16712: Batey Relief: News from the Batey Relief Alliance, Inc. (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: "Batey Relief Alliance (BRA)" <bateyrelief@mindspring.com>


					PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO OTHERS

BRA REPORTS ON ITS 2003 HEALTH CARE MISSION TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
As part of its annual ten-day health mission trips to the Dominican
Republic, the Batey Relief Alliance, co-sponsored by the BRA Dominicana,
from May 2-10 provided emergency care to more than 2800 impoverished
residents languishing in batey Cruce de la Jagua in the province of Monte
Plata, and 36 other surrounding batey communities. "The purpose for our
missions is to involve every sector of the society in a strategic
partnership with the goal of improving the quality of life for those who
are marginalized, poor and unhealthy without regards to race, sex, creed,
national origin or political affiliations," said BRA's medical director,
Dr. Raymond Thertulien. BRA received close to $2 million in donated drugs,
medical supplies and equipment from the Direct Relief International and the
Catholic Medical Mission to support the mission and the organization's
long-term health care intervention in the count! ry. More than 50 health
providers from the United States, Spain and Great Britain worked along-side
Dominican and Haitian health professionals to deliver care that is
culturally and medically oriented to the population. Strategic and
operational support came from BRA's key partners such as the Dominican's
Ministry of Health (SESPAS) and the State Sugar Council (CEA), the
Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE), BRA's local member
organizations (Cotedo, SSID, Alas de Igualdad, Idac, Moschta, Adoplafam and
Fudersa), the Monte Plata National Guard, the United States Embassy Peace
Corps and the Community Association of Batey Cruce de la Jagua.

Patients received attention in the areas of internal medicine, family care,
tropical medicine, pediatrics, gynecology (PAP smears), dentistry - and
preventive health education. To complete their short-term treatment,
patients received a three-month free supply of medicines and vitamins,
tooth pastes and brushes, hygienic materials, etc. Cases that required
long-term attention were referred to BRA's mobile health clinic and other
affiliated government-run health facilities. As part of the organization's
policy, BRA distributed desperately needed drugs and supplies to its member
organizations, the SESPAS & CEA, Haiti's Consulate and others to help
address the health needs of those who were not able to visit the mission
site, who live in other impoverished communities or to provide follow-up
care.

Part of BRA's humanitarian health objectives is to provide complete health
care to 30% of the batey population by year 2007 through its mobile health
clinic, medical missions, placement of volunteers, distribution of drugs
and supplies and its medical care center to be constructed in 2004. Your
donation is critical to the sustainability of our programs. Please help by
clicking on our DONATE NOW button at www.bateyrelief.org.

BRA'S MOBILE CLINIC PROVIDES LIFE SAVING HEALTH CARE TO BATEYES OF MONTE
PLATA
Since May 2003, BRA has been operating a 30-foot mobile health clinic,
stationed at batey Altagracia, District of Sabana Grande de Boya, in the
province of Monte Plata, Dominican Republic. The clinic is currently
providing critical care in the areas of internal Medicine, pediatrics,
gynecology, dentistry, blindness prevention and preventive health
education. Two volunteers from the United States are providing their
long-term services - Dr. Alan Kerr and Julie Brokmeyer (nurse). They are
joined by local health care providers from the Dominican's State Sugar
Council (CEA) and the Ministry of Health (SESPAS). The mobile project is
designed to bring sustainable care those who are marginalized, and often
unable to access public health care due to racial discrimination, poverty
or fear of deportation. BRA is looking for volunteers to provide direct
care, assist in health care delivery, or perform administrative or general
tasks. Please apply today ! by contacting BRA's Executive Director, Ulrick
Gaillard at bateyrelief@mindspring.com.

