Today was fun filled day, better yet a total shift from what we have experienced the past few days. Our field day was originally planned with several activities for the children of las Matas but it turned out to go smoother than planned. The children were stoked to play baseball (which they take very seriously), soccer, frisbee, jump rope, and bracelet making (which turned out to be popular activity). Over a 100 children from ages 2-14 participated and received goody bags that contained crayons, candy, oranges, glow sticks, beanie babies, sun glasses, hats, and stickers.
Field day ended at noon. We transitioned our day by taking a trip to El Cecada where we had a delicious lunch with nursing students from San Diego university. It was interesting to hear their purpose for being in the DR as well as how their nursing program was structured. Apart from this we took a small tour of the retreat center and took pictures with amazing scenery.
We then took a trip to meet the women who started the Nutri-Fort movement. Nutri-Fort is fortified peanut butter supplement given to malnourished children and adults. It was interesting to hear how these women initiated the movement with literally nothing and how they their business has expanded. This Nutri-Fort workgroup of women served to empower the women of this community. This occurred within a patriarchal society. We were astonished to learn that these women do not work for themselves but for the business as a whole. We ended our time at El Cecado by buying peanut butter and "dulce". The money that they made will help pay for their electricity bill.
Our day ended with attending Mass at the Catholic Church, Santa Lucia of Las Matas de Farfan. The people of this community take religion as a source of strength and hope. We were honored to have been invited to the front of the church at the end of mass to be acknowledged publically by the congregation.
To wrap up our night, we went out dancing to El Clasico, a small night club in Las Matas, where we danced to a variety of music, bachata, merengue, salsa and even techno. It was quite an eventful day and definitely one to remember.
Written by: Maria Montoya
Photos by: Maria Montoya, Emily Nugent, Caitlynn Wright
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