News From PRHDR

"Don't be too critical of yourself, keep a good sense of humor, and go with the flow. You are on 'Dominican Time'," says Robin Hetzler an interpreter who traveled down to the Dominican Republic this past winter, when asked if she has any words of wisdom for future trip-goers. Robin, who will receive her Masters in Public Health from The University of New England this summer, first received her Bachelor's degree in Spanish. She listens to music, reads books and converses when possible in Spanish to stay proficient in the language.

She first heard about Partners (PRHDR) in 2004 while taking some courses at The University of Southern Maine, although she was not able to attend a trip until the winter of 2009. "Fortunately, I was able to attend some pre-trip classes to meet some of the nursing students, faculty, and trip volunteers," says Robin about her preparation for the trip. While in the DR she enjoyed the fast-paced and exciting days interpreting in the clinics, sometimes even interpreting for multiple stations at one time. The evenings became a great time to talk to other volunteers and reflect on the day's events. This relaxation time, as well as nightly team meetings, helped keep work and rest balanced and manageable.

One of the most memorable moments for Robin from the trip was meeting a teenaged boy while on a home visit who had been paralyzed after falling out of a palm tree. This is the same boy for whom a PRHDR team from the summer trip had fashioned a sling from a plastic garden chair to help the family members move him easily from his bed . When Robin arrived with her team they found that he had received a motorized wheel chair, which was a big deal as it was the only one Robin ever remembers seeing there. "Watching him maneuver his way through the muddy rough roads and steep bumpy hills near his house was amazing," say Robin. It was very touching to her to see this boy who had been given such a gift of freedom and independence.

When asked if she would ever like to return to the DR again, Robin says, "I had a wonderful experience in the DR this past January, and I would love to volunteer and interpret for PRHDR again." Robin's thesis work for her masters grew out of her interpreting assignment for the USM Engineering Department students lead by Parnter's board member Julie Ellis during the Winter trip. The focus is on water quality improvements, hygiene and sanitation education for the village of Tinajitas in the DR. It is her hope someday to go back to the DR and implement the project.