Contact us

Thank you for your response and upcoming participation in missions to Haiti with Restoration Ministries Haiti. The following information in this packet is designed for the leader and team members to help you better plan your trip and prepare yourselves for your experience in Haiti. Please read carefully and if you would have any further questions, contact us. Thank you.

TRAVEL PREPARATIONS
FINANCES:

• Flights to Haiti: $600 -$800+ US
• Expenses (Transport, food, lodging) $50 -60US/ day per person
(Note: Transportation, food and lodging will be arranged for you in Haiti.)
• Personal needs, souvenirs Bring extra cash
• Project expenses Usually $1,500- $3,000+ US
decided by team leaders
• Exchange rate 7.5 HTG= 1 U.SD (subject to change)
• The Haitian currency: Gourdes; 5 gourdes to 1 Haitian dollar.
• Travel with: American dollars for ease of exchange

The total cost for your trip will depend on the length of stay, and what kind of work you will be doing.

FLIGHTS:
There are a number of avenues to use to book your flights to Haiti. Booking online usually provides the most reasonable rates through sites such as www.expedia.ca, www.expedia.com, or www.orbitz.com, or through a traditional travel agent.

The main airlines that fly in and out of Haiti are American Airlines and Air Canada. Westjet now also offers flights to Fort Lauderdale, FL from which then you can connect to another airline to Port Au Prince, Haiti (PAP).

MEDICAL:

Required:
• Anti-malarial (optional)
• Two prescription options: Chloroquine or Mefloquine.
Start one week before you leave, once a week on the same day each week and continued for four weeks after returning from Haiti.
• Natural alternatives: Black Walnut, Demal 200, and Wormwood
Each of these are taken daily, starting a week before you leave. They are immune builders to fight off any parasitic attack.
• Updated booster & Typhoid shots
• Check with your local travel clinic for other suggestions beyond these.
Suggested:
• Water purifier, such as Aerobic Oxygen- purifies water, as well as vegetables etc.
• Multi-vitamins or another immune builder

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

For entry into the country you will need:
• a passport.
• a notarized parental consent form, If you are under 18 years of age.
• US visa is required to enter Miami.

LUGGAGE:

• Two checked bags at 62 in/157 cm, 50 lbs/32 kgs each
• One carry-on bag at 45 in/114 cm plus a small personal item
• Most airlines charge $100 each bag that is overweight, oversize or excess.
• Clearly mark all of your personal and team luggage to make them easily recognizable.

WHAT TO BRING:

• dress clothes
• dress shoes
• modest swimwear
• towel & washcloth
• sun block SPF 30
• insect repellant
• antibacterial gel
• hat & sunglasses
• camera & film
• Bible & notebook
• snacks (chocolates not recommended)
• water bottle
• flashlight and batteries
• vitamins
• running shoes
• shampoo/condition
• soap
• anti-malarial
• sandals with good soles for walking
• casual summer clothes
• set of sheets to leave
• small first-aid kit
• band-aids
• pain reliever
• bite ointment
• antiseptic
• Pepto-Bismol
• Anti-diarrhea
  

DRESS:

We ask that you please respect these guidelines closely, as it will have a great impact on how you relate to the people in their culture. Haitian Christians are very modest and by the way you dress you can either offend or respect them.

For work or relaxed times:
• Jeans, shorts, T-shirts, runners or sandals, hats, bandanas & sun glasses
• Long swim shorts
• Please no tank tops, Speedo’s or muscle shirts
  For church:
• Dress shirt or golf shirt, slacks and dress shoes or sandals
• Jackets & ties are not required, but preferable

Women:
All times:

• We require all women to wear skirts or dresses below the knee
• T-shirts, blouses, sandals, bandanas, hats, and sun glasses
• Modest swimwear w/shorts
• Please NO tank tops, belly shirts, low-cut tops, bikinis or short skirts
  Exception:
• Long shorts or Capri’s are allowed for hard labor work times
• We prefer shirtsleeves to be mid-bicep length or longer for church services

Laundry is washed by hand. If you want to wash your own clothes you can, or you can pay one of the ladies in the mission to wash them for you.

THINGS TO COLLECT FOR HAITI:

On your trip there may be a specific focus for things you are to bless the people. You can ask individuals, businesses or stores for donations of the following types of items.

clothes
shoes
toys
school supplies
sports equipment
toiletries
plastic dishware
vitamins
medical supplies
tools
teaching materials (French)
ESL materials
building supplies
French/Creole Bibles
French/English dictionaries
linens

HOUSING:

General:
• On the mission compound (speaking by faith), or a guesthouse in town (cost included in exp.)
• If traveling in more rural areas, be prepared for no plumbing, running water or electricity. Outhouses and bathing with a bucket of water is common place.

Always have your own soap, roll of toilet paper and hand sanitizer on hand.

Alternate arrangements:
• Guesthouse or bed & breakfast $30-$50 US, may include one meal
• Hotel $70-$100 US, meals not included.