The Formation of Team Tobatí: In December 1998, Ronald García, a Spanish teacher at Kingswood-Oxford school in West Hartford, CT and a small group of his students started Team Tobatí. Ronald Garcia is the son of Paraguayan immigrants. His mother, Dr. Maria Garcia was born and raised in the town of Tobatí while his father, Dr. Juan Carlos Garcia grew up in Asuncion. They immigrated to the United States in 1971.  |
| boys with donated items |
Within a month of the groups inception, over thirty students from K-O joined the club and began working to raise funds and supplies for the clinic and schools in Tobatí. They organized bake sales, car washes, various drives, and letter writing campaigns. After being contacted by students, many doctors in the area volunteered to help the team achieve its goals. Prior to its first trip, the team received donations of medical equipment, basic medical supplies, and much needed medications from local hospitals and companies.
Tobatí Partners: Upon word of Team Tobatí's formation, Paraguayan volunteers organized a small group of local community leaders to work with Team Tobatí. This altruistic group became known as la Comisión de Ayuda Social (the commission for social help). These Tobatí volunteers became the team's partners in service. Since that day, these active tobateños have helped the team pick its projects, initiate its projects, and plan its numerous trips. These generous Paraguayan volunteers have helped the team work with and assist the poor of the Tobatí district.  |
| Poor rural children with donated powdered milk |
The team has also undertaken projects and worked with Fundación Tobati, an altruistic organization dedicated to helping the poor artisans of Tobati.
The Team's First Trip: After over a year of planning, Team Tobatí undertook its first service trip to Tobatí. Twenty-two students and two teachers traveled to Tobatí in March 1999. Along with supplying the necessary funds, Team Tobatí worked daily on the expansion of El Centro de Salud, the public medical clinic that serves as the town's only source of medical attention for the poor. This expansion allowed the small clinic to deliver inpatient care for the first time. Along with helping in this endeavor, the team participated in the construction of a new display building at Tobatí's artisans' collective and visited dozens of local schools. At each school the team donated computers and school supplies. As has been done each year since, the team also distributed clothes and toys to children in poorer  |
| Pat building a sidewalk at Tobati's artisan collective 1999 |
neighborhoods. The team members absolutely loved the people of Tobatí and truly found the experience to be rewarding on many different levels. The American students described the people of Tobatí over and over again as being kind, giving, and welcoming the people.
The Team's Second Trip: Twenty students and four faculty members traveled to Tobatí in March 2000. The students were greeted by a crowd of over 3,000 people in the town square for a beautiful welcoming celebration. Along with setting up drives and fundraisers throughout the year, the K-O students and faculty helped construct a second expansion to the clinic, joined local volunteers in building a classroom at an overcrowded high school, worked on an agricultural collective, and participated in other community service projects that the team helped fund. The team worked extremely hard every day in the Paraguayan heat alongside Tobatí workers to improve these infrastructures. The students also assisted local doctors and nurses at a free clinic in poor neighborhoods. The team was able to present an x-ray machine,  |
| Marek with students at Tobati grade school 2000 |
an ultrasound machine, and a sterilizer along with large quantities of basic medical supplies to El Centro de Salud. Through student contacts, these items were donated to the Tobatí clinic by local hospitals. Due to the work of the team, Tobatí currently possesses the only rural clinic in Paraguay that has a functioning x-ray machine. The team again returned to Connecticut having gained new friends and insights into the world and themselves.
The Team's Third Trip: In March 2001, thirty-three students, one alumnus, eight faculty members, and three Hartford  |
| Kristen distributing clothes in poor neighborhood - 2000 |
area doctors traveled to Tobatí. A very large crowd and a parade again met the team at the center town for a presentation of gifts and a brief show. Throughout the team's time in Paraguay, the doctors worked in Tobatí's public clinic, seeing patients each day and taking an inventory of supplies and medicines to determine what the clinic needed most. Students and faculty members helped the doctors with both translating and organizing the waiting room. The team also worked extensively on the construction of the Macchi Education Center in Tobatí, which the team is helping to fund. This center currently offers a middle school, a well-stocked library, a computer lab, English classes,  |
| Laura distributing clothes in poor Tobati village 2001 |
mentoring programs, and other initiatives for the use of the poor of the region. The team also funded and worked on the construction of a medical outpost and other projects in the poor rural village of Mompox, Tobatí. During the 2001 trip, the team met with Paraguayan President Dr. Gonzalez Macchi and Ambassador Greenleigh, U.S. ambassador to Paraguay. The men both praised the group for its dedication and generosity to the people of Paraguay. The team was able to provide over thirty computers, scores of boxes of  |
| Students proudly displaying team flag |
medical supplies, a large amount of clothes and funds used to support the educational and medical sectors in this South American town.
Dr. Reinaldo Quintana: In May 2001, the team, in conjunction with doctors at Bristol hospital and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center set up a one-month educational visit for Dr. Reinaldo Quintana, El Centro de Salud's director and primary physician. Dr. Quintana was flown to Connecticut  |
| Dr. Dworkin and Dr. Quintana at clinic |
where he studied ultrasound technology and other important topics under the guidance of specialists at these local hospitals.
