Nothing so far in my life has been so rewarding and I doubt anything else well be! In just two weeks, I learned about the compassion of humanity. It separates us from all other animals. In two weeks I learned about humanity, Dominican culture, all the participants (who became my closest friends) who went on this project, but most of all I learned about myself.

Knowing that everything  you do changes the world for the better...that is what it's like when you are on a Service for Peace GPM project. Every time I swung my pick axe at the ground I could feel
the pride swell up, it overwhelmed any tiredness I could have felt. I didn't work hard because I'm a hard
worker--I worked hard because I was selfish, because every drop of sweat that I had made me smile, it let
me know I was doing something to help the world. I never felt so connected to the world and the people
around me; it's something indescribable but all volunteers know what I'm talking about. It's the best
feeling in the world and all of the volunteers got to feel that way.

In retrospect it was Janna, Joan, Mely, and Carlodys (the SFP Dominican Republic staff) that were truly selfless and wise way beyond their years. They knew how dangerous this feeling was they made sure that everyone took breaks and they looked after everyone even when we wouldn't look out for ourselves. Just like each of the volunteers I shared my projects with, each one of the staff members from Service for Peace has taught me so much about myself that I don't know how I could ever possibly hope of showing them how grateful I am. I also don't know how but somehow they even are even letting me join the ranks of staff. I'm aware of how giant the shoes are I have to fill but I consider it a challenge that I will overcome and I'm so happy that I have a chance to."