During my trip with my family to the Dominican Republic over the summer of 2025, we visited a lot of new places, met new families, and ate a lot of traditional food. There was one experience that I truly enjoyed because I learned the true meaning of giving to others in need and the gratitude received from an orphanage.
My mother and aunt are always collecting clothes that families in Emerson are giving away for free pick-up. The purpose of this is to send the collected clothes for people of all ages to the Dominican Republic to give to families in need.
My mother came across an orphanage named Nino Divino in Salcedo, Dominican Republic in which my grandmother has helped before. Giving back to them felt so peaceful. My mother had a lot of baby clothes, shoes, bookbags, toys, and youth clothes to give away, so we decided to drop them off at the orphanage after scheduling a visit. Upon getting to the orphanage, the director of the orphanage, who was a nun, and many little children were waiting to receive what we brought them. As I saw their smiles, it made me realize that not every kid in this world may have what I have in my life. At the end of the visit, we all prayed together.
My mother shared this advice with me: “That giving to others what we might not need anymore will make a difference in the lives of others without you realizing it.”
In other words, a small gesture can turn the entire world to a person in a positive way. My sister and I are always giving to our mother any clothes and shoes that no longer fit us, so we can send them to the Dominican Republic.
