January 27, 2025 • 25 mins
What if you could be part of a mission that truly transforms lives? Join us on Community Heroes of Hope as we welcome the inspiring Douglas McClellan, who is leading a humanitarian expedition to the heart of the Dominican Republic, and Frank, the visionary founder of Somos Amigos. Together, we explore the incredible journey of providing essential healthcare to remote communities. Discover the heartwarming stories of Rotarians and non-Rotarians uniting for a common cause, breaking down barriers, and making a real difference where it’s needed most. Learn about the exciting plans for hands-on projects that promise not only to improve healthcare access but also to foster deep connections within these communities.
In a conversation filled with passion and purpose, Douglas and Frank share insights into the meticulous planning that goes into such transformative trips, from travel logistics to community engagements. This episode also emphasizes the inclusive nature of Rotary's service projects, highlighting how everyone, from healthcare professionals to enthusiastic volunteers, can contribute meaningfully. We delve into the core mission of Somos Amigos and how it aligns with Rotary's vision of dreaming big and setting bold goals. As we wrap up, we express our gratitude to Douglas and Frank for their unwavering dedication and extend an open invitation to join this rewarding journey. Stay tuned to Community Heroes of Hope for more inspiring tales of service and change.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello and welcome to the Community.
Heroes of Hope, a podcast wherewe shine a light on the
remarkable individuals andprojects in Rotary District 5330
that bring hope and change toour local and global communities
.
I am Judy Zelfikar, yourco-host and the current District
Governor of Rotary District5330.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
And I'm Niren McLean, the Rotary District
Governor-Elect, and I'm NirenMcLean, the Rotary District
Governor-Elect.
Together, we're diving deepinto the heart of the community
service, showcasing the impactof dedication and collaboration
in addressing some of the mostpressing challenges our
communities face.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Each episode, we'll tell stories of incredible
people making a difference,innovating solutions and
inspiring others to take action.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
We'll also be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at
the projects that aretransforming their lives, and
we'll discuss how you, too, canget involved, contribute and be
part of the positive change.
Whether you're a seasonedRotarian or just looking to give
back, this podcast is for you.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
So join us as we explore the journeys, challenges
and successes of people likeyou who have stepped up to make
a difference.
Let's celebrate the spirit ofcommunity and the power of hope
together.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Don't forget to subscribe to the Community
Heroes of Hope on your favoritepodcast platform.
Stay with us on this journey ofinspiration and let's spread
the message of hope further thanever.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Thank you for tuning in.
Let's get started.
Welcome to Heroes of Hope.
We are here today with someamazing Rotarians who we're
going to talk about humanitariantrips.
Rotary does so many thingsaround the world and this is one
of those great examples of howRotarians and even non-Rotarians
(01:45):
can join in on helping serveour community around the world.
So I'd like to introduceDouglas McClellan.
Please let us know a little bitabout yourself and a little bit
about this wonderfulhumanitarian trip that you're
planning.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Good morning, judy.
Thank you for the opportunityto chat about what we think is a
very worthwhile trip that doesfantastic work in the Dominican
Republic in providingintermittent health care to a
(02:29):
community that has no one elseto rely on, and I was lucky
enough to find this project andbuild a global grant around it,
along with a humanitarian tripthat we would schedule for April
of this year.
And, just as a background, I'ma venture capitalist, I'm a
(02:54):
Rotarian, I'm a member of the LaQuinta Club in La Quinta,
california.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Awesome, frank.
Can we have you introduceyourself as well, sure, and
thank you very much, judy,california Awesome.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Frank, can we have you introduce yourself as well?
Sure, and thank you very much,judy and Douglas, especially
Thanks for the opportunity to behere with you and to tell you
all a little bit more aboutSomos Amigos and about this
opportunity that Douglas alludedto.
You know, as I was doing so,I'm the founder and the director
, as Douglas said, of SomosAmigos.
(03:26):
We've been running a primarycare medical and dental facility
in a really remote area of theDominican Republic for almost 30
years now.
Crow flies in an area thatreally, apart from us, there are
no other resources for reliableand quality healthcare.
(03:52):
As I was doing a little bit ofhomework, I was really intrigued
by learning about your founder,paul Harris, and a lot of what
I learned just resonated so muchwith me.
And as I think back to the, youknow the history of Somos
Amigos, his notion, I think.
He talked about dreaming bigand setting bold goals, and I
(04:15):
think that just describes sowell our journey with Somos
Amigos.
We started as a simple group offriends and colleagues who
wanted to do some good and now,30 years later, we're at this
point where, as Douglassuggested, we're about to grow
in a pretty major way and tothink that we might have a group
of Rotarians involved with ussomehow some way.
