Friday, May 31, 2013

Last Day of Classes and the Teyat!

Another exciting day here in Haiti! Today was the last day of regular classes for the students, so they were all so full of energy. At 5:30 AM we heard clapping and cheers coming from outside. As part of their “last morning meeting” the Philo students decided to bring the whole school together. All of the students were gathered in a circle on the basketball court celebrating the accomplishments of the Philo students and the community that is LCS.

This mood only carried on as they day went on. As I went to finish up inputting my surveys and sending emails to plan for next week, the students headed to their classes for one final day of review. While this was happening the PC group participated in Work Hours, learning what life truly is like as a Volunteer for The Haitian Project. The group spent the morning digging out a trench and sifting through piles of rock, two of the many different kinds of tasks that Volunteers can fulfill during Work Hours.

During my time spent researching today, I received an email from my older sister Kelli. Her good friend, Nick Mikula (PC 2011) reached out to her with an offer to help me should I need any assistance. Nick works for a company in Washington D.C. which has great information and research on the world economy and foreign markets. As a result of Nick’s assistance, I was able to gain a greater understanding of the cell phone markets in countries similar to Haiti.

At around noon, it was clear that everyone was anxious for the next part of the school day. The “teyat,” or play, was scheduled to begin at 12:30, so everyone was rushing around making sure all was prepared for when the curtains opened. Since the entire school and a few of the actor’s parents were scheduled to attend the play, the play was held on the basketball court. A tarp was also set-up over the court as a shade, as the sun is a huge factor in Haiti. Once everything was set-up, the play went off without a hitch. Under the direction of two of the Volunteers, the students performed the play Guys and Dolls, however with a little bit of a twist. In order for the audience to grasp the whole meaning of the play, the entire performance was done in Creole, except the songs. Although the rest of the PC group and I were lost basically the entire time, the rest of the audience absolutely loved the performance. All of the students were truly focused on the play, watching silently and laughing when appropriate, that when the play was over the entire crowd applauded. The actors and actresses did a wonderful job, and were able to maintain focus even when one of the corners of the tarp collapsed. Everyone was so proud of their hard work and commitment that the last day of classes truly ended on a high note.

After the students left for the weekend and everything was cleaned up, the Immersion group and Volunteers attended Mass said by Father Cuddy. Mass was a great way to reflect on the past week, and what a positive experience this all has been. After Mass there was afternoon basketball as usual, except this game was held between LCS and PC. As a member of the PC team, I played a few minutes in the first game, but I realized how competitive each team was, and I decided to let the more experienced players take over from there. Although PC ended up losing, it was great to cheer on everyone and get to catch up with the other PC students on their experiences so far this week.

Before the game I was able to grab this picture of my cousin Molly and I to send to our family and as proof of both of our trips.

I was able to spend a little more time with the group at dinner over at the Moynihan’s house. I learned about their days spent in Miami volunteering, and what their schedule has been like this week. From what I have heard, each member in the Immersion Group not only had an incredible time, but was also able to take something away from their experiences this week.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

PC at LCS

This morning I was able to see the PC International Immersions Group for the first time, and I have to admit I was truly impressed with their high spirits and excitement. Despite having a much shorter trip than expected, it is clear that each of the students are truly throwing themselves into the time that they have here. It was great to see the PC spirit in action at LCS, and to see a group of familiar faces. I was especially excited to finally see my cousin Molly, who I know will realize, like I have, how truly special LCS and this experience are.

After Morning Prayer the group was full of energy and ready to go. They were able to sit in on the first classes of the morning before they headed off to help out with the wall pour. A “wall pour” is the pouring of cement to stabilize an existing wall. This is not an everyday occurrence at LCS, so there was definitely an air of excitement to campus yesterday. Each member of the PC group was able to help in the wall pour, as an assembly line of tasks is necessary to make the process go smoothly. The group finished the wall pour in about three hours, which is a lot quicker than I expected.

As they were working on the wall pour, I was busy surveying the students on their own cell phone habits and usage. The Volunteers helped gather up students so that I was able to reach my mark of one hundred surveys rather easily. After inputting this data into my computer, I was able to spend the rest of the day prepping for the next steps of sending out my survey to people that represent the other demographics of Haiti.

