Posted by Regina Atwell Edwards
on Nov 04, 2010
For the past 7 years these two clubs have worked together to deliver $290,000 in medical supplies and equipment to Cornwall Regional Hospital, which is the charity hospital for the western third of the island.
If you ever visit this large hospital near downtown Montego Bay, you would immediately remember that Jamaica is an impoverished third world country that needs assistance. Yes, there are spectacular all-inclusive beach resorts a few miles away that cater to honeymooners and the world’s middle and upper class, but the real people of the island are those that struggle to pay their bills, feed their families and need quality, dependable health care. The Rotary Club of Carrollton-Farmers Branch has purposely focused on this one hospital. Over the past 7 years, a strong friendship has developed between the hospital administration, the surgeons and staff, the local Rotary Club and, indirectly, with the residents of Jamaica. For a very small cost, C-FB Rotary has delivered some of America’s excess to them and, more importantly, has provided hope in the form of clean needles, sterile gloves, sophisticated surgical equipment, better cardiac care and many other supplies.
(L-R) Rotarian KamalChuganey (Rotary Club of Montego Bay), Marvin Barrantes (Hotel Director of the Carnival Conquest), President Elect Mexine (Rotary Club of Montego Bay), Ms. Amaris (Port Agent), Captain Francesco La Fauci of the Carnival Conquest, Jamaican Project Director and Past President Bhagwan Chuganey, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club Past President Regina Edwards with Husband Ken & 2 children (Carrollton, Texas), President Michelle (Rotary Club of Montego Bay), Ms. Kereisa Bell (Representative from the Cornwall Regional Hospital-recipient hospital in Jamaica), Mrs. Meverly Anderson (employee of the Ministry of Health, Kingston, Jamaica), and Caroline (Guest Services Manager, Carnival Conquest).
In the past, C-FB Past President Regina Edwards would deliver the goods while on vacation in Jamaica courtesy of a charter airline shipping the items. However, when the economy deteriorated, the charter left the D-FW area. Regina then realized that Carnival Cruise Lines might be able to help since the Carnival Conquest sails out of Galveston and its first port of call is Montego Bay. After being contacted last fall, Carnival wholeheartedly jumped into action. One of its executives personally arranged everything with Captain Francesco La Fauci and his staff aboard the Carnival Conquest. The C-FB Club received equipment donations from Baylor Carrollton (including defibrillators, 10 EKG machines and 7 vital signs monitors) valued at over $60,000. Additionally for each trip, Cornwall Hospital sends a “wish list” of medical disposables, such as gloves and syringes. Baylor Carrollton and Baylor Plano went shopping and donated 300 pounds of such supplies including 12,000 sterile gloves. After the manifest was prepared, Past President and long-standing International Service Director of the Montego Bay Rotary Club Bhagwan Chuganey spent the month of April preparing for the receipt of the items in Jamaica by securing all of the necessary waivers from the Ministry of Health in Kingston. He later oversaw the delivery of the items to the hospital. This process ensures that everything reaches its proper destination. A large part of the success of this project is that fellow Rotarians Regina and Bhagwan have developed contacts in their own countries and have worked together on the last 4 trips.
This year the Montego Bay Club asked Carrollton-Farmers Branch to add 2 new beneficiaries: West Haven and Blessed Assurance. These are non-profit group homes outside Montego Bay that serve 150 severely disabled children and help them reach their full potential. Regina’s son’s preschool Bent Tree Child Development Center in Addison set up a donation box for diapers, books, stuffed animals and other goods. We all saw this as an opportunity to teach young children the value of donating to children who live 1500 miles away. Additionally, C-FB Rotarians donated $1,000 which was delivered via check by Regina to the Montego Bay Club. They will use it for requests from the children’s homes as needs arise throughout 2010.
The clubs would also like to thank Rotarian Bob Robar, District 6970 Fellowship Coordinator and travel agent in Gainesville, FL who reimbursed his commission as a donation to the project and Regina’s fabulous husband Ken who drove the U-Haul truck to the Galveston port and fully supports all of these Rotary trips.
With the incredible assistance of the 2 local Baylor hospitals, numerous Rotarians and Carnival Cruise Lines, 1,909 pounds of supplies valued at $65,000 were delivered to Montego Bay on April 28, 2010 for the hospital and the 2 children’s homes as part of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club’s ongoing outreach to the island.