28/07/2024
Why am I participating in this program? The Virginia 4-H Participants have a variety of reasons for wanting to participate this year.
Ivory W, 18, Petersburg, wants to be a part of sharing 4-H in the Dominican Republic. Ivory wants to have new volunteering experiences to become a better leader and mentor.
Sarah L, 18, Scott County, wants to experience a new culture and help others. The most important thing for her in the Dominican Republic is to make a positive impact on someone's life because one positive impact can change someone's life forever. She also wants to better her Spanish.
Jacob R, 17, Shenandoah County, wants to experience the thrill and enjoyment of going to new places, meeting new people, and helping whoever he can. He also wants to learn how to speak Spanish a bit better and experience the way things are in a different country,
Emerson H, 15, Scott County: applied for this program because she loves to travel and this trip is going to be an amazing opportunity to do just that and also see the different cultures and interact with the children there and hopefully give them a wonderful time. Emerson loves to try new foods because she never knows when she will find a new favorite.
David O, 16, Loudoun County, is returning for the second year in this program because he is very passionate about helping and serving others. He believes that this trip serves as a great opportunity to help and lead the Dominican kids that he interacts with, along with helping out in their community, experiencing their culture, and meeting some great people along the way.
Maxwell J, 17, Alexandria, applied for this program because he wants to experience new areas and this is a great start to explore new cultures. He also wants to meet new people and understand life in the Dominican Republic.
Paisley G, 16, Mecklenburg County, wants to connect with the community, enjoy the culture, and learn how life is for the people in the Dominican Republic. It's something you can't fully understand from just a media standpoint. This is important for her because she loves relationship building and learning. It's her passion and the reason she loves to volunteer and do her part for civic engagement.
Justice M, 17, Petersburg, applied for this program because he wants to see the difference in culture. He loves learning and seeing new things. He wants the Dominican children to know that although we come from different backgrounds, we're all living and learning as we go.
London M, 17, Culpeper County, was interested in this program because she enjoys working with kids and she wants to learn more about a different culture. She also wants to learn more Spanish and see what kind of agricultural projects the kids work with in the Dominican Republic.
Felton O, 18, Petersburg, applied for this program because he wants to help kids and he wants to see a new country.
Maggie C, 17, Shenandoah County, is also a returning program participant, having participated in 2023. She is coming back because she wants to learn more about the culture, food and the people in the Dominican Republic.
Jamie Simpson, Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader, Culpeper County, participated in this program in 2019. He wanted to come back this year because he enjoyed it so much the first year and he's curious on his take on the program on his second time around with different expectations. It's a pleasure listening to the American teens and helping to guide them on an adventure in learning.
Trip Leader: Christine Hodges, 4-H Extension Agent, Alleghany Co., is one half of the organizational team for this program. Christine enjoys providing an international experience for youth and being part of something that is life changing for everyone, including her. She wants to learn from others, appreciate things in life that are important, speak Spanish, try new foods, meet new people and impact the lives of others. Christine wants the Dominican children to know that Americans are friendly, open minded and want to help others.
Trip Leader: Carol Nansel, 4-H Extension Agent, Shenandoah County is the other half of the organizational team for this program. Carol enjoys traveling, working with teens and learning about cultures. She enjoys watching the 4-H teens have life changing experiences as they grow in their leadership and world citizenship skills and develop lifelong friendships. This Dominican Republic program, the 4-H teens and the Dominican people, hold a very special place in Carol's heart. Our 4-H group is welcomed back every year like family. This is such a unique and impactful way to experience a different culture and to make international friends.
Cristy Mosley, 4-H Extension Agent, Culpeper County, is most excited about helping with the Day Camp program in the Dominican Republic. She has a deep love of 4-H Camp and is excited to be part of the experience and to see similarities and differences in US and Dominican campers. Her personal goals are to support the teens attending this service trip. She sees such value in broadening one's worldview and developing citizenship and leadership skills. She is looking forward to experiencing the week through their eyes.
Nicole Swinson, Associate Specialist Youth Development, Virginia State University, wants to experience international 4-H opportunities where she can be of service. While in the Dominican Republic, the most important thing Nicole wants to experience is their community engagement and rich culture. She wants to be open to learning and serving as necessary.
Deborah Madden, 4-H Extension Agent, Arlington, applied for this program because she enjoys working with youth, learning about different cultures and the opportunities to practice Spanish. Deborah loves to dance and wants to learn a Dominican dance. Her goals also include conversing in Spanish as much as possible, and engaging in a meaningful learning project that will have a positive impact on the youth served at camp.
