Pre-Departure Packet. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Project Restauración

Transcription

1 Pre-Departure Packet DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Project Restauración

2 OVERVIEW Congratulations! You have completed all FIMRC pre-trip requirements and are now cleared for travel. It is time to prepare for your volunteer experience in the Dominican Republic! In the following packet, you will find a wealth of information from packing tips, contact information, arrival logistics and more! Please read all information carefully and, of course, we are always here to answer any questions you may have. A LETTER FROM FIMRC HEADQUARTERS Dear FIMRC Volunteer, The Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC) is pleased to welcome you to the Global Health Volunteer Program. We are looking forward to your service in the Dominican Republic and hope that you are too. This amazing experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a new culture while providing unique opportunities to get to know a community in the developing world. This packet contains useful information for your trip and will answer many of the questions that you may have. Included is packing advice, arrival and housing logistics and an emergency contact list among other items. We hope that you will take a moment to familiarize yourself with the content so that you can confidently travel to our site in the Dominican Republic. We would like to make your volunteer mission as comfortable as possible, so if you have any further questions after reading through this packet, please feel free to contact us. As a volunteer with Project Restauración, you will carry out vital tasks in support of FIMRC s mission to provide quality health care to children who are underprivileged and underserved. FIMRC realizes that to truly change the health care conditions of places like Restauración, on-site medical attention is only one piece of the puzzle. Diligence in spreading the word about our mission so that everyone is aware there are children who do not receive the medical care that they deserve is also necessary. Your impact on the community in Restauración can be felt long after you board the plane home simply by sharing stories of your volunteer mission to friends and family. We are so excited to welcome you to our FIMRC team and are proud that you have decided to join the effort to create a world in which every child has an equal opportunity to benefit from modern medicine. CONTENTS 3 Meet the Team 4 Know Before You Go 5 Packing Guide 6 Packing Guide cont. 7 Arrival Process 8 Get to Know Restauración 9 Your Volunteer Mission 10 Dominican Living 11 Additional Info 12 Staying Healthy 13 Excursions 14 FAQs 15 Stay Involved On behalf of the entire FIMRC team, we thank you for your support and hope your experience is nothing short of extraordinary! Vikram Bahkru, MD Founder and Chairman Meredith Welsh Chief Executive Officer Caitlin Huber Global Health Volunteer Program Manager 2

3 MEET THE TEAM GINA CAPPUCCITTI, Field Operations Manager (FOM) Originally from New York, Gina started getting involved with international nonprofit work when she studied abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador during college. After completing a BA degree in International Relations at SUNY New Paltz, she moved to Honduras to work with a locally-based microfinance institution serving rural women entrepreneurs. She then returned to Ecuador to consult with a rural community development organization, primarily coordinating work with local women entrepreneurs and providing technical and logistical support to college intern groups. Having worked primarily in the area of economic empowerment, Gina is thrilled to be now working more directly in the health sector of rural development. In her free time, Gina also provides volunteer translation support to other organizations. DR. RICARDO DOMINGUEZ CRUZ, Medical Advisor Dr. Ricardo was born and raised in Restauración and still resides here today. He attended medical school at the Universidad Central de Este in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic before returning to Restauración, where he has been an attending physician for nine years. Dr. Ricardo became a member of the FIMRC team in September 2013 where he has played an integral part in many health programs and mobile clincs. Gina and Dr. Ricardo will be your go to team members during your time at Project Restauración. You will also have the opportunity to work alongside additional medical and outreach staff. Meet the rest of the team via the link below. CONTACT INFORMATION Dominican Republic Gina Cappuccitti, Field Operations Manager (mobile) operations.dr@fimrc.org When calling the DR from the US, dial 1 before the number. When calling the US from the DR dial 1, then the 10-digit number. For all calls within the DR, simply dial the 10-digit number. FIMRC HQ, Philadelphia Caitlin Huber, Volunteer Program Manager (mobile) missions@fimrc.org Meredith Welsh, Chief Executive Officer (mobile) FIMRC HQ Office ext. 1 (Main Office : Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm EST) ext. 3 (24/7 Emergency Line) WhatsApp FIMRC encourages all volunteers to download WhatsApp prior to travel in order to easily communicate with in-country staff as well as friends and family back home. WhatsApp uses your phone s Internet connection, instead of your cell data, to send text messages and to make voice calls. The app is a free download for iphone, Android, and Windows phones. All FIMRC team members (both in the Dominican Republic and the US) can be reached via WhatsApp. 3

