Creighton University

Reflections from Participants

• Being out at Comedero was amaizing. We had no water, and I don't think Shery's abuela, Victoriana, had any electricity - if she did, I didn't see her use it. I had no internet, no shower, no toilet, and you know what? I was happy. I was perfectly happy taking a "bath" in my clothes in the river. I was also reminded of something that I have observed in the past: that the people that have the least are often the most willing to share what little they have. The people in this town were kind, generous, patient, and happy. If I could bottle a little bit of Comedero and take it with me in my heart, I would gladly do so. Perhaps some day I'll come back and work there again. Who knows where life can take you? (Felicia Birch)
• My Experience in the Dominican Republic was one which has had an amazing impact on my life and will continue to mentor me for the years to come. This ILAC experience was one which was spiritual, not to the confused with religious. Many times people hear the words and use them interchangeably but spirituality is not a dogmatic entity. It was one which a communal reverence for all. Because of my background an excellent way to illustrate this is the way and life of Christ. Throughout the gospel there are several times mention when Christ is in the Synagogue, the Jewish place of worship. But there are countless times where He is with the people: living with, sitting with, praying with, taking with, eating with, and just being with the people. This is what true spirituality is. This was the experience which I had there and yearn for here, an understanding and peace which the spirit brings. (Lynden McGriff)
• When I first decided to do a semester in the Dominican Republic, everyone would ask, "Why don't you go to Spain or somewhere a little nicer?" Back then I didn't really know why I was going to the DR, but today I can say that going to the Dominican Republic was one of the best choices of my life. First off, the Dominican people are some of the most hospitable and caring people that I have ever met. Their generosity and spirit changed the way I viewed myself and others. When I left for the DR the first time, I was scared to death of being in new situations, but after spending the first 2 months in Santiago, I became much more comfortable with the differences in culture and language.
• Living at the ILAC center is one of the most spiritually fulfilling places that I can imagine . The workers at the center amaze me with their constant patience and love that they show to every visitor. There were numerous times when they patiently sat me down and told me the little things about Spanish that I would overlook. Also, the offer of daily mass or reflection in English or Spanish helped make my experience spiritually rewarding in ways that I still discover today.
• The Semester Program challenged how I viewed the world with the combination of service and course work. It felt for the first time that my studies were going to greatly impact my future through the inspiring courses that I took. The same classes that I could find at Creighton like God and Persons, Sociology, Jesus Christ Yesterday and Today, Spanish and my Service Learning all came alive with our immersions at Bateys, Campos, and Service Sites. As the experience went on, I was aided with the support and comfort of thirteen other Creighton students. With our trips throughout the island and studies in the classroom, we all grew personally and as a group for the better.
• After spending an entire semester in the Dominican Republic, I was constantly thinking about how to go back. After taking my upper level Accounting classes and realizing that I would need to do an internship, I decided to try an auditing internship in the DR. I thought that I knew Spanish well enough and my four months would have prepared me well. However my comfort flushed away in the first five minutes as I realized that I didn't have many of the old comforts of 13 Creighton students and one amazing faculty. But I found that the farther I pushed my comfort zone, the Dominican people at the ILAC center and at my internship assuaged my fears. Their warmth, compassion, and care gave me the power to wake up every morning at 7:00am, dress up for work, and take the guagua (public transportation) into Santiago.
• Some of my co-workers this summer would ask, "Why would you as an American business student want to do an internship in the Dominican Republic?" I can tell you that there were many frustrations like the power outages, the heat, the rice and beans daily, and the crowded ride on public transportation everyday. But with all these things, I can still say that the people and culture of the Dominican Republic offered something to my spirit that goes beyond the short term discomforts.
• As an RA back on campus, I find that I can still enjoy the simple things about life that remind me of the Dominican. A good Bachata song, dancing at Arthur's, speaking Spanish with people in Kiewit Hall, and slowing down to see the people around me all help remind me of a world that is larger that term papers and classroom presentations. My experience at ILAC through an internship and semester abroad gave me all the reasons to convince my residents in Kiewit that the Dominican Republic has everything that you could ever want in a study abroad. (Kieth McGovern)
• As a third year medical resident physician in Portland, ME, I needed this expererience to reaffirm my love of medicine. I forgot what it was like to hug patients you've necer met. I've never been invited to their homes and served coffee. I've never seen people who appreciate more the little assistance I can provide. Yes I saw first hand Dengue fever, acute HIV, secondary syphillis, Rheumatic fever and acute tetanus; diseases I would rarely witness in the United States. However, what I will truly cherish is making a meaningful connection with the vibrant, beautiful people and culture of the Dominican Republic. (Scott Morin)
• I have traveled in Latin America and done research in other Latin countries (for on and off 15 year or more), but this was honestly amongst the most meaningful experiences I've ever had. This trip was the perfect balance of comfort, intellectual development, spiritual development, and great fun. The ILAC Center and staff provide a beautiful relaxing home. The programs we conducted were fascinating and very thought-provoking. I have gained so much this week in terms of understanding and experiencing the peoples' spirituality. This is such a wonderful combination of different contrasting aspects of "becoming human" it would be impossible for a person to not grow in many ways. (Chris Miller)
• After seeing poverty first-hand, witnessing the love of those less-fortunate and spending time with my Dominican neighbors, I can honestly say that I feel that my spirit is renewed. I spent my reflection in the garden in quiet, peaceful meditation. I absolutely love ILAC and I wouldn't change my experience for anything. (Kathi Ackerman)
• Through prayer, I thought that God was giving me an opportunity to serve him by going to the Dominican Republic to work with the ILAC Program. And although when I left I did not know what those ways would be, He showed me through the eyes of children who could not walk or talk but lit up when I came into the room because I had been kind to them. More importantly, God used this experience to teach me to look beyond myself and to open my heart to hear the needs of others. I hope I am permitted someday to have the opportunity to return to the DR. (Margaret Hansen)

Reflections from Campesinos

1- HOW DOES ILAC HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNITY?

