A Vision Trip is very different from a mission trip. A mission trip is specifically designed to allow you to work hands-on with the poor. It can entail anything from painting a building to actually building the building. However, on a Vision Trip the main objective is to see exactly how donor-dollars are being used to improve the lives of the people in the community.
My third day in the Dominican Republic began just as the others had – early. The rooster living next door was up right on time but I didn’t mind. I am not a morning person; however, when I travel it seems that I am always getting up before the sun.
After breakfast at the hotel and our morning devotionals, we got back on the bus for a one and a half hour drive from Barahona to Jimani. Along the way, we stopped for a sponsor-child visit. This was my first true encounter with the people World Vision serves.
While the sponsor was inside, the rest of us spoke with the neighbors who came out to see what was going on. Mostly women and children from the surrounding area came to speak with us and to oblige our camera-happy group. It was quite a big deal and many of the children really enjoyed the chance to see their pictures on our tiny camera screens.
Remembering to Be Sensitive
One thing that we needed to be aware of was how we conducted ourselves while at this visit. It was very important for us to remember that all of this attention could have a negative impact on the family that we were visiting. I would like to share this with you because it is important information that I did not think about until it was brought to my attention.
When you see a need you may be inspired to act immediately, but you have to move forward cautiously. For example, do not throw candy, food or money from any vehicle. This is not a parade route and you don’t want children running out into the street. It sounds obvious, but some people don’t realize the obvious until it is too late.
Building from the same example but removing the vehicle, do not start handing out candy to random children. What may seem like only a few kids can quickly turn into an entire village. Also, always ask first if you can take someone’s picture. How would like it if a bus full of strangers pulled up to your house and started taking pictures of your kids?
A little common sense can go a long way. Sensitivity is paramount when visiting a sponsor child’s family. The family has to stay there well after you are gone and you don’t want your visit to create hostilities for the family or the workers who have to return there everyday.
Child-Friendly Space in Eriquillo A.D.P
Just up the hill of another sponsor-child visit was a colorful building with Dora the Explorer and Diego painted on the front. We learned that the people in the surrounding area were victims of a 2006 flood that forced them to re-locate. World Vision created a place for the children to go to feel safe and regain some sense of normality.
The child-friendly space was situated next to the church and seemingly in the center of the community. Again, we found a lot of children wanting to see their pictures and many curious adults. The people were very gracious and friendly towards us and we appreciated their patience with our intrusion and broken attempts at Spanish.
Lake Enriquillo and Haitian Border
Our World Vision guide wanted to show us the condition of Lake Enriquillo which has risen approximately 30 feet in the past three years. The dramatic change has claimed precious farm land and displaced many families. We saw clear evidence of this at the Haitian border where the former Customs office was submerged and nearly 40 feet from the dry land.
Our tour did not end there. We actually walked through the gate and stepped into a “no-man’s-land” between the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. On each side of the dirt road were vendors trying to sell a number of goods. There were a handful of cement buildings but most were made of wood. Trucks ran up and down the street behind us and the people watched our strange group as we continued our survey of the lake.
It was dirty and uncomfortable. I saw a young man at the edge of the lake filling up a plastic bottle with water. I found out later that he was using that bottle to mix up some soap to bathe. Just a few minutes later, a man urinated in the lake near the area where the young man had been. I had assumed that the water was not fit for much but this assumption became reality, a very sad reality.
Haitian Volunteers
After the earthquake, the people of Haiti faced impossible decisions. Lives lost, families displaced and futures forever changed. World Vision acted immediately and continues assisting the people of Haiti in their recovery operations. My journeys now lead me to a group of young people who took on the challenge and inspire me with their dedication.
Ages fourteen to twenty-six, young men and women volunteer their time searching for the lost children of Haiti. These lost children fled home and walked to the Dominican Republic. Now living on the streets, some forced into the sex trade, they are found and brought to World Vision. Then, this extraordinary group of young people attempts to re-unite these children with their families. I am amazed and humbled by their efforts.
The people and places we visited were real. They were beautiful and ugly at the same time. Much work remains and now my story becomes fuller than it has ever been. I’ve seen the tragedy and the hope. It is a crazy contrast to the existence I knew before.
April Wright - Hello! I am a full-time mom of four. I am very happily married and a native of Florida. I do A LOT of volunteer work and absolutely LOVE ...
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