Today we received an information packet from "Love A Child", the organization we're partnering with to build the homes. It has lots of information on what to expect, what to bring and how to prepare for a short term mission trip in Haiti.
Love A Child is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Christian Humanitarian Organization, and a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO). Love A Child is member of the Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA), has the Independent Charities of America (ICA) "Best in America" Seal of Approval, and has a 4 star rating with Charity Navigator. Love A Child founders and directors, Bobby and Sherry Burnette, made their first trip to Haiti in 1972, moved to Haiti in 1991, and have been faithful fulltime missionaries ever since. Love A Child is heavily involved in earthquake relief ministry, Church planting, Child sponsorship programs, Christian schools, feeding programs, food distribution programs, mobile medical clinics, the Jesus Healing Center, and now is committed to building hundreds of homes that will provide a permanent residence for displaced Haitian earthquake survivors.
Haiti, already the poorest country in the western hemisphere, was dealt a catastrophic blow in January 12, 2010 when a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, the country's capital. It was region's worst earthquake in 200 years and considered the one of the “worst disasters in history” according the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. The quake leveled many sections of the city, destroying government buildings, foreign aid offices, and countless slums. Assessing the scope of the devastation, Haitian President Rene Préval said, "Parliament has collapsed. Government offices have collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed." He called the death toll "unimaginable," and fatalities reached 230,000 by early February. The United Nations mission in Haiti was destroyed, 16 members of the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti were killed, and hundreds of UN employees were missing. The scope of the damage caused by the quake highlighted the urgent need to improve Haiti's crumbling infrastructure and lift it out of endemic poverty.
The ultimate purpose of this trip is to construct homes for injured and displaced earthquake victims who are currently residing in tents on Love A Child property. The long term housing project will provide a permanent residence for a minimum of 380 families in the form of 380 newly constructed single family homes on Love A Child property. The ultimate goal is to design and implement a model community; a self sustained post-earthquake district complete with zones for public buildings, residential areas, educational facilities, etc. This will be made possible by rigidly adhering to a framework of comprehensive community planning and development. With quality and durability as mainstays; every structure will be designed in adherence to current United States building codes, constructed with appropriate materials, and inspected by qualified personnel prior to habitation.
Who can go?
Anyone that can work hard and is over the age of eighteen is welcome to be a temporary missionary on a construction team. Although construction related experience is a plus, there are opportunities available for general laborers who can follow simple instructions.
Love A Child advises that team members visit with their healthcare professional as soon as possible to find which medications and vaccinations are recommended. Love A Child requires team members have a current tetanus vaccination. The Center for Disease Control has information on its website about medication/vaccinations recommended for travel to all countries including Haiti.
All construction teams will fly to Haiti from either Fort Lauderdale, Florida or Miami, Florida depending on flight availability and scheduling.
Will there be a meeting or training session before I go to Haiti?
There will be a mandatory meeting the evening before departure at a designated hotel in either Fort Lauderdale or Miami depending on flight arrangements. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a detailed layout of the trip itself. Early the next morning, construction team members will fly together on the same flight into and out of Haiti. Construction team members will be issued yellow Love A Child t-shirts that must be worn for the trip to and from Haiti. This will help the team move through the airport and customs more efficiently and will minimize complications associated with traveling in groups.
CHAOS! The Port Au Prince airport is nothing like the airports in the United States. The buildings were all severely damaged in the earthquake and the airport is only a shade above operational. Team members will be bused from the terminal to an adjacent building where each person will be processed through immigration individually. Once through immigration, the team will begin the search for their checked items. Airport personnel will bring the luggage from the plane to an open room which functions as a baggage claim area. The group must find and secure each bag. Once everyone has retrieved their bags the group will move through customs where the customs forms will be collected and the airline luggage claims ticket will be compared to the tag on the luggage. The team will eventually be directed outside of the airport. A Love A Child representative will be waiting for the group and will direct everyone where to go to board the vehicle/vehicles. It is important to not let anyone except Love A Child personnel help with luggage in order to minimize problems.
Once in Haiti, the construction team will travel directly to the Love A Child compound in Fond Parisien which is due east of Port Au Prince, about fifty minutes from the airport and approximately seven miles from the border of the Dominican Republic. The entire trip will be spent in this general area. The construction project will take place on a large piece of Love A Child owned property adjacent to the Love A Child compound.
Though the current government situation in Haiti is stable, political and economic conditions are chronically unresolved. However, Love A Child is committed to the safety and security of every member on every missions team. No team will be subjected to any compromising situations under any circumstance. Love A Child is serious about safety and takes every precaution to ensure the well being of every team member.
Construction teams will be staying on the main campus of Love A Child in Fond Parisien. Tents will set up near the depot and warehouse located within the walls of the Love A Child compound. Although there are showers and toilets in the depot and warehouse, there is no hot water. These facilities are available while on the compound. Each team member must bring their own toiletries, a towel, washcloth, etc. (A complete list of items to bring is listed below.)
