NOFILTER - Dominican Republic 2016 by Jeremy Foote

dominican republic MAY 2016

Open Your Mind Change Your View Leave Your Mark

We tend to get trapped in our own way of thinking, trapped in our own way of relating to people. We get so accustomed to seeing the world our way that we come to believe that the world is the way we see it. NOFILTER was designed to disrupt this mindset. The Nebraska student-athletes selected to be a part of this group were encouraged to see the world in ways they might otherwise miss. To think before they speak, before they act understanding that regardless of where they are in the world, we all have different experiences and circumstances that have shaped our lives and our realities. It is difficult to aptly summarize what the group experienced while in the Dominican Republic. Going into the week, the student-athletes knew they’d be forced outside of their comfort zones, but it wasn’t until there – contending with the unfamiliarity – that they realized how quickly they needed to adapt to their new reality. From bucket bathing and close living quarters, to language barriers and lack of air conditioning and electricity, each student-athlete handled every challenging situation thrown their way with strength, grace and humility. Open your mind. As the student-athletes arrived to the Las Pajas community, it was tough to look past all of the things that needed to be fixed and restored. Though, day by day, the student-athletes began to communicate beyond language and realized the people there were the greatest gift. They began to recognize that in order to understand what is going on in the world, they needed to see it for themselves. Change your view. By immersing themselves in the rich culture, unique history, and natural beauty the Dominican Republic has to offer, the student-athletes had the freedom to see things with fresh eyes. They began to recognize that as different as appearances, food, music and cultures may be in other countries, people are the same across the globe. They concluded that happiness is attainable regardless of circumstance. Leave your mark. By teaming up with the non-profit organization Courts for Kids, and international muralist Xaivier Ringer, the student-athletes put in tireless days of work to create a space in the community for kids to play sports, as well as painted artwork to inspire the kids to dream. They displayed great passion, touching lives in a way that reflects the character and culture at Nebraska. They left the country better than the way it was when they arrived. The following pages are the student-athletes’ personal accounts of the eight days spent in the Dominican Republic. Through these accounts, it’s evident that the NOFILTER program is more than just a service trip abroad. It’s a way for Nebraska student-athletes to grow as individuals and see the world in a new light. It’s an opportunity for each and every member to walk away with an experience of a lifetime filled with invaluable lessons. It’s a chance to recognize that the greatest impact they have is to be impacted.

Nebraska Athletics presents,

JAYLYN ODERMANN Soccer Heading to the airport early this morning I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to expect, nor did I really want to have any expectations. The Dominican Republic is a new country to me and I honestly just want to keep an open mind on what we are about to get ourselves into. When we stepped off the plane and got to Santo Domingo it was an instant culture shock. For one, it was extremely hot and sticky. Two, there were people everywhere. There were cars and motorcycles racing through the narrow streets, skinny dogs casually lounging

throughout the city streets, families going on walks downtown, children chasing pigeons, and the air was filled with the sounds of merengue and bachata from street musicians. And lastly, I didn’t know a lick of Spanish besides sí, and uno, dos, tres. We checked into our little hotel dorm and it was “nicer” than I thought it would be compared to the surrounding buildings outside. I was honestly just happy to have a fan. After we settled, the group made our way through the streets of downtown Santo Domingo taking everything in. We zipped in and out of the local souvenir shops attempting to barter for cheaper prices. Dinner reservations that night were at a fancy restaurant. The elegant decorations, dim mood lighting, scroll like menus, delicious appetizers, entrées, and of course dessert, would have given any decent restaurant in the States a run for its money. We were treated like kings and queens but I know tomorrow will begin a life that could not be any more opposite.

