HAITI June 2-8, 2018 October 13-19, 2018 HAITI Mission Trip Handbook 1
James 1:27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Isaiah 58:10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 2
HANDBOOK CONTENTS Topic Page Spiritual 4 Medical Issues 4 -Dehydration -Sunburn -Motion sickness -Gastro-Intestinal illness -Mosquitoes Food/Water 6 Medications 6 Hygiene 7 Safety 7 Travel Tips 8 -Passport -Money -At the Hotel Packing 9 Packing List 11 Items for Donation 13 3
Communication 13 Port-au-Prince Airport 14 Additional Information 14 Emergency Contact Info 16 Some Quick Creole 17 SPIRITUAL A Spirit-led personality of service and ministry is required for any mission trip. FLEXIBILITY and a SERVANT HEART are a requirement! You are going into a developing country, and things DO NOT work like they do in the USA. Do not expect the same level of comfort, accommodations and sanitary conditions as you enjoy in your own country. Patience is especially a virtue! A habit of prayer and trusting in God to work through inconveniences and challenges is essential. Things will sometimes change in a matter of a few minutes. Become comfortable with it! MEDICAL ISSUES If any member of the mission team has any existing medical conditions that are being treated by a physician, it is very important that the treating physician, the team leader and the mission coordinator are aware of the condition. The team member should ensure that they have adequate medicine and the permission of their physician for the length of the mission trip. The stress of travel and change in environment and physical activity can often lead to potential illness if not addressed. These problems include but are not limited to: 4
Dehydration Hotter temperatures can easily dehydrate the body. You can quickly get dehydrated without realizing it. Dehydration occurs faster than the team member may be used to because of the heat and emotional energy expended when performing mission work. Signs of dehydration are: fatigue, confusion or fuzzy thinking, inability to concentrate, dizziness, headaches, urine that is bright yellow gold, and salty lips when you lick them. The key is to keep hydrated. Drink plenty of purified water, which will always be available. Sunburn use sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher to avoid sunburn in the hot and sunny climate of Haiti. Motion sickness If a team member is susceptible to motion sickness, please let the mission coordinator know in advance of leaving the airport. Sometimes a seat next to a window or up front can ease the symptoms. If the team member regularly requires medicine to counteract the symptoms of motion sickness, please bring the medication on the trip. Taking a Dramamine (less drowsy formula) can help to alleviate this. Gastrointestinal illness This is commonly brought on by eating contaminated foods and drink. Food and water provided for the mission team is safe and clean. However, food sold in streets and restaurants may contain some harmful bacteria or parasites. Make every effort to avoid these. Always drink bottled water; this includes brushing your teeth at the hotel. Be sure to pack anti-nausea medications and some form of antidiarrhea medication. We suggest the chewable Pepto-Bismol in case you can't locate water. For precautionary measures, it is also recommended you take 2 Pepto-Bismol tablets each morning whether feeling ill or not. Also, you can get some form of antibiotic before you go on your trip if you visit your doctor in advance. A doctor might suggest Amoxicillin or even Ciprofloxacin (Cipro tabs). Cipro is particularly good for stomach and intestinal bacterial infections. 5
If you have issues with blood sugar and require regular eating times, you might consider packing extra snacks such as peanuts or cheese and cracker packets, or energy bars. Do not take fresh fruits or vegetables. Mosquitoes - It is at your discretion to obtain Malaria medication for your trip, but it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. This is something you should discuss with your doctor. You should have an up-to-date tetanus shot. Go to www.cdc.gov for the most current recommendations for malaria prevention and other immunizations for visitors to Haiti. FOOD/WATER Purified water will always be available at the guest house and at the work site. ONLY DRINK PURIFIED WATER. It is very important for team members to drink plenty of water! Please bring 2 refillable water bottles to keep with you during your visit. Water is a precious commodity in Haiti, so team members should be good stewards of this resource. Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the guest house. Team members need to bring food/snack items high in protein for daily lunch at the work sites, such as: energy bars, granola bars, cans of tuna, Vienna sausage, peanut butter crackers, beef jerky, or anything that you would enjoy for lunch. Also you might want a few snacks in between meals and for times at the hotel. MEDICATIONS Keep all medicines, vitamins and supplements in their original bottles as much as possible and pack all medications in your carry-on luggage. Pills in plastic bags look suspicious. Buy smaller bottles and take these with you. Make sure you bring a sufficient supply of prescription medications to last for the duration of your trip. You may want to consider buying a small first aid kit in case of small medical issues. 6
HYGIENE Don't forget soap, a wash cloth, a toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, plenty of hand sanitizer, and wipes in small packs to carry with you. Towels, sheets and pillows will be provided. It is a good idea to wear flip-flops in the shower. This is good protection against fungal problems. Perfume, cologne and hair products are highly discouraged. Bugs are drawn to sweet smells, and you are more likely to get bitten. SAFETY When preparing for mission work in Haiti, safety for the mission team is a high priority and should be taken very seriously. Carelessness on the part of one team member can potentially affect the entire team. It is important for team members to follow all instructions given by your Team Leader. Crimes committed are no different than many other countries, and being street wise will make a big difference in having a successful mission trip. Some of the many common crimes are car theft, pick pocketing, credit card fraud, and robbery. These crimes are common but can be avoided by using everyday street smarts such as not carrying an excessive amount of cash, locking doors and windows, and staying in populated areas. Safety begins when you pack! Safety tips: Dress conservatively. Avoid the appearance of affluence. Carry the minimum amount of valuables necessary for your trip and plan a place or places to conceal them. Avoid hand bags, fanny packs and outside pockets which are easy targets for thieves. Inside pockets and a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest are safer. 7
Walk in groups of no less than 3. Avoid walking at night if possible. TRAVEL TIPS Passport While traveling to and from Haiti, you must keep your passport with you at all times. Don't just lock it in your suitcase. It is wise to make a copy of the inside flap in case your passport gets stolen or misplaced. Put the copy in another area, not on your person. Money Your expenses, including tipping, are covered. The only money you might need is for souvenirs, soft drinks at the hotel and meals on travel days; there will be limited opportunities for shopping. If you would like to buy any souvenirs you will use US dollars for these items. If you would like to bring US currency, small bills are suggested, as they are easiest to exchange. At the Hotel No adaptors are needed; the current is 110, and the outlets are the same as the U.S. No tipping is required. This has already been covered by your team leader. Be aware that electricity in Haiti is available only a few hours at night. Only cold water is available for showering. Use filtered or bottled water for brushing teeth. Bring two insulated water bottles for you to use while away from the hotel and in your hotel room. PACKING Each team member is allowed to check one 50-lb. at a cost of $25.00. Each bag cannot exceed 62 in overall dimension. If you check a 2nd bag for donations, etc. the cost is $40 each way and the 50 lb weight limit applies. The fee will be your responsibility if you choose to bring 8
a second bag. Some suggestions for donation bags are to use older luggage that can be left in Haiti or collapsible bags that can fit into your free checked bag. This will save a $40 return fee for a second bag. If you chose to check a third bag it will cost you $150! You can bring one small carry-on bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as the carry-on bag fits comfortably in the overhead bin without being forced and does not exceed overall dimensions of 45 inches (length + width + height) and 40 pounds in weight. The maximum dimensions for carry-on bags cannot exceed any of the following measurements: 22" long x 14" wide x 9" tall or 115cm (56 x 36 x 23 cm). All carry-on items should be stowed in an overhead