DOS AND DON TS. Traveling to Pignon, Haiti for the Medical Mission Trip

Transcription

1 DOS AND DON TS Traveling to Pignon, Haiti for the Medical Mission Trip

2 Welcome to Haiti! Volunteers have been traveling to Pignon, Haiti for over 30 years to work with Promise for Haiti at Hospital Bienfaisance, in the schools of Pignon, and with various projects to help the people who live in Pignon achieve a better quality of life.

3 TRIP PREPARATION

4 Passport: All U.S. citizens are required to have a passport. Immigration Cards: Required by Haiti Immigration Services. On our flight to Port au Prince, we will be given immigration cards. The immigration card must be completed before we land in Haiti. When we arrive in Haiti, there is a $10.00 cash fee that is immediately payable. Keep the bottom half of this card with your passport. You will need to return it to Immigration Services. Medical Insurance Card: It is a requirement that everyone has a valid health insurance card. Trip preparation

5 TRAVEL SAFETY

6 General Safety Tips Never leave your luggage unattended. Always have a travel buddy; even in the airport. Keep your passport, ID, and money with you at all times. In Pignon, you may leave your valuables in the dormitory. Always be aware of your surroundings.

7 Medical Needs There are multiple diseases that can be transmitted by mosquitoes. Use mosquito repellant containing DEET at all times! It is strongly suggested you wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed toe shoes and socks because of the mosquito problem. Many volunteers treat clothing and socks with Permethrin.

8 Immunizations The United States Centers for Disease Control recommends (and Baylor University requires) that you receive the following vaccines before traveling to Pignon, Haiti. Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Typhoid Malaria (oral) Malaria pills should be taken before you leave the trip, while you re there, and for one week after you come home. Cholera

9 Prescriptions & Medical Conditions Please communicate any medical conditions you have to either of us (Marty Harvill or Jane Harvill). If you are taking a routine prescription for a medical condition, bring adequate supplies of your medicine with you to Haiti. It is strongly suggested that you bring anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medicines with you.

10 PACKING

11 What to Bring Personal medications, band-aids, Tylenol, etc. Bible Lock for your suitcase (inside the suitcase) Passport Insect repellent with DEET T-shirts/sunglasses Work clothes/hats/bandanas Nice clothes for attending church Light weight jacket for cool evenings Socks treated with Permethrin Towels Plastic laundry bag Toilet paper Bar soap/shampoo Sunscreen Flashlight, extra batteries, phone charger Wet wipes/hand santizer Camera Water bottle/granola bars/dehydrated food

12 WHAT TO SAY and What Not to Say

13 Things to Remember Water & drinks: Do not drink or brush your teeth with any water in Haiti! Don t drink beverages with ice. Food: Eat only foods prepared by mission staff at the dorm. Meals are at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 5:30 PM. Do not eat raw food or milk products, as they could be contaminated. Don t eat food from street vendors. Money & valuables: Do not bring bills larger than $20. Promise for Haiti recommends you use $1.00 bills for buying most anything. Do not bring traveler s checks. There is no safe at the dorm. Leave your jewelry at home. Camera: Ask people before you take their picture. Some people do not want their picture taken, or if you do take it, they will ask to be paid.

14 More Things to Remember Invitations to the U.S. DO NOT invite a Haitian to the U.S. Normal friendly comments (that we make every day with no real commitment) are easily misconstrued by the Haitians as actual invitations. What NOT to say: You should see our church It would be nice if you could visit the U.S. Not only can these statements be mistaken for actually invitations, Haitians may think you ll help them come. For your protection: DO NOT give out your addresses, phone numbers, or mailing addresses to individuals. If someone asks you for something of yours, do not say Maybe We will see Internet and telephone access is for host staff only, except in cases of emergency. These standard services in the U.S. are very costly in Haiti, as is internet access.

15 BEGGING AND CHARITY Giving to the Poor

16 Begging and Charity On the streets of Haiti, many, including children, will beg from others who are more fortunate, and this may occur quite often. It is ESSENTIAL you observe the following rules about giving. If one person breaks the rules, word spreads quickly throughout the community, creating an unhealthy environment, and undermining the work of Promise for Haiti and other mission groups. 1. If you bring items to be given away, mission leaders will collect them and distribute them evenly. 2. Do NOT give away money, unless it has been coordinated with a host leader. 3. There are areas on all campuses where only travelers and staff are permitted. Do not invite Haitians into this area. 4. Do not agree to sponsor a child/student directly.

17 We Know: It s Awkward We will be followed by many Haitians when we are walking around. Some of them will work very hard to befriend you. It will be very hard and uncomfortable to keep your emotional distance and to not make promises or give them money or other items (food, clothing, etc.). It is essential that you do so. As we ve emphasized, if you do not, you not only cause difficulty for us, but for other groups who come to help, and for the Haitians. Be aware: There will be four or five people who cling to our group. They will do or say many things. You must keep your wits about you. If you have something you want to donate, tell Marty or Jane. We will be sure it is distributed in the proper way so that no harm is done. When Helping Hurts