BRA distributes medicines and vitamins for the health care of the poor

Since 1998, the Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) mobilizes resources from the United States to carry out its humanitarian health projects to benefit the poor marginalized populations living in the bateyes of the Dominican Republic. “I remember that our very first medical mission trip to the bateyes cost us about $30,000 dollars. Today, we have reached more than $3.5 million per year. In 2003 alone, we secured the donations of medicines and medical supplies in the amount of $10 million,” said Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director of the BRA.

BRA’s donated resources are in direct funding, donated medicines, vitamins, medical supplies and professional services. BRA channels its resources mainly to BRA Dominicana to carry out its humanitarian mission in the Dominican Repubic. BRA Dominicana then utilizes the donations for its health care projects; and distributes part to local members and partners to the Alliance to carry out their own projects throughout the country. That way, BRA’s humanitarian mission touches the lives of almost everyone in need. “Access to medicines is a rarity in the Dominican Republic, and BRA raises the capacity of its affiliated insitutions with donations for their health care intervention,” added Gaillard.

Currently BRA donates medical supplies to 10 members of the Alliance, the Dominican’s State Sugar Council, Ministry of Health , Air Force, the Haitian Embassy, etc. The recipient organizations provide reports to BRA about the use of the donations with photographs and press releases.

The main donors to BRA are the Catholic Medical Mission Board, Direct Relief International, Heart to Heart, Bayer Corporation, New Jersey Eyeglass Recycling Center, Lions Clubs International, Order of Malta, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Riverside Church, etc.

BRA’s Executive Director, Ulrick Gaillard, last year met with John Rovetto, President of the Wallkill Valley Rotary Club in New Jersey, to discuss parternship possibilities to help support the humanitarian work of the Batey Relief Alliance in the Dominican Republic.

After several meetings, the Rotary accepted to secure an ambulance for the organization to provide emergency transport services to the batey population. Gaillard made presentations to the club, “BRA is seeking a long-term relationship with the club in volunteers, donations and funding support.” The new relationship has already led the BRA to start another relationship with the local Rotary Club of Arroyo Hondo in Santo Domingo, Dominican Repulic. The Dominican Club has pledged its support in collaborative projects between the Walkill Club, the Arroyo Hondo Club and the BRA; and to coordinate services of the ambulance to the population.

“Such a relationship is exciting because it will lead to cultural exchanges and new project ventures for both clubs,” said Anthony Cucinatta, past President of the Walkill Club. At the inauguration of the ambulance in the Dominican Republic in the Spirng of 2004, several members of the Walkill Club will travel to the DR and be hosted by members of the Arroyo Hondo.