Why am I participating in this program?

The 2016 Virginia 4-H - Dominican Republic participants have a variety 

of reasons for wanting to participate in this program.

 

Niki Funkhouser, who turns 17 while she is in the Dominican Republic, is a returning participant from Shenandoah County.  This year, Niki wants to focus on the Dominican kids at 4-H Day Camp.  She is participating in this program because it is a challenge to her to break the language barrier.  She also wants to learn more about the Dominican culture.


Emilie Webb, 18, from Shenandoah County, wants to travel and see a different perspective of the world and also help the kids who live in the Dominican Republic.  One of Emilie's goals is to be a servant for others, by helping other people and not being focused on herself.

Danny Cayelli, 16, from Fairfax County, is joining this group because he wants to use his Spanish speaking ability to help others.  Danny has grown up learning Spanish at home and one of his goals for the week is to work on his translation skills and not have to rely on google or a dictionary for help.  He also wants to meet new people and make new friends.  Danny wants the Dominican children to know that Americans are a diverse culture and many can speak Spanish as well as English.

Dakota Funkhouser, 19, from Shenandoah County, has also participated in this program in the past and loves the Dominican culture.  She looks forward to enhancing her Spanish speaking skills and being completely immersed in the Dominican culture.  

Jenna Kibler, 17, from Shenandoah County, wants to learn about others life, build her leadership skills, and learn about ways to help people.  Jenna believes learning about other cultures and lifestyles is very interesting and allows her to experience helping others in a foreign country.  She wants the Dominican children to know that Virginia 4-H'ers respect everyone's uniqueness and we are intrigued by different cultures.


Wyatt Gray,17, from Alleghany County, wants to experience diversity while he is in the Dominican Republic because he wants to learn more about the world.  One of his goals for the week is to provide the best camp experienced for the underprivileged kids there.  He wants to focus on having and providing fun.


Gabriella Pichette, from Alleghany County, wants to make new friends and learn more about the Dominican people, their culture, and what they do for a living.


Nora Pichette, from Alleghany County, also wants to learn about the Dominican people, their culture and what they do for fun.  One of her goals for the week is to have an impact on the kids and be able to teach them things they don't know or understand.


Chase Smith, 22, is an adult chaperon from Bath County.  He is a registered nurse, currently working at Western State Hospital.  This will be his 7th excursion to the

Dominican Republic. His first trip was when he was in the 9th grade, when 4-H Agent, Christine Hodges visited Bath County High School to talk about the program. Since then Chase has participated four times as a 4-H'er and once as a chaperone.

Chase says this trip has changed his life! He never thought that first year that one day he would be chaperoning the trip. He has learned a lot about the rich culture and diversity of the people and atmosphere while traveling in the DR. He has also met many new friends, most of whom he now considers his second family. 

Not many people have the opportunity to travel abroad. Chase has been fortunate to do so and this year his main goal is to make this experience better for the 4-H'ers participating. He wants the 4-H'ers to take a step out of their comfort zone, try something new, and to pay attention to the abundant learning opportunities that they will come upon. He loves to teach and plan to use this asset to expose a whole new level of life to these young people. He looks forward to seeing his friends again and especially the kids during the day camp. 

Shenandoah County 4-H Agent Carol Nansel has had an interest in furthering international understanding since she lived in Germany through the 4-H IFYE exchange program right after college.  She helped establish this Dominican Republic 4-H program in 2006 and has enjoyed watching the Virginia 4-H teens grow in their leadership and citizenship skills each year.  The welcome shown to our Virginia 4-H group each year by the Dominican people makes us feel like we are there visiting family.  Many lifelong friendships have been established, and much cultural understanding has taken place over the years.  End of program evaluations from the 4-H'ers show that this program is truly a life changing experience for them.  One of Carol's most memorable moments with this program was when she realized last year, that ALL of the Dominican teens who were volunteering as the 2015 4-H Day Camp Counselors had grown up attending our 4-H Day Camp and learning leadership skills from our 4-H teens.  They were the best Dominican 4-H Teen Counselors ever!