Sustain HaitiSustain HaitiPre-Departure TrainingPre-Departure Training

Step 1

Read the volunteer handbook. It has all of this information and more, so follow it to the letter

Get excited. This will be a life-changing experience -

- for us and them

Project Expectations

Safety - #1 Priority!

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

No being out at night -◦Mosquitoes (Malaria)◦Real safety concerns

Drinking water◦Bottled or filtered – no exceptions

Security – we’ll have guards as needed

Big Picture:

• Minimum 2 week commitment• You can stay longer if you’d like

• Working 5-6 days a week

• Don’t bank on touring Haiti – we’re there to work

Work Plan• 4 major project areas

• Clean Water• Sanitation/Hygiene training• Square-foot Gardening• Microlending

• Other work as needed (reconstruction, orphanages)

Work Plan Cont’d:

• Projects assigned by in-country managers

• Assignments made according to needs & volunteer skills/abilities

• You can request a project, but no guarantees

• Assignments may vary throughout your stay

• Always work in a group

Work Ethic:

• Have fun – really. • Be self-motivated – we ain’t dragging

you out of bed• Remember that you’re there to help

people• This is a tough undertaking – just do

your best

Standards You’ll be expected to abide by

every standard in the BYU Honor Code◦Appropriate dress & grooming

(modest)

◦No dating - anyone◦Clean language◦etc.

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

-- Warner Woodworth

Living Arrangements

Housing taken care of by In-Country Managers◦They’ll figure out the details when

they get there◦ It’s not going to be the Bolaggio

No on-site internet access, but it will be available nearby for communication

FoodAll food will be taken care of by

country managers◦Let them know about dietary

needs/preferences◦We’ll probably have a local cook

Most meals (breakfast & dinner) eaten as a group

You’ll get a food/incidental allowance each week as needed

General Disclaimer: Everything is subject to change according to circumstances/projects/partners/local needs & demands ... determined in Haiti

as events occur.

Just be ready to roll with the punches. It’s going to be great.

Any questions so far?

Pre-Departure Requirements

Checklist: Must be completed prior to departure!

Application sheet submitted (now) $25 non-refundable deposit submitted (now) Valid Passport Obtained Handbook, reviewed and signed expectations (standards) Signed and submitted Liability Waiver

ISIC Card – required if you’re a student

- Important insurance benefits

If not a student– check with your provider; consider international health insurance - **own responsibility** International Students:

- I-20 signed and current - current US Visa for re-entry into US- copy of BYU transcripts- proof of finances- letter from Dr. Woodworth on why out of

the U.S.

Emergency money – $50 recommended (don’t carry a lot of cash on you in Haiti)

Fundraising Efforts ($2,000 in 3 weeks prior to departure) Attend Training Meeting (good job) Copy of your plane ticket Copies of documents for Volunteer Coordinator in US & Haiti In-Country Manager:

- 2 photocopies of Passport- 2 photocopies of airline ticket- 2 photocopies of driver’s license- 2 photocopies of credit card (if using in Haiti)- 2 photocopies of international coverage health Insurance

For International Students: 2 copies of your special documents

ImmunizationsImmunizations Immunizations (as you desire) 4 weeks prior

to departure and a record of:- Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG)- Hepatitis B- Malaria Pills- MMR- Typhoid- Tetanus-Diptheria- Measles- Polio

You really need to get You really need to get immunized – the immunized – the consequences could be consequences could be unpleasantunpleasant

What to Pack:* pillow /flat sheet* towel

* sunscreen* mosquito repellant (Jungle Juice is 98% DEET/ use at least 35% / more protection required at night) * comfortable shoes * comfortable work wear

* at least one pair of long pants/sleeves for mosquito protection* a skirt / shirt and tie for Sunday meetings

* swimsuit* entertainment: games, books, music, etc.* just to be on the safe side, try to limit any valuables (cameras are encouraged, of course)* note: Limit electronics, but voltage/plugs are the same, if it’s necessary

** See more complete checklist in Volunteer Handbook**

Please Note: Carry your personal belongings in your carry-on and 1 piece of checked luggage, and reserve your 2nd piece of checked luggage for transporting used clothes and donated hygiene kits. Information regarding where to pick up hygiene kits will be provided.