(04:39):
Starting with this trip inApril is just fantastic for us.
So anyway, as I said, I'm sothrilled to be here with you
this morning and talk more aboutthis.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
And that is really the key of it all right, all of
us working together to do goodin the world.
So, douglas, can you tell us,can you give us a definition of
what is a humanitarian trip, asdefined as what we're doing here
with this trip to the DominicanRepublic?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
You know, my experience in Rotary is that my
wife Nora became a Rotarian, oh,14 years ago in District 5280,
and did a lot for the districtand her club there.
And we did a major annual tripdesigned by the district
(05:33):
governors, and in my case it wasgoing to Peru.
And you know, the idea is thatwe did about 25 separate small
little projects along with onebig one over a week's period and
(05:54):
when that included medicalsupplies, wheelchairs, we
provided 200 violins to a musicschool for kids.
I mean really fantastic stuffthat just came out of.
In some ways came out ofnowhere, in the sense that
nobody had a solution for thethings that we did.
(06:16):
They just were kind of matter.
It was a need and we filledthat void and it's I mean, I'll
tell you, it is enormouslyrewarding for the participants
in the humanitarian trip to godown and see what Rotary dollars
(06:38):
do for people that don't have,you know, uh, the resources to
help themselves so like for ahumanitarian trip, just to sort
of go on that 30,000 foot viewof it.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Is it my understanding?
We we get a bunch of Rotariansand even non-Rotarians can join
us.
Right, they work.
We work together with a uh, aplanner, a planner, a tour
planner, and in that, all thelogistics are put together for
this group of individuals to goto another country.
(07:14):
Their hotels are put together,their airline travel is put
together, any transportation inbetween the service project is
already taken care of.
You basically are working as ateam, that's, and and coming
together to then go to anothercountry and do service projects
and as part of that experience,you also have an opportunity to
(07:35):
get to know the country thatyou're in.
Is that basically the gist ofhow a humanitarian project comes
together?
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Words right out of my mouth.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
And so this one that is going to the Dominican
Republic, Douglas, tell us howthat started, what got the idea
and how have you been working onthat to put that project
together?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
So we work with a travel coordinator to cost out
the trip.
The trip that we're talkingabout in April is approximately
an eight-day trip that willprice somewhere between $3,000
and $3,500, all inclusive,including airfare and all you
(08:19):
know food, hotels,transportation and one or two,
you know, open bars, which isalways popular, and some
entertainment along the way,because we try to add some
cultural entertainment in sothat you, you know, you get a
(08:42):
feeling for the environment thatyou're in.
We'll also meet fellow Rotarians.
I mean, part of the globalgrant process is that we are
partnering with a club inSantiago, dominican Republic,
and we'll get a chance to meetthose Rotarians there and
(09:05):
several other cities where we'llhave a combined, let's say,
hosted lunch or dinner.
So you know you'll get a chanceto meet Rotarians from, you
know, the DR that are alsohelping, you know, make this
possible, you know, make thedistrict or the global grant
(09:28):
possible.
So it's, I mean it's a veryenjoyable time.
I will say there's somedowntime at the end of the trip
that happens to be on a beachthat I think everybody's going
to be happy about.
So that's, that's a.
It combines good service aboveself and a little bit of beach
(09:49):
time.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
And do you have to be a Rotarian to participate?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
No, you can be a friend of a Rotarian and and
we're certainly out talking toto pals of ours to see if they
want to join us this year.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Well, and that's part the reason I ask that question
is obviously our podcast reachesout to more than just Rotarians
, and the point is for us to letthe world know what we do and
encourage them to come alongwith us to do that.
And so we, these type ofservice projects actually any of
our service projects in Rotaryare really open for
participation from within ourRotary clubs and within our
(10:26):
community.
So this is no different, right?
That's right, frank.
What would the team that isgoing down to your area, what
can they expect to accomplishwith the service project that
you guys have identified?
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Well, I can't tell you how excited I am about this
possibility group.
To be there and to see withtheir own eyes and to experience
themselves what their literallytheir investment will make
possible, I just think will makea world of difference.
(11:03):
Our clinic is located literallyon the side of a mountain in
the middle of nowhere.
It's about two hours from thenearest city.
You get there and the beauty isbreathtaking.
The people would do anythingfor you, but you just have to
scratch the surface to realizethat there's a lot of suffering,
(11:23):
suffering primarily due to lackof access to health care.
And so I am excited that a groupof outsiders, you know, excited
that a group of outsiders, youknow, can come in and see for
themselves that, you know, thesemoms and their children and
(11:46):
these grandparents and theseaunts and uncles, and all the
folks we call our patients, arejust such worthy, wonderful,
dignified, deserving peoplewonderful, dignified, deserving
people.
