Rise Up Community School Puerto Rico 2023

June 6, 2023

Today we had a very active and lively day going to the beach and exploring a new community outside of our own. We enjoyed ice cream on the beach which was good because it was so hot and humid. Afterwards we came back to our lodging (The Surfing Turtle) and relaxed and enjoyed more of each others company and had tons of fun until the power went out. We had some chicken, rice and beans for dinner which was really good we also had a dance competition which was pretty fun. We can’t wait to tour old San Juan tomorrow!

– Jojo and Alijah

June 7, 2023

We started our day early we woke up at 6:00am. Got dressed then head upstairs to the outside patio to enjoy our breakfast. We had pancakes, ham, scrambled eggs, toasted bread and fresh fruit. Then we headed out on the van to go on a 40 minute drive to Old San Juan. Then met up with our tour guide Alvin and he then gave us a quick history lesson about the town while walked around. We then got to see Juan Ponce De Leon properties, for example his church and his house. His church was newly remodeled and when the construction workers were remodeling they found historic pieces and hidden stained glass windows that were covered from the wars they previously fought. We then got to explore Castillo San Felipe del Morro in our groups. Which afterwards we went to go eat lunch at La Fonda. Which had really good food and cute servers. Then we got to enjoy some time shopping for us and our families. Which some of us got clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. We then got to go get some ice cream on this hot sunny day, and watched someone fall off a scooter.

Once we were done eating our palletas the van came and picked us up and took us to our new dorm that we’re staying in for the rest of our trip. Then after we got to our dorm, Derek gave us a tour and welcomed us. Once we settled in we got ready to go to the beach but ended up trying kayaking and paddle boarding. That didn’t last very long because most of us did not enjoy being in the dirty stinky dark water. We then decided to spend the rest of our free time going to the beach and enjoying the fresh water. But Weyni broke one of her nails and lost it in the ocean. All in all though we enjoyed our time and the ten minute walk back to the house we’re staying in. We cleaned all up afterwards. We ate rice, salad, friolles, pollo, y carne asada. Then had a group discussion about what we learned today during our tour and just about Puerto Rico in general. we also discussed the project and how we’re gonna go about it tomorrow.

-Weyni & Daisy

June 8, 2023

Whew what a day. Let us start by saying that today was probably one of the most memorable days we had here. We started our morning at 6:00am and got ready for the day. At 7:00am everyone came out to the communal area for breakfast. Once everyone ate breakfast we all headed to work on the community project. The bus ride was quite the ride. The bumps and steep roads made it very fun. Once we arrived at the locals family home we were welcomed by William who taught us what we needed to know to get the job done right. Everyone was put into groups and worked on assigned things together. The mother of the family, Maria, took really good care of us and provided popsicles and juices for everyone to keep us cool.

After working for a few hours we headed down to Maria’s house for lunch. We had chicken wings, salad, and rice and beans. Maria was a very welcoming and amazing person and we learned a few things from her while we were there. Maria made sure everyone ate and if not she’ll wait there and watch you eat. After lunch we headed back up the hill to continue working. This time everyone was working together to shovel up dirt.

Once it was 4:00 we headed back to Casal Coral and we had free time. Some went to the river and some stayed back. Around 6:45 some of us walked over to a pizza shop to pick up dinner. Once again everyone joined together in the communal area to eat. When everyone finished eating the salsa dance instructor came and that’s when everyone got their dance grove on. Everybody had a great time and by the end of the lessons everyone was really good dancers. We always enjoy each others company and we are glad to be making these memories together. Overall our day was exhausting but memorable and we can’t wait to see what we do tomorrow.

-Tokko Michaela Alijah

June 9, 2023

So today we got up and ate French toast eggs and bacon for breakfast. Then we drove to Ale,Susan and David’s house to go help them. We stood in a assembly line and passed buckets of cement around. It was pretty fun and we got it done fast.

Then we went to go eat lunch at Maria’s and say our final goodbyes to this amazing community we were blessed to spend a week with and get to know on a personal level. Thank you global works for this amazing trip and experience of a lifetime.

-Jojo and Noel