Orphanage Outreach

During the time I was junior in College I had a life-changing experience. I woke up one morning dressed and ready to present my huge research presentation for the toughest class in the Psychology program.  I had already withdrawn from the class twice, so this was my last chance!  My degree and college career depended on this one class. I arrived to class a bit early ready to get it all over with so that I could start to pack for the study abroad program with Outreach360 that I had signed up for in the Dominican Republic. 

I walked into class only to notice that no one else had their poster boards or wore their presentation attire.  My heart dropped to the floor and my eyes began fill with tears as my professor congratulated everyone for doing a great job on their presentations the day before. My world was over, my college career down the drain and future destroyed over a silly mix up in my presentation dates. 

I sat in a state of depression for three days at the thought of my failed college career.  I kept thinking to myself, all I need is a second chance to show that I really do have what have it takes. I sent my professor an e-mail spilling my heart and begging for that second chance.  I did not know for sure if I would get a response.  At that moment I had a choice to make, I could continue to sulk over my problems or I could go ahead and continue with my plans to travel to Dominican Republic with Outreach360 and teach English; with my last bit of energy and peace of mind, I packed my bags and headed to this new land of possibilities.   

  I arrived in the Dominican Republic with my Outreach360 t shirt on. The humidity was so high that my nice straight hair style that took all morning to accomplish immediately curled up.  I let it slide and continued on for the 2 hour bus ride to Monte Cristi.  The lovely sounds of Merengue and Bachata from the local shops captured my ears.  I arrived to the Outreach360 facility in Monti Cristi and day one was complete and utter culture shock.  The mosquitos, the military style showers and only having access to one paved road were intense.  I kept a positive attitude and tried focus on the fact that I would teach at the English Institute the next day. I had officially forgotten about all of troubles with the failed presentation back home.  My first class was GREAT.  They listened well and made me laugh consistently... And then my second class entered…… The students saw two new teachers and grinned at us, like… yea..new teacher.lol  They didn’t want to listen to my instruction or follow the lesson plans I had in place.  While calling the roll, there were at least 5 students who answered “Here” about 7 times no matter what name I said.  And then there was Browny! The one student in particular who gave me a really hard time.  As he was leaving class the day, he looked back at me and shouted with little English he knew “Teacha! You Crazy!”

I knew then and there I had to Be Flexible, Communicate Love, and Be Responsible. Even though Browny gave me such a hard, I needed to give him a second chance. The next day I came in with a new attitude.  I really had to look outside of myself for the first time.  This was a progress and I could slowly but surely see Browny’s heart soften a bit more and then a little bit more as the week went by.  By the end of my service with Outreach360 and the last day of school, guess who gives me the biggest hug possible and asking for me to come back? My little Browny!  Even if in a small way, I know Browny had been affected in a positive way.  I was so excited that I gave him a second chance, because the person who was my biggest challenge became my biggest reward.

When I arrived home from my inspiring service with Outreach360, I recieved an e-mail from my Psychology professor.  I had been granted a second chance and was allowed to make up the missed presentation.  

I learned from my service with Outreach360 that Browny and I were not very different.  We both needed someone to believe in us enough to grant us a second chance.  I believe that we all will need a second chance at some point in life. I am honored to say that I was so heavily impacted by my experience with Outreach360 that I am returning for a longer service period this summer.  I will never forget my little Browny.  Who will be your little Browny?  My Brownie lives in a community without opportunities.  This is a reality for many children in Latin America.