They don't have the resourcesamong themselves to bring the
health care that they need totheir communities.
What we try to do is providethat, and what the group of
visiting Rotarians will be doing, with their support, is helping
(12:12):
us continue to make thathealthcare possible.
Literally, what the group willdo is spend some time at our
clinic getting to know some ofthe local people, because it is
a working clinic, you know.
It's not like I could say okayDouglas, please see a few
patients you know, in the nextconsultation.
(12:34):
Hey, douglas, please see a fewpatients in the next
consultation.
So we're working on projects,short-term projects that we can
let people roll up their sleevesand get down to work a little
bit.
That will benefit the clinic'songoing operation.
Those plans are still comingtogether but there will be some
of that hands-on workingexperience and apart from that
(12:58):
Douglas has put together, youknow, we've been collaborating a
lot at a wonderful itinerary, Ithink, whereby the participants
will not only get to see whatwe do but also get to appreciate
what we do in the context ofthe larger healthcare system in
the Dominican Republic.
Why do we have to be where weare right?
(13:20):
What other resources are therein the country?
And I think the participantswill have some of those
questions answered and will makethem very much aware that,
whether it's, you know, on theside of a mountain in the
Dominican Republic or you know,you name it, even in our own
country and the States, you know, there are folks who go about
(13:41):
living their lives very humblybut kind of forgotten by the
outside world, and they need ahelping hand.
They do need a helping hand andI think that's, you know,
that's what the Rotarians areall about, that's what Somos
Amigos is all about to toprovide that helping hand um to
to these folks who need our help.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
That's wonderful.
Speaking of the itinerary,douglas, can you get, do you
have it in front of you by anychance, and can be a little,
maybe, specific of how, how thedays are going to, uh, to line
up and what, what theparticipants might have in store
and remind us again also of thedates that this project is
(14:22):
going to move forward?
Speaker 3 (14:23):
The trip commences on the 18th of April with a flight
out of Los AngelesInternational Airport and we'll,
you know, fly throughconnecting city and arrive in
the city of Santiago on Saturday, the 19th.
(14:49):
So it's an overnight flight andyou know we're not going, you
know it's not South America, butyou know we're we're not going.
You know it's not South America, but it, you know it, it it is
deep in the Caribbean, right?
Uh, frank, that's maybe a goodway to say it.
And, um, we're, we're planningthe trip during the spring,
which is not hurricane season.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
That's a very good time to do that.
We don't need to be stuck in ahurricane.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
Yeah, that's right, and so the idea is that then a
riot will, on Saturday, getchecked into the hotel, and then
Sunday we would, you know, havebeen assigned kind of different
jobs for the following day anda bus would pick us up in the
(15:38):
morning and take us out to thefacilities, which is a two-hour
bus ride, and we would spend theday there, you know, working on
small projects, also meetingand getting a chance to hear
from the local communityofficials, of which you know
there are some, and and thenjust you know, whether we're
(16:02):
painting or cleaning or or, youknow, checking people in, just
just help, just helping where wecan, and also getting a better
understanding of of how they'rethe you, of how the clinic
operates.
And then we'd be to our rideback to the city and have dinner
(16:25):
together and then start thenext day, which would be Monday,
the 21st, and there we wouldvisit one or more hospitals
where patients are triaged atthe clinic and then, if they've
(16:50):
got a serious problem then aresent down to Santiago for
follow-on care.
So we'll get an idea of howthat transfer process works and
meet with the hospital officialsthere to, you know, better
understand the level of healthcare that they're being.
(17:10):
You know the average person isreceiving in a major city.
You know the average person isreceiving in a major city, right
?
And then we also would have amuseum tour in the afternoon the
local museum, cultural museumin Santiago.
(17:31):
And then Tuesday we would bethe 22nd we'd be back up at the
Somos Amigos facilities and do akind of a second day of
volunteering.
(17:54):
And then on Wednesday, the 22nd, we are working on the
political side, in the sense ofwe're working on scheduling a
meeting with the Minister ofHealth, minister Daniel Rivera,
(18:17):
and also Luis Abinader isn't itAbinader who?
is the president of the country,and so we're trying to get an
audience with him so that we can, you know, share with him the
good deeds we're trying to doand also try to see you know,
share with him the good deedswe're trying to do and also try
to see, you know, to highlightFrank's work and see if that
(18:41):
would translate into additionalassistance and or help from the
Dominican government.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Nothing like bringing an entire team out right, frank
, to show the support from allover the world, literally to
help bring and highlight whatyou're doing right there in that
country.
That's a great addition to thishumanitarian trip.
Speaker 4 (19:01):
It's an incredible opportunity, I think, for both
sides.
