Random Post 1: Blue Missions

 

    We often take for granted the availability of clean water for drinking, bathing, cooking, and other household needs. Yet, in many developing countries, the local water supply is at risk due to environmental and infrastructure challenges. As I sit in my living room thinking about what to write for this random post, I can't help but stare out the window watching the pouring rain, reminding me of my experiences with BLUE Missions. BLUE Missions is a local non-profit charity dedicated to providing underdeveloped communities with clean water and sanitary environments. The organization is based in Miami, Florida, and works with communities in the Dominican Republic to provide potable water and sanitary environments. 

    For two consecutive summers in high school, I worked with BLUE Missions. I learned about BLUE Missions because they visited my high school and presented their mission, resonating deeply with my classmates and me. My high school ended up forming an individual group to send off to Los Pedros (the community we served). In my first summer, I traveled to a remote village in the Dominican Republic, where we constructed an underground aqueduct providing potable water to the local community. We slept in a large concrete chicken coop in individual tents with mosquito nets to protect us. We showered in portable shower tents and ate mainly non-perishable basic foods like rice and beans with adobo seasoning. The following summer, we returned to the Dominican Republic and installed sanitary latrines. This trip I did a non-specific group, where I traveled with other volunteers I had never met before.

    My role with BLUE Missions was limited to digging trenches, so women and children no longer had to walk miles hauling water with large cans. It was incredibly satisfying to watch as impoverished families experienced the pure joy of drinkable water and readily-accessible toilets for the first time. I will never forget the smiles on their faces when spraying the hose we connected on each other and feeling clean portable water for the first time. There's no reason why we can’t bring that same happiness to other Hispanic/Latinx countries impacted by the global water crisis. I hope to one day return to my work with BLUE Missions and go on another mission trip to serve more communities. It truly was one of the most fulfilling experiences and summers of my life and made me reflect on the life is was gifted. The communities are filled with the happiest individuals who constantly appreciate and celebrate the small things in life--something I need to be better at.