bin. Personal item - includes: purse, briefcase, laptop bag OR a similar item such as a tote that does not exceed 36 inches( length+width+height) and must fit under the seat in front of you. Place liquids in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 3.4 oz./100 ml each. All liquids, gels and aerosols in containers larger than 3.4 ounces must be packed in your checked bag. Place all liquid containers in a separate clear plastic, zip-top bag no larger than 8in x 8in (20cm x 20cm) which is quart size. Items must fit in the bag comfortably so that it closes completely and must be submitted for inspection separately from other carryon baggage. Remove the plastic bag from the carry-on bag at the security checkpoint for separate x-ray screening Overweight Baggage Charges Over 50 lbs./23 kgs but less than 70 lbs./32 kgs is subject to a $100 overweight baggage charge. Baggage weighing more than 70lbs./45 kgs will not be accepted as checked baggage. Per American Airlines regarding travel to Port Au Prince, Haiti: A permanent embargo on boxes as well as excess, oversize and overweight baggage is in place. A "box" is defined as a six-sided container of any size, constructed of cardboard, wood, plastic or metal, which is either square, rectangular or cylindrically shaped and is not normally used for the transportation of items associated with air 9
travel. Plastic tubs/containers and/or coolers are also considered to be boxes. That includes Action Packers. Therefore, no items can be transported in tubs, bins, coolers, etc. Suitcases are treated roughly and sometimes transported in a wheelbarrow. It is not the time for that brand-new beautiful matching luggage! Make your luggage easily identifiable. Be sure ALL luggage, even carry-on, has your name and address. A brightly colored tie is also a good idea. Many people have the basic blue or black canvas luggage. You don t want someone picking up your bags by mistake. Dress for Weather It s hot in Haiti! The average temperatures year round are in the 90 s and sometimes 100 s with lots of humidity. Plan accordingly! Dress for Activities Dress for the week is casual and comfortable! You may dress as you would any time you are working for construction, but no shorts are allowed. Comfortable, closed toe walking/working shoes are a must throughout your trip. The streets are dusty and dirty, so closed toe shoes are recommended. Flip-flops are not recommended except for showering or at the hotel. Don t dress for fashion; be practical. Limited (or no) jewelry is recommended. Dress for Modesty Haiti is a very conservative country as it pertains to dress and customs. Modest dress is the rule. The children we are serving like to imitate the visitors, so please be respectful and mindful of this as well. Men: Church: Khaki or dress pants and a dress shirt or polo shirt. Ties are optional. Closed-toe shoes must be worn. Casual/Work: Long pants (no shorts on the construction site) and closed-toe shoes. T-shirts or polo shirts are most appropriate for everyday (no tank tops). Scrubs are suitable for the medical clinic. Shorts (below the knee) and flip flops or sandals are only allowed at the hotel. 10
Women: Church: Skirts or dresses that come below the knee. dresses or tops. Closed-toe dress shoes only. No sleeveless Casual/Work: Long pants, capris that come to the ankles, and closedtoe shoes are appropriate. Shirts with sleeves (cap sleeve, short sleeve, and ¾ length sleeve) are preferred. Scrubs can also be worn. No tank tops or shorts. Please make sure no cleavage can be seen. Strapless, spaghetti straps, low-cut shirts, tight or revealing clothing is not acceptable wear in Haiti. Jewelry is acceptable, but please, keep it modest. If you wear earrings, bring a small pair (studs, etc.). Shorts (below the knee) and flip flops or sandals are only allowed at the hotel PACKING LIST Pack a complete change of clothes and travel-sized toiletries in your carry-on bag in case of lost or misplaced luggage. If you are taking any medications or have contact lenses, be sure to pack these inside your carry-on as well. Active wear appropriate for hot weather & outdoor activity with kids (bring enough to change every day, due to the heat, etc.) Underclothing Sleep clothes (modest) Sunglasses/hat to protect against sun Tennis shoes (two pairs) Flip flops for shower and evenings at the hotel Shoes appropriate for walking Sunscreen and aloe (beware of sunburn!) Bible and journal (pen/pencil) 11