I can't tell you again howexcited, and you know, one thing
that Douglas didn't mention,although he alluded to it
earlier, is that when the groupis in Santiago, Douglas, I think
there'll be a lot ofopportunity for fellowship with
the other, the local Rotariansfrom Santiago, to share from
(19:22):
them and exchange with them.
But you're so right, Judy, Imean to you know, to connect
these two worlds is just reallyexciting for me.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
And then, as they finished up with talking to the
government, then we would haveThursday, friday and Saturday on
the beach.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Not a bad way to end the trip yeah, the best way to
put it.
We're still looking at theexact resort, but there's golf,
there's the beach, there's justgreat weather, and we're looking
forward to getting thatscheduled literally later this
week.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
You know, these opportunities for us as
Rotarians and our community alsoto serve in this way are so
amazing and I know, douglas,that it takes a lot of work to
put something like this together.
We just recently got back fromMexicali, which is just over the
border a smaller trip, kind ofeasier accessibility but it's
(20:30):
wonderful to have all kinds ofopportunities for Rotarians and
our community members in ourdistrict and beyond to be able
to work alongside of us and withus to do great humanitarian
work in the world.
So I really commend you andFrank for putting such a
wonderful program together.
Tell us about who would be thebest person that you know when
you're looking out into ourcommunity.
Who do you think would reallyenjoy this trip and how would
(20:51):
they connect with you to be ableto be a part of it?
Speaker 3 (20:55):
So we should have information in detail on this
humanitarian trip should beavailable on the district
website, I would think withinthe next week where we have the
detail.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
And that's district5330.org, 5330.org or
rotary5330.org.
Sorry, go ahead.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Sure, and we'll also have flyers.
We'll be out talking to clubpresidents within our district,
and probably District 5280 as,uh, probably district 5280 as
well, because, uh, they'veindicated an interest in
supporting us.
And, um, um, I, I think youknow, uh, uh, any able body,
(21:37):
Rotarian, um that, uh, you know,you don't have to do a lot of
strenuous hiking.
We're not climbing Machu Picchu, here we are, you know.
So this is a trip that, youknow, even slightly handicapped
people can easily maneuver on.
So from a health standpoint,that's not an impediment.
(22:00):
And particularly for Rotarymembers who have not had a
chance to go on a humanitariantrip, this is, you know, not too
far afield and really gives youa taste of the things that
Rotary tries to build and workon.
And you know, my own personaljourney in Rotary was
(22:26):
dramatically influenced by thehumanitarian trip to Peru that I
went on four years ago.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
So and was a major catalyst for me to join Rotary.
It definitely is a uniqueopportunity to create those
Rotary moments that keep us inservice because we really see
the need.
Any final thoughts?
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Well, it's a fast moving year, and so we're trying
to get everything organized andthe information out to
everybody this next week.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
And when would be the deadline for and you may not
have this yet when would be thedeadline for people to sign up
to go?
I would say, let's say 1st ofApril.
The 1st of April.
Okay, great, and again, we'llhave that information on
District 5330's website, whichis district5330.org, and it'll
probably be under events, theevents tab, and we'll probably
(23:21):
have it in a couple of differentplaces, frank.
Any final thoughts?
Speaker 4 (23:27):
have it in a couple of different places, frank.
Any final thoughts?
Well, you know, just to closeby saying that, to just
piggyback on what Douglas wassaying, you know we are part of
the trip goes to a rather remotearea, but you know we've been
working there for 30 years thesafety and security of all the
participants is going to beforemost on our minds.
It's perfectly safe.
Everything from the water thatyou drink to the food that our
minds it's perfectly safe,everything from the water that
(23:47):
you drink to the food that youeat.
We try to anticipate everypossible situation.
It's a very safe, stablecountry.
We work with people involved intransportation and
accommodations that I know andtrust, so it should be a very
comfortable experience foreverybody.
And if anyone has any lingeringquestions or doubts, I'm sure
(24:09):
they can reach out to Douglas,but anyone can find me through
Somos Amigos as well.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
So why don't you give us the Somos Amigos information
so that anybody listening tothis podcast could find you?
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Sure, we are at SomosAmigosorg.
Somos Amigos means we arefriends, so S-O-M-O-S, somos
Amigos, a-m-i-g-o-s.
Connect the two wordsSomosAmigosorg.
That's our website and my emailaddress is Frank at
SomosAmigosorg and I'd love tohear from anybody answer any
(24:44):
questions that people haveinvite people to join us on a
trip, especially if physicians,dentists, nurses, anyone in
healthcare is listening.
We also use a lot ofinterpreters for people who are
bilingual.
We'd love to have Rotariansjoin us on our trips.
