BRYANNA
Elementary Education Undergraduate |
BRYANNA
Elementary Education Undergraduate |
This morning the other girls in the Cohort and I gathered to hear one of those motivational presentations I have ever seen in my life. One of the ladies from the Mariposa Foundation introduced us to some of the challenges that are not only faced in the Dominican Republic but in other parts of the world. After listening to this presentation I know there’s something else that I need to be doing to make this world a better place.
We first watched a few of the videos about the Mariposa Foundation and some of the things they strive for. In the Dominican Republic many of the girls don’t get to go to high school because by the time they’re 14 they are preparing to have a child and be married. Before girls turn this age the Mariposa Foundation wants to train girls to realize that they don’t have to stay home and be a caretaker for the rest of their lives. They can go to school, get a degree, and be whoever they want to be. The foundation provides the girls with many opportunities to let them find what they’re passionate about and pursue their dreams. I applaud them for everything that they do, because I can’t imagine how difficult it is to run a program as powerful as this one. We later watched video clips about a variety of different girls from all over the country and their struggles they face when it comes to education. One of the girls was from Haiti and her story really opened my eyes to how ungrateful I am when it comes to my education. This little girl could not afford to go to school and her mother told her she had to work instead of go to school. She was to go get water every day for the household and that was that. Eventually she went to the classes at the school and the teacher consistently told her that she could not be in the class because her family could not afford it. Eventually one day the little girl told the teacher that she was staying in the class no matter what she said. The teacher listened, and she ended up staying in the class. Seeing how hard this little girl fought for her education made me realize there’s no reason for me to ever take my education for granted. There are a ton of people in this world who want an education and can’t get it. I have been given many opportunities to be whoever I want to be, and no matter how hard it gets I’m going to follow through with my education because there are many people who wish they were in my shoes. Originally I came on this trip mainly to better my Spanish and just see what was in the Dominican Republic. Little did I know how much this trip would impact me to want to do something to help others. Fortunately I have had many opportunities in regards to education that many have not had. After hearing all of these stories and seeing what people are doing to help others I know that there’s something I can and have to do to help others. Although I am unsure yet of what it is I need to be doing, I know that in the future I will be someone who will help change someone’s life. There is a sign at the Mariposa Foundation that affects me every time I look at it. That saying is:
1 Comment
Dianne McCarthy
1/11/2017 04:16:12 pm
HI Bryanna, It sounds like you are having a great experience.
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AuthorI am an Elementary Education major with a concentration in Spanish here at Buffalo State College. I love working with kids and hope to one day be an ESL teacher. I love to laugh, dance, and spend time with family. I'm excited to embark on this journey to the Dominican Republic and can't wait to see what's there for me to explore! Archives
February 2017
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