Team Tobatí's Fourth Service Trip: In March 2002, 27 high school students, eight teachers, one staff member, and four medical doctors, traveled with the team to Paraguay to perform community service projects and free clinics. The team worked each day on the construction of the Macchi education center. The team sent students each day to work with Team Tobatí's doctors who treated hundreds of patients each day at the public clinic. The team also visited over twenty schools and distributed clothes, toys, and school supplies to children in poor neighborhoods. Moreover, the team funded and participated in a program that supplied a toothbrush and fluoride to over 8,000 Tobatí students.  |
| Jimmy dancing in Rosado |
Team representatives were again honored by the president of Paraguay at the presidential palace in Asuncion and the team again appeared in the Paraguayan national newspaper many times.
Team Tobatí's Fifth Trip: In March 2003, the team took 45 students, 9 teachers, 1 alumnus, and 13 Connecticut doctors to Tobatí. This large group worked extensively on the continuing construction of the Macchi education center. The team also funded and worked daily on a new wing to El Centro de Salud, which now serves as a pediatric  |
| Conor Lee building roof - Rosado 2002 |
wing. The team also helped build six expansions to very poor houses in Tobatí and over 40 community bathrooms in Mompox. The team again visited over twenty schools and distributed clothes, toys, and school supplies to children in poor neighborhoods. The team also funded and participated in a program that supplied a toothbrush and fluoride to over 8,000 Tobatí students. The trip was again an outstanding example of generosity and solidarity. The students learned the impact they can have on those less fortunate and also were fascinated by the warmth and openness of the Paraguayan culture.
Team Tobatí's Sixth Trip: In March 2004, the team took 51 students, 8 teachers, 2 alumni, and 12 Connecticut doctors to Tobatí. Along with attending the emotional opening of the Macchi Education center, helping with free medical clinics, and visiting scores of schools,  |
| Matt with Tobati children at Artisan Collective |
the team worked almost without rest on several important construction projects. The 7 work groups that made up the 2004 team worked on the construction of a respiratory isolation wing and a stone fence at El Centro de Salud, the construction of three classrooms and three bathrooms at the elementary school in the rural village of Rosado, the final construction touches at the Macchi Education center, the construction of a bathroom and classroom at la escuela San Jose Obrero, the construction of an athletic facility to be used by the youth of Tobatí for soccer and other sports at Colegio Capitan Pedro Juan Caballero, the construction of a classroom at escuela Iguatu, the construction of a classroom at the elementary school in the rural village of 26 de Julio, the construction of a wall and structural improvements the elementary school within the rural village of Ensenada, the construction of a wall and structural improvements the elementary school within the rural village of Juhybaty, the construction of a classroom at the elementary school in the rural village of Mompox, structural improvements to the Puesto de Salud (a small public medical office) in the rural village of Mompox, the construction of a park for youngsters within Tobatí's central plaza and structural improvements at the Parochial home. With increased numbers and  |
| Team building expansion to public clinic |
resources, the team was able to expand its help by traveling more and more into the numerous poor rural villages that make up the district of Tobatí. This also allowed the students of the team to see extensively the poor living conditions that are common in rural Paraguay. The team displayed great enthusiasm, generosity, and work ethic throughout the trip. The students learned a great deal through their service and really loved their time in Paraguay.
UPENN Trip (7th Trip): In May 2004, the team took its first college group to Tobatí to work on a few service projects. Ben Cruse a four time member of Team Tobatí service trips to Paraguay  |
| Brian helping in the construction of a new expansion to Tobati's clinic |
led a group of fifteen students, alumni, and staff from the University of Pennsylvania's Fox Leadership Program. The team worked on the construction of a classroom at CONADOMI high school, the construction of a multi-use sports floor at Cap. Pedro Juan Caballero high school, the construction of a storage room at El Centro de Salud, Tobatí's public medical clinic, the continuing construction of three classrooms at a grade school in the rural village of Rosado, Tobatí, and the construction of a bathroom and a corridor at a grade school in the poor San Jose Obrero neighborhood.
One Year Volunteers: In August 2004, the team helped establish a service program in which recent college graduates would  |
| Matt working on renovation project in Mompox, Tobati 2004 |
volunteer for a year in Tobatí. This program again centered around the teams two goals of strengthening the area's educational and medical organizations and also exposing talented young people to the challenging facing the poor of the developing world. The one-year volunteers worked at the Macchi education center, the local medical clinic, and helped organize a series of service groups and educational initiatives.
