FOOD THYMES
SPRING 2013
Planting With Purpose By Karen Carig
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to make a difference in a community? How about a community in a whole different country? In the summer of 2012, I had the greatest opportunity to volunteer at Villa Pajon, El Castillo in the Dominican Republic. I traveled in a group of twelve nutrition and food science majors from California State University, Northridge. Planting with Purpose was the title of our mission and we successfully planted different types of fruits and vegetables at the community school. We spent a total of two weeks making a difference in impoverished communities during our stay. Our typical day consisted of having breakfast at 7am, hiking down to the school by 8am (approximately 1 mile) and presenting the lessons plans we individually prepared, from 8:00 a.m. to about 9:30 a.m. We taught young groups of children about hygiene, food pyramid, identifying body parts and all sorts of fun. We would have a lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., while serving the children between the ages of two to seventeen years old their favorite snacks. Some days it would be peanut butter and jelly on crackers/wafers with juice or celery sticks with peanut butter. Peanut butter seemed to be their favorite snack. After taking a lunch break with the young ones, we would prepare to lecture for the next group consisting of participants age fourteen into adulthood from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The community would hike up to the classroom and listen to us teach/demonstrate on hygiene, different cooking methods, sanitation and other fundamental topics of health. It was extraordinary to pass out donated products such as toothbrushes, floss, hand soap and cooking utensils to the older participants that are often taken for granted. Spending two weeks in Villa Pajon made a significant change in my life. It was an eye opening experience that included a change of heart. Although there was a slight language barrier, it was not difficult to read the language of love. This is a volunteer experience opportunity abroad that I would highly recommend to students who want to explore.
Karen with Yalein during a break after a lesson. Kitchen Appliances & Living Conditions of locals.
Left to right:(Amanda Grigg, Michele Christopher, Karen Carig, Daniela Voosen, Dania Diaz, Francesca Campisi, Christy Helvestine, Sarah McOsker, Jenna Jackson, Maggie Gutierrez, Dana Sutherland and Jessica Reynolds)
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