GFDD and FUNGLODE’s Educational Expedition to Pico Duarte Ends On A High Note For Students

The Third Educational Expedition to Pico Duarte, orchestrated by Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) in collaboration with mountaineer  Karim Mella’s Fundacion Siempre Mas, took place on October 4 – 7, with the participation of fifty-five students and professors from Liceo San Juan Bautista del Caimito, Moca and Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro de San
Isidro.

The group reached the summit, the highest in the Caribbean, at 10:30 am on October 6, after a more than twenty-two mile trek over a two day period. In their quest to reach the top, the hikers had to overcome a number of challenging obstacles including low temperatures, rain, and an inhospitable terrain that was at times both rough and muddy.

GFDD and FUNGLODE provided students with the necessary equipment for the hike including
backpacks, coats, gloves, hats, t-shirts and flashlights. In anticipation of the climb, the students were prepped by the expedition’s official doctor on the importance of hydration and other vital aspects related to hygiene and trail maintenance whilst hiking.

The expedition included lectures on the geography of the Cordillera Mountain Range, the climate of the Dominican Republic, environmental protection, forest fires, reforestation and first aid. An important message of the
trek was to impart in students the importance of leaving the parks ecosystem undisturbed as well as the critical need for careful disposal of all trash to minimize the risk, and subsequent spread, of forest fires.

The trip is in the wake of another successful Educational Expedition to Pico Duarte which took place between 5-8 of July, totaling 65 students, 45 of whom were from Liceo La Salle and 20 students
from the Politecnico El Ave Maria.

The initiative was cultivated during the first DR Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) in September 2011, and provided participating students with the chance to develop an emotional connection and respect with nature. It is also hoped that trps like this will inspire greater stewardship of the countries precious natural resources.

The expedition to Pico Duarte reflects DREFF’s overall mission to interact with leading figures in the environmental community and, by encouraging the participation of young students, foster change at a grassroots level. The Festival aims to raise awareness and deepen understanding of environmental issues among Dominican audiences. At the same time, the Festival celebrates the beauty and diversity of the Dominican Republic’s natural heritage and offers insights intended to
contribute to its appreciation, conservation and sustainable use.

About Karim Mella and Fundacion Siempre Mas
Karim Mella participated in the first-ever Dominican expedition to Mount Everest in 2011. Karim founded Fundacion Siempre Mas in 2012, a private, nonprofit organization that aims to contribute to the cultural, ecological and human development of Dominican youth through educational trips to Pico Duarte.

Related Links:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/FundacionSiempreMas
http://www.karimmella.com/
www.drenvironmentfilmfestival.org