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We’ve heard time and time again how transformative a Help One Now trip can be. But don’t take it from us, take a minute to hear from Owen Jordan, a photographer and storyteller, about his time in the Dominican Republic. Look through his lens and see why doing good in the world still matters.
In all honesty, I thought I was done with “mission trips.” In the past, I’ve gone overseas and seen extreme poverty and reliance on the West. So much so that I became jaded because I didn’t think it was working or sustainable. The pandemic made that feeling even stronger.
But, when my friends at Help One Now approached me about going to the Dominican Republic, I was intrigued. They had made big claims about effective developmental giving impacting La Vega (a town in the D.R.) and how it was helping families in extreme poverty stay together. So, I took a chance and journeyed south to the Caribbean.
They weren’t kidding. Not only was the country itself beautiful, but so were the people and their culture. What I was most impressed with was the people’s sense of resilience. If you’re familiar with the islands, you’ll know that it is a very hard and dark time. But the people of La Vega have a sense of hope and drive that is supported by the community leaders. Children are going to school, families are running their own businesses, environmental practices like aquaponics are helping the community and they are even purifying (and selling) their own water!
As I finally allowed myself to let my guard down, I began to feel less jaded. My eyes grew wide and I knew I wanted to be a part of this. Suddenly, I felt like the passionate college student I once was. I felt pulled to do good in the Dominican Republic, around the world, and even in my own home. I could finally see that doing good still matters.
I made friends that I now consider family.
I saw that, without a doubt, there is still hope for our world, and there are both small and big ways that we can be a part of it.
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a trip and see the good happening with our Help One Now community partners.
Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime? The first step is to check out our trips page below and fill out the interest form.