CALVIN FREEMAN Golf It was hectic day of travel, mixed with the excitement of blending in with locals at night. Our day started with a 2:00 a.m. wake-up call so we could make it onto a bus to Omaha. Departing Omaha at 5:45 a.m., our next stop was a layover in Atlanta for about an hour. Next stop: the Dominican Republic. The three-hour flight went by relatively quickly. Twenty student-athletes in total are on this trip and although I have not had the pleasure of meeting them before today, it is obvious that everyone here has very high character. Everybody is easy to talk to, and I feel that it will contribute to the ability for us to excel in a team environment. After landing, we had to gather our bags and go through customs. These logistics are always the worst part about traveling but it seemed worse today due to the excitement of seeing a new country. When we finally got organized, we met Stacey, the Courts for Kids representative we would be working with throughout the week. She had pizza and pop ordered for us so we ate quickly and then boarded the bus to head to our hotel for the night. Upon entering our hotel room, it became obvious to me that things here were going to be completely different. I was placed in a room with Aaron, a friend and former teammate, and it was incredibly small. I decided to take a shower and quickly learned that hot water is a rarity here. A cold shower was actually refreshing with the temperatures being around 85-90 degrees outside. We all got dressed and went downstairs to discuss our next course of action. We headed to the “Colonial Zone” located in the heart of Santo Domingo. There is a lot of history here, most of it dating back to the early 1500s with the exploration of Christopher Columbus. Additionally, we explored local shops and bought souvenirs. The rate of 45 Dominican Pesos to 1 US dollar was confusing at first, but we all eventually caught on. We ate an amazing dinner at a European Brassiere called “Pat’e Palo.” We had authentic seafood along with some local favorites. The most interesting of which was the “cigar smoke cake.” This dinner lasted over two hours and served as a great way to bond with my fellow student-athletes. After dinner we attended a live musical performance and indulged in dancing with each other while mingling with the locals. The live band on stage gave recognition to us Americans and we all had a great time. We just made the long walk back to the hotel and now we are about ready to fall asleep to embark upon something completely different tomorrow. We can’t wait!

CAROLINE FLYNN Soccer We woke up and left our hotel at 9:00 a.m. this morning. The hotel we stayed in was much different than most of the hotels I have stayed at in America. Little did we know, however, that the hotel would be considered luxurious in comparison to where we were staying for the rest of the week. Think no plumbing, little electricity, and no air conditioning. When we woke up I was very stressed about whether to wear work jeans or shorts as we did not know what we would be doing for the rest of the day. Shorts meant I wouldn’t be as hot and could possibly get a tan. Jeans meant lower chances of catching the Zika virus. Jeans it was. When we arrived at Las Pajas, all of the little girls wanted to play with our hair and hold our hands. At first I was very hesitant to have the girls touch me and run their fingers through my hair. After a while though, I turned off my germophobe brain and decided to just live in the moment. One girl came up to me and told me to sit down on the curb. As soon as I sat down, she grabbed my hat, took it off, and started to play with my hair. I saw how happy the little girl was playing with my hair and even though I knew how long it would take to brush out the twists and braids – I didn’t care. I felt my mind relax and in that moment I knew I needed to change my mindset. This experience is going to change me in more ways than I thought and I need to accept those changes with an open mind and heart. Later, we were given our room assignments and put our foam beds together with a sheet. Knowing that I can sleep anywhere, I was not worried about the sleeping arrangements. In fact I ended up taking a two-hour nap that afternoon. After napping, we woke up and started working on the court. Unfortunately, when we arrived we were told that the prep work for the court was not yet done and that they were very behind. Feeling very inspired and restless, we grabbed shovels and picks and began moving the clay and concrete. Our work was quickly interrupted by a storm. After the rain subsided, we went on a 3-mile hike with the kids to the sugar cane fields. I walked with two girls, Nicole and Mila, through the mud and water left behind from the storm. They picked “guava” for us to eat and I learned that guava is very similar to passion fruit. We then ate sugar cane after they picked it, cut it, and gave it to us to enjoy. After walking back I began to reflect on the day. Yes, it’s sad how much we have compared to the people of Las Pajas. But I couldn’t stop thinking about how happy they are with how little they have. These thoughts stayed on my mind the remainder of the night. I can’t wrap my mind around how different life would be for Americans if we valued each other and the relationships we have over things such as technology and other material things. I have to wonder who is worse off in these two drastically different worlds....

TIARA TINGLE Track & Field Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m currently writing this as we sit in our tiny house/community center where there are amateur paintings on the walls, concrete floors, and no air conditioning. We drove two hours from Santo Domingo to where we are now, Las Pajas. We pulled up, after driving through fields of sugar cane and impoverished villages, to a small, one-level building that was originally used as a preschool. We laid out pads and hung up mosquito nets on the floor and over what would serve as our beds for the next five days.

