Sillas de Ruedas and Wheelchairs: A First in the Dominican Republic

Sillas de Ruedas and Wheelchairs: A First in the Dominican Republic
 Elder Darrel L. Hammon

Head table at the historical event: the handing over of wheelchairs fabricated for the first time in the DR

One doesn’t often think about participating in a truly historical event until someone actually says something and you suddenly realize the importance of such an event. Wednesday, October 31, 2012 was one of those events.

Presidente Hernández. Arturo Pérez, Mary Pérez de Marranzini, y los Haws

While everyone in the U.S. was dressed up in Halloween costumes, and little children scurried from door to door, in hopes to “trick or trick,” we attended an event at the Asociación Dominicana de Rehabilitación (ADR), located in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Along with ASOFIDIMO, the ADR and other partners, the Church helped the ADR develop a center to fabricate sillas de ruedas (wheelchairs). This is the first time ever in the Dominican Republic for any group to fabricate sillas de ruedas in this country. Now, the ADR and the ASOFIDIMO will do just that.

The first wheelchair--silla de ruedas

During the ceremony, the ADR handed over the first 100 chairs.  It was a grand ceremony. Mrs. Mary Pérez de Marranzini, the founder of the ADR, was there along with Arturo Pérez, the ADR Director; Georges Boissé, the Canadian Ambassador; President Bernardo Hernández, 2^nd counselor in the Santo Domingo Stake Presidency; Rosalina and Miguel from ASOFIDIMO; a representative of the Primera Dama (First Lady); and a representative from the National DR Lottery; and others. Elder and Sister Haws, the Dominican Republic’s humanitarian missionaries, and Presidente Hernández received the chairs on behalf of the Church. A few TV stations and other media folks were there, recording the night for posterity.

Rosalina y Miguel, ASOFIDIMO

What was nice about the event was Mrs. Pérez de Marranzini said how much the Church has helped them and continues to help the ADR and ASOFIDIMO help those most in need. Although Arturo Pérez didn’t speak, he did visit with us and the Haws before and after the event and told us how much he appreciates the Church and what it does for his people. He and his wife along with Dr. Carlos Zómeta went to the U.S. this summer and visited Temple Square, Welfare Square, and other historic points. They returned with a greater appreciation of what the Church does  around the world.

The young men who fabricate the sillas de ruedas

We enjoyed ourselves. Now, the ADR and ASOFIDIMO can continue with the fabrication of sillas de ruedas. They are the first!

The new fabrication center at the ADR

Irene Caba, Evelin María Liriano (SD Stake Public Affairs), y los Haws

Presidente Hernández y los Haws at the Closing

El Almacén del Obispo: Una Casa Abierta

El Almacén del Obispo: Una Casa Abierta

The Bishops’ Storehouse: An Open House

Saturday, October 20, 2012

El Sábado, el 20 de Octubre de 2012

Hermano Arias introducing the Almacén to local leaders

Our calling as Area Welfare Specialists allows us to do so many things. For example, one of our assignments is watch over the Bishops’ Storehouse (el Almacén del Obispo), partially because we live in one of the apartments above it.

Nuestro llamamiento como Especialists de Bienestar del Área nos permite hacer muchas cosas. Por ejemplo, una de nuestras asignaciones es velar por el Almacén del Obispo, parcialmente porque vivimos en uno de los apartmentos encima del él.

Priesthood receiving instruction about Almacén

On Saturday, October 20,  we helped host an open house (Una Casa Abierta) to help the stakes who are part of the Bishops’ Storehouse understand the resources available to them. A local couple—los Arias—have been called as the coordinators and work Tuesday evenings; another couple—los Rotellini—are here on Thursday evening; and Brother Miranda takes care of the Saturday session. 

El Sábado, el 20 de Octubre, ayudamos con una casa abierta para ayudar a las estacas que pertenecen al Almacén del Obispo comprender los recursos que les son disponibles. Una pareja—los Arias—han sido llamada como coordinadores and prestan servicio los Martes en la noche; una otra pareja—los Rotellini—están aquí los Jueves en la noche; y Hermano Miranda coordina la sesión los Sábados en la mañana.