The Team's Eighth Service Trip: In March 2005, the team's largest and most ambitious service trip took place. The team was made up of 80 Kingwood-Oxford students, 13 teachers, 2 alumni, and 5 medical doctors. Through the 10 day trip, the large and enthusiastic team funded and worked extensively on a wide variety of service projects. The 10 work groups worked on the construction of an eight room public library in the center of Tobatí, the construction of a classroom in the poor San Jose Obrero neighborhood located just  |
| Ben talking with Tobati school children during UPENN service trip 2004 |
outside of central Tobatí, the construction of a classroom in the poor rural village of Villa de Mercedes, the construction of a classroom in the poor rural village of Aparypy, the construction of a classroom in the poor rural village of Costa Alegre, the construction of a classroom in the poor rural village of Santa Rosa, the construction of a floor in a small school in the poor rural village of Isla Florida, the construction of a classroom at CONADOMI high school in the center of Tobatí, the construction of a large kitchen to cook bread at Tobatí's Artisan Collective, the initiation of a large grass-roots program at over 50 rural schools in which fluoride, toothpaste, medical pamphlets, seeds for local gardens, and powered milk will be distributed, and other smaller constructions and programs.
Wyvern Alumni Trip (9th trip): In June 2005, six Team Tobatí alumni returned to Paraguay  |
| Sarah with young students |
for a 10 day service trip. This was a very exciting event for Team Tobatí because it marked the first time that a group of Kingswood-Oxford alumni returned to Paraguay to help the poor of Tobatí. The team worked on the final stages of the construction of a classroom at CONADOMI high school in the center of Tobatí. The squad also installed windows at a half dozen rural schools, installed water pipes at four rural homes, and also worked in sugar cane fields. This very successful trip is part of the team's ongoing efforts to make Team Tobatí an organization that young people can be part of for a long time and not just a commitment during high school. This small team helped out the small poor community of Tobatí and really had a fantastic experience.
Team Tobatí X (The Team's 10th Service Trip): In  |
| Post-work celebration |
March 2006, 94 students, 14 teachers, 2 alumni, and 2 pediatricians traveled to Tobatí as part of Team Tobatí X (the team's tenth community service trip to Paraguay). During this fantastic trip, the team worked on the construction of eight classes throughout Tobatí and a community development center in the poor rural village of Mompox, Tobatí as well as working extensively on the construction of a huge athletic complex. Along with other projects and activities, the team also worked in local brick factories, built sidewalks, constructed roofs at the local high school, taught English and healthcare classes, passed out toothbrushes and soccer balls at poor rural schools, and assisted in free clinics. The dozens of projects and initiatives of Team Tobatí X were made possible due to the hard work and great generosity displayed by the 2006 team. The team did a fantastic job working with and assisting the poor of Tobatí. Team Tobatí X was split into 12 different work  |
| Alumni with Tobati students |
groups and rotated twice a day between many different construction projects throughout the 22 villages of Tobatí. The size and great success of the team's tenth trip clearly demonstrated the strength and importance of the team both in Connecticut and Tobatí.
Dentist Trip (11th trip): In March 2006, Team Tobatí joined forces with the UCONN Dental School to organize a service trip to Tobatí. Adam Cohen, a Kingswood-Oxford graduate and current dental student, worked with Ben Cruse and other Team Tobatí leaders to organize the service trip. A group of skilled  |
| Construction of a community development center |
and enthusiastic students and a Professor from the UCONN dental school traveled to Tobatí for a week to offer a series of free dental clinics to the poor of Tobatí. The group traveled to rural villages throughout Tobatí and treated hundreds of children and adults. Dental care is a severely lacking throughout rural Paraguay. Most children lack any formal attention from a dentist. This trip provided a great service for the people of Tobatí and has also inspired dentists from Asunción to organize free clinics in Tobatí. The success of this trip was an important step demonstrating that the team could organize trips for U.S. healthcare professionals who wish to help the poor of developing countries.
2006 Alumni Trip (12th trip):  |
| Building classroom |
Team Tobatí returned to Paraguay in August 2006 with a fantastic group of alumni. The team joined local Paraguayans in working at area brick factories and sugarcane fields. The team also spent considerable time working on the construction of classrooms throughout the district of Tobatí and on a large athletic complex. The team also worked on the continuing construction of a community development center in Mompox, Tobatí. The members of the 2006 team brought fantastic camaraderie, enthusiasm, and work ethic each day. They worked very hard and they forged great relationships with each other and with the people of Tobatí.
Team Tobati XL (13th Community Service Trip): Team Tobatí's March 2007 community service trip to Tobatí, Paraguay  |
| Treating dental patients - March 2005 |
was also known as Team Tobatí XL due to its unprecedented size and scope. TT XL was made up of 134 students, teachers, dentists, doctors, and K-O alumni. This large number of volunteers clearly demonstrated the special warmth of the Tobatí community as well as willingness of Kingswood-Oxford students to perform community service. The larger size of the group allowed the team to do more good and to help more people. From March 11-22, the team was split into 14 sub-teams who each worked enthusiastically alongside Paraguayan volunteers on over 21 distinct projects, all of which were each geared towards strengthening the educational and healthcare infrastructures offered to the poor of the region. The team funded projects that ranged from building classrooms and helping with dental clinics to building parks and constructing stone fences. This large group greatly enjoyed its time working hard and meeting the good people of Tobatí.
Over the past ten  |
| Teaching English |
years, Team Tobatí has actively accomplished its goal of assisting the sectors of education and healthcare in the poor town of Tobatí, Paraguay. The organization has also changed the way many students view their responsibility and their relationship to their fellow citizens of the world. The team is committed to continuing this work in the future.