Toiletries Bandanas or sweat rags (humidity is very high) Bug spray with DEET Small first aid kit Washcloth (extra towel if wanted) One roll of toilet tissue and/or adult bathroom wipes Flashlight or head lamp and batteries Small backpack or small bag (to carry personal items, water, food to and from work site) Hand sanitizer 2 Refillable water bottles Single-use packets or electrolyte replacement (Gatorade, Propel) or drink mix for water Watch Travel pillow/ear plugs (you may be glad you brought ear plugs!) Lunch snacks (items that won t melt or spoil) Anti-diarrhea meds, Dramamine Prescription medications Plastic bag for dirty laundry Rainproof windbreaker and/or umbrella that folds up small Passport/copy of passport Cash for souvenirs ($1, 5, & 10 bills) Camera and accessories Disposable wipes for hand cleaning Work gloves 12
FLEXIBLE ATTITUDE SERVANT S HEART ITEMS FOR DONATION: o o o o o o o o o $$ for Haitian Creole Bibles children s books in Creole tennis shoes all sizes flip-flops for children ages 2 yrs and up all sizes (more larger than smaller) disposable eating utensils (forks, spoons, plates) school supplies (pens, paper, notebooks, pencils, crayons, etc) Children & Adult T-shirts (whites and colors) Hard Candy Activities for children of all ages: outdoor games, crayons, markers, beading, jewelry making, bubbles, play dough, sunglasses, jump ropes, balls, matchbox cars, etc. COMMUNICATION Internet access is generally available at the hotel. It is helpful if there is only one laptop computer per team; otherwise, the internet connection is over loaded, and no one is able to communicate. PDA s and smart phones will cause overload, too. Our Haiti Coordinator will have a cell phone to be used in case of emergencies. CHECK WITH YOUR CELL PHONE CARRIER FOR OVERSEAS PHONE/DATA RATES. USING YOUR PHONE WITHOUT A PLAN CAN BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. 13
PORT-AU-PRINCE AIRPORT Stay together as a team and hang on securely to the team s baggage carts and all personal items such as purses and back packs. DO NOT allow any Red Cap to carry your bags or push your baggage carts. We simply say, No, mesi. As with the United States, no photographs are allowed to be taken in the customs area. Please put all cameras away. Be aware that bags are randomly checked and inspected. If the Customs Officer asks to look in your bag, please cooperate; they are only doing their job. You increase your odds for inspection when items are packed in boxes rather than suitcases. Packing project materials in suitcases is the better option. The less you say during the passport and customs process, the easier and better it is for all! Your team leader will take the lead throughout this process! Once in the vehicle, keep your doors locked and windows rolled up until you are out of the airport congestion. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION and Do s & Don ts: DON T - Give money or treats to beggars. You may be bombarded with youngsters saying, Give me one dollar beginning at your arrival at the airport. Please DO NOT give any money or additional goods to Haitians (including children, interpreters and guards) at the work sites or traveling to or from the work sites. This should be done only through your Team Leader. This is for your safety as well as that of the recipient and the members of our Team. If you would like to leave such things as clothing, tools, shoes, etc., please give 14
them to a team leader. They will divide them among those who need these items the most. The use of tobacco products and alcohol is not permitted while in Haiti. Your language and attitude toward others should be pure and Christ-like. Be considerate of your fellow team members in being prompt for outings, meals and observing lights out at bedtime. Voice ANY concerns to your group leaders rather than among yourselves. We are a TEAM and have one main goal, to connect others to Jesus! Be careful what you say in the presence of nationals. Careless words can do irreparable harm to the work of Orphans Embrace. PHOTOGRAPHY Haitians have a strong sense of propriety. Despite their poverty, they do not want to appear to be inferior, especially to foreign visitors. This is manifested in many ways. They may be offended if you photograph them without permission, especially if they sense your photograph is taken to show them as an example of their need. Try to envision if the roles were reversed and how this might feel if someone tried to photograph you in your country. It is best to appoint a group photographer and then share photos. SOCIAL MEDIA Be very careful with your posts. As with photography, Haitians do not want to appear inferior. Be respectful of what you say as well as photos you post. Use discretion when giving out your FB contact information. There have been instances whereby team members were solicited for money, etc. upon return to the states. LISTEN & FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS OF LEADERS/GUARDS 15