Construction teams will sleep in tents provided by Love A Child. However, each team member must bring their own pillow, sleeping bag, sheets etc. (A complete list of items to bring is listed below.)
Love A Child will provide three meals a day prepared by Love A Child cooks. However, it is recommended that team members bring snacks as needed. Do not eat anything unless it is given to you by Love A Child or Love A Child personnel.
There will be an abundance of clean water that is provided 24 hours a day by Love A Child. However, in Haiti most liquids are not acceptable to drink. Do not drink anything unless it is given to you by Love A Child or Love A Child personnel.
Love A Child is a Christian humanitarian organization and there are very specific dress codes for missions teams. However, these rules have been modified for construction teams because of the general nature of the work itself. The culture of Haiti is very different when it comes to clothing and although Love A Child has a standard dress code, there are some modifications in place for this initiative listed below:
Men wear long pants (jeans are permitted) with a Love A Child t-shirt on flights into and out of Haiti. Shorts, sweatpants, or jeans are permitted for relaxing or sleeping, but shorts or sweatpants are not acceptable on flights. While working men may wear jeans or shorts with a t-shirt or work shirt. However, no inappropriate tee shirt logos (flames, skulls, weapon, etc.) are permitted. Please understand this dress code is mandatory.
Shoes and socks are very important. The terrain is very rough and, in places, very unsanitary. It is best to wear shoes or boots that are appropriate for the job being performed.
What will the weather be like?
Haiti is extremely hot during the day and sunscreen is recommended. It rains very frequently in the rainy season and the weather can be severe. Staying hydrated is important. There will be an ample supply of clean drinking water wherever construction teams are assigned to work and live.
Teams will be assigned specific jobs. Depending on experience, some teams will construct entire homes from start to finish, while others will be assigned very specific tasks that more appropriately align with possessed skill sets. A normal day will consist of an early breakfast, hours of construction, lunch, hours of construction, dinner, and rest. Please understand that teams will be expected to work long hours building as many homes as possible. The speed at which homes are built will determine the speed at which people living in tents are provided a permanent residence. The goal is to build these dwellings as efficiently as possible. This will require hard work, patience, team work, and diligence for the entire length of the mission trip.
It is expected that every team member do their best at all times. Please understand that a great deal of work will be accomplished and it is imperative that teams follow instructions and work together!
Love A Child will provide the necessary tools to accomplished the assigned tasks. However, it is common practice for work crews to pack some power tools and/or hand tools in their checked luggage that will help them accomplish jobs more efficiently. Often times construction crews just leave these tools behind as a donation in order to help with the overall effort. Conditions in Haiti are very rough and tools get used to their fullest potential often to the point of failure. Bringing tools that can help with projects is always good idea.
Love A Child is a Christian humanitarian organization and there are certain criteria that must be adhered to. These simple, concise rules are listed as follows and should be adhered to a soon as the team puts on their Love A Child t-shirts and should continue to be adhered unto they arrive back in the United States and remove their Love A Child shirts:
- No smoking permitted.
- No drinking of alcoholic beverages permitted.
- No profanity
- Do not promise money, clothing, healthcare, refuge, adoption or help of any kind to any Haitian
- If there is a desire to give a gift of any kind to a Haitian, please discuss it with a Love A Child construction team host.
- Do not give an address, e-mail, or phone number to any Haitian including Love A Child staff. Among other things, personal information could be sold and used to illegally obtain a U.S. visa.
- Love A Child is an interdenominational, humanitarian relief organization. Please do not impose specific religious beliefs on others.
There will be no opportunity to purchase anything in Haiti. There are no drug stores, department stores, or grocery stores that will be available to the team. Bring what is needed! Please understand that there are very strict guidelines for checked and carry-on luggage. It is the responsibility of each team member to adhere to these restrictions. Check with the airline for specific information. The following items must be brought with you to Haiti:
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Clothes (in accordance with dress codes) shoes and socks
- Toilet tissue
- Hand sanitizer
- Soap
- Towels
- Washcloths if needed
- Sleeping bag, mat, or linens appropriate for a hot tent
- Pillow
- One-half gallon Thermos
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Snacks for yourself (granola bars, Power bars, etc)
- An unbreakable cup
The following items may be useful to bring, but are not necessary:
- A combination lock for each piece of luggage (personal belongings will be left in tents on the Love A Child compound)
- Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment
- Plastic poncho
- Mosquito net
- Cell phone (may work if set up for international service)
- Camera and extra batteries
- Sunscreen
- Skin wipes
- Bug spray
- A hat
- Books
- Computer (there is no internet access where construction teams are housed)
Will there be a time that I can purchase souvenirs?
Love A Child will host local artisans and craftsmen that will have Haitian souvenirs for sale. It is recommended that team members bring a little extra spending money for the purpose of purchasing some of these items
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