This document provides information and guidelines for volunteers going to Haiti to work with Sustain Haiti. It outlines expectations for safety, work, living arrangements, and pre-departure requirements. Key points include: volunteers must always buddy up; work will involve projects like clean water, sanitation, gardening and more; living conditions will be basic with limited amenities; volunteers are expected to fundraise $2100 and submit required documents in advance; and the experience will require adaptability, commitment and focusing on partnerships with local communities.

1. Sustain HaitiPre-Departure Training

2. Preparation

3. What’s the best thing you can be doing to prepare to go to Haiti? Read the Handbook

4. Remember why you are going: This is not “Humana-tourism.” You are going to work and to change lives

5. Project Expectations

6. Safety - #1 Priority! Buddy system at all times No travelling, working, or playing alone Women don’t go anywhere without a male No being out at night Real safety concerns Security – there will be guards Do not ask for exceptions!

11. Sanitation/Hygiene training

12. Square-foot Gardening

13. Micro-financing ventures

15. “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 BYU Faculty Member/ Adviser

16. Standards You’ll be expected to abide by every standard in the BYU Honor Code Appropriate dress & grooming Modest appearance, etc. No dating - anyone Clean language http://saas.byu.edu/catalog/2010-2011ucat/GeneralInfo/HonorCode.php

17. Living Arrangements We will be living in a house in Leogane, Haiti No running water Limited electricity No on-site internet access (but it will be available nearby for communication)

18. Food All food will be provided Let them know about dietary needs (allergies) Most meals (breakfast & dinner) eaten as a group You’ll get a food/incidental allowance each week as needed We’ll also have a local cook which means real Haitian food…

19. SO DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FOOD!!

20. Any Questionsso far?

21. Pre-Departure Requirements

22. Checklist: (See Handbook)Must be completed prior to departure! Some key points though: Final sum of $2100 submitted two weeks before departure Valid Passport and traveling documents Signed and submitted Liability Waiver Traveler’s Insurance ISIC Card – cheaper alternative if you register as a student

23. Fundraising No formal fundraising program will be initiated through Sustain Haiti to fund your expenses, you may personally fundraise in any way that you wish Have all checks made out to “Reach the Children” with “Sustain Haiti, [Your Name]” on the subject line $2100 for each volunteer Must have it in 2 weeks before you intend to depart

24. Traveling Documents Copies of documents for Volunteer Coordinator in US & Haiti: - 2 photocopies of Passport - 2 photocopies of airline ticket - 2 photocopies of driver’s license - 2 photocopies of International Insurance Remember we need TWO photocopies of each document

25. Immunizations Get immunizations at least four weeks prior to departure for: Hepatitis A or Immune Globulin (IG) Hepatitis B Malaria Pills MMR Typhoid Tetanus – Diptheria Measles Polio Note: Cholera is a disease contracted by ingesting filthy water, there are no immunizations for it, Cholera will not be an issue at all if you eat and drink well.

26. Get your immunizations and Be Careful or you could turn out looking like this guy…

28. Lots of Shorts

29. Sunscreen

30. Water Bottle

31. Flashlight

33. Luggage Have as much in your carry-on as possible Plan for one checked bag. Additional Bags will cost you money.

34. Arrive early to the airport in the U.S. International flights require you to be there much earlier than normal

35. Procedure for Arrival Do not leave the states without the set of Haiti phone numbers When you arrive at the PAP airport, get your bags They will check your passport and you will go to an outdoor area. Don’t let ANYONE carry your bags for you STAY IN THE FENCED IN AREA, DO NOT PASS THE SECURITY GUARDS UNTIL YOU SEE RONY!

38. Procedure for arrival cont’d If you don’t see Rony after five or ten minutes, go back inside and make a call (If you pass the guards, you can’t go back in) Have enough in your suitcase to last you 3 days.

39. Thoughts from Dr. Woodworth

40. Many Volunteers will go through the following stages when working in a new environment: Rejection of the new environment Trying to change the ‘system’; thinking they are wrong and I’m right, my way is right. Realizing the importance of taking a step back, trying to understand, and figure things out. Realizing they must work with ‘it’ and chill Are open to change and learning opportunities, understand they’re taking BIG steps forward

41. 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. 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. It’s more than a ‘job’. It is a job, plus citizen participation, plus personal growth. 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. 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.

42. LESSONS LEARNED FROM VOLUNTEERING OVERSEAS 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. 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. 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.

43. 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.

44. Any Questions?Sustain Haitiinfo@sustain-haiti.org