4 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO CURRENCY Exchanging Money & ATMs The currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso. Exchange rates to the US dollar are available at www. xe.com/ucc. Currency exchange stands in the airport usually give an unfavorable rate, so if you need to change dollars, we can take care of that upon your arrival en route to the site. Although there is one ATM available on site it does not accept all debit cards and has a maximum daily withdrawal of 3,000 pesos (about $65). ATMs will only give you pesos and there is a US$5 dollar fee for every transaction, plus any additional fees your company may charge. Visa, MasterCard, and debit cards are accepted at most tourist destinations. Notifying your Bank Before you leave, you should notify your bank or credit provider that you will be traveling abroad, as unusual credit card use may trigger fraud protection and freeze your account. In the event of an emergency, Western Union or Interbank transfers can be used to obtain cash. Be sure to bring entry tax in U.S. cash. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS You must possess a passport. Proof of a return ticket may be asked. It is your responsibility to have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your trip. Volunteers who are not U.S. citizens must check with their consulate or a visa agency to determine what personal identification is required. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional passport agencies. For more information, visit the government website at travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. BUDGET TIPS Volunteers generally incur costs during their trip for activities not included in the daily volunteering program. The following is a list of common weekly expenses: Entry tax: $10 (paid upon arrival at airport) Spending money: $25 per week (approximate, based on preferences) Recreation/tours: $55-$250 (approximate, based on preferences) VACCINATIONS No vaccinations are required by law when traveling to the Dominican Republic from the U.S., but we recommend consulting your doctor, as well as for the most up-to date recommendations. We strongly recommend that volunteers wear effective insect repellent as mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue are present. The Restauración site is not located in a malaria zone. Medical decisions are your responsibility, and the cost of vaccinations will be dependent on your decisions. EVACUATION INSURANCE FIMRC requires all volunteers to possess emergency medical evacuation coverage for the duration of the mission trip. If your current health insurance does not provide this coverage, we recommend purchasing travel insurance. Please contact us if you would like assistance in purchasing coverage through FIMRC s partner, Worldwide Risk Management. ELECTRICITY & INTERNET The voltage used in the Dominican Republic is 120 volts, the same as in the US. There is no need to purchase an adapter. However, a voltage regulator or a surge protector is not a bad idea as frequent power surges and fluctuations can affect the battery life of your electronics. Please note, there are scheduled power outages at specific hours each day. You may need a three to two prong converter for plugs that require three prongs (i.e. laptop chargers). Limited internet is available at the office for work purposes. Wifi is not available in your homestay. There is free WiFi at the Santiago airport available for 4 hours of use; a smartphone can use this network to contact field staff via WhatsApp. SAFETY & STEP FIMRC is committed to volunteer safety, security, and health. Upon your arrival, our team will give you a detailed orientation, which will include details on how to stay safe and healthy during your volunteer experience. US citizens may also register for the U.S. State Department s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information from the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. You are encouraged to save the Embassy s contact information prior to travel, which can be found on the Embassy s website. 4

