A special thanks to all the volunteers and donors who allowed me the privilege to travel to the Dominican Republic to personally deliver humanitarian relief to the needy families.
My goal was to collect 1,000 pounds of clothing, shoes, toys, school, medical, and dental supplies for the poor families in the mountain villages near Puerto Plata. Thanks to the article in the News-Herald and broadcasts on Cleveland Ohio News Channels 19 and 43, over 3,000 pounds of donated items were received, transported, and personally distributed. Due to the generosity of donors, my originally planned weeklong trip was extended to a month.
Along with my Dominican volunteers, we personally distributed all donated clothing, shoes, toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, blankets and linens to the families in many villages. No portion of the donations was garnished or seized by any person, organization, or the government for self-gain.
What follows are a few stories of special encounters. I hope you enjoy them.
On my prior visit, I noticed a shy, self-conscious woman wearing a tattered wig. She had been burned in an accident. One of the donations included wigs. I purposely intended to donate the wigs to this woman. When we met again I showed her what I was offering. We both cried. It's a very rewarding feeling when you recognize how much a recipient appreciates your effort.
I toured the Maternal Delores de la Cruz maternity and emergency public hospital in Monte Llano. The conditions there were so grim that the medical supplies I donated were a small beginning to the enormous need. Dr. Marisol Spencer was grateful and assured me the items would go to the poorest mothers and babies. (See Maternity Hospital photos.)
We personally delivered 12 walking canes to elderly men and women in various villages. I specifically asked the volunteers to take me to the poorest elderly and to the mentally and physically challenged. Two women claimed to be 98 and 115 years old. I also met 2 blind men and 2 blind women. One elderly lady was referred to as “crazy”, and I was told she would never allow me near her to take a photo. With gentleness and patience, I was able to stand with her and her caring son and get a photo. The volunteers were amazed. The mentally challenged kids had the least with no shoes or a shirt on their back, perhaps because they didn't go to school. Because I have a 50-year old mentally retarded brother, I made certain these kids got a nice package of clothes, shoes and toys.
We personally distributed the donated school supplies to five public schools in the villages of Maimon, San Marcos, Barrabas, Severet, and Caroballo. Maimon School also received a large box of toys. The school in Barrabas was especially grim so I plan to make a special attempt to provide much more for these underprivileged children. Had I known how bad the conditions were, I would have donated everything to this school. (See Barrabas School photos.)
I donated games, books, and puzzles to the Compassion International Christian School for under-privileged boys and girls. Two of the administrators served as volunteers and translators.
I visited the Casa adal bergue de Martina Catholic Orphanage for girls 4-17 years old. The orphanage received a large monetary donation from the Brugal Rum Company so I did not donate anything. While the girls are unfortunate because they do not have mothers or fathers, they are privileged with the clean and immaculate conditions in which they live and the love they receive from the nuns, which is far superior from the majority of the children in the D.R. They have hot water, showers, toilets and meals. I enjoyed meeting and playing with the girls. They were enamored by my pigtails, my trademark and as always, an icebreaker with all the kids.
I personally sponsored a shy, 11-year old boy with a skin disease. Wilson Martinez was presented to me by one of my volunteers. While I'm not a doctor or familiar with his condition, it was clear he required medical care. Wilson was abandoned by his parents and left to be cared for by his grandfather, who is dying of prostate cancer. I promised myself I would not leave until he was treated and follow-up provisions were lined up after I returned home. I personally set up an appointment and took him to the private hospital Centro Medico Bournigal, S.A. in Puerto Plata. Dr. Crespo donated his time, antibiotics and skin creams necessary to treat Wilson. He prescribed laboratory blood and urinalysis tests for an overall physical and promised he would follow-up with Wilson's treatment. Happily, Dr. Crespo said that most mountain village kids are not as mentally developed as the city kids but felt that Wilson was mentally developed compared to his peers, just very shy. My extreme gratitude to Dr. Crespo.
I bummed a ride to Santo Domingo, about 4 hours from Puerto Plata, and was scheduled to meet with General Salcedo, the Director of the Defensa Civil. General Salcedo is a direct report to President Hipilito Mejia and assisted tremendously in the passage through customs in Puerto Plata. Otherwise, customs officials demanded 59,000 D.R. pesos (about $4,000) for customs duty tax. Unfortunately, President Mejia called General Salcedo out of the country. Instead, I met with Colonel Jiménez. We discussed the needs of the Defensa Civil in times of federal emergency and my concerns of Custom's officials' indiscretions. I also donated about 50 coats and sweaters for General Salcedo to deliver to the families in the Pico Duarte mountain villages. He has a home there and personally delivers donated items to the poor families.
While in Santo Domingo I met with a prominent businessman who had heard about Rainbow Families Foundation. He would like to give back to his country and help the poor families. We talked about my ideas, and he asked me to put together a proposal for further discussion.
I received an offer of property from one of my volunteers in Monte Llano so I can build an office and distribution center for Rainbow Families Foundation. If the logistics make this possible, it will be a while longer due to lack of funding, despite the cheap cost of labor and materials.
I am grateful for the Evangelical Church in Monte Llano for the generous donation of space to make this mission possible. Señor Andres Polanco and his wife, Corina were very gracious, inviting me to stay in their home and unselfishly offering meals. They asked for nothing and would not receive anything in return for their kindness. Note they did not speak any English.I made several proposals to different people. I discussed with a hotel manager the possibility of installing a drop box where guests could donate items of clothing upon their departure. While he liked the idea, he suggested I discuss this with the General Manager. Can you imagine the number of families who could be clothed if each tourist donated one outfit? Not to mention, if each hotel participated in this humanitarian effort. Wow! Also, discussed the possibility of starting a baseball league for the young boys. I'm looking for donations of used uniforms, baseballs (yes, not softballs), bats, gloves, etc. Perhaps I can mentor another Manny Ramirez or Sammy Sosa (who are from the D.R.) and they will remember Rainbow Families Foundation when they become rich and famous. Just kidding!
I took many pictures and the stories of deliveries to the poor families are all very unique. Please go to my website to see more photos at Rainbow Families Home Page.
Clothing donations are continuing to come to my home. As a result, I plan to make another trip to the D.R. in April 2001. Donations of every kind are accepted. If you would like to donate clothing, please ensure they are freshly washed and ready to wear.
I'd like to find a donor with enough frequent flyer miles for one person on Continental Airlines or American Airlines so the April mission will be possible. Due to the rumored corruption in third world countries, it is important for me to ensure items go to the people in most need.
A few people have asked why I am not helping the poor in my own country. My answer is that we in the U. S. are fortunate to have many wonderful social programs for those in need. In fact, my family was a recipient of Aid for Dependent Children since my father was disabled and he and my mother had 10 children.
I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to provide something useful from all the contacts I've met. While it has impacted my financial situation with long distance calls, cargo shipping, gas for volunteer vehicles, medical assistance to Wilson, etc., it has been gratefully rewarding for me and an experience I will never forget. Thanks to all of those who made this possible.
One last note, “The greatest test of a person's character is what they will do for somebody who in turn can do nothing for them.” . . . Rev. Herman H. Watts of the Friendship Baptist Church
I hope to hear from you soon.
Patricia
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