SANTO DOMINGO, August 9, 2008. - The humanitarian aid organization, Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) Dominicana, announced today it will honor Dr. Rubén Silié Valdez for his dedication to public service.

Ulrick Gaillard, BRA’s Founder/CEO said Silié has been part of BRA’s Board of Directors since its inception and an important contributor to strengthening the organization’s standing within the Dominican civil society.

Silié is being named “Assessor Ad-Vitam”—a lifetime consulting relationship with the organization—at a ceremony to be held on Thursday, August 14th, at 7 p.m. at the Dominican Academy of History, Las Mercedes 204, Zona Colonial, in Santo Domingo.

Silié is renowned in Latin America and the Great Caribbean as a sociologist, historian and educator. His academic accomplishments include writings in Sociology, Economic History, Development Studies and Program Planning. He has held the post of Director of the Latin American College for Social Sciences (FLACSO) in the Dominican Republic. Before holding this office, Silié was Vice-Dean at the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) and professor at various universities around the country.

In recognition of Silié’s vast experience and knowledge in the fields of education and migration, he was appointed in 2001 Advisor to the Vice President and to the Department of Education, as well as ambassador in the Foreign Affairs Department. From 2004-2008, Silié held the prestigious post of Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States.

Founded in 1997, the Batey Relief Alliance addresses the socio-economic and health needs of children and their families severely affected by poverty, disease and hunger in the Caribbean. The organization created in 2000 a Dominican-based wing, BRA Dominicana, to help carry out its humanitarian mission inside the Dominican Republic. BRA Dominicana manages two modern medical facilities and implements more than a dozen health and development projects in HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis, nutrition, water/sanitation, health and eye care, microcredit, etc.

To attend the event, please RSVP bra@bateyrelief.org or (809) 540-4947. Visit BRA at www.bateyrelief.org.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic. - The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA Dominicana) was invited to exhibit its work during a three-day event from August 1-3, organized by the Province of Monte Plata promoting its rich agricultural, cultural and eco-touristic values.

Thousands visited the organization’s stand where hundreds of brochures, pamphlets, and small gifts were distributed to the people. “BRA’s health personnel was also present to perform free high blood pressure tests, respond to health emergencies, and educate about the organization’s humanitarian mission, many projects, and health services available at its medical clinics in that province,” said Maria Virtudes Berroa, BRA’s Executive Director.

Ms. Berroa added that BRA is now expanding its work at border communities with Haiti, including Anse-a-Pitres and Pedernales. Visit BRA at www.bateyrelief.org.

AN URGENT APPEAL

The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) is appealing to individuals or organizations to make one gift of $415 to help deliver critical health care and essential medicines to 1,000 adults and children living in poverty-stricken rural sugar plantations batey communities of the Dominican Republic.

BRA operates two medical clinics inside bateyes Cojobal and Cinco Casas in the province of Monte Plata, where 12,000 patients receive annually medical consults and attention and free medicines. The majority is too poor to afford even the most basic care and drugs they need to fight a disease. For many, BRA offers the only viable source of healthcare they can depend on.

BRA partners with international aid organizations to receive donations of life-saving medicines, worth millions of dollars, to distribute to our patients. But we must cover the small processing and shipping fees.

An Interchurch Medical Assistance Medicine Box® contains 17 essential drugs and medical supplies in sufficient quantity to respond to common illnesses in a population of 1,000 adults and children for a period of 2-3 months. These are basic medications and supplies we need for day-to-day treatment of the common ailments that occur in a wide range of age groups and respond to the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

With a single gift of $415, you can underwrite the costs of complete healthcare and medicines for 1,000 people. For less than $5,000, you cover the costs of medicines and healthcare for the entire BRA patient population of 12,000.

We offer you this great and unique opportunity to make a difference and save lives. Please make your tax-deductible gifts online by clicking DONATE NOW, or by mailing your check payable to Batey Relief Alliance, P.O. Box 300565, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230.

Visit us at www.bateyrelief.org.