Flip Flops for Friends 2016 - Day 3

Today was all about the schools! We went to four schools and were able to give school supplies and flip flops to 375 students today!!  The first school was Buen Samaratino, which is a very special school that is close to the heart of our friend and La Romana Rotarian Sendy Guerrero!  There were six classrooms with children ranging in age from 4-14.  

Next stop was a repeat visit from last year to the Escuela y Guerdiaria Mi Refugio which is a small school on the outskirts of La Romana.  We visited this school with our friend Daniel Barret from the La Romana Rotary Club and the Good Samaritan Hospital!

Our third and fourth school was with Wascar's Brother Angel and his family! The first school was in Hato Mayor and the second was in El Seibo.  This is in the northern part of the country, high i the mountain area of the northeastern part of Dominican Republic.  The second school that we went to was part of a Foundation that is run by Angel's wife's family.  We went to visit the family after the school and learned that not only do they own a large majority of land in the area, they also have been in this area for over 100 years.  Additionally they operate a winery, a chocolate factory and many agricultural fields.  They picked cacao for us and had us try it, a very different experience for me!  

The children waiting patiently to receive their flip flops and school supplies!

Fresh Cacao 

Throughout the day it was amazing to see Lucy enjoying the time she was spending with new friends and giving out all of the supplies she has collected over the past few months!

Tomorrow we will be going to Higuey, and meeting with the Mayor, a local school and an old age home!