In the afternoon, a Mass was held for the Immersion Group and whoever else could make it. It was great to feel like I was back at PC again with Father Cuddy in front of me saying the homily! Hearing him direct his message towards the Philo students, I was reminded of my own final days at PC a few weeks ago. Unlike the Philo students who will have finished their time at LCS, I still have to return to my second home at school in the fall, but the message was equally applicable. Father Cuddy reminded the students of the profound impact their education has had on their lives and the importance of acting in accordance with the values and spirit in which they were taught.


After Mass, I headed off campus with Deacon Moynihan and Sarah, one of the PC chaperones, to dinner to discuss my project with a knowledgeable insider of the cell phone industry. He was able to better explain the history of telecommunications in Haiti, and provide a different perspective to the future of the cell phone industry. He was also able to provide me with a better understanding of how cell phones in Haiti actually work and the roles that they play in the lives of consumers. Leaving the meeting I definitely felt well informed and prepared to further research the potential for cell phones in Haiti.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

They Have Arrived!

The PC group has made it to LCS!!! After another flight delay of about two hours, the group finally made it to campus at around 9:15 tonight! We are so excited to have them here. I cannot wait to share my LCS experiences with them and see the great work that they will do here.

I will keep you updated on their trip throughout the next few days!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Classroom Visits

After a lot of planning, I was finally prepared today to start surveying members of the LCS community for my project. Early in the morning I was able to go into the two Segond classes (which would be like eleventh grade in the United States) and speak with the students about their own cell phone usage. Each of the students that I met today were so respectful and genuinely interested in learning more about my project and my own classwork in the United States.

What I find remarkable about each LCS student is their ability to communicate. Although most of the student’s first language is Kreyol, all of their primary school classes are taught in French. From an early age, each Haitian student is challenged to respect the potential for knowledge and thus learn how to communicate with their professors. Although Kreyol is heavily influenced by French, learning how to communicate in a new way is always unnatural at first.

At LCS, students are asked to rise to new, different challenges. Because many of the Volunteers here are the most comfortable teaching in their native tongue, all Teachers at LCS are asked to teach in their own language. For example, one of my roommates teaches Spanish and French classes here. Therefore, as an U.S. Volunteer, all of her explanations and directions in her Spanish and French classes are in the English language. Although this is easy for her, it amazes me that each of these students can easily switch from language to another. By the time that students reach their final year, or Philo year, at LCS, they are truly able to grasp different languages, and also understand the value behind a challenging education.

So, when I went into the class today I was shocked to discover how well each student could speak English. Even when they did not understand all that I was saying right away, they quickly grasped the concept once changed the wording of my explanations or spoke a little slower. I found myself admiring the thirst for knowledge that many of the Segond students possessed, as they were not afraid to ask for clarification when needed or ask for more information. I was even able to ask them some of my own questions, separate from the survey, about how to say certain things in Kreyol and what they thought about cell phones in general.


Not only was I able to speak with some students today, but I was also able to interview a few members of the LCS staff to find out how much they spend on phone plans and how much they use their cell phones. Hearing from both students and staff, I was able to gain a clearer picture of the Haitian community as a whole. Tomorrow I will hopefully be going into a Philo Economics class to discuss my survey and the demographics of Haiti. There are some amazing statistics about the Haitian population on which I am hoping the Philo students can help shed some light. 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Never a Dull Moment

Due to the hard work of the students and Volunteers of LCS, inside the walls of the school is a fully-functioning and self-efficient community. Much of the school’s repairs, cleaning and disposal of waste is performed by these community members, who recognize that, as Catholics, service is a necessary aspect of life. This service not only benefits the school, but teaches everyone the true value of hard work.

Although most work is done by students and Volunteers, there are some exceptions to this rule. About every 2 weeks, when LCS requests more meat for meals, a cow is brought to campus. This week, the cow arrived to the front gates of LCS on Friday, and was then led to the back field of campus where it was tied up. I have to admit, hearing the moo-ing sounds from across campus were a little disconcerting, however the entire experience is something that I will never forget. This morning, the cow was killed and then butchered by a local man and woman. Although I could not muster up the courage to watch the slaughtering, passing by the skull and its insides on the way to Work Hour made the experience that more real.

