Bartolomé, Dominican Republic becomes a second home for the UW Huskies

The Courts for Kids organization gave college student-athletes an opportunity to work, serve, and play during summer of 2023. Our small group of about twenty were able to fly oversees and take part of an amazing project working together. The community took an equal part in contribution, and our lives were all changed.

We went to Bartolomé, Dominican Republic with a clear goal in mind. The community we traveled to, was a beautiful area full of sights and culture. Unfortunately, having nowhere else to play, the youth had to play games like basketball and tag out on the streets. Playing was generally unsafe with cars and trucks passing on a regular basis, so the community wanted to make a change. The goal of this trip was to work side by side in the Dominican Republic, building a sports court for the local children to play. Our vision was to equally take part in the work so that when everyone passes the site, they might be able to feel a sense of pride knowing they contributed. Although the work was not easy, with high temperatures and the change of environment for the student-athletes, every detail was either awarding or helped us grow and learn.

Our group consisted of athletes from the University of Washington’s rowing, tennis, beach volleyball, track and field, soccer, basketball, and golf teams. We stayed in the home of locals who helped us by providing spaces to sleep and shower and making us three meals a day. While the food here was a bit different than the U.S., it was fun to try Dominican meals, my favorite being the fried chicken and rice. We slept surrounded by bug nets each night to keep the insects away. The sleeping situation was a little difficult to adjust to on top of the heat, but it taught adaption and the heart of gratitude.

The process of construction was simple and nearly the same throughout the four days of work. The site was located a few minutes away from where we stayed, surrounded by trees and a view of mountains, along with many butterflies greeting us in the morning. Everyone had a role, UW staff, athletes, and the locals. Some people stayed by the sand pit and stones, shoveling. Others worked in a line, passing the filled buckets to get to the mixer machine down the line. People filled the mixer with things like concrete dust, gravel, sand, and water, and poured the mixture into the plotted space, spreading it, later letting it harden to concrete. The work was tiring on the body and hydration was key. Sometimes we’d shout, “hydrate!” to make sure everyone was drinking water. We’d swap positions to ensure breaks and we’d take bigger rests after each section of the court was complete. We’d usually work from 8am to 9am until lunch, and the continue in the evening if necessary. Work like this built many characteristics, perseverance through the pain, patience with the progress, and reliance on everyone around us. The highs were knowing you could count on your team and the joy it brought to everyone when we finally finished.

Outside of the construction, we socialized and communicated with the community. Of course, the language differences sometimes made it hard to communicate. As someone who didn’t speak a lot of Spanish, talking with the locals was a small challenge. Something I realized, however, was that it was no barrier. I still had a blast getting to know the community kids and teenagers by playing games, learning handshakes, and utilizing the translators a part of our group. It was heart warming hearing their laughs, seeing their smiles, and some of them had even helped hands on with the court. I’d see the older locals outside on their porch or on rocking chairs, and a simple “Hola!” was enough to cause smiles. We had daily challenges, like telling a local a funny story or giving a local a compliment. These challenges encouraged us to get out of our comfort zones and get to know new people.

Many other things shaped the experience staying in the Dominican Republic. The views were breathtaking, the horizon decorated with tree covered mountains and sunsets that looked like paintings. We saw cows galloping down the streets, drank out of fresh coconuts, and met together every evening as a group to share highs and lows of the day, gives shoutouts, and tell how our challenges went. Not only did we get to form relationships with the locals, but we were able to strength our bonds with one another as athletes who go to the same university. When it comes to learning new dances, having shower problems, catching the stomach bug, or playing Uno on the porch together, memories were formed that I will hold on to for a long time. A lot of the students I didn’t know prior to the trip, but all these experiences and situations helped us to connect in a way we couldn’t any other way, as well as change the lives of kids for generations to come. -Danielle Hunter, UW Student Athlete

This week was one of the most beautiful weeks of my life. I met wonderful people who helped me with the dream of an entire community. Those wonderful people within the Bartolome community taught me many things with their effort, dedication, and hard work. I am very proud to share my experiences with all of them, and I will always carry them in my heart. Thanks to Courts for Kids for all the blessings. -Leinis Santana, Local Volunteer

We felt very well with the volunteers from UW and CFK who came with the purpose of the construction of the court with the community of Bartolome, who, with love, were waiting for this so needed construction. We will always be working for the well-being of the community. Thanks Courts For Kids and Marlennis for the great support. I will not rest with this great project. I will continue to support Bartolome with the status of councilor and community leader: Amen Amen

-Manuel Adonis Perez Benitez, Community Leader

It was one of the only times I’ve left US, so I was able to see so many new and interesting things and really discovered that there is more than brings us together (like sports! And games!) than separates us. Laughter and hand gestures are universal language and I found that all we want out of life is to take care of our families and find a good job that makes us happy. I felt more connected to the global community. -Hannah Elaimy, UW Student Athlete

What I learned from the community was that we don’t have to be related by blood or anything for us to be family or help each other out. -Samuel Ariyibi, UW Student Athlete

I feel like this trip has changed me by helping me understand what it is like in less developed countries. It taught me to not take anything I have for granted and that it’s a blessing to wake up every morning. The people here are so happy with much less, and I think that’s a lesson we can all learn from. -Jadon Bowton, UW Student Athlete

The most difficult part of going home will be knowing that I have to go back to reality and stress. In the Dominican everyone is kinder, more relaxed, and more open to explore and play. -Camille Duckett, UW Student Athlete

I learned from the community how to slow down and just appreciate the moment. It has been really challenging for me on this trip to adapt to a looser schedule. We are constantly on the go and always trying to prepare for what comes next, rather than enjoying the current moment. The people of the DR and Bartolomé are very much people that make each moment as it is.

From this trip, I now better understand the saying “enjoy the little things” you don’t need a lot (quantity or quality) in order to be happy and live a fulfilled life. -Corrine Hay, UW Staff Member

Some of my favorite memories from the trip include finishing the court and the boat ride to see the crocodile all while making new friends along the way. The slow visual progress that the concrete portrayed made the sense of accomplishment at the end so much greater. Knowing the good that the court will bring to the community. -Josh Cuevas, UW Student Athlete

My biggest takeaway is that relationship and experiences are more important than tangible items. -Will Anderson, UW Student Athlete

I learned that happiness lies in what exist around you and cannot come from owning something new or achieving reaching a new goal. -Adithi Anand, UW Student Athlete

I was very scared to come to this unknown place, but I am leaving here wanting to do this over again. I how know that my purpose in this life is to serve to world around me. -Brianna Hoffman, UW Student Athlete