5 PACKING GUIDE It s time to start packing! Below we have compiled a list of most commonly needed items. We ask that you be culturally sensitive and professional when choosing clothes to bring on your trip; sleeveless shirts, shorts, and flip-flops should not be worn during work hours. You should limit your luggage to one suitcase plus one small backpack for your carry-on and daily use. Make sure you have luggage tags for each suitcase. CLOTHING & SHOES LIGHTWEIGHT WORKWEAR Light-weight and loose-fitting work attire such as short-sleeved t-shirts, jeans, or khakis are appropriate during work hours and within the community. If you have scrubs, bring a pair or two. SLEEPWEAR Don t forget your comfy PJs. T-shirts, tank tops, and shorts are just fine for lounging at the end of the day. HAT & SUNGLASSES The sun in the Dominican Republic is hot so come prepared with a hat and sunglasses. COMFORTABLE SHOES Comfortable sneakers are perfect for use each day. Closed-toed shoes are a requirement for entry into the clinics and perfect for work in the community. Heavy duty sandals like Tevas or Chacos are great for leisure activities. RAIN GEAR In the mountains here rain can be expected at any time of year. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or poncho and shoes that you don t mind getting wet. FIMRC APPAREL While not required, you can order FIMRC gear at Items are not available for purchase on on-site. FLIP FLOPS / SANDALS Sandals are great to have for beach trips, weekends, and just hanging around the house. If you wish, bring a pair of flip flops as shower shoes. SWIMSUIT/BEACHWEAR If you are here over the weekend and plan to visit the coast, make sure to pack a swimsuit and a beach towel. Nearby rivers also present an opportunity to get in the water. Please note that within the community, it is common to swim in your clothing and you may wish to bring a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top to wear over your swimsuit if going to the local rivers. TOILETRIES BUG SPRAY We strongly recommend that volunteers wear effective insect repellent. CDC recommendation is 30-35% DEET. TOOTHBRUSH & TOOTHPASTE We are pretty passionate about dental care! Don t forget your floss! SUNSCREEN & ALOE Pay attention to the SPF! The sun is strong so we recommend re-applying your sunscreen throughout the day. Aloe is great to have at the end of the day. MEDICATIONS Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal and anti-constipation medications are recommended for travelers. If you are prone to motion sicknesses, prepare accordingly. Pack all medications in original labeled containers. HAND SANITIZER Personal sized hand sanitizer is great to have while working in the clinic and community. Wipes are also great to toss in your bag! PERSONAL ITEMS Do not forget shampoo, soap, personal hygiene items, etc. These are not provided. Dry shampoo and body wipes are useful in the case of water outages. WEATHER IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Clothing for your trip should accommodate the diversity in weather and working environments that you will experience in Dominican Republic. Within the mountainous region where Restauración is located, rain may occur at any time of year but is most common during the summer months (May November). Evenings cool down more during the winter months (November - March) so pack light layers to switch between hot days and cool nights. 5

6 PACKING GUIDE SUPPLIES & TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WATER BOTTLE Safe filtered drinking water will be provided for the duration of your stay. Be sure to bring a sturdy reusable water bottle. It is important to stay hydrated! LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACK Basic backpack to carry to the clinic each day that will hold your water bottle and other small necessities. If its waterproof - even better! HEADLAMP Electricity is unrelieable in rural Restauración. A headlamp or small flashlight is recommended. BEACH TOWEL Bed linens and bath towels are provided; however, we do recommend bringing your own beach towel. GLASSES Prescription glasses should be brought as a back up to contacts due to the dusty environment. Don t forget your contact solution! PLASTIC BAGS Grocery bags, small garbage bags, and ziploc bags are all great for organizing and storing dirty laundry. ELECTRONICS Laptop, camera, smart phone, etc. Not required but great for keeping in touch with friends and family. FIMRC is not responsible for lost or damaged electronics. SNACKS Peanut butter, protein bars or any other special snack / treat you can t easily get in the Dominican Republic! :) SPANISH/ENGLISH DICTIONARY Practice practice practice! A dictionary as well as a small journal are great for learning new Spanish vocabulary! PASSPORT & LICENSE Make sure your passport is valid for six months after your travel dates. You should also carry your driver s license or other form of photo ID. PHOTOCOPIES Make photocopies of all travel documents and store them separately from the hard copies in case they are lost. CONTACT INFORMATION Please store all staff member contact information in your phone and print a hard copy to carry with you. LOST LUGGAGE It is useful to pack one change of clothes and essential toiletries in your carry-on in case of baggage delay. You must report any lost or damaged luggage at the time of the incident and obtain a written report from a local authority. If you have travel insurance, you will need to submit this report to your insurance provider. If your luggage is lost or damaged by the airlines, a baggage claim form must be filed with the carrier before leaving the airport. In the case that your luggage is lost, our staff will wait for you while you file your claim. FIMRC is not responsible for loss or damage to luggage. 6