Speaker 1 (25:05):
Wonderful.
Well, thank you, gentlemen,both, for joining us, thank you
for talking about this and doingall the work to put this type
of a trip together.
I know it's a big job, but Ithink you're going to have an
amazing group of individualsthat'll come back with stories
that will linger with them for alifetime.
So that wraps up this episodeof Heroes of Hope.
We are so happy that we have anaudience out there listening.
(25:28):
We want you to subscribe, shareand tell your friends about the
Rotary Community Heroes of Hope, because that's how we get the
word out about the impact we'rehaving in this world.
Hello and welcome to the Community.
Heroes of Hope, a podcast wherewe shine a light on the
remarkable individuals andprojects in Rotary District 5330
that bring hope and change toour local and global communities
.
I am Judy Zelfikar, yourco-host and the current District
Governor of Rotary District5330.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
And I'm Niren McLean, the Rotary District
Governor-Elect, and I'm NirenMcLean, the Rotary District
Governor-Elect.
Together, we're diving deepinto the heart of the community
service, showcasing the impactof dedication and collaboration
in addressing some of the mostpressing challenges our
communities face.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
Each episode, we'll tell stories of incredible
people making a difference,innovating solutions and
inspiring others to take action.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
We'll also be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at
the projects that aretransforming their lives, and
we'll discuss how you, too, canget involved, contribute and be
part of the positive change.
Whether you're a seasonedRotarian or just looking to give
back, this podcast is for you.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
So join us as we explore the journeys, challenges
and successes of people likeyou who have stepped up to make
a difference.
Let's celebrate the spirit ofcommunity and the power of hope
together.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Don't forget to subscribe to the Community
Heroes of Hope on your favoritepodcast platform.
Stay with us on this journey ofinspiration and let's spread
the message of hope further thanever.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Thank you for tuning in.
Let's get started.
Welcome to Heroes of Hope.
We are here today with someamazing Rotarians who we're
going to talk about humanitariantrips.
Rotary does so many thingsaround the world and this is one
of those great examples of howRotarians and even non-Rotarians
(01:45):
can join in on helping serveour community around the world.
So I'd like to introduceDouglas McClellan.
Please let us know a little bitabout yourself and a little bit
about this wonderfulhumanitarian trip that you're
planning.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Good morning, judy.
Thank you for the opportunityto chat about what we think is a
very worthwhile trip that doesfantastic work in the Dominican
Republic in providingintermittent health care to a
(02:29):
community that has no one elseto rely on, and I was lucky
enough to find this project andbuild a global grant around it,
along with a humanitarian tripthat we would schedule for April
of this year.
And, just as a background, I'ma venture capitalist, I'm a
(02:54):
Rotarian, I'm a member of the LaQuinta Club in La Quinta,
california.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Awesome, frank.
Can we have you introduceyourself as well, sure, and
thank you very much, judy,california Awesome.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Frank, can we have you introduce yourself as well?
Sure, and thank you very much,judy and Douglas, especially
Thanks for the opportunity to behere with you and to tell you
all a little bit more aboutSomos Amigos and about this
opportunity that Douglas alludedto.
You know, as I was doing so,I'm the founder and the director
, as Douglas said, of SomosAmigos.
(03:26):
We've been running a primarycare medical and dental facility
in a really remote area of theDominican Republic for almost 30
years now.
Crow flies in an area thatreally, apart from us, there are
no other resources for reliableand quality healthcare.
(03:52):
As I was doing a little bit ofhomework, I was really intrigued
by learning about your founder,paul Harris, and a lot of what
I learned just resonated so muchwith me.
And as I think back to the, youknow the history of Somos
Amigos, his notion, I think.
He talked about dreaming bigand setting bold goals, and I
(04:15):
think that just describes sowell our journey with Somos
Amigos.
We started as a simple group offriends and colleagues who
wanted to do some good and now,30 years later, we're at this
point where, as Douglassuggested, we're about to grow
in a pretty major way and tothink that we might have a group
of Rotarians involved with ussomehow some way.
(04:39):
Starting with this trip inApril is just fantastic for us.
So anyway, as I said, I'm sothrilled to be here with you
this morning and talk more aboutthis.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
And that is really the key of it all right, all of
us working together to do goodin the world.
So, douglas, can you tell us,can you give us a definition of
what is a humanitarian trip, asdefined as what we're doing here
with this trip to the DominicanRepublic?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
You know, my experience in Rotary is that my
wife Nora became a Rotarian, oh,14 years ago in District 5280,
and did a lot for the districtand her club there.
And we did a major annual tripdesigned by the district
(05:33):
governors, and in my case it wasgoing to Peru.
