LOCATION:  Santiago, Dominican Republic

DATES:  September 20-28, 2008

Return to Home Page

Click on map for larger view.

Click here for Dominican Republic trip information in PDF format.

Emergency Contact Information

Families should try to contact team members in the evening at the hotels listed below (subject to hotel change).
For extreme emergencies, your family may try to reach Dr. Beyda via the following:
1.  Dr. Beyda’s World Wide Cellular: 602-228-8983
2.  Dr. Beyda’s UK world phone: 011 44 7872 856304 (direct dial from the US)
3.  Email: dbeyda@mindspring.com (email will be checked periodically.)
Please register your travel with the state department before your departure, the link for Arizona is as follows: https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

[top of page]

Cost

Leaving from PHX the cost is $2300.00 for a double room; cost includes a uniform.
*If you have traveled with us before and have your uniform scrubs and polo, subtract $75.00 from the above amount.
This total includes all flights, hotel, uniforms, taxes, food, transportation, laundry, all in country hires and expenses. Travel Insurance will also be provided for emergency medical care and luggage loss. All incidentals such as long distance calls, etc. will be the team member’s responsibility.

Note: Price subject to increases until airfare is booked and confirmed and deposit received.
Note: Airport meals on travel days and desserts are generally not included, unless otherwise informed by team leaders while on the field.

[top of page]

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel after airfare has been secured then the $300 non-refundable deposit will go toward what loss is acquired in refunding the ticket. If the loss exceeds the $300 deposit, you are responsible for the difference. If at the point of cancellation you have sent in your trip funds, they will be returned to you minus anything you may owe for the canceling of your ticket above the $300. If a paper ticket has been obtained for you, your ticket will be mailed to you and it is up to you to contact the airline and preserve any potential value of your airline ticket for future travel. The same applies for an electronic ticket. It is the traveler’s responsibility to preserve any future value of the e-ticket. We generally secure low cost restrictive airfare so you do risk loss of part or all of this value.

If you cancel less than 2 weeks prior to departure, then a $250.00 donation will be recorded for Medical Mercy and a tax receipt mailed to you. Then the balance of your funds will be returned to you.

• minus the $250 donation

• minus the $300 non refundable deposit

• minus any added difference lost in airfare cancellation

Keep in mind that after departure your entire trip is tax deductible and a tax receipt will be issued, therefore no refunds are possible after departure.

[top of page]

Trip Itinerary - Tentative Plan

September 20, Saturday: Team departs from Phoenix and arrives in the DR
September 21, Sunday: Get organized go through meds
September 22-26, Monday-Friday: Medical Clinic days 8:00am-5:00pm, in various locations that have been determined by local staff
  Monday, September 22: visit project DO-006
  Tuesday, September 23: visit project DO-007
  Wednesday, September 24: visit project DO-010
  Thursday, September 25: visit Project DO-009
  Friday, September 26: visit Project DO-008

DAILY Clinic Schedule
6:15am:  Breakfast at hotel
7:15am:  Depart for clinic
7:45am:  Arrive at clinic, set up, prayer
8:00am-noon:  Clinic
Noon:  Lunch and devotionals
1:00-4:00pm:  Clinic
4:00-5:00pm:  Clinic clean up
5:00pm:  Depart for hotel
6:30pm or so:  Dinner

September 26, Friday evening:  The team (except for Dr. Beyda) will head to Puerta Plata to the beach for our last day.
September 27, Saturday:  Dr. Beyda will remain in Santiago to work with some local doctors; the team will have a free day at the beach in Puerta Plata.
September 28, Sunday:  The team and Dr. Beyda all head home

[top of page]

Departure

Medical Mercy will be securing all flight arrangements and your specific itinerary will be sent to you once arrangements are made. You are responsible for your seat selection. You can do this by contacting the airline on your itinerary.

We will depart on September 20, 2008. The team will meet at the departure area at American Airlines at 4:45am for those leaving from Phoenix. Please check your email before departing to the airport, this will allow us to communicate any last minute changes or flight delays. Please do not check in until all members have arrived or until you have been instructed otherwise. Please have your luggage tags on your suitcase and carry on. For those leaving outside of Phoenix your luggage tags will be mailed to you along with your uniforms.

Please make sure you wear your Medical Mercy Polo shirt for travel.

[top of page]

Luggage

You may bring 2 bags to check in and one carry-on bag plus a purse or briefcase (airlines call this a “personal item”). 1 bag should be for your personal belongings and the other bag will be for medicines, equipment, supplies etc. This will allow us space for Medial Mercy clinic luggage and space on our vehicles in country. If you are not departing from Phoenix and are bringing extra supplies for the team you may bring two bags, if you are not bringing extra supplies for the team, please bring only one bag.

[top of page]

Hotel

Medical Mercy has made reservations as a group. Please note that phone calls from the Dominican Republic will be expensive, and you should plan buy a phone card to use. Quad band and international phones should work in the Dominican Republic. Internet is available in the hotel. I am uncertain if Wi-Fi is available.