7 ARRIVAL PROCESS Below you will find step-by-step instructions designed to help you smoothly navigate arrival in the Dominican Republic. From customs and immigration to baggage claim - we ve got you covered. Be sure to read through this information carefully and to print a copy of the staff contact information on page 2. Should you encounter any issues during travel or while at the airport, please contact Field Operations Manager Gina Cappuccitti. 1 Airport Arrival Keep your seatbelt fastened until the plane has come to a complete stop and the captain has turned off the fasten seatbelt sign. Be sure to have your customs form filled out before leaving the plane and follow the masses to the immigration lines. 2 Entry Tax Go to the line to the left for tourists to pay the entry tax before getting in the immigration line. Have $10 in U.S. dollars for your visa fee ready to give the immigration officer. After paying the entry tax, go into line for immigration. 3 Immigration Keep your entry tax receipt and customs form ready. If asked where you will be going state that you will be traveling as a tourist to the town of Restauración and state how long you will be in the Dominican Republic. Proceed to baggage claim. ADDRESS FOR IMMIGRATION FORM: Restauración, Province of Dajabón (or in Spanish, Restauración, provincia de Dajabón) 4 Baggage Claim There are only two baggage claim carousels. Once you locate your baggage, have your baggage claim stub ready for when you pass by the officers on your way to customs. It is important that you keep the baggage stub given to you when you check your luggage en route to the Dominican Republic. It is invaluable if your luggage is lost and you will need it to exit the airport. Call Field Operations Manager Gina if your luggage is lost. 5 Customs Place your baggage on the x-ray belt and proceed to the other side to recover the bag. If an officer calls you to the side to search your bag, do so and remain calm. Generally they are looking for contraband and if not found will let you go. 6 Meet FIMRC s Driver After getting your baggage from the other side of the x-ray, walk towards the glass doors on your left. Go through them and immediately start looking for a gentleman with a sign with the FIMRC logo on it, it will not have your name. Do not leave the airport until you are with the FIMRC approved driver. If you do not find the driver, give Field Operations Manager Gina a call. Do not, under any circumstances, leave with a driver who does not have the FIMRC sign. 7 Travel to Restauración Once you are with your driver, he will place a call to Gina so that she can check in with you and answer any questions you may have. Depending on your flight arrival time, you may stay overnight in Santiago or make the trip to Restauración on the same day. Gina will contact you with your specific arrival plans prior to travel. 7

8 GET TO KNOW PROJECT RESTAURACION Restauración, located just 12 km from the Haitian border, is situated in the second poorest province in the Dominican Republic. The municipality is comprised of a town center of the same name and several surrounding rural villages. Restauración s location on the border opens it up to an entire other community, which mirrors its location on the Haitian side. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, lending itself to a number of tropical diseases that are not commonly seen in other areas in the region. Due to socioeconomic reasons and an unregulated border, many Haitians have migrated to the area, some of whom are undocumented. BACKGROUND Setting: Rural, mountainous Population Size: 2,500 Climate: Tropical Communities Served: 27 CLINICAL CARE Facilities: FIMRC s Office, Mobile Clinics, & Municipal Hospital Patients Served: 150+ monthly Services Offered: Chronic Illnesses: specialty consults for diabetes and hypertension, weekly glucose and blood pressure checks Primary Care: consults held once monthly in neighboring communities lacking primary care services Pharmacy: chronic illness and primary care medications services Laboratory: patients referred to laboratory at local public hospital for testing COMMUNITY OUTREACH Health Education Programs: Early Childhood Development Home Visits Diabetes and Hypertension Home Visits Community Health Education at local Mothers Centers Health Agents Youth Education and Engagement Preventive Health Education in Primary Schools Rural Health Promoter Network TOWN MAP 8

9 YOUR VOLUNTEER MISSION First step accomplished: you made it! What is going to happen now? Every week here is different and plans change quickly so flexibility is key! To ensure that all volunteers have a sustainable impact that is relevant to community needs, your itinerary will reflect projects and activities created in response to current site needs and issues. It is our goal to have volunteers partake in all FIMRC programs during their stay. Below is a list of activities that commonly take place each week. Your specific itinerary will be reviewed with you during on-site orientation on your first day of volunteering. MONDAY - FRIDAY Morning Get up, eat breakfast, and walk over to Angela s at 8AM. After breakfast, arrive at the office to get situated before getting into the morning activities. Afterwards we will get together for lunch at Angela s. Afternoon After we finish our delicious lunch we typically head back to our office. Afternoons primarily focus on outreach and health education activities. An exercise class which volunteers lead is held twice a week at 5:30pm but on most days volunteers finish up at 5:00pm. Potential Activities Observe in a local government clinic Conduct glucose and blood pressure checks with diabetes and hypertension patients Lead a health education session at a local school Conduct home visits for early child development Potential Activities Support home visits for diabetes and hypertension patients Prepare for exercise class and/or other coming classes Participate in health agents youth volunteer training program Participate in adult education programs at mothers centers PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY Privacy and patient confidentiality are essential to FIMRC s mission and continued operations. Information relating to patients and their treatment is confidential and must not be distributed or disclosed in any way. It is especially important for all volunteers to exercise caution when using the Internet or social media outlets, so as not to communicate any sensitive or confidential information or images. DONATIONS While not required, volunteers are welcome to bring donations for the project site. Below, you will find the most up to date list of items that are in high demand for mobile clinics, community outreach, and education programs. Please note, volunteers are encouraged to pack donated items discretely among personal belongings in checked luggage to avoid delays at customs control. DOWNLOAD 9

