The Monsignor Felipe Bello Foundation, by the hand of Dr. Teresa Bello-Burgos, her husband, Julio Burgos, and Dr. Amanda Bello, General Director of Logistics for the Dominican Republic, will carry out on Thursday, 15, Friday, 16 and Saturday, October 17 her 18 mission of the Donando Sonírías program. This medical-dental operation will provide free care to children and families in communities with limited access to health services.
The days will take place at the Arcadio Tiburcio Educational Centre in Jarabacoa, from 7: 00 in the morning to 7: 00 in the night. There will be daily transport to facilitate the transfer of the beneficiaries.
The mission will mobilize a team of voluntary dentists, hygienists, medical and support personnel of different nationalities, who will reach Santiago de los Knights from different parts of the world. From there, he will move to Jarabacoa to begin the work.
In the dental area, the beneficiaries will receive evaluations, preventive treatments, conduit treatments, complete restorative work, pain relief care and major surgeries. The purpose of the operation is to improve the oral health of students and the community. The programme also includes guidance to children and families on oral health prevention and care.
Medical and ophthalmological area
In the medical area, the operative will offer blood pressure and pulse, diabetes tests and ophthalmological assessments to detect vision problems.
«We bring health, hope and smiles to those who need it most,» the foundation expresses on the purpose of this new mission. The aim is to reduce health inequalities and to care for people who might otherwise be left untreated.
Donations from Miami and New York
As part of this mission, the foundation will take to Jarabacoa and Constance donations collected in Miami and New York, thanks to the solidarity of the Dominican diaspora. Among them are wheelchairs, crutches, diapers, clothes, shoes, toiletries and toys, which will be delivered to families in both communities.
The Social Policy Cabinet will also be in addition to this day, which will provide sunglasses, presbytic lenses and raw food rations for the families that are beneficiaries. The institution will also be present with the Single Social Services Window (VUSS), where the attendees will be able to receive guidance on the social programmes of the Government.
The foundation particularly appreciated the collaboration of the Institute of Dominicans and Dominicans Abroad (INDEX) in Miami. He also expressed his appreciation to all those who joined this initiative under the slogan «Small actions, big smiles.».
The mission's organizing team also has Ana Elisa Bosch-Furniss, Director of Special Projects; Julissa Pérez, co-founder of the foundation, and Dariel Fernández, responsible for the area of Communication and Marketing.
Sponsors that make the mission possible
The Monsignor Felipe Bello Foundation recognizes the support of its main sponsors, which are the result of this new day: Mebco Tires & Service, Key Food Fresh, Insurance Nation, Michael Rejbeni & Associates, Meat Place Plus, INDEX, Arajet, Face to Face Languages, Dream Vacations, Yasmin Peña, Bello-Burgos Smiles, Lendóiro Jewelry & Pawn Shop, American Benefits Solutions, The Santos Group, Ernesto Ríos Photography, and Vivous, USA, Por Una, and the Global Voices.
More than 38,000 procedures carried out
Since its creation, the Monsignor Felipe Bello Foundation has been continuously developing missions in the Dominican Republic. According to their records, their work is more than 38,000 procedures and more than 12,000 children. These figures reflect the scope of a programme that combines medical care, prevention and community work.
The foundation was created in honor of Monsignor Felipe Bello, a Dominican priest who was remembered for his service career, his defence of human dignity and his commitment to the most needy communities.
Under the leadership of Dr. Teresa Bello- Burgos, along with her husband, Julio Burgos, the institution has for years taken professionals and volunteers from different parts of the world to the Dominican Republic to offer care where it is most needed.