Presidente Olivero, Bennie Lilly, Elder Dominguez, y Obispo

 The open house was a success. Elder Jorge Dominguez, one of the Area Seventies serving here in the DR, came. He is a wonderful leader whose son just went to Mexico to serve a mission.

La casa abierta fue exitosa. Él Elder Jorge Dominguez, uno de los Setenta de Área serviendo in la República Dominicana, vino. Él es un líder increíble y tiene un hijo que recién fue a Méjico para servir una misión.

Three of the volunteers who greeted everyone who came

With the help of the volunteers, we had tours of the Almacén, showed people how to pack food, demonstrated the health fair kit (puppets who “talk” about why it is important to be healthy or why it isn’t good to take drugs or drink alcohol, etc.), offered tips about gardening and nutrition, and answered questions.

Junto con los voluntarios, hicimos tours del Almacén, les mostramos a los participantes como empacar la comida, 

Volunteer demonstrating how to bag rice

demonstramos el equipo de feria de salud (títeres quienes “hablan” acerca de por qué es importante ser saludable o por qué no es bueno tomar drogos o beber alchohol, etc.), 

The Health Fair display

 ofrecimos pautas acerca de jardines y nutrición, y contestamos preguntas.

One of the sisters who loved playing with the puppets

 The Health Fair display was a big hit. People had great fun playing with the puppets (títeres).

Leaders receiving instruction about the Almacén

El equipo de feria de salud fue muy exitoso. Los participantes tuvieron un bueno tiempo jugando con los títeres.

A leader who loved the puppets. Who doesn't?

Many thanks to the los Arias, los Rotellini, Bennie Lilly, los Haws, Sister Arias’ sisters, and the volunteers who came to help.

Muchas gracias a los Arias, los Rotellini, Bennie Lilly, las hermanas de Hermana Arias, los Haws, y todos los voluntarios que vinieron para ayudar.

Hermana Arias (right) and her two wonderful sisters

Hermano Miranda, Los Arias, voluntaria, y los Rotellini

You are all wonderful!

Ustedes son maravillos!

Los Rotellini

 

Volunteer

Liceo Minerva Mirabal: A Place of Educating Young Minds

"Liceo Minerva Mirabal: A Place of Educating Young Minds"
 Elder Darrel L. Hammon 

Liceo Minerva Mirabal in las Brisas--Las Americas Stake

Apartment building converted to a high school for 600 students

Missions for senior couples are full of surprises, wonders, tears of joy, and just plain elation. A mixture of all those happened on Friday evening at a closing of what we call the “Liceo Project” (Liceo Minerva Mirabal). We have been working on this project for about one year. Finally, it came to fruition.

A brief history, perhaps, might be in order here. We began the project last year right after we arrived. Brother Bennie Lilly, the Area Welfare Manager, had received a call from President de la Cruz from the Las Americas Stake, which is in the East Mission. We made contact with President de la Cruz. We met at Los Frailles 2 chapel because he told us our little Honda Civic may not make it to the school site. In his SUV, we made it through some of the “worst-fishing roads” I have seen. And, yes, the Civic wouldn’t have made it.

President Muñoz y Juana Suero, the Liceo Director

We met with Juana Suero, the director of the school and an incredibly dedicated woman whose heart is set on helping children learn and attend school. What they wanted to do is convert a newly-constructed, yet empty, apartment building into a school. It sounded like an intriguing project. We wrote it up, and the Area Presidency approved it. And the work began.

What the courtyard looked like

Courtyard after

Lots of things needed to be done—walls torn out, painted, electrical checked out, chairs and desks purchased, blackboards obtained, water containers purchased and installed, etc., etc., etc. It took time to do this. The irony was the school had to open because of their commitments. So, the work had to be done throughout the school year.

Some months ago, Director Suero asked if there were a possibility of buying computers. We had a bit of money left in the budget because some items were purchased for much lower than the quotes had been. We were fortunate to purchase seven computers for the school.