I think this is where culture shock sets in. There’s no cell service, but there are also no paved roads, one business in the community, and barely any formal method to law enforcement. This place lacks infrastructure – a place showered with entitlements with no means to actually advance as a society. The government wouldn’t be the solution here – the people must want to advance further. It ultimately starts with education, teaching younger generations methods to farm and even basic business skills, in order to allow these communities to advance as one cohesive unit together. Education leads to further advancement, of course, and even if it starts at a rudimentary level, over time the collective efforts by those who are educated and who find newer, better methods to doing things will ultimately contribute to these communities. Sure, there’s an exodus of talent, but I believe that those individuals with roots in the DR, if they become successful, will find a way to contribute and give back to where they came from. Anyways, there is a lot this area needs in order to advance, but the answer comes from the people coming together and finding new ways to innovate and create.

BYERSON COCKRELL Football After leaving the hotel we traveled two hours to Las Pajas, the community we’ll be staying in this week. While traveling through the city I noticed the difference between here and the United States. I am not overly surprised by the environment here because this is a third-world country. I understand that there are places in the world that are much different than America. I have heard about it on TV, but experiencing it first-hand is way more impactful. I’ve already learned so much about how having an opportunity can sometimes be your only way out. I did not come from much, which is what has humbled me to become a grateful person. Growing up in an African American community, I was taught to be proud of my culture and that I can achieve anything. For many, opportunity and funds aren’t there and that causes them to give up. Mississippi, the state which I come from, is not a depressing place to be, it is just the reality in which I lived. It taught me to be strong and to work hard for the things I wanted. Not everyone in this world, including the kids in Las Pajas, will have the opportunities that I’ve had, but I do know that I am going to take every opportunity I have to influence these kids into becoming whatever they want to be. I want to show them that anything is possible as long as they put their minds to it.

AARON WONG Golf Coffee was waiting for me in the lobby of the hotel we stayed at, and in case you’re wondering, Dominican coffee is something special. The bus ride to the community center was absolutely gorgeous. However, when we arrived at the community center, I couldn’t believe it. This is where we were going to stay for the next five days?! It was a 400-square-foot plaza with no air conditioning, two working fans, no plumbing, no shower, electricity always went out, our beds were these small foam pads that weren’t the most comfortable and we all slept in the same general vicinity. The community of Las Pajas was (with all due respect) a total dump too. There was no pavement, one school, cow and horse poop all over the place, dogs were not domestic animals and had fleas, trash and litter was all over the place, not to mention it was maybe as hot as hell, incredibly humid, and it rained for 15 minutes every 15 minutes. That’s a hyperbole of course, but it rained a ton. However, in this town the people were still able to enjoy so much out of life. They were constantly entertained with each other, whether it be through playing games, sports, swinging on swing sets, climbing on each other, etc., they were always entertained. At one point, a group of locals tried to make a human pyramid. Then, one of the guys lost his balance and the pyramid tumbled. No one was hurt fortunately, but a lot of bodies hit the floor and I mean loudly. When that happened, all the locals were laughing so hard and they were so happy. They knew how to appreciate the little things in life so much better than I did. They didn’t take much, if anything, for granted and that’s something I knew I needed to do better at. Later on that day we had to shovel dirt around on the construction site and level it out. I was fortunate enough to catch a blister from the pickaxe early on. I made a big deal out of it, but it was really nothing. After about two hours of working, the rain came. We retreated into the community center for a bit. When the rain went away, we walked over to the sugar cane fields. It was a pretty neat walk and we were able to see how beautiful the country was. At night we had the pleasure of showering by pouring buckets of water on ourselves in swim trunks. It was a growing experience to say the least. Sleeping was weird too, the foam pads didn’t support my 160-pound frame that well and the mosquito nets made the environment more humid. On top of that, I slept next to Kieron who snores a lot and loudly. God bless me right?