Word to the wise: Just in case your luggage is delayed or lost, pack your essentials(extra pair of clothing, toothbrush, etc. ) in your carry-on.

Departure and ArrivalLeaving the U.S.

◦You must get yourself to the airport in the U.S. – arrive early!

◦You’ll be travelling with other people from Sustain, so take care of each other

◦Everyone will be on the same flight from Miami to Port-au-Prince

Arrival in Haiti◦ Say that you are visiting Haiti as a tourist

(a tourist with a big heart, if they ask about the hygiene kits – we’re not anticipating any problems with this, however, to avoid the cost and hassle of getting work permits, please just say you’re a tourist, taking some time off from your schooling, work, etc.)

◦ Don’t declare anything in customs◦ Your group be met by an in-country

manager who will take you to Leogane

FundraisingGet your application in ASAPHave all checks made out to “Reach

the Children” with “Sustain Haiti, [Your Name]” on the subject line

You can check your donation status online

Flat $2000 for everyone - extra funds go to further project

Must have it in 3 weeks before you intend to depart

Make it happen!

Personal Preparation for Living and Working in Haiti

Warner Woodworth April 2010

WORKING EFFECTIVELY OVERSEAS:Training for Volunteers

Objective:

Help volunteers to identify ‘best practices’ for living and working effectively in Haiti

The Effective Overseas Volunteer

1. The Effective Overseas Volunteer:

Questions to ask yourself:

• What does working effectively overseas mean to you?

• Why does it matter?

International Knowledge

• Awareness of political, economic, geographic and cross cultural issues; your/their ability to deal, cope, or navigate in a different environment you are accustomed to.

* Your effectiveness as a volunteer will depend largely on the knowledge you acquire before and during your overseas assignment.

Traits to develop:

• Open-mindedness

• Sense of adventure

• Adaptability

• Patience

• Curiosity

• Communication skills

• Independence and resourcefulness

• Discipline

• Emotional stability and stress-coping skills

• Sensitivity to environment and to others

Myths about living and working overseas

• Exotic places, travel and fun!• It’s always warm there!• Maybe I will find my ‘novia or novio’…• Nothing bad ever happens to me.• __________ is a boring place to live. • Escape (problems, people, the law?)• I want to save the world and make a difference• Life is much cheaper there.

Ask yourself the hard questions:

• Why do I want to do this?

• What are my expectations?

It is ‘vital’ that you:

• Know ‘thyself’

• Evaluate your ability to adapt

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

LIVING AND WORKING OVERSEAS

Many of the challenges volunteers have will fall under one or several of the following categories:

Personal Issues (Pre-departure)FamilyFriends

Big Issues (Pre-departure/In-country)SecurityHealthPoliticsReligion

Culture Shock (In-country/re-entry)(see following slides)

FINANCES, HYGIENE, etc.

Finances-Budget and Plan your expenses, keep track of expenses and exchange rates.-Don’t carry large amounts of cash

Hygiene-Keep yourself clean, healthy and pleasant-Volunteers who are not healthy can’t work.

Other- Your country managers will take care of transportation- Uphold transit laws when you’re a pedestrian- Dress appropriately (you won’t need to dress up in Haiti)

CULTURE SHOCK: 4 STAGES

Honeymoon- Great expectations and positive outlook

Anxiety stage- Homesickness, Boredom, withdrawal (need to build a new social structure to replace the old one you left behind)

Rejection or Regression stage- Things don’t work! Anti-social, rude Some people never get past this stage, even after many years in-country

Adjustment stage-You find a ‘middle ground’ and ‘bicultural perspective’

*REMEMBER: The intensity of each stage varies and with every person differently.

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.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM VOLUNTEERING OVERSEAS

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.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM VOLUNTEERING OVERSEAS

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?Any Questions?Sustain Haiti!Sustain Haiti!