DR Mission 2

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THE 2009 MISSION TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC This is the report for the ELEVENTH Dominican Republic mission trip which took place on FEBRUARY 27th - March 8th, to San Pedro de MacorIs. We are blessed to share with all of you the work of the team as they brought Healing, Comfort and Hope, to some of the world’s poorest people, and we know that this would not have been possible without your contributions, your prayers, your support and your enthusiasm! This year’s team led spiritually by The Rev. Blair Biddle, Deacon Vicar of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church consisted of 21 member medical team. To complement and work along side the medical team, one person worked on a pure water project to bring education and do hands on work on an existing water purification system already present in Buen Pastor. The medical team consisted of 2 MDs, 2 PAs, 1 RPT, 7 RN’s, 1 Pharmacist, 3 translators , a prayer team and support persons (ages 14 and up), who traveled to the barrios (slums) of Gautier and Las Flores and in and around the city of San Pedro de Macoris. The Medical Team saw a TOTAL OF 904 patients in five days, treating a gamut of illnesses including skin rashes,, ear/throat infections, high blood pressure, upper respiratory infections, major infections of hands and feet,, and "grippe" or flu. Twelve high powered hearing aids with a programmer were taken to the clinic to be given to a local school for deaf children in San Pedro de Macoris. However the majority of illness continues to be caused by water born intestinal parasites causing diarrhea, which leads to severe dehydration especially in infants, small children and the elderly. (Please see Paul’s separate report for more details). The Pure Water Team member saw patients in Gautier who suffered from water born parasites educating them about the importance of clean water and it’s role in prevention of sickness. They also were able to link up with community leaders to arrange for further distribution of an inexpensive/simple water purification system. We were able to talk to some patients who have been using the system since last year successfully. In Buen Pastor he was able to hook up and begin to run the filtration system that had been put into place by another church team prior to our arrival. (Continued on next page)

For link to Dominican Republic Mission Site, click here