Equip a Rehabilitation Center - Status Report, MG #77681

For those of you who have an interest in this project, here is a status report for you.  The rehabilitation equipment shipped from the supplier in Florida has arrived at the Rehabilitation Center in Salcedo, Dominican Republic.  The equipment is all in good, useable condition with no shipping damage.  The Rehabilitation Center will soon be moving to a new, larger facility from the existing center where the new equipment will be put to use.  The final report will then be filed with The Rotary Foundation.  And this project will then be classified as CLOSED.

Norm Malmberg, IS/MG Chair & PP
Primary Project Coordinator
Rotary Club of Scott Valley, D5110
International Sponsor Club

My Trip to the Dominican Republic 11/13-20/12

I visited the Club Rotario Salcedo, Host Club, in the Dominican Republic November 13 - 20, 2012.  I drove from home to Sacramento Monday, November 12th, remained overnight at a nearby motel, then flew out Tuesday morning at 6:00 a.m. to Dallas-Fort Worth, on to Miami, then to Santiago where the Host Club met me at 8:10 p.m. and we drove a half hour to Salcedo to Americo & Margarita's home, my hosts, where a crowd was waiting to welcome me and Margarita had a banquet prepared.  She is the consummate hostess, so gracious and warm.  She just makes you feel so cared for and loved.

It was a wonderful trip.  The entire Club treated me as though they had nothing else to do but squire me around.  We revisited all of the previous 6 project sites: 3 computer classrooms, 4 libraries (one project), the physiotherapy center and the orphanage as well as a rural school up in the mountains which is a personal project of the Salcedo Club.  All of the staff and students were excited to see us and so obviously proud to show us their use of the equipment and how well they were taking care of it.

At the physiotherapy center, in particular, we saw one small boy receiving therapy to help him regain his ability to walk again.  His positive attitude and award winning smile just touched our hearts. And what a sense of joy it was to realize our roll in providing the facilities to enable him to recover.  It was an emotional moment.

This current project to equip a rehabilitation center has been delayed.  The Matching Grant funds were initially deposited in a wrong bank account making it difficult for the Host Club to verify their availability.  Consequently, the equipment coming from a firm in Florida will not be delivered until mid-December.  The Salcedo Club now holds the funds with ready access to them.

I had hoped to be there when the equipment was installed and for the customary ceremony.  But the Host Club had an early ceremony the night before my departure.  The Club gave me a going away present of a white, formal, tropical, short sleeved shirt.  I wear it with great pride in recognition of my Dominican family with whom I have become very attached.  They treat me like royalty.

This was my fourth trip there in five years.  And each time they greet me with great big bear hugs.  They are so affectionate and open with their feelings.  And it feels so natural.

My last day began at 5:00 a.m. leaving for the airport at 6:00 a.m.  My flight departed Santiago at 8:40 a.m. for Miami, then Dallas-Ft.Worth and finally Sacramento at midnight where I had left my car and had a 5 hour drive to my home arriving at 5:30 a.m. after 30 hours in route.  I'm glad the trip is over.

President Adanmery Garcia e-mailed me 123 digital pictures of my trip.  And I will soon have them posted in this blog spot, just as soon as I recall how I did it the last time.  I intend to update my power point presentation.  So, if any of my co-sponsor Clubs wish, I would be pleased to attend one of your meetings and display them.  I feel very strongly about my responsibility to report to you how I have directed your funds.  So, until later, I will tell you when there are changes.

Norm Malmberg, IS/MG Chair & PP
Primary Project Coordinator
Rotary Club of Scott Valley, D5110
International Sponsor Club

MG #77681 Funded

On October 12, 2012, The Rotary Foundation notified us by e-mail that payment for our Matching Grant #77681 has been authorized by TRF in the amount of $25,619 and has been released to the project account.  The payment will now be wired to the Host Club and should arrive shortly in the Rotary Club of Salcedo's special bank account. The physical project to equip the Rehabilitation Center of Salcedo will then begin.

To all of you who have had a special part in our progress, both financially and physically, a great big Thank you.  You are a real encouragement.

Thanks for all you do for Rotary,

Norm Malmberg, IS/MG Chair & PP
Primary Project Coordinator
Rotary Club of Scott Valley, D5110
International Sponsor Club

MG #77681 Funds Sent to TRF

On August 9, 2012, we mailed a check to TRF for $7,234, the total amount of 7 contributing co-sponsor clubs.  On August 13, 2012, we received confirmation from the usps that the check had been delivered.  Now we are awaiting wire transfer of the total grant funds, $25,619, from TRF to the special bank account of  the Club Rotario Salcedo, Dominican Republic.  Then we will acquire and install the equipment for the Salcedo Rehabilitation Center.  We're close.  It's getting exciting!

Norm Malmberg, IS/MG Chair & PP
Primary Project Coordinator
Rotary Club of Scott Valley
International Sponsor Club

Matching Grant #77681 Approved by TRF

Yesterday, August 7, 2012, we received official word from The Rotary Foundation that our Matching Grant (MG) request has been approved.  This is for the new project to equip a Rehabilitation Center in Salcedo, Dominican Republic.  The MG is for $10,951.  That sum together with $7,434 from 8 Co-Sponsor Rotary Clubs plus $7,234 Rotary District Designated Funds (DDF) equals $25,619, the total sum needed for our project.  Three weeks & 3 days from start to grant must be close to a record.  Pretty exciting!  Not mentioned are all of the individual Rotarians who have had a part behind the scenes in making this happen including member Rotarians from the 8 Clubs from here to the Dominican Republic, Rotary District Committee members & The Rotary Foundation staff of Rotary International in Evanston, Illinois, everyone checking on & helping everyone else.   Together we all make it happen.  Stay tuned for more progress reports.

You are all important to us,

Norm Malmberg, IS/MG Chair & PP
Project Primary Coordinator
Rotary Club of Scott Valley
International Club Spnsor

MG #77681 Reviewed by TRF

One week after our new project was assigned MG #77681 (only 9 days after our initial application was approved for DDF), the TRF notified us that they had completed their initial review of the project.  They requested only a couple items of information.  First they asked for Pro-Forma/Supplier Information (Invoices) for the equipment planned.  And secondly, they asked for a  disclosure of local Rotarians from the Host Club, if any, who may be on the Rehabilitation Center Board of Directors to preclude any potential conflict of interest.  These are both reasonable requests.  And we are working on our response.  The incredible point of interest here is that what has happened within the first 10 days of our application, at times may take up to two months.  And this is a tribute not just to one or two, but to our entire group all working together as one, the Host Club, Sponsor Club, DDF Committee & 6 Co-Sponsor Clubs all inspiring each other.  Alone we are small; together we are mighty,

Go Team!


Norm Malmberg, IS/MG & PP
Project Primary Coordinator
Rotary Club of Scott Valley
International Sponsor Club

New Matching Grant Number 77681 Assigned

On 16 July 2012 The Rotary Foundation (TRF) received our request to help provide medical equipment for Rehabilitation Filial Salcedo in Salcedo, Hermanas Mirabel, Dominican Republic and assigned the file number, Matching Grant (MG) #77681 pending review & subject to approval.

Norm Malmberg, IS/MG Chair & PP
Project Primary Contact
Rotary Club of Scott Valley, D5110
International Sponsor Club