End of Year Report for 2006

Report - Year End 2006

Our health mission continues to grow. The first health mission trip was January 17-22 with a team of 17 volunteers. We were able to provide dental extractions, fillings, flouride treatments and sealant for children as well as eye exams and provide glasses for the needy. We treated patients in a local barrio (poor city neighborhood), a campo (farming community) and a Haitian Batay (migrant camp). Our construction volunteers prepared an area for a garden at Sr. Catherine’s nutrition center, which will eventually produce food for the children. With recent donations and grant money we were able to purchase needed dental supplies and a larger compressor that runs the dental headpieces more efficiently.
Drs. Kevin and Beth D’Angelo led a team in March that consisted of 19 volunteers. The group had dental students from Michigan State participating with them. They also had a Veterinarian that was able to treat many sick farm animals.
With the help of a group of pediatricians from Boston Mass. we were able to help set up a foundation that will enable the sisters’ lifelong projects to continue after they retire. Sr.Catherine and Peggy have both been in the Dominican Republic for approx. 30 years. When they retire they will need to relocate St. Roberta. They will not leave her there alone. The three of them are from Canada. We have been fortunate to have some volunteers that were able to procure grant money from their places of employment. We hope to use this in the future to help fund the foundation. A stipulation for the grant we received was to pay Sr. Barbara Toland $3,000.00 to cover Kathleen (from Boston) expenses while she is in the Dominican Republic setting up the workings of the foundation.
With the help of Krista VanWagner and Anne Garbarino we sponsored a raffle to raise money for the Nutrition Center. We were able to raise $2,271.00 from the raffle.
Every year when I prepare the year-end statement, I am also preparing for the next trip, which is on Jan. 23-28. This year I am one of 19 volunteers. Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you for all your support throughout the year it is truly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted,
Dawn Maher