Sustain Haiti Pre-Departure Training

SUSTAIN

HAIT

I

PRE-D

EPART

URE TRAIN

ING

PREPARATION

What’s the best thing you can be doing to prepare to go to Haiti?

Read the Handbook

Remember why you are going:

This is not “Humana-tourism.”

You are going to work and to change lives

PROJECT EXPECTATIONS

SAFETY - #1 PRIORITY!

Buddy system at all times No travelling, working, or playing alone

Women don’t go anywhere without a male

No being out at night Real safety concerns

Security – there will be guards

Do not ask for exceptions!

OTHER GENERAL RULESHave copies of your passport here and an extra

copy in Haiti• Not generally a good idea to carry it everywhere with you

No Laptops• Could get stolen

• No internet and limited power

Limit use of Mototaxis• Safety

Only Drink Bottled or Filtered water!

Big Picture

Minimum 4 week commitment• You can stay longer if you’d like

• Working 5-6 days a week

Work Plan

5 major project areas:• Clean Water projects and training• Sanitation/Hygiene training• Square-foot Gardening• Micro-financing ventures• English Classes

And whatever is necessary• Even though some may have areas of preference, everyone will

be expected to take part in all of the project areas.

Work EthicYou will be required to work HARD;

you’ll probably be hot, tired or hungry at timesbut that’s the nature of the work!

Do your best work always, and always focus on others

Be self motivated, Always seek to “add value” to the organization

HAVE FUN

“We expect that you’ll be responsible, caring, and committed to the cause, working as representatives of Sustain Haiti and the United States.”

-- Warner WoodworthBYU Faculty Member/ Adviser

Standards

You’ll be expected to abide by every standard in the BYU Honor Code

Appropriate dress & grooming Modest appearance, etc.

No dating - anyone Clean language

http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/2010-2011ucat/GeneralInfo/HonorCode.php





Living Arrangements

We will be living in a house in Leogane, Haiti No running water Limited electricity No on-site internet access (but it will be available nearby for

communication)

Food

All food will be provided Let them know about dietary needs (allergies) Most meals (breakfast & dinner) eaten as a group You’ll get a food/incidental allowance each week as needed

We’ll also have a local cook which means real Haitian food…

SO DON’T COMPLAINABOUT THE FOOD!!

Any Questions so far?

PRE-DEPARTURE REQUIREMENTS

CHECKLIST: (SEE HANDBOOK)MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE!

Some key points though:Final sum of $2100 submitted two weeks before departure

Valid Passport and traveling documents

Signed and submitted Liability Waiver

Traveler’s Insurance ISIC Card – cheaper alternative if you register as a student

Fundraising

No formal fundraising program will be initiated through Sustain Haiti to fund your expenses, you may personally fundraise in any way that you wish

Have all checks made out to “Reach the Children” with “Sustain Haiti, [Your Name]” on the subject line

$2100 for each volunteer Must have it in 2 weeks before you intend to depart

Traveling Documents

Copies of documents for Volunteer Coordinator in US & Haiti:- 2 photocopies of Passport- 2 photocopies of airline ticket- 2 photocopies of driver’s license- 2 photocopies of International Insurance

Remember we need TWO photocopies of each document

ImmunizationsGet immunizations at least four weeks prior to departure for:

Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG) Hepatitis B Malaria Pills MMR Typhoid Tetanus – Diptheria Measles Polio

Note: Cholera is a disease contracted by ingesting filthy water, there are no

immunizations for it, Cholera will not be an issue at all if you eat and drink well.

GET YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS AND BE CAREFUL OR YOU COULD TURN

OUT LOOKING LIKE THIS GUY…

Be Sure not to Forget…

Mosquito Repellant

Lots of Shorts

Sunscreen

Water Bottle

Flashlight

Sandals

CONCERNING YOUR FLIGHT

Luggage

Have as much in your carry-on as possible

Plan for one checked bag. Additional Bags will cost you money.

Arrive early to the airport in the U.S.International flights require you to be there much earlier than

normal

PROCEDURE FOR ARRIVAL

1. Do not leave the states without the set of Haiti phone numbers

2. When you arrive at the PAP airport, get your bags

3. They will check your passport and you will go to an outdoor area.

4. Don’t let ANYONE carry your bags for you

5. STAY IN THE FENCED IN AREA, DO NOT PASS THE SECURITY GUARDS UNTIL YOU SEE RONY!

PROCEDURE FOR ARRIVAL CONT’D

If you don’t see Rony after five or ten minutes, go back inside and make a call (If you pass the guards, you can’t go back in)

Have enough in your suitcase to last you 3 days.

THOUGHTS FROM DR. WOODWORTH

Many Volunteers will go through the following stages when working in a new environment:

1. Rejection of the new environment

2. Trying to change the ‘system’; thinking they are wrong and I’m right, my way is right.

3. Realizing the importance of taking a step back, trying to understand, and figure things out.

4. Realizing they must work with ‘it’ and chill

5. Are open to change and learning opportunities, understand they’re taking BIG steps forward

LESSONS LEARNED FROM VOLUNTEERING OVERSEAS

1. The volunteer experience is unique to each volunteer.

Your volunteer experience will be shaped largely by what you ‘bring’ to the table.

2. Volunteering is really only a ‘Title’.

As a volunteer, you are expected to become integrated into the socio-economic and cultural activities of your assigned work area through your work.

3. It’s more than a ‘job’.

It is a job, plus citizen participation, plus personal growth.

4. Living and working conditions may not be ‘ideal’.

Don’t expect things to run smoothly. As a volunteer you will gain much by understanding the people you work with, their assets and strengths and purpose.

5. Personal Appearance.

As a volunteer you are not expected to give up your values, or cultural, or individual uniqueness. As a volunteer you are more than just a tourist.


6. Volunteers are NOT doing something to someone, or FOR someone; volunteers are doing something WITH someone.

If as a volunteers you are doing something alone, you are not doing development.

7. Change is locally determined.

It is the human relationships we develop that determine how successful we are in assisting people. It’s not simply about doing a job. It’s about partnerships, mutual

learning and cultural understanding.

8. Volunteers should expect to function as independently as possible.

The Project management team will do all they can to help you as a volunteer stay healthy, safe and secure. However, you are expected to work within the framework and scope of the project, accountable to the management team, partner organizations and project beneficiaries/participants.


9. Humor, Patience and Adaptability are helpful.Flexibility does not mean volunteers can do their ‘own thing’; flexibility is adapting to changing conditions and opportunities within the context of the project for which volunteers were brought to the country to work.

10. Volunteering takes commitment.All involved have invested a great deal of time, energy and resources in developing this project, recruiting volunteers, establishing partnerships and coordinating efforts.

ANY QUESTIONS?

SUSTAIN [email protected]