• My community has improved a lot through the efforts of both my Coordinator and Cooperadora, and we can expect to receive more with God and ILAC’s help. (Agustina Gómez)
• ILAC brings education and formation with its community projects. (Anon.)
• ILAC teaches me many good things, but those things become better when I share them with my community. (Yohanny Altagracia Polanco)
• ILAC has helped my community in many ways, teaching us how to dispose of garbage in a better way, vaccines, eye doctors, hernia surgeons, and prevention of many diseases. (Elizabeth García-Castillo)
• 50% of what my community is, all the improvements, we owe them to ILAC. (Anon.)
• ILAC has brought God back to our community. (Rosalía Coste Rodríguez)

2- WHAT IS YOUR SPIRITUALITY AND HOW DOES IT MOTIVATE YOU IN YOUR ROLE AS A COOPERADOR/A?

• I’m more aware of the needs of my brothers and sisters. (Lucrecia Santana)
• Joy. That’s what my spirituality gives me when I serve: joy. (William Poléon)
• My spirituality is good, because here at the ILAC Center I find peace in love and confraternity, and at the same time we cultivate the value of supporting each other. (Agustina Gómez)
• My spirituality encourages me to service and to a total commitment to the needy. (Anon.)
• My spirituality makes me a responsible person, and that way I can also teach others to serve better. (Genaro Delgado)
• My spirituality is very much alive, because I get to know Jesus when I serve my brothers and sisters. (Anon.)
• I know my spirituality is healthy when I’m joyful. Whenever I’m sad, it is because I forget the Lord. (Yohanny Altagracia Polanco)
• My spirituality moves me and I move my spirituality. If I forget this exchange due to worries, it doesn’t seem to work. (Silvia Angeles)
• My spirituality encourages me to help the poor and to share all I am, all I’ve got, all I know. (Arturo Plasencia)
• Even when I feel sad because I see I haven’t improved in certain aspects of my personality, my spirituality helps me to hear Jesus calling me with love, and I just have to answer him. (A. M. M.)
• I’m convinced of my faith; I’m committed to serve others, committed to live my baptism, helping increase the faith of my community. (Isabel “Reina” Evangelista)
• My spirituality leads me to spread ILAC’s message as a Cooperadora: learn and share with everyone. (Anon.)
• The spirituality people see in me makes them love me, but it's my faith in Christ they really love. (Concepción Peña)
• My spirituality is perfect, thanks be to God. That’s why people support me and value what I propose. They follow my spirituality. (Cristina Guzmán)
• ILAC gives us so much: latrines, Creighton’s Summer Program, ophthalmology, dentistry, hernia surgeries. (Edita Villa)
• Spirituality is the source of my life. That’s why I’m a catechist. (Bernardo Cruz)
• My spirituality keeps me young and active to overcome any given situation. (Rosalía Coste)

3- TELL US A STORY OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN YOUR WORK AS A COOPERADOR/A?

• Every time I help a needy person, I feel God touches me. (Agustina Gómez)
• Whenever I serve others in love, I feel God himself within me. (Anon.)
• I know it is God who prevents me from giving up in serving others. (Anon.)
• Many times I feel powerless, but then I ask the Lord for his help, and everything works out fine. (Yohanny Altagracia Polanco)
• Sometimes, when I’m tired and worried, I feel I can’t go on living; but then I remember the Lord is so much stronger than I, and he reminds me, as if telling me, “Go on! Someone needs you! Go help!”. (Silvia Angeles)
• I feel God constantly telling me, “Love me first, love others because of me, then you can love yourself.” (Arturo Plasencia)
• Were it not for God’s intervention, I would say “no!” many times to certain duties, but if I let him lead me, I do my work in love. (Marino Delgado)
• Each time someone comes to me asking for help and I do it. I feel God loves me, giving me the necessary strength to serve always. (Isabel “Reina” Evangelista)
• I see God’s hand in the growth of both my community and myself. (William Poléon)
• Nothing is difficult when I open myself to God. (Cristina Guzmán)
• When I help to heal someone, it is God leading me. (Juan María Henríquez)
• God has inspired me to become a Cooperadora. With God, we can achieve anything. (Gloria Pimentel)
• When we help a family to have a better life, it is God himself who helps ILAC to achieve this. God leads us to help those remote communities. (Edita Villa)
• There are so many wonders which go beyond human condition. Only God can help us overcome disease and poverty. (Bernardo Cruz)
• I feel the love of God whenever I am discouraged, because then Jesus comes and lifts me up into the light. Without God, I would be dead. (Petra María Suárez)