The craziness of the day only continued when I came back from Work Hour and learned that the PC group would not be making it to Haiti today. Unfortunately, at some point yesterday afternoon a Brazilian aircraft was damaged on the Port-au-Prince tarmac yesterday. The good news was that no one was injured, however the bad news was that the PC group would be delayed until Wednesday. With the entire group stuck in Miami, Father Cuddy and Deacon Moynihan made alternate plans for the group to do service in Miami until they are able to get a flight down to Haiti. Although I was disappointed they will be spending a few less days at LCS than expected, I am thankful that everyone is safe and that all of the hard work and planning of the group will not go to waste. These students have been meeting once a week for the past few months, so I am sure they are beyond anxious to get here and throw themselves into work here.  

The rest of the day was busy, as I prepared the survey on cell phones that I will start distributing tomorrow. With the help of Deacon Moynihan I was able to fine-tune some of my questions, and make sure that I am completely ready for tomorrow. I also spent a large part of the day preparing for phone calls and meetings with employees of a cell phone company here. It is my hope that after speaking with these people I will better understand how cell phones in Haiti work, and what their role is in the lives of Haitians.


I also was able to play basketball again today, this time not completely embarrassing myself. Playing basketball here is a great way to remind me that although my project is important, the temporary anxieties that I might have are ultimately insignificant. At the end of the day, it is necessary to remember to enjoy the people around you, and embrace their love and the community that you are blessed to have.  

Sunday, May 26, 2013

My First Weekend


I apologize for not posting yesterday, but the weekends here a time to prepare for next week and relax. Yesterday I helped do some grading and made even more progress on my project. Due to Deacon Moynihan’s connections within the Haitian community, I was able to have many of my questions about Haitian banking and mobile money answered. Reports say that only about 10% of Haitians have their own bank accounts, so much of my research yesterday was figuring out whether or not this statistic is accurate and the reason behind this low percentage.

Usually on Sundays the Volunteers are able to sleep in and relax, but this weekend we went to mass at the Chapel of St. Toma, which is about twenty minutes away from LCS. Mass is usually held for the Volunteers on Saturday nights on campus, however this weekend was extra special. After mass today Deacon Moynihan and Father Isaia, who usually says the masses at LCS, baptized 121 children. We did not stay to see the baptisms, but during the mass prior to them we were able to see all of the little ones dressed up in their white dresses and suits.

Even though mass was in Creole, it was a great experience. During the mass there was a ton of singing, and whenever the music started playing people everyone in the church began to sing. It was an incredible experience to just take in. Even though the Chapel of St. Toma was recently built, the pews were packed with people celebrating their faith and praying before the Lord. Being at mass reminded me that no matter where I am in the world, I can always be at home with God and the rest of the Catholic community.

The mass itself was about one and half hours, so by the time we got back to campus we were exhausted. Most of the day was spent relaxing and preparing for the last week of classes. Tomorrow a group of about eight Providence College students accompanied by Father Cuddy, the Chaplain of Providence College, and Sarah Attwood, Campus Minister at PC, will arrive at Louverture Cleary School for a week-long immersion trip. I cannot wait for their arrival and to share with them my LCS experience thus far. I am also extra excited because within the group of PC students is my second cousin Molly DiDonato (Class of 2016)! I look forward to seeing this entire group fall in love with LCS.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Making Connections


Every day that I have spent here, I have taken away at least one lesson from the community that surrounds me. This morning's Work Hour taught me the value of experience. In many of my business classes I have learned about production and human capital, however never truly understanding the value of such labor. Sure businesses can assign numerical value to these concepts, but within these numbers and dollar amounts the determination, sweat, and hard work of the individuals who complete these tasks are lost. The hours that I have spent over these last few days working alongside students and Volunteers on the playground and yard have taught me more about production than I would ever learn in a classroom. LCS students and faculty serve their community every day, reminded of God's blessings and love by phrases and prayers posted on the walls around them.

After today's Work Hour, I went to work on my project. However, before I could start really analyzing most of my research, I needed a few Economics questions answered. President of The Haitian Project, Deacon Moynihan was able to reach out to a few of his connections in order to ensure that I had a great understanding of the topics I was dealing with. Deacon Moynihan's connections were unbelievable, and included Dr. Gregory Mankiw, Dr. Daron Acemoglu and a top advisor for the U.S. treasury. Dr. Mankiw is a top Economics Professor at Harvard University and a former economic advisor for President George W. Bush, and Dr. Acemoglu is a MIT Professor, has received a countless number of awards for his work in the field of economics and has recently received international recognition for his book Why Nations Fail. Having these well-respected economists help me with my project was an incredible opportunity, and I am grateful for their willingness to assist me. 

