Trip requirements

Volunteering

(It is recommended that you download and print the fact sheet which includes some important dates for the May '07 trip for quick reference.)

Third World Awareness Fact Sheet

What do I need to come on the trip?

Safety and Security.

What donations should I bring.

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* please note this is a general word document and will not have special update notes. Compare changes with what is written on this page.

1) Valid Canadian Passport. Anyone traveling with a National Passport other than a Canadian Passport may need a travelers visa to enter Haiti. If you have any questions about entry requirements for volunteers traveling with a non-Canadian Passport please contact the Haitian Consulate here in Toronto at 416-538-3282. The Consulate is located at 902 Bathurst St. The cost of a visa is approx. $40.00 and takes approx. 48 hours to process. You will need your identification plus your National Passport as well as a separate photo for the visa. Please note further that all participants flying with a National Passport other than a Canadian Passport may be required by U.S. authorities to possess a visa before landing in Miami to change flights. This can be a lengthy process and is not guaranteed. You have the option of flying direct to Port au Prince from Montreal but may be more expensive.

2) Valid health travel Insurance. Make sure you inform your insurer that you are traveling to Haiti. Some insurers will not cover travel to certain countries. There is an official Canadian Government travel advisory against travel to Haiti. This may affect your coverage. Proof of travel insurance must be submitted to TWA prior to departure. TWA cannot be responsible for anyone not covered with appropriate health coverage.

3) Immunizations - Consult your family doctor for what you need to travel to Haiti. It is strongly recommended that you have, a) Hepatitis A shot. b) Hepatitis B if you are volunteering at medical clinics where exposure to blood is possible. c) Malaria pills. (You must start taking them 7 days prior to departure and continue for at least 14 days after return.) d) Tetanus shot. The cost of these shots vary depending on what travel clinic you go to. The average cost is $30 - $40 for each immunization shot.

4) Trip costs. Approx. $1,200.00 (excluding travel insurance costs). (IMPORTANT CHANGE) TWA has had to close out the flight assistance. Accommodation costs are due no later than May 1/09. Please keep deadlines in mind when raising your personal money. TWA may require you to book your own flight after the due dates depending on the situation.

* We welcome all late comers on the trip with the knowledge that accommodation fees are still due before departure from Canada.

b) Accommodations. We will be staying at St. Joseph's Home for Boys for 14 nights at $40.00 (USD). $560.00 (USD) in total. Accommodations include full breakfast and dinner. Safe drinking water is also provided.

c) Immunizations. As mentioned in section 2)

d) Travel Insurance. This cost depends on your insurer. Certain credit cards offer travel insurance as well as CAA along with a variety of others. Shop around or consult other volunteers.

e) Spending money/Contingency money is your decision. It is recommended that you bring some contingency money with you to cover unexpected costs. There is wonderful artwork in Haiti available. Local transportation to and from the work sites is covered by TWA but all other incidental costs are your responsibility. US currency is used in Haiti and most prices are listed in US dollars so you should bring your money in US dollars.

5) Insect repellant and sunscreen. (Check to make sure that your repellant and sunscreen can be used together. If desired mosquito netting will help at night. Hand wash sanitizer. Sunglasses. Sandals and shoes. It is not recommended to walk through some streets with sandaled feet so a pair of ordinary shoes should be brought with you on the trip. Medicine for diarrhea and nausea.

6) Security. a) Upon arrival at the accommodations all health insurance, health cards, extra money/valuables and passports are collected and kept in a secure location. Access is available on request. Emergency contact information of next of kin etc. must be given to TWA prior to departure. All participants are registered by TWA with the Canadian Embassy in Port Au Prince.

b) Do not bring or wear jewelry or expensive accessories. Bring spending money in small amounts to and from the volunteer sites. Do not bring photo or video cameras to the volunteer sites without first checking with TWA and the contact persons at the sites themselves. It is recommended that you choose one day out of the trip to take photos and video and only with the permission of the people involved. These cameras should be compact and easily concealed when walking. If an attempt is made to steal these items while you are walking or at the volunteer sites you should cooperate and not resist. Stay calm. Let it go.

c) Never walk alone or leave the volunteer sites without checking with group members. It is important that group members know where each other are at all times. When walking to and from volunteer sites stay as a group and do not fall behind. Be aware of your surroundings and other people at all times. By all means be open to people as the Haitian people are wonderful but not to the point of naiveté. View strangers, who you have not been introduced to by your guides, contact people or group members, with a sense of healthy caution.

d) Do not leave the accommodations after dark without checking with group members and never alone.

e) If stopped by Haitian Police or UN personnel, identify yourself immediately as a Canadian citizen and a member of a group registered with the Canadian Embassy. Bring your situation to the attention of the nearest TWA member immediately. Never agree to be taken anywhere alone without another TWA member or guide as a witness and without a clear explanation.

All reasonable precautions are taken (within its mandate) by TWA to insure the safety of its members while in Haiti. However TWA does not guarantee the safety of its members while working at the volunteer sites or the city at large. There are armed gangs in Cite Soleil and other areas of the city. All volunteers are required to sign a waiver acknowledging this fact before coming on the trip and acknowledging that they participate knowing the risks involved. Parents or Legal Guardians of minors under the age of 18 must be involved in meetings and pre-departure activities and must also sign this waiver. There are UN troops on patrols throughout the city. There are safe work sites available for minors and/or others wishing not to participate at volunteer sites that they personally deem to be unsafe for themselves. Participants are free at all times to refuse any work or activity that makes them feel unsafe.

In over a decade of travel and service to the poor Third World Awareness has never had a serious incident of harm to any of its members.

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What donations should I bring.

All volunteers are requested to bring two bags with them on the trip. These should be packed with your personal belongings and donated goods weighing the allowable 50 lbs. each.

Items to bring and choose from. (You can always check with TWA if you want us to supply you with donations rather than filling your own.)

baby clothes / children and adult clothes / shoes / moisturizing creams / hand sanitizer / gauze bandages / regular bandages / salves / sanitary napkins / baby powder / school supplies / books in French or Kreyol / non-prescription medicines / old eye glasses / office supplies / vitamins / computer accessories / small toys and dolls / games / action and children videos /

"Yes!"