And you know, the idea is thatwe did about 25 separate small
little projects along with onebig one over a week's period and
(05:54):
when that included medicalsupplies, wheelchairs, we
provided 200 violins to a musicschool for kids.
I mean really fantastic stuffthat just came out of.
In some ways came out ofnowhere, in the sense that
nobody had a solution for thethings that we did.
(06:16):
They just were kind of matter.
It was a need and we filledthat void and it's I mean, I'll
tell you, it is enormouslyrewarding for the participants
in the humanitarian trip to godown and see what Rotary dollars
(06:38):
do for people that don't have,you know, uh, the resources to
help themselves so like for ahumanitarian trip, just to sort
of go on that 30,000 foot viewof it.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Is it my understanding?
We we get a bunch of Rotariansand even non-Rotarians can join
us.
Right, they work.
We work together with a uh, aplanner, a planner, a tour
planner, and in that, all thelogistics are put together for
this group of individuals to goto another country.
(07:14):
Their hotels are put together,their airline travel is put
together, any transportation inbetween the service project is
already taken care of.
You basically are working as ateam, that's, and and coming
together to then go to anothercountry and do service projects
and as part of that experience,you also have an opportunity to
(07:35):
get to know the country thatyou're in.
Is that basically the gist ofhow a humanitarian project comes
together?
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Words right out of my mouth.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
And so this one that is going to the Dominican
Republic, Douglas, tell us howthat started, what got the idea
and how have you been working onthat to put that project
together?
Speaker 3 (07:56):
So we work with a travel coordinator to cost out
the trip.
The trip that we're talkingabout in April is approximately
an eight-day trip that willprice somewhere between $3,000
and $3,500, all inclusive,including airfare and all you
(08:19):
know food, hotels,transportation and one or two,
you know, open bars, which isalways popular, and some
entertainment along the way,because we try to add some
cultural entertainment in sothat you, you know, you get a
(08:42):
feeling for the environment thatyou're in.
We'll also meet fellow Rotarians.
I mean, part of the globalgrant process is that we are
partnering with a club inSantiago, dominican Republic,
and we'll get a chance to meetthose Rotarians there and
(09:05):
several other cities where we'llhave a combined, let's say,
hosted lunch or dinner.
So you know you'll get a chanceto meet Rotarians from, you
know, the DR that are alsohelping, you know, make this
possible, you know, make thedistrict or the global grant
(09:28):
possible.
So it's, I mean it's a veryenjoyable time.
I will say there's somedowntime at the end of the trip
that happens to be on a beachthat I think everybody's going
to be happy about.
So that's, that's a.
It combines good service aboveself and a little bit of beach
(09:49):
time.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
And do you have to be a Rotarian to participate?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
No, you can be a friend of a Rotarian and and
we're certainly out talking toto pals of ours to see if they
want to join us this year.
Speaker 1 (10:04):
Well, and that's part the reason I ask that question
is obviously our podcast reachesout to more than just Rotarians
, and the point is for us to letthe world know what we do and
encourage them to come alongwith us to do that.
And so we, these type ofservice projects actually any of
our service projects in Rotaryare really open for
participation from within ourRotary clubs and within our
(10:26):
community.
So this is no different, right?
That's right, frank.
What would the team that isgoing down to your area, what
can they expect to accomplishwith the service project that
you guys have identified?
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Well, I can't tell you how excited I am about this
possibility group.
To be there and to see withtheir own eyes and to experience
themselves what their literallytheir investment will make
possible, I just think will makea world of difference.
(11:03):
Our clinic is located literallyon the side of a mountain in
the middle of nowhere.
It's about two hours from thenearest city.
You get there and the beauty isbreathtaking.
The people would do anythingfor you, but you just have to
scratch the surface to realizethat there's a lot of suffering,
(11:23):
suffering primarily due to lackof access to health care.
And so I am excited that a groupof outsiders, you know, excited
that a group of outsiders, youknow, can come in and see for
themselves that, you know, thesemoms and their children and
(11:46):
these grandparents and theseaunts and uncles, and all the
folks we call our patients, arejust such worthy, wonderful,
dignified, deserving peoplewonderful, dignified, deserving
people.
They don't have the resourcesamong themselves to bring the
health care that they need totheir communities.
What we try to do is providethat, and what the group of
visiting Rotarians will be doing, with their support, is helping
(12:12):
us continue to make thathealthcare possible.
Literally, what the group willdo is spend some time at our
clinic getting to know some ofthe local people, because it is
a working clinic, you know.
It's not like I could say okayDouglas, please see a few
patients you know, in the nextconsultation.
(12:34):
Hey, douglas, please see a fewpatients in the next
consultation.
So we're working on projects,short-term projects that we can
let people roll up their sleevesand get down to work a little
bit.
