The Background
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Endry Marte Trinidad, from Las Galeras, Samana, Dominican Republic was hit by a drunk foreigner in 2010. The foreigner left the scene of the accident and eventually the country. While the doctors tried to save part of Endry's leg an infection set in and a second operation was perfomed to amputate the whole leg. People here simply can not afford the costs associ
ated with reconstructive surgery so amputation is all too common. There is a charity doing good work in the Dominican Republic fitting partial legs for accident victims. When Endry went for an assessment in November 2011 to determine if he could qualify for a new leg he received disappointing news that his amputation was too severe for the type of legs they are able to provide. Kim Beddell, a Canadian living in Samana for about 20 years and owner of Whale Samana, intervened on behalf of Endry and was able to get a promise that if Endry could travel to the US the doctors would provide a new leg and rehab. On this basis, The Silver Project was conceived to raise funds to assist Endry get a new leg. During one of her whales trips in March 2012 Kim was approached by Doctors on the trip who told her there is an organisation in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic who may be able to perform some of the surgery and/or make the leg. Update May 13th, 2012 - The target to raise US 3,500 has been 95% achieved. The next stage of the project is for Endry to see the Doctors in Santo Domingo to clarify what they are able to provide. We hope to have clarification of the best way forward by October 2012 and we will post on facebook what has been decided. If anyone can offer assistance to Endry in terms of transport between Las Galeras and Santo Domingo, please contact us or Endry directly. We expect a number of consultations will be required between June and October 2012. Our understanding is that Endry will first need surgery to prepare the leg/hip to receive a new leg and that this surgery can take up to three months to heal before any work can be done on the new leg. Once he has the new leg the process of learning to walk with it will be time consuming. He has a long and hard journey ahead. In case the costs we have estimated (3,500) is not enough, we appreciate people wanting to support this project make a pledge or promise to donate if additional money is required. We prefer this approach rather than to continue to accept cash donations over and above the estimated costs. This "pledge" system will help ensure funds can be raised quickly if need be without any delay in Endry's treatment once it gets started. The Goal
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The goal of The Silver Project is to raise US 3500 dollars by November 2012 to help ensure Endry is able to get a new leg. Details of the costs can not be exact at this time, we believe US 3500 is an adequate estimate. All monies raised will go directly towards making it possible for Endry to get a new leg. This is strictly a grassroots volunteer community project. While the local Dominicans will do what they can, in general most Dominicans in Las Galeras live at a subsistence level. For this reason, most of the funds will have to be raised from overseas sources, local expats and visiting tourists. The local Dominican woodcarver provided the whale pendants at cost and we will seek opportunities for other locals to make non monetary contributions. The Plan
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Our plans to raise funds include:
Guided walks to places tourists rarely see. Selling one fluked whale pendants, made by a local woodcarver, in local shops. Accommodation providers collecting donations from guests. (perhaps as part of a special offer.) Direct donations can be made to BanReservas, Calle Principal, Las Galeras. Swiftcode: BRRD.DOSD
Account: 200-02-151-000719-2
Account name: Carina Voeten and Mariano Marte Mosico
This is a joint acccount between a member of Endry's family (Marian) and The Silver Project (Carina) to ensure all donations are spent as intended. Xoom.com seems to offer a reasonable way to make a direct bank transfer. Progress
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You can follow the progress and outcome of this project via this page. Why The Silver Project?
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Samana is famous as the winter home for the humpback whales. It is here that they come to mate and give birth. Humpbacks are identified by the markings on their tails or flukes. Silver is the name given to one whale that has only one fluke. Contact
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We can answer questions or take comments by phone:
English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch: 829 939 8285
or email [email protected]
We are located in Las Galeras in the Dominican Republic
There is no reliable postal service in Las Galeras.
