To: Fellow Mission Partners to La Romana From: Jonathan and Nancy Wright-Gray Box 582, Sterling 01564 E-mail: Nancy - StarNanJon@aol.com Re: Trip Information Travel: Bring the largest suitcase possible, plus carry on; keep personal belongings to a minimum; fill space with donations. (Stickers, nerf balls or little toys in quantity for kids in bateys are useful, plus medicines and personal care items.) Personal Item Suggestions: Single bed sheets and pillowcase are provided; but many folks prefer to take their own and leave them as a donation. Also plan to bring your own bath and beach towels. Personal Medical Needs and Preventive Health Care: Band aids, antibiotic cream for minor cuts (important in tropical environment), ibuprofen for sore muscles, cold meds, cipro RX for diarrhea (just in case you get really sick), mosquito repellent, elemite RX for lice (just to leave for the clinic). Work hat (brim all around to protect back of neck), strong sun screen, work gloves, good work shoes, sunglasses, water shoes or sandals for shower and beach. DO NOT drink unbottled water or eat food not prepared for us at the mission. Consider taking Pepto Bismol as a preventive for intestinal diseases from arrival to departure--2 tablets per meal and bedtime, 8 per day (recommended by some doctors in tropical medicine--turns your stool black but does not upset your system in any way--prevents minor intestinal upset). Be careful--you're far from home and are here to work (see Guide for further info) Cultural Issues, Behavioral Guidelines: We are guests of the Haitian Baptist Church and our behavior reflects on them and the mission in the community. Some of their standards are different from ours in the US. Be discreet in dress and behavior. Women's dress: No sleeveless dresses/tops except at beach Skirts or culottes on the street or in the bateys; shorts OK on construction site. Men's dress: Long pants in the batey and in town; a nice sport shirt and slacks for church. Some bring clothing to wear and then leave at end of week, or bring fewer clothes and have them washed mid-week. (Saves luggage space for donations and gives the church women some income.) Behavior: No drinking of alcoholic beverages. No loud talking late at night (come in off the street in front of mission at 10 PM) We will all go to a church service in a batey on Sunday AM--this is an important cultural experience; other church services are optional; there will be several offerings through the week for which you might want to plan to have some money-- US dollars are OK. Our own team is very diverse religiously--Muslim, Quaker, Unitarian, Catholic, Congregational, Baptist and probably others. For this week we are part of a Baptist Church mission, and all of us have something to learn and something to share in this experience. We hope each of us will be personally comfortable in this setting, and respectful of others who are different from us in their religious practices. Passport: You need one! We have heard that it is good for it to be valid for at least one month after the trip. Immunizations and Special Medicines: Immunizations which are categorized as "required' are those which are strongly recommended by virtually all medical professionals who are familiar with the Caribbean. Those categorized as "suggested precautions" cover immunizations and other preventative procedures for diseases which are known to occur in the Dominican Republic, but which are rare. Some experts disagree about the advisability of these immunizations for those planning only short-term visits. This "suggested precautions" list is based upon the advice of the Centers for Disease Control. Consult your family doctor in making decisions about these immunizations. (We will be visiting in rural areas and the medical teams will be working in rural areas.) Required immunizations: Adult tetanus toxoid or adult DT within the last 5 years. (In other work, a tetanus "booster".) All normal "childhood" vaccines should be up to date: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR vaccine), diphtheria, partussis, tetanus (DPT vaccine <7 years of age), and polio vaccine. Suqqested precautions: To guard against malaria (risk is significant only in rural areas): chloroquine. The weekly dosage for an adult is 500 mg once a week. The drug should be taken one week before entering a malarious area, weekly while there, and weekly for 4 weeks after leaving the malarious area. No other antimalarial drugs are needed. To guard against hepatitis A: either one dose of gamma globulin I to 2 weeks before your trip, or the hepatitus A vaccine "Havrix". Health care volunteers who will be working directly with patients will want to receive the hepatitus B vaccine. |
Read the latest travel suggestions by the CDC |
Review the suggested packing list for short term missions |
Hi friends! In looking over my notes from last year's trip, I am remembering several items that we thought it would be helpful if each person would try to bring. I also want to highlight some needs we always have. Please try to take with you, in your luggage, the following (ask churches, friends & family to help with this): -Elemite (We suggest that you get a prescription from your doctor for this--bring it in your luggage, then donate it to the clinic when you get to La Romana) -1 or more bottles of antacids -1 or more bottles of tylenol -several packages of powdered infant rehydration formula (available in infant section of most drug stores) -1 or 2 baby bottles (8 oz or more - we recommend that these only be used for rehydration formula) -2 boxes of ziplock snack bags -1 box of ziplock sandwich bags -2 boxes of quart size ziplocks -2 - 4 large trash bags (note: indiv. bags, not boxes) -2 or more pens (for the med team and then for donation to the mission) -2 or 3 rolls of toilet paper (pull out the core and flatten them) optional: -Single bed sheets (can be donated when you leave) -Personal tool belt and tools (if you are doing construction and care to bring the weight--most of us use the tools that are there) -Back support belt (if you have any concern about back problems) we always need: -Prenatal and infant vitamins -Adult and childens underwear -Summer clothing in good condition -Soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes (no shampoo please - it's too heavy and soap works) -Tan and light blue fabric for school children (we have limited room for this so check with us if your collecting more than you can carry in your own luggage) -School materials: paper, pencils and sharpeners, pens There are some items that will make our lives more comfortable. When we meet on March 4, I will be Asking for individuals who can contribute any of these items: Outdoor/camping showers Antibacterial liquid soap (for dormitory bathrooms) Peanut butter Box of tall kitchen bags Thanks! !!! Nancy HERE IS WHAT WE NEED: NAME (EXACT) / PASSPORT NUMBER/ COUNTRY WHERE ISSUED / NATIONALITY / GENDER EMERGENCY CONTACT AND PHONE NUMBER (Someone not travelling with you.) |
Packing List |
Main Page |
New Visitors |