As a result of their help, all of my Economics questions were answered and I was able to move forward in my research and analysis. Using the GDP levels from Haiti and the United States and other additional statistics, I was able to come up with some interesting information. From comparing an estimate of the cell phone industry's revenues in 2011 and the amounts spent on health care, I learned that in the U.S. people spend 8.5 times more money on health care than cell phones; however, in Haiti people spend only 1.1 times more money on health care than cell phones. This information puts the amount of money spent on cell phones in Haiti in perspective with other spending within the country. It also raises a ton of new questions including: Why is cell phone spending so high? Is it that prices are astronomical or are people spending more of their income on their phones than they should be? Does the amount of money spent on health care suggest poor access to health care or are Haitians spending a proportionate amount of their GDP on this necessary expense? With the ultimate goal of answering the question of what benefits are Haitians receiving from their phone use and how are they paying for it, I cannot wait to see what I learn from the rest of my research.

Today was also a day full of performances. The Gospel Choir, ballet and hip-hop performances were earlier today before students returned to their homes for the weekend. Each performance was excellent, and it was so nice to see the proud smiles on each of the student's faces as they showcased their talents. After each performance, the love and support of the LCS community was apparent as the audience screamed and applauded their friends and peers. Tonight we were also able to watch a dress rehearsal of the student production of Guys & Dolls. All of the speaking parts are performed in Creole, however the songs are performed in English. As English is the third language of many of the students, I was thoroughly impressed with each student's effort. I cannot wait to see how the final production goes next weekend!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

How I Got Here


For the first time this week I was able to call home and speak to my family. I was really excited to hear their voices and update them on my journey. I was especially excited to speak to my dad, because not only was he unaware that I have access to a phone, but today is his birthday. Even though I could not be home to celebrate, it was great to surprise him and hear how his day was going.

So I figure day four of my trip is the proper time to finally share more information about the reason why I am here in Haiti for the next few weeks. Beginning last summer, I started looking into the possibility of applying for a Father Smith Fellowship through Providence College. Having spoken to a former PC student, Kathryn McCann, who had gone to Kenya with the program, I immediately became dead-set on applying for this incredible opportunity.

The Father Smith Fellowships are an opportunity for students to create their own program for study or service abroad alongside peoples and organizations that coincide with Providence College’s beliefs and their mission. Typically these fellowships are fulfilled alongside members of the Dominican order and strongly focus on the faith aspect of the student’s trip. This fully paid for trip creates an incredible opportunity in which students can be transformed mentally, emotionally and intellectually. For these reasons and more I feel incredibly blessed to be granted one of the ten of these highly competitive fellowships.

After becoming interested in the Father Smith Fellowship, I began to search for a site at which I could fulfill my fellowship of service. As a student of the Liberal Arts Honors Program at PC, Providence College has already given me so much in terms of my education and the experiences that have accompanied it. As a result, I began to search for a site in which I could pay forward the gift of education and the vast amount of opportunities that schooling opens up.

Last summer Father Cuddy, Chaplain at PC, travelled to Louverture Cleary School in order to plan an immersion trip for the summer of 2013. From the moment that I read his blog and began researching The Haitian Project, I knew that a fellowship at LCS would be an unbelievable blessing.

Louverture Cleary School functions just outside of Port-au-Prince as a Catholic school that provides an education to academically motivated and talented students from Haitian families who cannot afford the cost of education. This school serves students from Sizyem, 7th grade, to philo year, what would be equivalent to a 13th grade in the United States. In addition to these students, the school offers various programs in which the students of LCS can interact with the surrounding neighborhood. It is the goal of LCS that its students will use their education and lessons learned at the school to be empowered to enact change within the community and throughout Haiti.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Learning More About Haiti


For some reason I totally forgot to mention it, but every afternoon, weather permitting, the Moynihan family, some students, volunteers, and neighborhood men, play basketball on one of the school’s courts. Yesterday was the first day I was able to play, and I had a blast – although being out of shape made it a bit of a challenge. I wouldn’t say that my basketball skills would make my dad and the rest of my CYO team proud, but I definitely held my own on the court.

After exhausting myself on the basketball court, I has a good night sleep last night. As I was warned, my anti-malaria pills have caused me to have some vivid dreams, however they are not nightmares so I am able to sleep through the night. I have a feeling that after I get adjusted to the pills that I will not be as affected by these dreams.