BRIANA HOLMAN Volleyball Right before bed we found yet again another spider. This spider was literally the size of my hand. It was by far the biggest spider I had ever seen. On another note, our first outdoor bath experience was interesting. Between four of us, we had one bucket of water to wash off, and one bucket of clean water to rinse off. As bad as it sounds, it actually wasn’t. It was fun only because we made it fun. Now I understand what they mean when they say “the people around you are important” and “watch who you hang around.” Honestly, the people around you can make or break you, especially on a trip like this. Right after my outdoor bath, I came inside and laid down drenched in sweat. There is a leak in the roof from the rain, so my bed was already wet. There is a certain foul odor in the air like nothing I have ever smelled before. It could be from the animals, the rain, or it could be the boys! Kidding...but really. Last night was also my first breakdown. I was already so sad with the things I had seen all day and then the spider. It was hot and I kept realizing that we have four more nights of this. I also began to weep because I felt so selfish. Here I am crying because I want to go home and this is their home! This made me feel silly and realize that my everyday problems are so incredibly small. I try not to get sad because these are some of the happiest people that I have ever been around. This is the only life they know and they are happy. It’s just hard knowing what we have versus what they have. Today is a new day, a new adventure, and new memories will come. I survived the night and that’s all that matters right now. I find myself not caring what time it is. No one here asks because it doesn’t matter. As long as the sun is up, there are no worries.

MICHAELA CUNNINGHAM Swimming & Diving We were told that the equipment that we needed for the worksite would be here by 8:00 a.m., but unfortunately that was not the case. After we ate breakfast, we went back to our living space and hung around for a few minutes as we waited for the first truckload of dirt to finally arrive at the worksite. We have probably about eight shovels, three wheelbarrows, and two pickaxes. Obviously that’s not enough equipment for everyone, so a lot of people were using their hands as well. I was wielding a pickaxe like my life depended on it, but honestly this is exhausting. I’m not nearly strong enough to actually lift any of the dirt/rock/clay with a shovel, so I’m just going to town with a pickaxe whenever I can get my hands on one. It feels like every time we would get somewhere with the wheelbarrows they would bring another truckload of dirt. Apparently all of this was supposed to be done before we got here, which makes this frustrating. I’m getting even more upset because I feel like I personally am not contributing very much at all. We stopped for lunch and were pretty much done eating when a torrential downpour hit us. It had been sprinkling on and off all morning but this was real rain. Essentially we were in the same situation we were in yesterday, where it would be impossible to move the wet clay. It’s still raining now while I’m writing this. I think a truck came through and moved the dirt around from earlier. It got done in about three minutes what over 20 people couldn’t do in two hours of working. That makes you feel really good about yourself.... Animals have been coming in and out of our living quarters all the time. A goat literally just ran in here and peed on the floor. One of the stray dogs that has been hanging around has gotten really attached to all of us. Kieron named her Zeus, even though she’s a girl. Everyone has been feeding her and petting her even though we probably shouldn’t. She’s adorable though and I can’t help it. Just another thing that keeps us invested in this community. This trip has already changed the way I think about other people. I’ve realized that my opinion or my culture’s way of doing things isn’t necessarily the “right” way. We so desperately want to do whatever we can to help them but there’s a lot of obstacles in our way right now – the weather, the lack of assistance, the sheer fact that the project was already way behind from where it should have been by the time we got here. At first I blamed the community for not doing their part. When I think about it more though, I’ve realized that everyone is just doing what they need to do to get from one day to the next. I’ve learned to look more at the outside circumstances and consider the perspective of the other person before concluding anything about why they did what they did. So, while I’m not optimistic, I’m just going to keep my head down and do whatever I can to help out.

