When Hilda Mercedes Duran, on her way to JFK airport last September, said with her teary eyes, “…because of BRA, my son is alive,” it was a bitter-sweet moment for the single mother as her 2 ½ year old only son, Jhensi Duran, was condemned to die unless he receives an expensive heart surgery in the United States.

BROOKLYN, New York, February 12, 2006. The Batey Relief Alliance, in partnership with the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE), is setting up a medical mission trip to the bateyes from April 17th through April 21st, 2006.

More than 15 US-trained and licensed Haitian health care professionals are expected to travel to the Dominican Republic to work alongside Dominican health providers delivering medical aid and medicines to 2500 residents who have difficulties accessing public health care due to extreme poverty, discrimination or fear of deportation.
The volunteers will be stationed in Santo Domingo, and operating at the BRA’s new medical center located at batey Cinco Casas, District Don Juan, province of Monte Plata.
BRA Dominicana, along with the local Lions Clubs Arroyo Hondo, will host the mission, and arrange preferred accommodations for the foreign team.
Interested volunteers must register with the BRA – cover their own airfares, lodging, meals and ground transportation – and secure critically needed medicines and supplies for the trip. Space is limited and application must be received by March 15th, 2006.
For an application packet or information on how to join the mission, contact Ulrick Gaillard at bra@bateyrelief.org or (917) 627-5026. Visit BRA at www.bateyrelief.org.