Day 4: Tuesday, 6/25

Post by: Precious E.

               

                Today we walked in the shoes of a migrant worker/farmer. We woke up at 5 to get ready to start our work as a migrant farmer on the farm. We picked weeds, vegetables, and fruits. We also met a farmer who worked there who explained to us his daily activities, hours, and wages. It was really interesting to actually put ourselves and walk in the shoes of these migrant workers and farmers. We had to put ourselves in the position of people who have to wake up very early in the morning, work long hours, and bring home pay that just is not enough.

Day 5: Wednesday, 6/26

Post by: Hanica

Today was the food bank day! Everyone woke up at different times, had a light breakfast, and gathered in our circle. We then discussed the plan for the day. One group went over to the church and created an assembly line. They worked together as a community to easily pass heavy boxes. The other group went to Cash and Carry and picked up fresh produce. Both groups met back at the Church where the food drive would be held. For the next three hours we worked to get ready for the food drive. We sorted food and divided big bags of flour, sugar, and beans into smaller containers. It was hard but the food drive made all the hard work, sweat, and dirty sneakers worth it.

                We all were assigned tables for the food bank. I was assigned the spicy peppers. People started lining up half an hour early for the food bank. We all learned how to say the foods we were giving away in Spanish. Everyone was a little apprehensive before we started but all nerves were evidently put at ease. Families, young children, old men, older women, and middle aged people all came through the door. I myself do not take Spanish and could not speak very well. When people would come around, I would say in broken Spanish the names of food, and they would chuckle and correct my grammar. There was a great sense of community, of family. It is one thing to donate money to a charity and another to see our donations, in another form, cause joy. There were moments when I would ask people if they wanted jalapenos and they would say yes with such enthusiasm. We would then get into a conversation about peppers. They would talk for a long time about the peppers, and, even though I didn’t know exactly what they said, I understood their message. But the best moment was when I would give someone goods and say gracias in broken Spanish and they would say thank you in broken English.  It really showed two people trying. These stories were what I experienced but everyone had similar stories. For me, as well as most people, today was a highlight.

                We then, as a community, packed up the leftovers. The church was full of amazing people who gave us food after all of the hard work. It was truly an amazing thing to do. We then came back to the church that we were staying in and had tacos for dinner! Overall, it was an eye-opening day.