JOHN GROSE Baseball Alum After a long, grueling morning of excavating “calice” the old fashioned way with pickaxe, shovel and wheelbarrows, the team got a much needed break from physical labor and poor living conditions with a trip to the Kansas City Royals training facility. Not only were their fields beautiful, they also had air conditioning and a functioning bathroom/plumbing. My appreciation for the simplest modern conveniences has never been so high! We spent most of our time at the Royals facility playing games (fungo golf, charades, checkers, etc.) with the purpose of teaching the Latin American players English. We had a blast! I spent most of my time with Raúl Mondesí’s youngest son, a 16 year old fellow catcher with aspirations to play in the League. Through broken English and Spanish he told me about his older brother Raúl Jr. who got an at-bat in the World Series last year. The players were genuinely grateful for the t-shirts we gave them and told us they will never forget us. I had the honor to present the organization’s director with a signed helmet as a token of our appreciation and a reminder of the University of Nebraska’s impact on the community. We ended the day with another intellectually stimulating discussion. Our guide Stacey has been involved in the development within the DR for four years now. She acknowledged the inherent difficulty in helping a community that does not seem to want to help themselves. There does appear to be a conditioned helplessness. Stacey believes it is the result of the vast amount of aid from developed countries. Her advice, “do no harm” and consistent with our sport court effort, assist and partner. On a lighter note...teaching the student-athletes all of the travel games (snaps, “going on a trip,” green glass door) we played when I was an athlete was a riot. The riddles and brain-teasers were hilarious and I’m still trying to figure out the goat, fox, and bushel of corn riddle...I’ll get it eventually!

COLLIN JENSEN Wrestling Here we are, day three of being in the community. The food is still good, but it’s getting a bit repetitive. We’ve had chicken, rice, beans, eggs, and yucca every day – for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. The only difference we’ve seen is that they cook the yucca in different ways, so at times it at least appears that we are eating something new. There have been other times we’re not quite sure what we’re eating...we call this mystery meat. Regardless of what we’re having, I’ve been enjoying it. One of the biggest problems we have is that no one ever knows how much we should each be eating, which has caused us to run out of food a few times already. If you show up late because you were still working or taking a “shower,” you won’t get as big of portion as the people who arrived first. The best part about meal time is that we’re all able to eat together because it has given us a chance to connect and it has brought everyone together, no matter how different our backgrounds may be from one another.

MELANIE CRAWFORD Bowling It’s amazing to think that just a few days ago the wall that the mural is on was blank and covered in dirt and spider webs. When Xaivier showed us the original drawing, I didn’t realize how important and influential the artwork (and the underlying message) would be for this community. The idea is for the younger girls to feel comfortable expressing who they are, and if that means by getting sweaty and dirty while being active, so be it. This week has opened my eyes to the importance of using our power and privilege as student-athletes to serve as a role model to others, especially the little girls. It has been so inspiring to watch them slowly start to do the things that they wouldn’t normally do, and I can tell they are having an absolute blast. My hope is that after we leave, they see the wall of the community center and they remember that it’s okay to let your hair down and play with the boys, just like the girl in the mural.

SAMANTHA HARDEWIG Swimming & Diving I can’t believe it’s Thursday. Somehow I was a day behind all week. When Xaivier said her last day here was Thursday I was like cool we have one more day! She was like no Sammie, today is Thursday.... So today is Thursday. The last day to finish the mural. I’m having an incredible time. Today I primarily painted. I was going to work out in the field for the afternoon, but Xaivier asked me if I was coming back after lunch and I couldn’t refuse. And like I said, it really was a lot of fun. She gave me a couple jobs today. I helped make sure the lines were straight, painted more, and then helped her outline the flowers in the end. I also helped her with the idea of giving the little girl a lollipop instead of the iPhone. She thanked me for my leadership and help which meant the world to me. I was just so happy and blessed that I could help in anyway! When the mural was finished, it looked really great. As Xaivier said: Including us from NoFilter, and the kids from the community who helped as well, this is an experience that all of us will share forever. Other people were grabbing more dirt for the court. A lot of people were becoming frustrated that we weren’t going to finish the court. We were reminded that we were here for three reasons: 1. To spend time, and leave our mark with the community 2. To paint the mural 3. To build a sports court We accomplished two of the three things. That’s pretty amazing. As an artist myself, my heart is naturally full from doing what I love. But the mural is so much more than that. It is a way of bringing us and the community closer together. I’m not ready to leave.

