Delivering Hope to the Dominican Republic

For the fourth year in a row, our EVP, Hank Baum traveled to the Dominican Republic as part of a mission team that supports the Community in La Romana.

This year’s trip was kicked off with a festival at Batey La Papita, where Hank met with other team members and celebrated the work that has and continues to be done in the area. After the celebrations, the team headed out to help at Good Samaritan Hospital which employs 450 people and serves over 180,000 patients a year. To ensure the hospital can continue to serve local residents, and even expand their efforts, work is being done to construct a fourth and fifth floor. This project held special importance to the team as it was one of the first buildings the group helped construct when they started serving in the Dominican Republic 23 years ago.

Prior to the trip, MSCU employees donated items for hygiene kits, along with money, to help sponsor medical clinics. Their generosity, combined with donations from other sponsors, made it possible for clinics to be offered every day of the trip.  

In addition to working on the hospital, the team headed back to assist with the construction of a kindergarten room at the Joe Hartman School, including pouring concrete for the roof. The team was even able to take some of the local children to the movies.

The last project the team worked on was building bunk beds at Batey Esperanza. For many, these will be their first beds while others will be able to replace their current wire frames.

While the trip is over, and Hank is back at the office, the impact made will last a lifetime.

“When I reflect on the last week, I can’t help but feel blessed to have been part of this mission team and trip. I’m grateful to once again have the opportunity to spend time with my beautiful Haitian and Dominican friends and to have a glimpse inside their world, which helps to put everything else into perspective. The week was a blur, but it truly brought me joy.” –Hank Baum