My research is starting to come along after today. This morning I spent a great deal of time researching the real GDP of Haiti and looking into the role of foreign aid in this number. It is the hope that once I can find a GDP that reflects the actual production of Haiti that I can then determine the percentage of money that is spent on cell phones and telecommunications. It will be interesting to see how much of a Haitian’s income is spent on these devices, especially considering the degree of poverty that exists within this country.
After lunch, I went off-campus with Deacon Moynihan and two staff members to visit friends of Deacon Moynihan with businesses in the city of Port-au-Prince. Not only did I get to see a factory where people were working building small electrical parts, but I also was able to speak with the businessmen about my project. It is the hope that in the next few weeks that I will return to these businesses and speak with their employees about their own cell phone habits, as well as their personal financing. By talking to these men today, I learned that many Haitians do not even own a bank account. As a result, I am hoping that my survey can look into whether or not Haitians are using mobile money and if they are, whether the use of such a tool has led to increased saving or increased spending.

Another great thing about this trip was that I was again able to see the streets of Port-au-Prince. On our way to the businesses, Deacon Moynihan was able to explain to me the informal sector within Haiti. The existence of this informal sector has led to a sense of complacency amongst Haitians, as there is no incentive to get a job within the formal sector, and thus decrease the unemployment rate.

The presence of poverty in Haiti is apparent when driving down the streets near Port-au-Prince. Although it was difficult to witness, I felt a little bit of a sense of relief knowing The Haitian Project and similar organizations with a goal of empowering the people of Haiti exist. The Haitian Project and its Louverture Cleary School truly work in the spirit of the Catholic Church. LCS focuses on the power of education and knowledge in causing changes that will better an entire community. It is the hope of LCS to better train the leaders of Haiti so that they are not only educated about the problems facing the economy, but also so that they possess the leadership and faith necessary to bring about success.

After my great experiences off-campus, I returned to LCS for the regular afternoon schedule. We did have a few thunderstorms here this afternoon, which, although postponing tonight’s dance and choir performances, did allow for the temperature to cool down a little bit. It is still grossly humid here, but my water bottle, fan and cold showers every once in a while are making a world of a difference.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Getting Into the Swing of Things


The last 24 hours or so have been full of many firsts. After dinner last night I was given time to settle into my room and relax after my long day. By the time I was done getting situated, I was exhausted and headed to bed. Once my roommates taught me how to tuck my mosquito net into my mattress, I was down for the night.

This morning our day started with a 5:30 AM wake-up call. I ate breakfast with the Volunteers before we all headed over to Morning Prayer, headed by Deacon Moynihan. After prayers and some reflection on today’s Gospel, we started our days with the Catholic mission in mind. As the Volunteers headed to their respective classrooms to begin their days, I returned to the Volunteers’ house to begin working on my project in the computer lab.

With the guidance of another Volunteer, I began researching telecommunications within Haiti and the consequences of such technology. Over the next few weeks, I will continue to work alongside Deacon Moynihan, Volunteers and Louverture Cleary students in order to develop a paper that discusses mobile technology within Haiti. My main focus will be to search for the true impact that cell phones have had on the lives and well-being of Haitians.

For the majority of the day I worked on my project, however I did break in the middle of the day to see the Timoun Program perform ballet. The Timoun Program is the early childhood development program at LCS in which children who live within the neighborhood can come to the school to receive two meals, school lessons, and other activities. These children have a special relationship with many of the older students at LCS, so it was really exciting to watch the Timoun Program perform for their tutors and friends. The girls had the biggest smiles on their faces as they performed, and their audience gave them a standing ovation once they were finished.

Not only did I have my first interaction with the Timoun Program today, but I also got to participate in the “Netwayaj” or clean-up. Each day, the students perform various tasks around campus in order to make improvements or maintain the cleanliness of the campus. All students are taught to understand the value of work and to use their talents to empower others to enact change. One of the tasks of Netwayaj is to manage the incinerator and make sure that garbage is disposed in a proper manner. I was able to see and help in this process alongside a Volunteer and about six students. It was an experience unlike any other I’ve encountered before, however I was in awe of both the dedication of each student and the self-sufficiency of Louverture Cleary School.

Also, I know that I mentioned the soccer game yesterday, so I just wanted to give you an update on the outcome of the match. LCS did end up losing 3 to 1 to the older group of boys that they played, however their coach, one of my roommates, was so proud of the way that the students carried themselves. Despite the attitudes of the other players, the LCS team maintained their composure and acted with true sportsmanship.

