Trip Description:
On January 12th 2010 an earthquake measuring 7.0 rocked the small country of Haiti destroying everything in its wake and forever changing the lives of those it left behind. Port au Prince was one of the hardest areas hit in the country and contains the largest numbers of people displaced by the earthquake. Over one million families are living in makeshift tents assembled with leftover wires and posts scoured from the rubble of nearby fallen buildings. In February last year, Make A Difference traveled to Haiti to see first-hand how it can help the Haitian people to forge ahead in the relief and rebuilding efforts. In our travels there, we met with key leaders of the Haitian Red Cross in order to set up relevant and timely projects to meet the needs of the victims of the earthquake. The director of the Haitian Red Cross was eager to partner with Make A Difference and grateful for those "who would come from so far away to help." Since then Make A Difference has completed 3 trips to Port au Prince. This June, Make A Difference will bring another group of volunteers to Haiti to continue assisting in the relief effort.
Project Dates: TBD
The team will gather in the JFK airport on Saturday 6/25 and return on Saturday 7/2. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the airport.
Cost: TBD
The transportation & program cost for the week trip is $1350. This amount covers airfare from JFK to Port au Prince, food, lodging, transportation, professional leadership and sightseeing while in Haiti. Airfare is included in the price. All participants are required to bring personal safety gear (gloves/eye protection). Participants will also want to bring spending money for snacks and other personal purchases.
Fundraising Request: $250
Make A Difference asks that you help participate in raising money for materials & supplies by raising at least $250. Donations made directly to the organization are tax deductible. Please make sure that your donors include your name so that we may credit you for your fundraising efforts. If necessary, we can provide you a form letter to send out to your friends & family.
Flight Information: Delta Airlines
We have a group rate for airfare on Delta from JFK airport.
Departure: JFK-PAP, FL#699, 9:50am - 12:55pm
Return: PAP-JFK, FL#692, 2:05pm - 7:30pm
If you will be flying from outside the NYC area or are using airline miles please contact us and we will deduct the cost of the airfare ($523) from the program cost.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required for entry into Haiti. There is no visa requirement for holders of a U.S. passport. A free tourist card is also required. (available upon arrival in Haiti) There is a $17 US exit fee due upon departure that is not included in the trip costs.
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The Project:
Our projects will be aimed toward making a difference in the lives and living conditions of the people of Port au Prince who suffered severe losses after the earthquake. Working with the Haitian Red Cross our main project will be working to clean up and re-establish the standing remainder of an orphanage that was almost demolished by the quake. Tasks will consist of debris clean up and removal and if our time allows, we will also begin construction on the half of the orphanage that was destroyed. You do not need any prior construction experience. You will be taught everything you need and want to know by a team of experienced builders and architects.
On every Make A Difference trip if you so choose, there are ample opportunities to learn from, play and work with the adults and children in the area who would be directly affected by our efforts. Our accommodations are nearby to one of the many refugee camps in the city so there will be many possibilities to create positive interactions with the Haitian people on a daily basis. In these camps, you can also fulfill any number of roles such as debris removal, shelter construction, or food and water distribution.
Lodging/Food:
We have reserved a block of rooms at a small hotel in the Delmas section of Port au Prince. The Hotel Habitation Hatt is one of the few hotels that survived unscathed and the rooms are in high demand. As such, there will be approximately 4 people per room. Everyone will have a separate bed, mattress or cot. www.habitationhatt.com
This hotel is where the NBC news crew was securely stationed while in Haiti during the media coverage of the earthquake aftermath. We have hired a few local cooks to prepare safe & healthy meals for us and a driver and translator for transportation and location needs.
Who Can Attend:
This project is open to everyone over 18 willing to challenge themselves and make a difference in other communities. No special building skills are required, we will teach you what you need to know just bring a willingness to try.
Medical Information:
Trip participants should take sensible precautions. There are basic health clinics through-out Port au Prince but supplies are short. Additionally temporary volunteer medical tents set up after the quake will see international volunteers. Malaria is present in Haiti and so we recommend that you consult your doctor so that you will know what precautions to take. You can find more information by going to the Center for Disease Control's website at www.cdc.gov
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