ALEX MOSQUERA Bowling Today something special happened. The lady that braided our hair asked me to go to her house because she had something for me. She wanted to thank us for everything we did for the community and she did not want to be forgotten so she gave me one of her dresses and a picture of her and her family. Honestly, I did not expect this. It made me reflect on how people who do not have much give so easily, but people like us who have everything are selfish, complain a lot, and are not grateful for what we have. In that moment I realized we have learned more from them than they have learned from us. Similar to the Dominican Republic, I grew up in a country where families are the foundation of the society, thus values and principles are first taught at home. I also learned to coexist with people who had different beliefs and heritages from my own. I was taught that we are all equal and we all deserve to be treated the same way. Following my dreams and leaving my family and friends right out of high school resulted in a lot of difficult situations that made me grow up and see things in a different way. It’s hard to live in a place where the language, culture, weather, food, and manners are totally different from the ones you’re used to. It was a huge culture shock, but those experiences make you appreciate what you have and grateful for having such great opportunities. Moving to Nebraska allowed me to open my mind to new perspectives and new horizons. This trip has allowed me to do the same. I’m realizing more and more the importance of getting to know other cultures and understanding that life is way different from what we actually think. While being here isn’t what we’re used to, I’m sure we are going to miss this.

MAGGY LEHMICKE Tennis Throughout the week, we have had limited help from locals, which was to be expected. Some of the girls in the group have also had to deal with men trying to take their shovels away because women are not expected to contribute to the physical work. This afternoon, a few women came out of their houses and started shoveling. One even had a full-on kitchen knife sticking out of her back pocket. No one stopped them. Then a younger girl, maybe 18 or 19, came out to help. A boy her age made fun of her for a while and then quit when he realized she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to stop. Eventually he realized he could help as well and pitched in. By the end of the day, the entire community, from older men to 4-year old girls were contributing in one way or another. We came to build a sports court that would unite the community, but we saw the community unite itself and break down barriers today.

CONNOR ADAMSICK Gymnastics We woke up early so we could try and get as much work done as we could before we left. A truck full of material was supposed to be here by 8:00 a.m., however, typical for the Dominican Republic, it was not. So we began to level the court as best as we could so we would have less work to do once the truck came. Finally, around 11:00 a.m., the first truck came. Everybody came together and started working. Even the women in the town, young and old, started helping. Just seeing the women helping throughout the day showed me how big of an impact our group had on this town which was amazing. I was on leveling duty for most of the day. To do this, I used a garden hoe and was pushing and pulling the rocky material into the spots that needed it. After a few hours, the second truck dropped off more and everyone continued to work. The sun was very hot, and we all had to take a lot of breaks; however, our group had become one big unit, and as soon as a few people would start their break, a few other people would start working again. We had a great system and we were making a ton of progress. The end of the day hit and most of the group and the locals were very tired, however, no one felt like stopping. We could see the light at the end of the tunnel. We only had about a quarter more to do so we just kept going. Finally, around 7:30 p.m. most of it was complete and we went to dinner. Afterward, we all packed up our things and got ready to head out the next morning. However, the night was not over. About 20 of us went back to where we ate dinner to play a huge game of Mafia. It was a great night, to end a very amazing day, to top off an unforgettable week in our little town of Las Pajas.

EMILY WOOD Basketball Today capped the final full day in the Dominican Republic. We got up early to pack our stuff and clean up the community center. A few of the kids were up and around as we left, but not many. Saying goodbye to Las Pajas was a lot tougher than I thought it would be. I teared up for a second as we drove off and Saidi waved...here I go back to my luxurious lifestyle and here she stays in Las Pajas. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough to understand.

Las Pajas will always have a special place in my heart. That community came together and welcomed us with open arms and really made us feel like a part of their family. As miserable as the living conditions were, people on the bus are already talking about finding ways to go back someday to see the kiddos again and help that community. Everyone on the trip had at least one or two kids that they really bonded with; for me, that was Saidi and Emalie.

