DR Q & A

Below are answers to some of your most recent questions. Please read this carefully and pass it along to your parents for their information.

Thanks,

Mr. n

Q: What are the Swimwear requirements?

A: Our main goal is modesty. When going to and from the pool, we ask that guys wear a shirt and girls have some kind of cover-up. That can be a shirt and shorts or whatever.

Q: What precautions do we need to make against bug bites and disease?

A: You'll remember that in the info sheet for the trip I noted that there are no "required" vaccinations. However, I am not a health care specialist and therefore direct you to the CDC website for information on disease prevention. There is helpful information regarding DR here and specific info on avoiding insect bites here. Our friends in DR have recently given me the following information and I pass it on to you not as a professional medical opinion but simply as information. Please see your health care provider for recommendations on any medications or immunizations.

"I do not recommend that you guys take malaria meds because it is so rare (but possible) in the DR, but that is up to you. You guys will be in bunks and the top ones do not have a way to hang a mosquito net. The bottom ones you can. Mosquito and no-see-um bites are a big problem and I strongly suggest that you use repellent at all times. You might want to get a typhoid shot, because that is more common. I have not heard of many cases so far this year, but last year there were many in our area."

Q: Obviously we will bring work clothes, but are there any specific requirements there?

A: In the DR guys do not go shirtless, even when working. We ask that you guys wear t-shirts. The pool and the beach are an exception. Skirts are not necessary. Girls should wear long pants or capris when off campus. When on campus or if playing sports, shorts are fine as long as they are not too short. For church skirts or pants are acceptable.

Q: Do we need to bring sleeping bags or is bedding provided?

A: Pillows and blankets are provided. We ask that you bring your own sheets and towels. They have received some new pillows, but could use more. It would be a blessing if you could bring pillows to leave there, but if you need the space for other things, that is OK.

Q: Are washers available to us if we need them?

A: Teams do not use the washers because they are old and break frequently. There are sinks available behind the dorm where things can be washed by hand. There are lines by the sinks as well as on the roof of the main building for drying clothes. Laundry soap is sold in small bags in the colmado (small store) so you do not need to bring laundry soap.

Q: Is there a need for us to bring any basketballs or other sporting equipment?

A: They could use a couple of basketballs and volleyballs. It would be awesome if we could find a way to bless them with some of these as well.

Q: What should we bring for medical supplies?

A: We need to bring tylenol or ibuprophen, benedryl, hydrocortizone cream, triple antibiotic ointment, bandaids and some gauze pads and tape. Also, maybe some kind of antiacid like pepto bismal and imodium, just in case. There are also pharmacies in town where we can buy most things that we would need if we run out of anything. We will have a team supply of these items but you may also consider having your own benedryl and hydrocortisone cream so that it's handy when you need it.