Photo taken in the Dominican Republic.
"Lift your head a little higher,
Spread the love like fire,
Hope will fall like rain,
When you speak life with the words you say."
"Raise your thoughts a little higher,
Use your words to inspire,
Joy will fall like rain,
When you speak life with the things you say."
-Toby Mac
The traditional game of hide and seek is not just found in your backyard. It is also found on the small streets of the Dominican Republic.
This young boy was walking with a group of his friends when he quietly ducked behind a rock as his buddies continued to walk. He then peeked over the large stone to see if they noticed that he had mysteriously vanished. They noticed and started laughing when they saw his head appear behind the rock that was sitting in front of a small roadside store that normally sells fresh avocado's. However, the store was closed as it was a Sunday.
It was refreshing to see all the children in the Dominican playing outside as opposed to the quiet streets in America. It seems as if many children here lock themselves in their bedrooms while glued to gaming devices and telephones. In some areas of the U.S., sounds of children no longer fill the air because parents are overly concerned about their children being kidnapped or attacked in some way. I too have that fear at times, but have to remind myself that it is unlikely.
When I was younger, I would ride my bike to Kroger with friends and hit the candy aisle. I bet I did that when I was as young as 11 and we lived about 3-miles from the store. I know times are different, but I dislike the fact that a few thugs in our community have risen the fears that parents face to an unreasonable level. And to think crime is higher in most third world countries, but the children feel more freedom when compared to our own backyard.
"Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn." - O. Fred Donaldson
Residents in the small village of LaRepresa, Dominican Republic don’t have tons of possession’s, but what they do have are possessions they love.
This older woman is showing us her prized birds that she keeps in her small wooden home with a rusty metal roof. The birds are kept in a cage hanging from the rafters in her home. As you can see, this room is her kitchen / living room.
Electricity is scarce in most Dominican villages. The week I was in LaRepresa next to the town of Caobal - the electricity was out for about five days and the river where the locals go for bathing, washing clothes and recreation is nearly dry as rain has been something that has lacked in recent weeks.
Despite the lack of “stuff,” residents invite strangers inside their homes and sometimes offer the only chairs they own for visitors to sit in as they stand. They also work hard to be hospitable by serving visitors coffee made with freshly harvested coffee beans.
"Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. If you have them, you have to take care of them! There is great freedom in simplicity of living. It is those who have enough but not too much who are the happiest." - Peace Pilgrim