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Allens Pond Duck Derby Winner Shares Her Good Fortune

	6th Annual Allens Pond Duck Derby - Saturday, August 15 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm
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"A rubber duck enriched my life."

Those are the words of Westport resident Donna Amaral, Mass Audubon's Allens Pond Duck Derby first-place winner in 2008. For her prize, she was entitled to a free dinner for two anywhere in the world. Initially she thought Australia with a friend would be fun, but then she listened to her heart.

"When I have choices to make that seem like a big deal, I don't make them quickly," says this clinical nurse specialist in mental health who works in Fall River. "The only thing that felt right was to go on a trip for Missions for Humanity. I felt compelled to go."

Missions for Humanity is a Fall River-based humanitarian group that has cared for over 3,000 people since its inception in 2004. This nonprofit, Christian-based organization provides dental, medical, and educational aid to the world's neediest communities.

Donna needed to use her prize within one year so from June 26-July 9, 2009, she joined 22 other people-including cardiologists, nurses, and students-on a trip to Tanzania.

Donna Amaral assists a Tanzanian boy with new shoes

The group's main objective? A medical mission and they brought a portable EKG into the rural villages of this East African country. They evaluated patients with respiratory and cardiac issues.

"We saw a lot of hypertension as well as strep throat that had gone untreated and turned into rheumatic fever," she says. "We could assess patients through physicals, but we didn't have access to labs to do blood work. There is so much more we can do for these people, "she adds.

In addition to providing medical care, the humanitarian group brought basic necessities to villagers. "When we handed out toiletries, vitamins, and flip flops, the people were so thankful," says Donna. "It makes me appreciate what I have. After the trip, I saw things differently. I opened the door to my kitchen and realized how fortunate I am."

The trip also helped her to realize another lifelong dream: To go on a safari in Africa. "We stayed in luxury tents and saw lots of lions, zebra, elephants, and giraffes," says Donna. "Really, it was a lovely experience."

As for the dinner? Since the trip was for two people and Donna went alone, she applied the money she saved to take the team of Tanzanian drivers and translators to dinner. "We went to the New Africa restaurant in Dar es Salaam," she says. "This team of men took care of us as we visited the villages. I was happy to be able to treat them to dinner."

Donna Amaral with guides and translators

Other highlights of Donna's trip included a visit to the spice island of Zanzibar and an eight-hour layover in London where she squeezed in some sightseeing.

On the long flight home, Donna spent time interviewing other mission workers. After asking one teenager what the trip meant, the student paused. After a while, she said, "I really appreciate all that I have now in a different way."

"You know the ad where they list the cost of things?" asks Donna. "Well I have a twist on it: New camera for photos in Africa - $350. Immunization shots to visit Africa - $500. Changing a teenager's view of the world - Priceless."