This is for your safety. Your leaders and the guards are more familiar with customs and areas of service. If you have questions or concerns, please defer to your leaders. DON T separate yourself from the team without notice and approval of the team leader. In any case, do not go unaccompanied into questionably safe areas. EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: Hotel: Villa Mamika Address: #3, Duval 24, Val des Lauriers Croix-des-Bouquets, Departement de l'ouest, Haiti (W.I) Phone +(509) 3600-1509 / 3454-0406 Inter.: +1 786-220-3095 US Embassy in Haiti: Tabarre 41, Boulevard 15 Octobre Port au Prince, Haiti Tel: 011-(509) 2229-8000 Fax: 011-(509) 2229-8028 Afterhours Emergencies: 011-509-2229-8122 Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday Website: http://haiti.usembassy.gov US Ambassador to Haiti: Pamela A. White Louisiana Contact Information: Wayne Sheppard Louisiana Baptist Convention Office phone: 318.449.4278 Mobile: 318.880.1014 Email: wayne.sheppard@lbc.org Ron Greenwich Louisiana Reach Haiti Missions Mobilizer/Projects Coordinator Mobile phone: 318.453-5725 Email: rongreenwich@gmail.com 16
SOME QUICK CREOLE: PRONUNCIATION KEY choeoukevrgisjyo- sh as in ship claw aim you k as in key leg v as in vampire (not rolled) go see s as in sip s as in vision yes toe Verb - To Be Mwen - I am Li s/he is Yo - they are chache-to look for fo-strong ede-to aid, help ou-you kisa-what? mesi-thank you vini-come respire-to breathe gen-to have isit-here prese-in a hurry jou-day pye-foot zo-bone Ou - you are Nou - we are Bonjou! Bonswa! Kouman ou rele? Mwen rele... Good morning! Good afternoon! /Evening! (after 11 AM) What is your name? My name is... Bien Vini! Kouman ou ye? Welcome! How are you? N'ap boule! (response) Doing Good! Mwen tre bien gras a Dieu! Wi Non Mesi Anmwe! Non, mesi Souple Merite Pa gen pwoblem Oke Eskize mwen Mwen regret sa Gen... - I m very well, thank God. Yes No Thanks Help! No, thanks Please You're welcome No problem OK Excuse me I'm sorry There is/are... 17
Pa genyen! Mwen pa genyen! Sekonsa! Piti piti Anpil Isi La Tout bagay anfom? Pa kounye-a Toupatou Anyen Preske Atansyon! Prese prese! Dife! Rete! Kounye-a Ye Jodia Demen Maten an Apremidi a Aswe a Ou byen? Mwen malad Te gen yon aksidan Nou bezwen yon dokte touswit Kote Iopital Ia? Mwen anvi vonmi Mwen toudi Mwen grangou Mwen swaf anpil Nou ta vle manje Konben Poukisa? Kote? Kisa? Kile? Ki moun? Kijan? Kiles? Eske gen...? Eske ou gen...? Eske ou ka ede nou, souple? Kote nou ka achte...? Kisa ou vie? Kisa sa a ye? Sa k'genyen? Eske ou pale angle/franse? Ki moun isit ki pale angle? Ou konprann? Kij an yo rele sa an kreyol? Kij an yo di...an kreyol? There is/are not any! I don't have any! That's right! A little bit a lot Here There Is everything OK? Not now Everywhere Nothing Almost Attention! Watch out! Hurry! Fire! Stop! Now Yesterday Today Tomorrow This morning This afternoon This evening You OK? I'm sick There was an accident We need a doctor right now Where is the hospital? I feel nauseated I'm dizzy I'm hungry I'm very thirsty We would like to eat How much?/how many? Why? Where? What? When? Who? How? Which? Is/Are there...? Do you have...? Can you help us please? Where can we buy...? What do you want? What is that? What's the matter? Do you speak English/French? Who speaks English here? Do you understand? What do they call that in Creole? How do they say... in Creole? 18
Kisa ou bezouen? Kilaj ou? Kote ou rete? Eske ou gen petit? Kote nou ye? What do you need? How old are you? Where do you live? Do you have any children? Where are we? NOUNS book-liv table-tab woman-fanm. Madame boy-gason student-elèv language-lang pen-plim man-moun, nonm, msie child-pitit girl-tifi car-oto, machin, vwati tourist-touris city-vil store-boutik family-fanmi father-papa brother-frè day-jou evening-swa afternoon-aprèmidi lunch-manje midi food-manje friend-zanmi husband-mari money-lajan, kòb restaurant-restoran mother-manman sister-sè water-dlo night-nuit morning-maten breakfast-dejne dinner-dine chair-chèz newspaper-jounal wife-madanm, fanm ADJECTIVES beautiful-bèl nice-bon large-gran good-bon cold-frèt new-nouvo pretty-bèl big-gwo small-piti sick-malad hot-cho old-vye American-ameriken French-franse English-angle Spanish-panyol 19