Tomorrow the students have their hip-hop, ballet and Gospel choir performances, all of which I am extremely excited for!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Arrival in Haiti!


Last night, my older sister Kelli was nice enough to allow me to stay with her at her apartment in Boston so that I would be closer to Logan Airport for my 6:45 AM flight. I have always been the one who is nervous for the first day of school or to try out new things, but Kelli’s hospitality coupled by my excitement led to a restful night sleep. With a 4:00 AM alarm and one last shower, my day of travelling began.

At around 5:15 this morning I met Deacon Moynihan, President of The Haitian Project and head of Louverture Cleary School, at Logan Airport. After checking in, I was introduced to two of his children who were also making the flight to Haiti with us. Both his son and daughter were so welcoming, eager to get to know me, and excited for the time that I will spend at LCS this summer. Our flight to Miami and our connecting flight to Haiti went off without a hitch, and before I knew it I was walking through Port-au-Prince Airport with the Moynihan family.

Port-au-Prince Airport was unlike any airport I have ever been to. Before we even made it to Customs, there was a band sitting and playing music for arriving travelers. It was so interesting and enjoyable to just take in the environment at the airport.

Immediately upon stepping outside of the airport, the warm weather was noticeable. Wearing jeans for my travel through the cold airports, I began to sweat the second we got outside. Luckily, we were able to quickly meet up with the staff who were sent to drive us to LCS. Remaining basically silent throughout the ride back to the school, I was able to truly see the poverty and destruction that engulfs most of the city of Port-au-Prince. LCS is not too far from the airport, so within a half hour Deacon Moynihan and I were walking through the gates of the school.

Once on the enclosed campus, I was immediately introduced to one of the long-term Volunteers who was able to show me around. I will be sharing a room with two other Volunteers and one Haitian woman who is the Dean of Academics at LCS. All of the Volunteers were eager to meet me, and welcomed me right away into their lives at LCS.

After a brief tour of the campus, I was able to attend a soccer practice for the school’s soccer team. The team is made up of about fifteen students ages 15 to 17, who all really enjoy the game of soccer. The practice that I attended today was extra exciting, as the team received their uniforms for their first match, which is tomorrow versus another team in the area.

Once soccer practice was over I was able to take my first cold shower, which was both refreshing and much needed after a day of travel. Afterwards I attended dinner, which was a traditional Haitian dish prepared by a fellow Volunteer, followed by a session of evening prayer with all of the other Volunteers. I already feel like I am at home at LCS and with this group of people, and I cannot wait to see how my next 24 days in Haiti will unfold. 

Tomorrow I will be sure to include more about the mission of Louverture Cleary School and the type of students who receive an education here. So far, I have been nothing but impressed by The Haitian Project’s staff and all of those working at LCS.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

A Dream a Year in the Making

After a year dreaming, planning, and preparing, I cannot believe the day has finally come. Thanks to the Father Smith Fellowship and the generous members of my Providence College family, I will be fulfilling a fellowship of service at The Haitian Project's Louverture Cleary School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti starting tomorrow. This twenty-five day trip will be both full of learning and challenges, and I could not be more excited for the memories that I will make on this journey.

As I write this post I am on my way to Boston after a fantastic Commencement Weekend at PC. The weekend was full of many memories, as I was able to watch on proudly as my cousin Tara received her diploma with the rest of the Class of 2013. Celebrating Tara's accomplishments surrounded by our family was a great way to spend my last days in the United States.

Even though I said goodbye to both my PC family and my own family earlier today, I know that although they will not be alongside me to share in my experiences, their love and support will not be absent throughout my journey. This afternoon I received two gifts - a bracelet with a Saint Christopher charm from my Aunt Cate and a set of rosary beads from my mother (passed along from a dear friend, proud Rhode Islander, and Dominican Sister). Both of these gifts will serve as reminders of the true mission of this journey and the faith that will give me the strength to complete it.

I truly cannot put into words how grateful I am for such an opportunity to travel to LCS to learn more about myself, others, the world, and above all, the power and love of the Catholic Church. Providence College has already given me so much, therefore it is my turn to work in the Catholic and Dominican spirit and transform the lives of others.

"What you receive for free, you must give for free."

- Matthew 10:8