A Look Back, a View Foward

Hi all-

Back in the United States in the chilly Pittsburgh weather, I am presented with the opportunity to reflect on the trip.

We all had different expectations of what we were going to be doing when we got the D.R., and the challenges we would face during our stay. For me, it was my first trip outside of the United State. Previous to this I had only taken a few plane trips, and all my knowledge of cultures outside of my own came from reading National Geographic and watching the Discovery Channel. I was excited for the opportunity to help out in a small way to provide the essential need of water, but also to experience a new country, its people, and its culture.

The work was amazing. It was understandable that while working with the team at the filter factory, we were going to have to find places to make our presence felt. At first finding a niche for a group of overeager grad students presented a challenge, but eventually we were able to meld with the workers, and hopefully not get in their way too much. We built pens used to sort the different sizes of wood that provides the fire for the kilns, package the filters, and made bricks that were to be used in the new kiln soon to be set up in Haiti. This work was a welcomed change from the excel spreadsheets and long essays that take up so much of our time at school. Using our hands, mixing the raw materials and that would become the clay that would provide clean water and bricks that would one day become a kiln in Haiti was amazing, and provided me a warming feeling that my actions had a direct impact on another person's life. I think what I have taken away most from our work was finding the importance in seemingly mundane work. Every bag of sawdust we carried, every piece of wood we stacked, and every speck of dust we swept make the factory that much more efficient, and allowed more filters to be made, and that many more people to enjoy the essential right of drink a glass of clean clear water with the knowledge that it will not make them sick.

The impact that we had during our stay in the Dominican was not limited to the time we spent working. During the flight home I kept think of something Kelly, a Peace Corps volunteer in the area was talking to our group about. She spoke of the important the cultural exchange that was occurring between our group and the Dominican people we were meeting, and the impact this exchange would have on all of our lives. Personally, I can say that I have a newfound great respect for the people that despite the limitations they face strive to make a positive change in the world.

The people that we have met, and the bonds that were built in the 10 days of our trip will be carried forever by all the members of our group. Now it is our duty the spread the word about the importance of clean water, and the how these low-tech filters can make a monumental impact. By continuing to make this issue one of importance and relevance to the entire global community, we can make the necessary strides to ensuring the future generations of Haitian, Dominicans, and any other members of the global community will not drink tainted water.

-Nick C. Shahverdi