What the Dominican Republic Service Learning Experience Did for me   Being a Canadian citizen, living in a luxurious home, with food on my plate three times every day, having excessive amounts of clothes to wear, clean water at my fingertips, reliable means of transportation, health care and loving friends and family, I have always taken what I have for granted.  I have never had the advantage of seeing what life is like for less fortunate people in other parts of the world.  This year, I had the honour of participating in a service learning trip to the Dominican Republic, to build a school for needy children in a small village.  Not only did I attain the satisfaction of helping those in need, but had my eyes opened to what I call, “Another World”.  In this world, people don’t have running water.  In this world, people don’t have electricity, and when they do, the government decides to randomly shut it off, whenever they feel like it.  In this world, people don’t always have enough food to maintain proper  nourishment.  In this world, so much as a little cut on ones leg could turn into such an infected wound, that it is threatening to one’s life. In this world, people have to fight for their survival.  In this world, people don’t fight, they love one another, and appreciate each and every person for who they are.  In this world, everyone is grateful for what they have.  In this world, people don’t have very much, but what they do have, is cherished and valued.  In this world, a little boy offers me his lunch bread, which is probably the only thing he has to eat today, to show his appreciation for me.  In this world, there is an overwhelming out-poor of love, warmth, kindness and respect for everyone in “This World”, including visitors, like me.  In this world, everyone is a part of each other; one big happy family.  In this world, I feel at home.  I feel that even though there are not many material things to offer, I belong in this world, to do my part, and to learn from the people in “This World”.  In April of the year 2000, I personally visited “This World”.  I did my part to help this world become a better place.  But this is not what I will take with me through the years.  As I get older, I will take with me, in my heart, everything that the people of this world gave to me.  The irony behind it, is that they don’t know that they gave me anything.  I wish there was some way, that I could let the people of this world know that they gave me more in one week, than I could ever obtain in my entire life.  When the people of this world invite me into their home, to meet four generations living in a tiny house, I see what it is like “behind the scenes”.  I see a beautiful veranda, with glasses and plates.  I see a vibrant colourful couch, covered in plastic, so as not to get it dirty.  I see children playing, and adults socializing.  And when my new friend brings out a picture of her graduation from high school, showing it so proudly, I need to try hard to control my emotions.  This woman has next to nothing, but has graduated from school, and managed to build a beautiful house, with beautiful furniture, and raise a beautiful family, who also welcomes me into their home, by sitting around and talking.  I feel so guilty, having so much in my world; wasting so much, complaining so much, and taking so much for granted. As I leave my new friend’s house, she comes to the gate to see me off, and tells me to come back soon.  In this world, it is so hard, yet so easy to communicate with these people.  It is so hard in that we do not speak the same language, but it is so easy in that these people persist until I understand what they are trying to say, which always turns out to be something kind and considerate.  To me, this world is not just another place, but a giant palace, in which everyone is rich.  They are not rich materialistically, but rich in spirit.  This is the world that I want to live in, to be a part of forever.  This world brings a smile to my face, and tears to my eyes, ironically, at the very same time.  In this world, I see little children being amused and pleased by the slightest little things; things like latex gloves, which can be blown up and played with.  Things that to us seem like nothing; that we dispose of and never think about again.  As I sit around a campfire with the people from this world, I come to terms with them.  After witnessing how happy and proud the people of this world are, I will never again take anything for granted.  I will thank God for every crumb of food on my plate, every penny in my pocket, every brick on my house, every  band-aid I put on, every Tylenol I take, every friend that I have and every bit of love that I receive.  I will realize how each and every person in this world would be overwhelmed to receive even a fraction of what I have.  The people of this world have opened my eyes wider than they have ever been opened before.  It is in my mind and in my prayers, that the people of this world will stay the way they are forever, and never come to be like the people in my world, who are selfish, who take everything they have for granted, who are judgmental and critical of other people.  As it comes time to leave this world, to come back to my world, and share with everyone my positive experiences from another world, I need put on my sun glasses to hide my tears.  I am disgusted at myself for hiding my emotions, for I wish I was letting this world see my tears; my tears of joy, for I have witnessed something more powerful than I could ever imagine; my tears of sorrow, that I have to leave such a wonderful place so soon, and that I know what a tough time these people have everyday of their lives, even though they don’t mind in; it is the only life they know.  My mind is racing with everything that I have witnessed in this past week, and with how difficult it is going to be, just to leave it all behind me, just like that.  Even though I am certain that I will never, ever, ever forget the new friends I have made, the experiences I have had, the things that I have witnessed.  God has given me the opportunity to have this experience, and I have promised both Him and myself that I will not let this experience go to waste.  I will keep in my heart, everything, forever.  There is no doubt in my mind, that I will one day be back to “This World”, to give what little I have to give, and, though this is a little bit selfish, take everything that I can take.  I love “This World”.   This world was so very, Good to me, It is everything I’ve ever, wanted to be.   My world is so selfish, Judging her and judging him; Why can’t we all be, Just a little more like them.   I feel this world, Is the way everything should be; And I thank them for everything, They’ve given to me.   -Jay Mahoney
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