BRA STARTS BLINDNESS PREVENTION PROJECT
Thanks to a generous grant from the Riverside Church in New York, BRA is
now restoring and protecting vision for dozens of residents in the bateyes
through its Blindness Prevention Program.  The program entails the training
of local health promoters and teachers to do eye screenings on children and
adults. Cases of basic eye problems are referred each week to our volunteer
optometrist who performs other tests or prescribes eye glasses. Sunglasses
are also donated to patients. Cases of cataracts or glaucoma that require
surgeries are awaiting attention from ophthalmologists. Many children and
adults in the bateyes and other urban living sectors are rapidly losing
their eye sights due to poor diet, unprotected exposures to sun glare or
diseases. Most cannot afford a pair of eye glasses or treatment because of
poverty. As a result, generations of these individuals will lose their cha!
nce of going to school, learning new professional skills and becoming
productive for their families and communities. BRA's Blindness Prevention
Program will help reverse that possibility with other donations like the
Riverside Church's. Your support is critically needed as it will help a
child see so that he/she can play and learn like other children. We also
need volunteer ophthalmologists and optometrists to perform eye surgeries
and to provide care. For a donation or volunteer opportunity, please
contact Ulrick Gaillard at bateyrelief@mindspring.com or (917) 627-5026.
The BRA's Blindness Prevention Program has also been funded by the Federal
Association Order of Malta, Lions Clubs International, the New Jersey Lions
EyeGlass Recycling Center and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.

BRA AND VOSH TO HOLD EYE CARE MISSION TO THE BATEYES IN JANUARY 2004
As part of its Blindness Prevention Program, BRA will sponsor with the
Chicago-based Volunteer Optometrists for Service of Humanity (VOSH) an
eye-care mission trip to be held from January 17-24, 2004 in the bateyes
located in the province of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. More
than 22 optometrists, faculty and students will work along-side local lions
club members and optometrists affiliated with the Batey Relief Alliance to
provide care and eye glasses to more 2000 needy residents. Dr. Gary
Blackman, founder of the group, said, "I have been to the Dominican
Republic in the past and seen the critical eye care needs. I am excited to
be back and to bring help." Eye surgeries will also be performed for cases
of cataract or glaucoma. "It is always a pleasure of working with a VOSH
group. BRA's eye care success in the Dominican Republic is due, in part, to
past positive experiences with VOSHs all around the United States," ! said
BRA's Executive Director, Ulrick Gaillard. Support the mission by making a
money donation on line at www.bateyrelief.org.

DR. JOSE PENA GOMEZ'S WIDOW, PEGGY CABRAL, DISCUSSED COLLABORATION WITH BRA
Peggy Cabral, widow of the late Dominican political figure Dr. Jose Pena
Gomez, met in July in Santo Domingo with BRA's Executive Director, Ulrick
Gaillard to discuss the possibility of establishing a working partnership
with her office, El Gabinete Social. The high level meeting was arranged by
the State Sugar Council's Chief, Victor Manuel Baez, who was also present
to inform Ms. Cabral of BRA's positive collaborative humanitarian efforts
in the country since 1998. "We seek to work with all parties that are
interested in helping to develop the human capacity for those who are in
need," said Gaillard. Preliminary discussions were held around health care
and nutrition. "Since its inception, BRA has demonstrated a unique ability
to develop strong partnerships various sectors to successfully carry out
its mission. We look forward to do the same with the Gabinete Social,"
added Gaillard.

BATEY RELIEF ALLIANCE AND BRA DOMINICANA HAVE NEW OFFICE IN THE DR
The new office is centrally located in the heart of Santo Domingo -
Piantini - and is designed to provide both the Batey Relief Alliance and
BRA Dominicana a space of operation. Staff, volunteers and associates will
have access to computers, the Internet, books and other materials to do
research and perform organizational tasks. An Executive room has also been
created to hold meetings and organizational conferences.

Pay us a visit anytime at:

BRA Dominicana & Batey Relief Alliance
Winston Churchill, No.71, Suite 212
Edificio Lama, Piantini
Apartado postal 5085
Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana
Tel.: (809)540-4947, Fax: (809)540-0786, Email:
bra.dominicana@mindspring.com

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BRA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
BRA's Tax ID Number: 11-3403494
Donate on line at www.bateyrelief.org.

Batey Relief Alliance, Inc. (BRA)
Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director
P.O. Box 300565, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230-0565 USA
(917) 627-5026, bateyrelief@mindspring.com

BRA Dominicana
Maria Virtudes Berroa, Directora Ejecutiva
Winston Churchill, No. 71, Suite 212
Edificio Lama, Piantini
Apartado Postal 5085
Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana
T (809) 540-4947, F (809) 540-0786, bra.dominicana@mindspring.com

LOCAL MEMBERS & PARTNERS TO THE BRA ALLIANCE
Casco, Adoplapham, Moschta, Idac, Cotedo, Funtosalud, SSID, Alas de
Igualdad, Fudersa.
Dominican's Ministry of Health (SESPAS) & State Sugar Council (CEA),
Haitian Embassy and Consulate.

BRA is a member of the Global Health Council