10 DOMINICAN LIVING When you join us here at FIMRC Project Restauración, we believe that you will have the most fulfilling experience by living with a Dominican family. Staying in a homestay offers a hands-on experience that would be unobtainable by simply staying in a hotel. The families that we work with at FIMRC are phenomenal and love hosting volunteers and interns. It is a safe environment and will give you a true Dominican culture and language experience! HOMESTAY Prior to travel, our Field Operations Manager will be in touch with a homestay packet about your family. In the meantime, general details about what to expect at your homestay can be found below. Accommodation Details Volunteers are provided with a bedroom within their homestay which may be shared with additional volunteers traveling through FIMRC. All homestays are located within 10 minutes to the office by foot. Your room will be equipped with a bed, mosquito net, and fan. One example of a homestay house can be found in the photo on the right. It is common to lose water and electricity throughout the day, so flexibility and adaptability is essential. Laundry & Linens If you are staying longer than one week, laundry is included in your program cost. All clothing and bedding is washed by your homestay family and you may have a maximum of 18 clothing pieces washed per week (i.e 9 shirts and 9 pairs of shorts). If you to have more than 18 pieces washed, you may hand wash them or pay the family to have them washed. Bedding and mosquito net are washed every other week. Usually volunteers wash their own undergarments but this can be decided between each volunteer and his/her family. Volunteers should not expect laundry service in the first few days after arrival. You will be provided with sheets and bath towels. MEALS Your fee paid to FIMRC covers three meals daily when staying with a homestay. All volunteer staying for less than three weeks have meals provided by a local cook named Angela, allowing volunteers to socialize amongst themselves and connect with locals who dine at Angela s. All meals are also provided by Angela on weekends. Volunteers staying for three weeks or longer have breakfast and dinner with their homestay family and lunch at Angela s. On weekend trips to other destinations, you will be responsible for your own meals. If you decide to eat outside of the home-stay, please arrange that with your family. Lunch is the biggest meal each day and consists of rice, beans, cabbage salad and chicken. Breakfast and dinner are very light and often similar and may consist of variations including eggs, cassava, bread, cheese, and salad. If you have any dietary restrictions, please note this in your enrollment forms and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Please understand, however, that we cannot guarantee compliance by outside parties. Volunteers with strict dietary preferences may need to purchase additional foods to supplement options provided by the family. 10

11 ADDITIONAL INFO HOMESTAY GIFTS Many volunteers ask about appropriate host family gifts. Although gifts are completely optional, here are a few recommendations: clothes and hats for the family members, chocolates or other candies, nice kitchen utensils, a nice blanket or pillowcases, mugs or vases, jewelry for the women and age-appropriate toys for the kids in the family. Any souvenir from the region of the U.S. you come from are also well-received and go a long way in connecting with your family on the diversity of the United States! It is also possible to see what the family needs after living with them and get them a going-away present in the Dominican Republic instead. Money should not be gifted to homestay families. TRANSPORTATION When you arrive, we will have transport waiting for you at the airport. All transportation is provided by reputable drivers. Transportation from the airport is provided by a Santiago-based driver named Wilson. After exiting the airport with your luggage, you will see your driver holding a FIMRC sign. Your fees paid to FIMRC cover all transportation between the airport and lodging, as well as transportation to all volunteer activities. Please note that the last 45 minutes of the trip to Restauración are at a higher altitude and the road becomes very windy. If you are prone to car sickness, please pack the medication that you need. If you require additional transportation for weekend or evening recreational activities, our team will be glad to help you coordinate this, however, this would be an additional cost not covered by your FIMRC fees. Each morning during the volunteer program, you will walk to the office after breakfast to begin the day with the rest of the team. COMMUNICATION Limited internet is available at the office for work purposes. Wifi is not available in your homestay. Volunteers are provided with a cell phone designated for the group s shared use for the duration of the trip. You can use this phone to stay in touch with our field staff and to make international calls. You will be responsible for purchasing minutes for the phone. Friends and family at home will be able to reach you on this phone. Please do not purchase a calling card before your departure, as many domestic phone cards cannot be used outside the U.S. You will be able to put money on the volunteer phone throughout the week and our staff will make sure you are given the opportunity to do so. It is not necessary to bring a laptop computer, but should you choose to do so please understand that valuable electronics are brought at your own risk. FIMRC is not responsible in the case of loss or theft of personal items. If you lose or break the phone while you are here the expense will be $ DUOLINGO We stronly encourage you to practice common Spanish phrases, greetings, and vocabulary that may be useful in the homestay and clinical setting. The more you are able to communicate the more you will gain from your experience. Many volunteers have found the free language learning app Duolingo helpful. We encourage you to download the app and start practicing as soon as possible! Duolingo is available via the App Store, Windows Store, and Google Play. 11

