When you think of a dump, your initial thought is a place where your garbage is disposed of, not a place where it’s the only way of earning a living. Almost all the workers are Haitian refugees who are stateless, living in the Dominican Republic. The “workers” make less than a dollar a day by collecting plastic bottles, tin cans and scrap metal. Each bag that the workers fill is worth approx. 5 pesos, which converts into approx. 17cents Canadian. 
For us, the Hero Holiday students, we were able to step into the shoes of these workers and getting covered in who knows what. At times the smell was so over whelming we wanted to barf, but after spending three hours in the dump the smell became “normal”. Living in Canadian society, most of us grew up with a need of accomplishment and success, It’s amazing how the dump brought forth these needs. Our goal was to fill over sized bags provided by the workers. Surprisingly, it was rather difficult to find plastic bottles. After walking on mountains of garbage, there it was, “poking out of rotting banana peels- our first plastic bottle! The amount of success that overwhelmed our bodies from finding one little bottle was amazing.
From this dump experience I have come to the realization that our society takes things for granted way to much. I know that every time I look at a plastic bottle again, my mind will fill with the memories of the dump. Also, I plan to take some action after seeing and experiencing this accomplishment. I really want to encourage people to see the same realization as myself.
Rebecca Price- Student Leader.
Hi Césan. It looks like you are working hard and taking in so many different things. We miss you lots and love you tons! Say “hi” to the “Sioux Lookout gang” for us. Hope to hear from you soon. Love Mom, Dad, Alix, (Lou and Charles too)xoxoxox
Hello Emily, Mel and Vanessa!
I saw your pics today. I had to look closely, but all of you look great!
I am so proud of you three…all of the children look so happy to see everyone back. It brings tears of joy and gives me a tingling feeling all over. Keep up the good work, I miss you all. Much love, lots of hugs. P.S. Emily, Char emailed to say she will be visiting you on the 12th.
Hello from Kirkland Lake, Ontario. If you run in to Rick and Carlee Wells and the girls from KLDCS, please let them know that we are proud of the hard work you are all doing and wishing you all a great experience. Have fun, work hard and come home safe.
Darlene Wells
Hi Tony, Cory and Sandra, How’re your days filling up? I guess you’re staying pretty busy - and hot! It’s going to be 25 here today. Can you believe your trip is already half over?! Send us all a little prayer around 4:00 p.m. if you get this in time, we’ll be needing it. Nonie was pretty good yesterday. Today will be a different ball of wax, as my Granny used to say. Love to you all, stay safe, keep changing the world. Get yourselves in a picture so we can see you!!!
I’m sooo proud of you, Rebecca. You can make a difference.
Love, Mom
Hi Vanessa, Emily and Mel -
I hope you are all proud of what you are doing and see that everyone has the capacity to make a difference. Be open to change, be well and see you soon.
Vanessa - your family is very proud and can’t wait to see you next week. Love, Mom.