and quite patient, they also taught us a few words of Spanish before our time together came to a close.
We returned to the community center and participated in a few more activities, we also had the opportunity to share some of our experiences. One family talked about how much of an impact the Dominican family had on them and how they feel like they were the ones who learned that day. Another single man got up to say how much his attitudes about his own life and contentment had been affected by the activity. Several Dominican families also spoke about our time together and thanked us for coming. When given the opportunity to share I was able to tell the group that no matter how short our time together, or how much those of us struggled who don’t know Spanish, that together we are making a difference. We are building upon the lessons that previous travelers have completed and we are changing the lives of those in the community. These community members are learning English so they can get better jobs and in turn provide more for their families. It’s working for them, this was made crystal clear to me many of them with their gratitude, and one by her words, her name is Jacinta.
If this type of impact travel sounds like something you would be interested in, I would love to chat with you. If you would like to read more about impact travel sign up here