 We went a month ago to see how everything had progressed. Most everything had been done except for a few things. At that meeting, we discovered—belatedly—that the electricity is turned off in that sector from about 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. So, the computers cannot work. The challenge was to find enough funding to purchase the appropriate equipment with batteries to make it work. When the bids came in, the overall cost was way over budget.

That next day, an anonymous donation came in. The donor asked that it be spent on an “open humanitarian project.” We applied it to the Liceo project. I called President Muñoz and let him know we received X amount, and if the supplier of the equipment could sell it to us for X amount, then we could purchase it. Well, the supplier was more than happy to do that. Plus, he said he would maintain it for the Liceo for free. What a blessing!

Students in their uniforms

Friday’s closing (closura) came. What a sight when we arrived. Students were sitting in the courtyard that had been nothing but dirt and rocks but now was paved and beautiful. The young women were dressed in peach blouses and tan slacks. The young men’s uniforms were white shirts, ties, and tan slacks. They looked stunning, sitting there patiently for everything to begin.

Students in one of the classrooms

Directora Suero began the event and greeted everyone. One of the local ministers gave an incredible opening prayer (imagine this in a school setting elsewhere….). Directora Suero then gave a rousing and rather dramatic speech about the importance of education in this sector and thanked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for all it did to make this school a success.

Teachers, the directora, and one of the community leaders

After her, one of the community leaders spoke and thanked the young people for doing what they do. Then, President Muñoz, 1^st counselor in the Las Americas Stake presidency, spoke. He told the audience that he was a math teacher and understood the importance of education and having a school like this will enhanced the lives of each student who attends and takes advantage of the teachings. He spoke about the Church’s focus on education. He did a nice job. The final speaker was the “vocero” or the voice of the community. He talked to them about Las Brisas, the sector in which they lived and how some people say only bad things happen there. He said, “More good things happen here than bad, and we can always make good things happen if we work together.” Then, Directora Suero’s husband, who will be baptized into the Church on September 23, gave the closing prayer. Because of the friendship with President Muñoz and his family, the Sueros are investigating the Church.

four of the seven computers

Students and psychologist (white shirt on end) en computer lab

We took a few pictures, took a tour of the computer lab, visited with some of the people who lingered. At the end of the event, we shook hands, gave each other Dominican abrazos, thanked each other for the partnership, and promised continued support. When you see a project like this that helps hundreds of students—in this case, 600 students—you have to feel good about it. Without the Liceo Minerva Mirabal, the majority of these students would have no place to attend high school. Now, they have a high school in their sector, one they can be proud of.

The RS President and President y Hermana Muñoz

Gratitude

"Gratitude"

Elder Darrel L. Hammon

Sundays are always special days, but today seemed a bit more special. Elder Button, a member of the MTC presidency here in the Dominican Republic, stood and expressed how important gratitude is. Just before he began, I looked toward the back where Joanne was seated. I felt an overwhelming love for her. Each of the missionaries bore strong testimonies today. They are growing and developing. 

In Doctrine and Covenants 59:7, we read how important to thank the Source of all of our blessings: "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things."

Thus,  I am grateful for the following:

Joanne, my beautiful wife and eternal companion

Hermana Joanne Hammon

Our incredible family

Christiaan/Anna Rose/Emiline (William is still in Heaven), Darrel and Joanne, and Hailey/Jospeh

Our calling:

Elder y Hermana Hammon at the 2011 Christmas event--Santo Domingo

The Temple

The Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple

The Idaho Falls Idaho Temple 

Being in the Dominican Republic

 

Hermana y Elder Hammon--at Adrian Tropical with other senior missionaries

 Missionaries

Hermanas Garcia yFlores, Los Hammon, y Hermanas Justos y de los Santos

 Heavenly Father's Creations

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Early morning sunrise in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Vedauwoo Park between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming

But, ultimately, I am grateful to the Lord for His Atonement

Minerva Teichert's "Rescue of the Lost Lamb"