That will benefit the clinic'songoing operation.
Those plans are still comingtogether but there will be some
of that hands-on workingexperience and apart from that
(12:58):
Douglas has put together, youknow, we've been collaborating a
lot at a wonderful itinerary, Ithink, whereby the participants
will not only get to see whatwe do but also get to appreciate
what we do in the context ofthe larger healthcare system in
the Dominican Republic.
Why do we have to be where weare right?
(13:20):
What other resources are therein the country?
And I think the participantswill have some of those
questions answered and will makethem very much aware that,
whether it's, you know, on theside of a mountain in the
Dominican Republic or you know,you name it, even in our own
country and the States, you know, there are folks who go about
(13:41):
living their lives very humblybut kind of forgotten by the
outside world, and they need ahelping hand.
They do need a helping hand andI think that's, you know,
that's what the Rotarians areall about, that's what Somos
Amigos is all about to toprovide that helping hand um to
to these folks who need our help.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
That's wonderful.
Speaking of the itinerary,douglas, can you get, do you
have it in front of you by anychance, and can be a little,
maybe, specific of how, how thedays are going to, uh, to line
up and what, what theparticipants might have in store
and remind us again also of thedates that this project is
(14:22):
going to move forward?
Speaker 3 (14:23):
The trip commences on the 18th of April with a flight
out of Los AngelesInternational Airport and we'll,
you know, fly throughconnecting city and arrive in
the city of Santiago on Saturday, the 19th.
(14:49):
So it's an overnight flight andyou know we're not going, you
know it's not South America, butyou know we're we're not going.
You know it's not South America, but it, you know it, it it is
deep in the Caribbean, right?
Uh, frank, that's maybe a goodway to say it.
And, um, we're, we're planningthe trip during the spring,
which is not hurricane season.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
That's a very good time to do that.
We don't need to be stuck in ahurricane.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
Yeah, that's right, and so the idea is that then a
riot will, on Saturday, getchecked into the hotel, and then
Sunday we would, you know, havebeen assigned kind of different
jobs for the following day anda bus would pick us up in the
(15:38):
morning and take us out to thefacilities, which is a two-hour
bus ride, and we would spend theday there, you know, working on
small projects, also meetingand getting a chance to hear
from the local communityofficials, of which you know
there are some, and and thenjust you know, whether we're
(16:02):
painting or cleaning or or, youknow, checking people in, just
just help, just helping where wecan, and also getting a better
understanding of of how they'rethe you, of how the clinic
operates.
And then we'd be to our rideback to the city and have dinner
(16:25):
together and then start thenext day, which would be Monday,
the 21st, and there we wouldvisit one or more hospitals
where patients are triaged atthe clinic and then, if they've
(16:50):
got a serious problem then aresent down to Santiago for
follow-on care.
So we'll get an idea of howthat transfer process works and
meet with the hospital officialsthere to, you know, better
understand the level of healthcare that they're being.
(17:10):
You know the average person isreceiving in a major city.
You know the average person isreceiving in a major city, right
?
And then we also would have amuseum tour in the afternoon the
local museum, cultural museumin Santiago.
(17:31):
And then Tuesday we would bethe 22nd we'd be back up at the
Somos Amigos facilities and do akind of a second day of
volunteering.
(17:54):
And then on Wednesday, the 22nd, we are working on the
political side, in the sense ofwe're working on scheduling a
meeting with the Minister ofHealth, minister Daniel Rivera,
(18:17):
and also Luis Abinader isn't itAbinader who?
is the president of the country,and so we're trying to get an
audience with him so that we can, you know, share with him the
good deeds we're trying to doand also try to see you know,
share with him the good deedswe're trying to do and also try
to see, you know, to highlightFrank's work and see if that
(18:41):
would translate into additionalassistance and or help from the
Dominican government.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Nothing like bringing an entire team out right, frank
, to show the support from allover the world, literally to
help bring and highlight whatyou're doing right there in that
country.
That's a great addition to thishumanitarian trip.
Speaker 4 (19:01):
It's an incredible opportunity, I think, for both
sides.
I can't tell you again howexcited, and you know, one thing
that Douglas didn't mention,although he alluded to it
earlier, is that when the groupis in Santiago, Douglas, I think
there'll be a lot ofopportunity for fellowship with
the other, the local Rotariansfrom Santiago, to share from
(19:22):
them and exchange with them.
But you're so right, Judy, Imean to you know, to connect
these two worlds is just reallyexciting for me.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
And then, as they finished up with talking to the
government, then we would haveThursday, friday and Saturday on
the beach.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Not a bad way to end the trip yeah, the best way to
put it.