12 STAYING HEALTHY International volunteer experiences are often a time of reflection and internal change. Because you are often forced to deal with new and old situations without your normal surroundings and support networks, it is important for you to monitor your own emotional and physical well-being. TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY Upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, you will receive a thorough orientation that will include tips on staying safe and healthy during your volunteer experience. Below you will find a few tips to begin considering before travel. Stay in good physical condition eat well, sleep, relax, avoid lots of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and sugar. Stay hydrated! Do not drink large amounts of alcohol or caffeinated beverages when you suspect yourself to be dehydrated. Filitered water is provided for you for the duration of your volunteer experience. If you take any kind of medicine on a regular basis, you should take with you a more-than-enough supply to last you for the duration of your volunteer experience. You should have this medicine in its own official medicine bottle and pack it in your carry-on luggage. You must inform staff immediately if something should happen to your medication (such as losing it) so that all efforts can be made to remedy the situation. Find a comfortable way to share your feelings. Keeping your feelings inside will not make them go away. You are strongly encouraged to talk to FIMRC staff if you re experiencing difficulties. Use the support system of the program (friends, fellow volunteers, FIMRC staff). Maintain a positive attitude and sense of humor. Practice stress-reduction habits (take time alone, write in your journal, read a book, listen to music). Know that anything you are feeling is okay, being in a new setting can bring issues to the surface; this is normal. STAFF SUPPORT If you are not feeling well - tell us! FIMRC staff are there to assist with issues that affect your health, safety, and wellbeing during the course of your volunteer experience. Please keep FIMRC staff informed of any situations. MEDICAL HISTORY It is imperative that you are as honest as possible in the medical history section of your volunteer profile. Indicating past or present illnesses does not automatically disqualify you from volunteering, rather it ensures we are able to accommodate any special needs you may have during your stay. MEDICAL CARE Medical care for minor issues may be handled with our staff physician. In the case of an emergency situation, you will be taken to HOMS Hospital in Santiago. This hospital is one of the premiere hospitals in the country and was actually established to treat foreign tourists traveling abroad. More information is available at Homs Hospital (Santiago):

13 EXCURSIONS & DEPARTURE Your volunteer experience has ended and you are just about to head home or onto your next adventure! The time of your flight will change how and when you leave us and head on to the Santiago Airport. See below for more details on excursion options, lodging in Santiago and more. LAST WORK DAY & DEPARTURE Departing Flight Friday Evening Monday Afternoon Departing Flight on Monday Evening to Friday Afternoon If your flight is around the weekend, you will be able to be picked up on Friday morning. Volunteers should have bags packed and brought to the office after eating breakfast. If you are staying overnight in Santiago, you will be taken to Hotel Posada Monumental for the night. In Santiago you can opt to get souvenirs and enjoy your last Dominican meals before heading out. A driver will pick you up at the hotel approximately 3 hours before your flight to allow plenty of time at the airport. Volunteers leaving on Saturday afternoon or later may opt to stay in Restauración if they prefer, or request coordination in transportation to an excursion location. Buen Viaje and we hope to see you soon! If your flight is during the week, your departure will depend on the time of your flight. Volunteers leaving on flights in the morning or afternoon before 1pm will depart the site during the afternoon of the day before the flight and be taken to the Hotel Posada Monumental where they will stay overnight. Volunteers with flights departing after 1pm will depart on the morning of their flight and be taken to the airport after getting lunch in Santiago. EXCURSIONS While your weekdays are spent hard at work helping the community of Restauración, your evenings and weekends are free to spend as you wish. Most volunteers choose to take advantage of their free time by enjoying time at the rivers in town or at an array of excursion options along the Northern coast of the Dominican Republic. You can access a list of recommended adventures in the Excursion Guide found in your online FIMRC enrollment profile. Excursions do not need to be planned before arrival. Our Field Operations Manager will assist you in setting up activities and transport. Please note, excursions and the necessary transport are not included in your FIMRC trip fee. SANTIAGO Many volunteers spend at least one night in Santiago. During your time there you will be staying at a FIMRC approved hotel, Hotel Posada Monumental. The hotel is located near the historical Monument to the Restoration War located at the heart of the city. Because the city is very populated, we recommend volunteers use our approved drivers to get around, even when traveling to nearby locations. 13

