Not Just Tourists – Winnipeg, Manitoba Chapter has a story to share from traveller Walter:
The gentleman on the left is Dr. Ventura. We have been working with Dr. Ventura and a missionary called Karen Conquergood ever since the doctor graduated from medical school about 8 or 9 yrs. ago. Every January we would hold mobile medical clinics in our village of Arroyo Seco as well as other villages in need of medical care.
Dr. Ventura now works in the Emergency section of Cabarete Medical Clinic, a hospital close to where we stay. This American owned hospital is equipped with the latest medical equipment. I myself have been a patient there twice. This is where I take people from our groups that need hospital care while in the Dominican Republic. He has turned into a very good doctor.
He and two of his friends started a small hospital in their home town of Maimon. They regularly donate a day or two for the poor of his village to come and receive medical care for free. We partner with them by donating some meds from Health Partners International in Quebec and by donating the second suitcase from you.
As you can see by what we are wearing, that our relationship has progressed from Doctor/missionary to a friendship.
A quick update as to what happened to the suitcases of medical supplies you donated to us (Dominican Vision Inc.).
Other groups helping the less fortunate of the Dominican Republic stay at the same resort that we stay at when we take groups to help the poor. One such group Is a Rotary group from Ontario. They bring medical and dental groups to help along the North coast. This year they came to help us (as well as others) in Arroyo Seco. They spent a week doing dental work for our village and our school. This “partnership“ is just starting and we hope will continue in the future. What amazing work they did. We donated one of your suitcases full of medical supplies to them in appreciation for their help. I should say that we did keep some supplies for our school in Arroyo Seco
Thank you for helping us to help others to help those in need.
Walter
