Mar 06 2008
Better than the beach
by freshman John Campbell, Jr.
Spring break-a time characteristic of parties, picturesque beaches, and a carefree lifestyle. However, in reflection over the past four days of my spring break, I am forced to recognize and appreciate the contrast between what most college freshmen are doing with their break from classes and what I am doing here in the Dominican Republic.
At first glance, my spring break seems to be ideal-Caribbean beaches, cool breezes and lots of sun. However, these very general things only touch the surface of why my spring break is ideal. Over the course of these last four days, I have had the opportunity to interact with and immerse myself in the culture of Monte Cristi. Every morning I get up with an innate desire to serve the children of this place. It is my passion that fuels the thirty-minute walks to and from the school where I teach. It is the smiles of every child in my classroom that makes the intense heat a little more bearable. It is the look of amazement and relief on the faces of struggling fourth graders when they finally understand the vocabulary word that I have been drilling for the last five minutes that makes having a hoarse voice worthwhile.
Before this trip, I thought that organic chemistry and calculus were the “be all, end all.” However, since I have been in the Dominican Republic, I have learned otherwise. I have learned that it is not about me or what I know. It is about using everything that is within me - all of my experiences and accumulated knowledge - and using it to better the life of someone else. Teaching colors, body parts, animals, and the parts of the face may all seem to be easy and unimportant. However, to the children of this place, it is better than anything else I could offer them. They do not want clothes or other materialistic things, they simply want their pictures taken with Americans or someone to pick them up and play with them. Essentially, they want attention and someone to love them.
Well, they got me! What can I say? The kids of the Bella Vista School and Orphanage Outreach have stolen my heart with their luminous smiles and tender hugs. I have a vested interest in their well-being, and it is, therefore, my goal to enable them to become lifelong learners. I know that the harvest of my investment may not be seen by me, or maybe not even by the next volunteer. However, eventually my investment will come through. It is my greatest hope that I have given them as much as they have given me. Thus far, this spring break has been everything that I could have possibly imagined it to be
I am surrounded by the positive energy of students from around the country who all have the same passion for service as I do. The amazing thing about this place is that all the volunteers share the same goal - to serve the children of Orphanage Outreach and the surrounding community. This goal is only enhanced by the welcoming smiles and enthusiastic greetings from elders and youth alike in the village. Nothing that I can think of could better prepare me for the trials and tribulations of college life than the intense seven-day experience working with children of Monte Cristi. Now, when I set foot onto NC State’s campus, I know I can to take on anything university life has to offer.