The 2012 Virginia 4-H - Dominican Republic Program participants have a variety of reasons for wanting to participate in this program.
First timer Bethany Gochenour signed up because she wants to gain more experience with her Spanish and learn more about the Dominican culture. Rachel Harriman wants to learn some Spanish and to see how the Dominican people live. She signed up because her sister went last year and she talked about how much fun it was to interact with the Dominican kids and learn about their culture.
Bobby Loveland participated last year and is returning because he had fun last year. He wants to learn more Spanish this time. Kathryn Flynn also traveled with us in 2011. This year she wants to focus on having great experiences with the local kids and spending more time touring the local village. When in the Dominican Republic, Kathryn thinks the most important thing to experience is the culture because when we learn about other cultures we can appreciate ours better.
Chaperon Debbie Fadeley also wants to experience the Dominican culture because she knows that many of the kids don't have much of a life with regard to food, clothing, housing and schooling. Compared to them, we Americans appear to be "too rich". We are very blessed and we need to share more than what we do. Debbie's daugher, Kylie, participated in this program several years ago.
Chaperon Suzanne Loveland wants to give back to the 4-H program in appreciation for all that 4-H has done for her family. Her sons Brian and Bobby have been a part of this program. She has wanted to particpate in an international 4-H program herself and also to impress upon her sons the importance of making a difference in our world.
Chaperon Justin Broughman wants to feel as though he is giving back to people who have not been as fortunate as he has been in his life. Having participated in several similar service trips during his time as a student as James Madison University, these types of trips stand out as some of the most inspiring, rewarding experiences of his life. Simply having the ability to serve as an agent of change by contributing to the well-being of another person is a positive experience that is matched by few, if any, others. Being only slightly older than most of the other participants, Justin hopes to be able to serve as an inspiration to the 4-H'ers, to influence them by increasing their self-efficacy, and to encourage them to enact positive changes in their own lives and to continue to live a life of service. As a student at JMU, a quote from Mohandas Gandhi became the unofficial university motto: "Be the change that you want to see in the world." The week in the Dominican Republic is the ideal opportunity to see the Mahatma's dreams become a reality.
During the week, Justin also wants the Dominican children to know that Americans not the stereotypes they may come across in mass media--greedy, rich, self-centered socialites. He hopes to be inspired by the work of his fellow participants and especially hope the younger participants, particularly the first-time travelers and volunteers, are able to get as much out of this trip as he have gotten out of his in the past.
4-H Agent Carol Nansel has had an interest in furthering international understanding since she lived in Germany through the 4-H IFYE exchange program. She helped establish this Dominican Republic program in 2006 and has enjoyed watching the Virginia 4-H teens grow in their leadership and citizenship skills through this program. The welcome shown to our Virginia 4-H group each year by the Dominican people makes us feel like we are there visiting family. Many lifelong friendships have been established, and much cultural understanding has taken place over the years. End of program evaluations from the 4-H'ers show that this program is truly a life changing experience for them.
Chaperon Justin Broughman wants to feel as though he is giving back to people who have not been as fortunate as he has been in his life. Having participated in several similar service trips during his time as a student as James Madison University, these types of trips stand out as some of the most inspiring, rewarding experiences of his life. Simply having the ability to serve as an agent of change by contributing to the well-being of another person is a positive experience that is matched by few, if any, others. Being only slightly older than most of the other participants, Justin hopes to be able to serve as an inspiration to the 4-H'ers, to influence them by increasing their self-efficacy, and to encourage them to enact positive changes in their own lives and to continue to live a life of service. As a student at JMU, a quote from Mohandas Gandhi became the unofficial university motto: "Be the change that you want to see in the world." The week in the Dominican Republic is the ideal opportunity to see the Mahatma's dreams become a reality.
During the week, Justin also wants the Dominican children to know that Americans not the stereotypes they may come across in mass media--greedy, rich, self-centered socialites. He hopes to be inspired by the work of his fellow participants and especially hope the younger participants, particularly the first-time travelers and volunteers, are able to get as much out of this trip as he have gotten out of his in the past.
4-H Agent Carol Nansel has had an interest in furthering international understanding since she lived in Germany through the 4-H IFYE exchange program. She helped establish this Dominican Republic program in 2006 and has enjoyed watching the Virginia 4-H teens grow in their leadership and citizenship skills through this program. The welcome shown to our Virginia 4-H group each year by the Dominican people makes us feel like we are there visiting family. Many lifelong friendships have been established, and much cultural understanding has taken place over the years. End of program evaluations from the 4-H'ers show that this program is truly a life changing experience for them.
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