Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Hopes and Fears for 2011

Our Hopes:
• that we will see and recognize some of the people we met last year.
• that I'll be able to help the people there have a better life, and that I will have a fun experience.
• to connect meaningfully with the men, women and children on the bateys; and to make a positive impact.
• that the group comes together as well as we did last year.
• that the trip is everything I hope it to be: rewarding, fun, motivational, humbling.
• to feel like I have made a substantial contribution to the health and well-being of the DR children.
• that we can reach as many people as possible with health care and meds and that we don't run out!
• to touch the lives of people who might not otherwise receive the emotional and physical care they need.
• to use my nursing skills in a challenging environment.
• to learn more about cultures in countries other than the US.
• to learn how fortunate we are.
• to foster the seed of service in my daughter.
• to share my medical skills in a productive way.
• to have fun!
• to raise enough money to do all that we want.
• to be comfortable in an unfamiliar place and to help as many people as possible.
• that my family will end up going on this trip.
• that we have enough food to feed anyone.
• to save some people/babies like we did last year.
• to increase my son's appreciation and awareness of other cultures.
• to have a team building experience.
• that we are better organized ahead of time.

Our Fears:
• missing home/family a lot
• getting sick
• lack of Spanish will hamper my ability to communicate with people and/or to be helpful.
• that I won't have the energy to keep up.
• how people there will react to our presence.
• parasites.
• encephalitis.
• violence.
• anxiety of being out of the USA.
• that my sensitive daughter will have a difficult time.
• that we will get lost.
• airport troubles.
• that it will be weird to return to US after having been away.
• not having enough food to distribute again.

General Housekeeping

Get to Jenni Immediately
• copy of your passport
participant's health info form (everyone needs to complete one)
emergency medical release form (everyone needs to complete one)
release and waiver of liability (everyone needs to complete one)
minor's permission for international travel (only needs to be completed by the parents of participants under the age of 18 who are traveling without a parent)

Items to Work On
• finding a t-shirt printer
• finding a bus company to take us to/from airport at cost
• selling coffee
• collecting meds: Tums, multi vitamins for adults and kids (not the gummy ones because they melt), Lotrimin, hand cream, ibuprophen (Advil or the equivalent), acetominophen (Tylenol or the equivalent)
• sending fundraising letters

Important Facts
2011 Trip Overview
2010 Trip Newsletter
Packing List

Medical Requirements/Suggestions
• Strongly recommend you see a travel clinic
• Hepatitis vaccine required, Malaria pills (i don't believe these are required, but I STRONGLY recommend), and Cipro (or other antibiotic for younger kids).