Poverty in the DR

Our small island the Dominican Republic, a tropical paradise covered with beautiful beaches and mountains. Not only is it covered with beauty but there is one devastating reality that our island is filled with: poverty.  Strikingly over 20 percent of the country lives in extreme poverty.  It can be hard to maintain a family of five when both parents earn just money to buy only a bag of chips at the “colmado”, but this is reality for most.  Poverty is a problem that affects the family in all ways. Poverty leads to hunger. Leads to poor education, leads to poor living conditions and many other things that kids and families should not go through. Since I was young my parents have taught me to appreciate all I have and to take good care of everything. They have also taught me to give a hand to those that are in need. For that since young I have been helping those of lower social statues. I have a very clear memory of when I was 9 years old. My parents church group did a Christmas party for kids in Guachupita community. As a family we went and dance and did activities with all the kids. They were all really happy and enjoying every moment of it. We then gave them some snacks to enjoy. They were all sitting down and I saw this kids that looked a bit sad and I approached him. Kindly I ask what was the problem. With worry eyes he responded “ tengo mucha hambre pero mi mama me dijo que no me comiera lo que me diera y que lo trajera a mi casa.” My heart shattered into pieces.  I thought how could a kid so young me forced to do this, how could people not have what eat. This was devastating. As a young girl I did not know how to respond I just ran to the car and go the food I had brought for me and gave it to him. This was just one of the many instances that I have seen the poorness in my country. This is one of the instances I will remember forever in my life. This is one of the instances I feel fondly proud of.