Friday November 6, 2009

We arrived...after a long night the group final all arrived in the DR at around 3:30PM. The hot humid air hit us all like a ton of bricks. Right as we walked off the plane the mugginess of this place had everyone wishing they had worn shorts and not sweatpants. We gathered our luggage and headed out to the bus, and had a nice 30 minute drive to Hotel Europa in downtown Santo Domingo. Our friends from Esperanza have been holding our hands all day today. They picked us up at the airport, guided us to the hotel, and just feed us dinner.

Everyone is excited to get to work Saturday morning. There are only 4 people in the whole group who have been here before - so everyone is so excited to find out what this experience is like.

"Take this experience in, and let it change your heart and mind. Go home a better person." Roy Hammond.

DAY 1

Presenting the next group of Crown Council Humanitarian workers!
They arrived in the Dominican Republic Friday (March 20) and have had a wonderful day of traveling, amidst efforts to sleep and prepare for the long work days ahead. They all arrived safely and excited to get to work first thing tomorrow morning. Each team brings with them unique characteristics that will make this trip exceptional. They had a wonderful dinner tonight at the hotel and the opportunity to meet the Esperanza team!

Sage & Dr. Rick Hagstrom

Elliot & Dr. Dan Humiston

Dr. David Hendrickson, Lori Hendrickson, Taylor Hendrickson, and Jessica Hendrickson Enjoying the complimentary watermelon juice upon arrival at Hotel Europa.

Dr. Dale Schisler, Teresa Williams and Colleen MacDonald

Dr. Roy & Francis Hammond

Dr. Peter Young, Anny Young, Cassandra Young, and Clifford Young

Dr. Ken Hawthorn, Julie Hawthorn, Rachelle Hawthorn, Natalia Hawthorn, Valarie Natti and Daniel Breton

Tyler & Dru Powers

Day 1

Last night (Thursday March 5th) at around 12:15 AM the Crown Council Dominican Republic group started there day-long journey. All of the offices arrived at the Atlanta airport at 5:30AM and boarded a plane headed to the Domincan Republic at 8:20AM.

Here are some of the Hammond Clan (Roy, Amy and Francis) at the Salt Lake City airport getting ready to unload all of the supplies that they will be taking down to the Dominican. Each time the Crown Council sends a group down to the Dominican they also send with them enough supplies to train and teach native hygienists and dental students how to care for their own people once we leave.

Here is the whole group on board the bus taking them to the Hotel Europa in the Colonial District.

This is everyone including their hosts Dr. Patricia Diaz, and Carlos Sanchez (director of Esparanza).

For dinner the group's Dominican hosts made them a cake with an American Flag and a Dominican Flag. Dr. Jeff Gray and Frances Hammond are holding them.