[top of page]

Target Community

Many children who live in impoverished areas of the DR typically come from single family homes or are orphans. Some are raised by extended family members. The divorce rate is high and family stability is lacking. Child abuse, domestic violence, child labor and prostitution, and forced or arranged marriages are common Thought the communities are aware of the Convention on the rights of a Child and local laws protecting children, these laws are not enforced, leaving children ensnared in a vicious cycle of poverty and hopelessness. One of the greatest needs of the Dominican Republic children is to experience emotional and psychological support amidst such turbulent conditions. Our program ministers to children in the Dominican Republic. Mission of Mercy currently has 15 projects serving 1,958 children. By September of 2008 we will have expanded to twenty projects serving 3000 children and by September 2009 nearly 4000 children will be served in 25 Mission of Mercy Projects. Mission of Mercy seeks to help children reach their God given potential, providing the best care and protection possible for each child God’s provides for us.

[top of page]

Time Zone

The Dominican Republic is 3 hours ahead of Phoenix. You can check the weather and time at this link: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=23

[top of page]

Voltage

Below are pictures of adapters for the Dominican Republic. Please to link (http://international-electrical-supplies.com/dominican-republic-plug-adapters.html) for more information. These adapters usually come in standard sets that can be purchased at Target or Brookstone.

(click on image for larger view)

[top of page]

Climate

The weather is expected to be warm and humid. Go to weather link more details: http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/MDST/2007/9/15/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA

[top of page]

Attire

In the clinic, scrubs should be worn. These have been given to you, and have our logo and names on them. We try to look as professional as possible. Your scrubs and travel polo will be mailed to you prior to departure. Outside of the clinic casual attire is acceptable. Women may also wear slacks, shorts, modest tank tops, modest jewelry and make-up (do not take valuable jewelry or watches with you; ladies should not bring valuable wedding rings but opt for a simple band instead).

[top of page]

Currency

Credit Cards may be accepted by some better merchant shops and will secure the best rate of exchange on the international banking market for that day. Cash in USD is recommended to be brought and then exchanged in country. Be sure bills are clean and not torn. Banks and Hotels will exchange money for us. Travelers Checks are not recommended.

[top of page]

Safety

Team members should not travel without a buddy and should not travel apart from the group without special arrangements with the team leaders. All currency, credit cards and the like should be carried in safe fashion such as in an over-the-neck/under-the-shirt travel wallet. Pickpockets are quite good at getting to pockets, belt-packs and over-the-shoulder purses or cameras.

[top of page]

Packing List

Please pack all items into one carry on and one piece of luggage to be checked. This allows all team members to check a second Medical Mercy bag with medications and supplies. Extra baggage is very expensive and not included in our budget. Plan to pack at least one change of under clothes in your carry on as sometimes luggage arrives late.

Medical Mercy Polo Shirt - to be worn for travel
Casual clothes that are neat in appearance
Swimsuit
Medical Mercy Scrubs 2 sets
A light jacket suitable for rain and a travel size umbrella
A warm sweatshirt or pullover
Toiletries
Personal medications for chronic medical problems
Bible and Notebook
Camera, film and batteries
Passport and two color copies of the photo page
Airline Tickets or e- ticket itinerary
Wallet and cash (usually $100-200 U.S. is adequate for souvenirs)
Credit card for emergencies
Secure carrier for cash/credit card, etc.
Alcohol Gel Hand Cleanser 1 bottle to share at clinic, one small purse size for personal use
Set of earplugs in case your roommate snores!
Travel alarm clock
Reading material for flights
Sunglasses
Small bottle of mosquito/bug repellant
Sunscreen
Kleenex (pocket variety) –TP is a luxury!
Safety pin or two
Plastic kitchen trash bag for wet/dirty clothing/shoes and general purpose
Snacks-protein bars, nuts and crystal light mixes to add to a H2O bottle, it is up to you
1 large bag of dum dums for the kids we see

[top of page]

Medical Equipment (if you are an Examiner)

Stethoscope
Sphygmomanometer (B.P. Cuff)
Oto/Ophthalmoscope with tips (battery powered are best but not mandatory)
Scissor
Reflex Hammer
Anything else packable that you use often in your practice

[top of page]

MEDICAL

Vaccines

All travelers should visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure.

For additional information, this site might be helpful: http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/mamerica_carib/dominican_republic.php#1

[top of page]

Sunburn

We will at times be exposed to some fairly intense sun particularly on our free day outings so wearing a hat and sunscreen is highly advisable.

[top of page]

Dehydration

Working in hot, tropical climates makes it easy to get dehydrated. Bottled water will be provided for the team and you should make a conscious effort to stay hydrated during the week even when things get busy in the clinic. Signs of dehydration include nausea, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, lethargy, decreased urine output and dark/concentrated urine that may burn. Later more ominous signs include decreased sweating and hot dry skin. Please report any ill feelings to a team leader immediately. You may want to bring powder electrolyte replacement packets for your water.

[top of page]

Food Borne Illness

We take all precautions to select “safe” restaurants and if local churches are cooking meals to follow our strict guidelines on hygiene and appropriate food preparation. Please follow team leaders advise while on the trip. Keep hands washed and use the alcohol gel cleansers frequently and particularly before meals. Avoid artificial nails and keep fingernails clean as well. At times illness does occur despite the best efforts of prevention so be sure to report any fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea to the medical director.

[top of page]

Illness

Please inform the team physician if you are feeling ill during the trip. The team medical officer will be well equipped to deal with any acute illness among team members. Insurance will be provided for accident, illness and/or emergency evacuation.

If after arriving home you experience any illness, but particularly fever, chills, nausea and vomiting, excessive diarrhea, please seek immediate medical attention from your physician and inform them that you have been overseas and to which country. This will greatly aid in rapid diagnosis and treatment.

[top of page]