COLEMAN TOKAR Gymnastics After what seemed like a month of scooping dirt, filling wheelbarrows, and leveling mud, the week was finally coming to a close. It was beach day. We packed up our bags early in the morning and started to pack the bus. I thought leaving the children, the animals, and the rich-with-poverty community would be easy knowing we would have a relaxing day on the ocean. Well let me tell you, it was not. We finished packing up the bus and the trailer and were soon off on our final stretch down in the DR. I sat in my seat and watched all the people I had met from the university and the Dominican Republic through that small window. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when everything became crystal clear. Everyone from that community was telling their last jokes to one anther and everyone was saying their goodbyes. All of this was just a buffer. There was an apparent pause in volume; everyone went quiet for just a brief moment. It was then that everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goodbyes turned into hugs and their jokes turned into tears. I can tell you, with full confidence, that it was at this exact moment I realized that although the court looked like a flat patch of dirt, we had made a difference. It was bittersweet. After the drama of leaving, we headed out to the ocean. During the long drive, never once did I think about where we were headed, instead, I could only imagine the lives of the people we were with all week. Once we arrived, we jumped on a long white boat that hauled across the ocean water. After a ride in the boat and the beating yellow sun, we made it to the beach. We spent the whole day drinking smoothies and swimming in the clear blue water. Not once did I take any of this for granted.

15 TYLER BERGER Wrestling

KIERON WILLIAMS Football

Going to the Dominican Republic was a life-changing experience for me. From the moment we entered the country to the day we left, I was constantly being reminded of how lucky and how privileged I am to have been born in the United States. Due to the fact we had no cell phone service, no internet, and no air conditioning, we were forced to all be outside and interact with each other all day, every day. We were constantly making up games, playing with the kids, and my personal favorite, finding ways to play pranks on each another.

I believe I can say in full confidence that this trip was a life-changing event not only in my life, but in the lives of the other participants and the community as well. I was able to fully experience the life of someone who has much less than I do, and do my best to adapt to this new setting. From the very first day I knew this trip would be one to remember, because every time I turned around a corner there was a child standing there with their arms wide and their eyes full of joy and expectation to play. I enjoyed all of them so much that as each day passed they began to feel less like strangers and more like family. By the last day I found myself tearing up as I left the children, and by the way I’m not a big time crier. From Josalie to Yo’Hidey, these children were the highlight of my day.

The community of Las Pajas had so little, yet they lived such a happy and peaceful life. The simplicity of their lifestyle made us all struggle, ironically though, it made us grow closer as well. It made our relationships stronger, happier and more genuine, not only with each other, but with the townspeople as well. They don’t know anything else except to get along with each other and have each other’s backs. And because of our circumstances, we had no choice but to do the same. We did something special in Las Pajas and it is an experience I’ll never forget.

Toward the end of the week I found myself truly observing the community from a different view. I was no longer viewed as a skeptical American, but as a villager who lived there. I realized at that moment that there should never be a reason to complain about anything when I am in America. We are so blessed, but at times we let petty things allow us to be down and we are always striving for things that really don’t matter. The people in the Las Pajas community could have complained about their situation and begged for our money the entire time there, but they did the exact opposite. They picked up shovels and worked right next to us and there was never one conversation about how bad their situation is.

MACKENNA MADDOX-HERR Tennis As this experience comes to an end and I reflect back, our first day in the community of Las Pajas served as the setting for my favorite memory of the trip. Standing on a hill overlooking the vast sugar cane fields that dot the landscape of the Dominican Republic, I was surrounded by raw beauty in an unusual place. Looking up, I could see the daunting tropical thunderstorm clouds moving their way across the horizon. Looking to my right, I could see my fellow Huskers paired off with members of the community, laughing and enjoying their time together. Looking down, I could see the layers of mud that already coated my shoes and made my steps heavy. Looking to my left, I could see a little boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand in mine, insisting that I walk next to him on our big adventure. The experience was incredible because it was the first time in my life where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been part of something bigger than myself, and I loved it. Even though we were merely strangers to these people, they were so kind and inclusive toward us. They have forever softened my heart and impressed me to show genuine kindness to everyone I meet.

KRISTA VAN WIE Swimming & Diving At first I was happy getting on the plane to go back to America. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sore, tired, and ready for my bed. But looking around, I teared up when I realized that this was the end of my athletic and academic career and I might not see these people again. This journey was the perfect ending to my four years at Nebraska, especially because I gained almost as much life experience and friendships in this week than I did in four years. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing how privileged we all are to be able to take a trip to not only help others, but to gain so much personally from the people we helped. This trip will always have a special place in my heart and I will forever remember this invaluable experience.