VBS/Medical Short-term Team Preparation

Haiti is a rugged and challenging country! And if that is true of Haiti in general, it is even more so for the island of Lagonav. Travel around the island of Lagonav will include riding on very bumpy, dusty (or muddy), poorly-kept roads over which only a 4-wheel drive vehicle can maneuver. The walking paths are also uneven and rough. Those who sign up for this mission trip need to be in excellent health and of a sturdy constitution. If you have any recurring back trouble please talk with us before committing to the team. You must be willing to do some personal study on Haiti, be ready to work, and pray regularly for the trip.

IMPORANT: Cholera

Haiti has recently been under threat of cholera with over 4,500 deaths and many more infections since October.  Cholera is an easily preventable and treatable disease.  This link to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website is a helpful primer.  We drink and cook with treated water so there is very little danger.  We do not eat food off the street that an transmit the disease.  In the unlikely event someone contracted cholera we have access to medical treatment.  Currently the disease is not endemic to our area though it is spreading throughout Haiti.

Team Leaders

An important note for those of you leading teams.  If you are organizing the trip on your own you also need to read on.  Two important details need to be taken care of for all those traveling on a short-term team to Haiti.  First, ensure you have purchased medical evacuation insurance.  This is necessary in case some medical emergency requires you to be flown out to the United States for treatment.  Please call David Nakhla, Short-term Missions Coordinator at the OPC head office to sign up your group.  The insurance is not very expensive but necessary.

The second item is to register your group with the State Department.  This weblink will take you to the State Department website where you can complete the registration.  This will let them know you are traveling to Haiti in case any unrest requires your evacuation.

Passports

If you do not already have a passport, you will need to apply for one well in advance of the trip. The current waiting period is at least 4-6 weeks, so you should apply as soon as you sign up for a trip to Haiti. To obtain a passport for the first time, you may find out more information at: http://travel.state.gov/index.html

When arriving in Haiti you will be asked to fill out a Customs/Immigration form.  These will be made available on the Port-au-Prince segment of your flight.  It will ask for an address and contact while you are staying in Haiti. Here is the information:

Benjamin Hopp/Km 61 Rte Ntle #1/Kaliko Beach, Haiti/Tel: 3-755-3050

Inoculations

Haiti is a tropical country and therefore has various diseases that we are not familiar with in the United States and Canada. Be sure your normal inoculations are up to date. Especially check your tetanus vaccination.  Check with your doctor or local tropical medicine clinic for the vaccinations and medications you will need.

Malaria is endemic to Haiti and a real danger though not life threatening when treated in a timely fashion. We recommend you get anti-malaria pills that you will take once a week (1 week before, during the trip and 4 weeks after). Most people have no problem with taking cholorquine and then the chance of getting malaria is zero.

There are several inoculations you will want to consider getting. Typhoid fever is another disease carried by mosquitoes in Haiti. The inoculation is a pill you take several times and guards you against the disease for 5 years. This is highly recommended.

Hepatitis is also a problem. Hep A is a waterborne disease and inoculation is required. Hepatitis B is spread through blood. Contact is less likely, but if you are planning on coming regularly or traveling to third-world countries often it is recommended. The easiest way to ensure you have all the shots is to visit a travel clinic, tell them you are traveling to Haiti and they will let you know what they recommend for your situation.

Since from time to time people experience “extreme intestinal discomfort” we recommend bringing along Imodium and Cipro. You can get Imodium over the counter and Cipro is a prescription you can get from your doctor. Benadryl is also a good idea particularly if you react to insect bites.

• Malaria prophylaxis - must have
• Hepatitis A - must have
• Hepatitis B - recommended
• Typhoid - must have

*** One other note.  Please do let us know if you have any food allergies or other medical issues so we can plan appropriately.

Money

All costs on the ground including food will be taken care of through funds given to the Haiti Mission to cover said costs.  No need to bring extra money. You may want to bring some small bills for carts at the airport ($2 each) and a snack or drink in the airport on the way out.  You can also bring small US denomination bills to purchase souvenirs.

Electronic Devices

While you might want to consider leaving behind you electronic devices because we don’t always have power to charge them, you can bring them. Many people have found their US cell phones work for emergency use. We do have internet service at the house in Kaliko and may have ability to check e-mail on the island from time to time. You will be able to make a couple brief calls home during your stay here. If people want to contact you in an emergency they can call us at 215-780-1697 or try my cell phone in Haiti at 011-509-3-755-3050.

Clothing

Light, comfortable, summer cotton-clothing is best. Modest dress is preferred in the general Haitian culture, but this is especially true among Haitian Christians.

*Shoulders must always be covered.  No tank tops.*

1. Travel to/from Haiti on airplane – pants/jeans and t-shirts/poloshirts are fine.
2. In Haiti when outside our Kaliko home or Lagonav guest house:
   • skirts/tops for girls
   • long pants/jeans/short-sleeve shirts for guys
3. At Kaliko home or Lagonav guest house:
   • modest shorts/t-shirts are acceptable
4. For Sunday church services:
   • skirts/tops for girls
   • long pants/collared shirt for guys (tie if you would like)

All team members are expected to willingly and joyfully adapt to these Haitian cultural standards of modesty so that we do not cause offense to the Haitian people. Please do not bring or wear expensive watches or jewelry during your stay.

Here are some details on types of clothing to bring. Remember that it will be hot and humid during the day and cool off only slightly at night. No sweaters or jackets required!

Men

• pairs of light-weight or cotton casual pants
• grubby pairs of pants/work shorts
• nice T-shirts or light sport shirts
• grubby T-shirts for working
• one dress shirt for church (a polo-style shirt is okay)
• pairs of nice shorts
• swimsuit
• water shoes (for rocky beaches)

Women

• light-weight dresses or blouse/skirt combination
• pairs of modest shorts to wear in the evening
• several T-shirts or light blouses
• one-piece/two-piece swimsuit (no bikinis)
• water shoes (for rocky beaches)

All

• bedding including sheets & pillow – mattresses are full size
• underclothes for each day - plus a couple extra just in case!
• sturdy shoes and socks for walking
• flip-flops (for the shower) and relaxing after hours
• sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
• Cipro and Imodium for intestinal issues
• towel
• personal hygiene needs (soap, deodorant, etc.—mini-sizes) now they must be in a quart ziploc
• small flashlight/headlamp, extra batteries
• PASSPORT!
• small Bible, pen
• anti-Malaria pills (chloroquine)
• bug repellent (we use Sawyer which is great and long lasting)
• one roll of toilet paper
• camera
• souvenir money (best to bring small denomination US$)
• personal water bottle (we will drink treated water)
• hand sanitizer (wash hands frequently)
• ear plugs (these REALLY help to sleep through the nights which can be noisy!)
• small backpack for carrying items on out trips
• a willing spirit and an ability to be flexible!