14 FAQs Below, we ve prepared a list of common questions that we receive to help you further prepare for your volunteer experience in the Dominican Republic. After reading the FAQs, if you still have questions, send us an at missions@fimrc.org. We are always happy to help! What if I miss my flight or am delayed during travel? Please contact the Field Operations Manager Gina immediately. Please have Gina s contact information on hand. She can be easily reached via WhatsApp. Will I have a toilet and shower? Indoor toilets and showers are available at each homestay. Running water however is not always available because of frequent outages. All families provide volunteers with a larger bucket of water that is used for bucket showers when running water is not available. The toilets are the same as they are in the U.S., but toilet paper can t be thrown in it. How close is the beach? The closest beach to Restauración is about an hour and a half drive away. Am I required to wear scrubs in the clinic? Volunteers are not required to wear medical scrubs in the clinic, though you certainly can if you wish! Day to day attire on-site is casual. Long pants such as jeans or khakis and a t-shirt are acceptable. Can I drink the tap water? No. Volunteers should not drink any tap water in the Dominican Republic. We recommend bringing a water bottle to fill up with purified water that is provided at the office as well as your homestay. Also, bottled water is inexpensive and easily accessible. Will I have internet access? Wifi is not available at your homestay. You may access the wifi in FIMRC s office for work purposes. Will there be other volunteers in the Dominican at the same time as me? If you are traveling independently, there is a great chance that there will be other volunteers on-site as well. If you would like to connect with other volunteers prior to travel, simply missions@fimrc.org. If there are other volunteers enrolled for your same dates, we are happy to place you in touch! Do I have to worry about mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, Malaria, and Dengue? Restauración is not located in a Malaria zone, thus it is not necessary to take anti-malaria medications. It is recommended to bring insect repellent to keep protected. Mosquito nets are provided at homestays. The most up to date vaccine information can always be accessed at cdc.gov/travel. 14

15 STAY INVOLVED You ve traveled to Project Restauración and seen our work first hand, now what? Whether you are looking to join a university chapter, interested in donating towards on-site projects, or simply want to keep in touch, there are many ways to stay involved with FIMRC after your volunteer experience. A few of our alumni resources are below. ALUMNI PROGRAM All returned volunteers are invited to join over 4,000 volunteers in the FIMRC Alumni Program! In 2015, we began our Alumni Program to connect past volunteers with one another and with staff at our project sites in hope that you will continue to promote our mission in your own community. By joining the Alumni Program, you will gain access to exclusive updates, travel discounts, and more! Visit for more information. ADOPT-A-PROJECT Our Adopt-a-Project program is a way for volunteers to stay connected to our project sites through fundraising for special on-site initiatives! Click below to access this year s current projects and to see how you can continue to contribute to the success of Project Restauración! CHAPTERSHIP PROGRAM A chapter is made up of individuals committed to serving as FIMRC s voice in their region. FIMRC chapters play a number of vital roles including raising funds for special medical projects, coordinating volunteer groups to travel to our clinic sites, and providing service in their own communities. If you want to know if your university or community has a FIMRC chapter or if you re interested in starting one, chaptership@fimrc.org. CONNECT WITH US! username: fimrc Exclusive Facebook Page for Dominican Alumni

16 Have a wonderful trip! Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children Walnut Street Suite 1504 Philadelphia, PA ext. 1