We're still looking at theexact resort, but there's golf,
there's the beach, there's justgreat weather, and we're looking
forward to getting thatscheduled literally later this
week.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
You know, these opportunities for us as
Rotarians and our community alsoto serve in this way are so
amazing and I know, douglas,that it takes a lot of work to
put something like this together.
We just recently got back fromMexicali, which is just over the
border a smaller trip, kind ofeasier accessibility but it's
(20:30):
wonderful to have all kinds ofopportunities for Rotarians and
our community members in ourdistrict and beyond to be able
to work alongside of us and withus to do great humanitarian
work in the world.
So I really commend you andFrank for putting such a
wonderful program together.
Tell us about who would be thebest person that you know when
you're looking out into ourcommunity.
Who do you think would reallyenjoy this trip and how would
(20:51):
they connect with you to be ableto be a part of it?
Speaker 3 (20:55):
So we should have information in detail on this
humanitarian trip should beavailable on the district
website, I would think withinthe next week where we have the
detail.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
And that's district5330.org, 5330.org or
rotary5330.org.
Sorry, go ahead.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Sure, and we'll also have flyers.
We'll be out talking to clubpresidents within our district,
and probably District 5280 as,uh, probably district 5280 as
well, because, uh, they'veindicated an interest in
supporting us.
And, um, um, I, I think youknow, uh, uh, any able body,
(21:37):
Rotarian, um that, uh, you know,you don't have to do a lot of
strenuous hiking.
We're not climbing Machu Picchu, here we are, you know.
So this is a trip that, youknow, even slightly handicapped
people can easily maneuver on.
So from a health standpoint,that's not an impediment.
(22:00):
And particularly for Rotarymembers who have not had a
chance to go on a humanitariantrip, this is, you know, not too
far afield and really gives youa taste of the things that
Rotary tries to build and workon.
And you know, my own personaljourney in Rotary was
(22:26):
dramatically influenced by thehumanitarian trip to Peru that I
went on four years ago.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
So and was a major catalyst for me to join Rotary.
It definitely is a uniqueopportunity to create those
Rotary moments that keep us inservice because we really see
the need.
Any final thoughts?
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Well, it's a fast moving year, and so we're trying
to get everything organized andthe information out to
everybody this next week.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
And when would be the deadline for and you may not
have this yet when would be thedeadline for people to sign up
to go?
I would say, let's say 1st ofApril.
The 1st of April.
Okay, great, and again, we'llhave that information on
District 5330's website, whichis district5330.org, and it'll
probably be under events, theevents tab, and we'll probably
(23:21):
have it in a couple of differentplaces, frank.
Any final thoughts?
Speaker 4 (23:27):
have it in a couple of different places, frank.
Any final thoughts?
Well, you know, just to closeby saying that, to just
piggyback on what Douglas wassaying, you know we are part of
the trip goes to a rather remotearea, but you know we've been
working there for 30 years thesafety and security of all the
participants is going to beforemost on our minds.
It's perfectly safe.
Everything from the water thatyou drink to the food that our
minds it's perfectly safe,everything from the water that
(23:47):
you drink to the food that youeat.
We try to anticipate everypossible situation.
It's a very safe, stablecountry.
We work with people involved intransportation and
accommodations that I know andtrust, so it should be a very
comfortable experience foreverybody.
And if anyone has any lingeringquestions or doubts, I'm sure
(24:09):
they can reach out to Douglas,but anyone can find me through
Somos Amigos as well.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
So why don't you give us the Somos Amigos information
so that anybody listening tothis podcast could find you?
Speaker 4 (24:21):
Sure, we are at SomosAmigosorg.
Somos Amigos means we arefriends, so S-O-M-O-S, somos
Amigos, a-m-i-g-o-s.
Connect the two wordsSomosAmigosorg.
That's our website and my emailaddress is Frank at
SomosAmigosorg and I'd love tohear from anybody answer any
(24:44):
questions that people haveinvite people to join us on a
trip, especially if physicians,dentists, nurses, anyone in
healthcare is listening.
We also use a lot ofinterpreters for people who are
bilingual.
We'd love to have Rotariansjoin us on our trips.
Speaker 1 (25:05):
Wonderful.
Well, thank you, gentlemen,both, for joining us, thank you
for talking about this and doingall the work to put this type
of a trip together.
I know it's a big job, but Ithink you're going to have an
amazing group of individualsthat'll come back with stories
that will linger with them for alifetime.
So that wraps up this episodeof Heroes of Hope.
We are so happy that we have anaudience out there listening.
(25:28):
We want you to subscribe, shareand tell your friends about the
Rotary Community Heroes of Hope, because that's how we get the
word out about the impact we'rehaving in this world.
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