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Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation


Group on Work Retreat

What kind of trips do you offer?

Did You Know....
 
 
  • Only 90 minutes by air from Miami, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

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  • The average trip is 6 days long and brings participants to a variety of sites including our hospital and Mother Teresa'a Homes.

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  • Haiti is the third hungriest country in the world. Work Retreat participants develop a true appreciation of the impact this rating has on peoples' lives. Children often go days without eating.


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    The Foundation brings groups of individuals on 6-day Immersion Trips and 8 to 10-day Work Retreats to experience the third world. Participants come from all walks of life and help in whatever way they can, sharing knowledge, goods, service, and experience with the poor. They also serve a vital role in transporting supplies to the hospital from the U.S.

    For a list of trip dates, click here.
    Please note that not all trips have space available.

    Contact information for other potential volunteer sites in Haiti may be found here.

    Are all groups the same?

    Each trip is different, depending on the interests and skills of the participants. Some groups are focused on hospital support, others on educational and community projects, but always the emphasis is on experiencing Haitian life, on reflection and the sharing of impressions and discoveries. Participants from every walk of life are welcome. We live simply in Haiti, dormitory style, in clean quarters at the hospital. Communal meals are simple and wholesome. Water for washing etc. is often scarce. We drink bottled water only. In addition to work days, time is set aside for excursions into the countryside. The drive from the capital to the mountain village of Fond des Blancs averages about five hours, over roads that are often severely eroded.

     A SAMPLE ITINERARIES: 

    8-Day Trip

    DAY 1----Arrive in Port-au-Prince and travel to Fond des Blancs
    DAY 2----Unpack medicines, tour Hospital Compound, volunteer at Home for the Elderly
    DAY 3----Work at St. Boniface Hospital/Witness poverty in the local community. 
    DAY 4----Friday-Work at Hospital/Market Day/visit Women's Cooperative
    DAY 5----Saturday-Community Meetings/Immunization Clinics
    DAY 6----Sunday-Mass/visit outlyinng chapels/travel to beach
    DAY 7----Leave early for Les Cayes/Work at Mother Theresa's/Fr. Mark's Orphanage
    DAY 8----Travel from Les Cayes to Port-au-Prince and then fly to U.S.

    6-Day Trip

    DAY 1----Arrive in Port-au-Prince and travel to Fond des Blancs
    DAY 2----Tour St. Boniface Hospital, visit outdoor market and Bee Co-operative
    DAY 3----Visit Housing Project and Fishing village
    DAY 4----Visit Queen of Peace Home for the Elderly, walking tour of Fond des Blancs
    DAY 5----Return to Port-au-Prince, visit Mother Teresa's Home for Children
    DAY 6----Return to the U.S.


    How Does One Prepare for a trip to Haiti?

    The Saint Boniface Haiti Foundation encourages prior study, whether of Haitian history, culture, or a brief introduction to the Creole language. (Only about 15% of Haitians speak French, far fewer are familiar with English.) Some Work Retreat groups gather for regular study and sharing meetings for months before departure. A list of books relating to Haiti is available here.
     

    GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
      COST--The cost is $1,250 (8-day) and $950 (6-day) for room and board, transportation while in Haiti, and airfare. Reservations are made through the Foundation, and checks should be made out to: St. Boniface Haiti Foundation, Inc. and mailed to 14 Pond Lane, Randolph, MA 02368. A deposit of one half the fee is due two months before departure and the ballance before the actual departure date. You may wish to bring some extra money for gifts, etc. $100 would be sufficient. People are often moved to make a gift to help alleviate some situation they encounter in Haiti. Cash or a check would be appropriate in this situation after checking with the group leader.
    • PASSPORTS----are required and may take a month to be processed. Those who are not American citizens need to check with their country's consulate to see if a visa is required.
    • IMMUNIZATIONS----We suggest an update on Tetanus, Typhoid shots or pills, Malaria pills (Chloraquin), and Hepatitis A immunizations. Please contact your doctor well in advance of the trip.
    • TRAVELLER'S DIARRHEA---Some physicians recommend taking Bactrim or Cipro prophylactically. Others recommend bringing it to take at the onset of a problem. Lomotil,(loperamide hydrochloride), may also be used to control the diarrhea.
    • PRAYER---We view our whole trip as a working prayer. Opportunity for Mass and prayer is planned in each day's schedule. In the evening we reflect on the events of the day.
    • MOSQUITO PROTECTION---Be sure to bring and use a good mosquito repellent is important day and night. Mosquitoes are a source of Malaria and Dengue fever.
    • WATER---We use only bottled water for drinking. Extra care is needed not to use local water for brushing teeth. It is a good idea to bring a canteen or water bottle to carry water with you each day. Water is very precious in Haiti. We try to use it very sparingly. You will be able to shower most days. Much depends on the amount of rainfall they have had.
    • ACCOMODATIONS---We stay at a residence at out hospital compound. The accomdations are clean and simple. The food is carefully prepared for safe consumption.
    • INCONVENIENCES---Things do not work in Haiti the same way they do in America. Power outages, water shortages, and transportation delays can be a source of annoyance and inconvenience. Pilgrims who approach such situations with a spirit of joy, adventure and patience fare very well.


      • THINGS TO BRING
    • Hat or scarf
    • Mosquito Spray
    • 2 Towels, 2 wash cloths, bathing suit
    • Snacks, hard candy
    • Women wear skirts or sundresses in Haiti. Shorts may be worn in the evening. Men wear long pants. No very short skirts or spaghetti straps.
    • Sunscreen
    • Flashlight
    • A refillable plastic water bottle.
    • Lightweight clothing, sandals, sturdy shoes.
    • One outfit for church (not sleeveless). People dress very nicely to go to Mass.


      LUGGAGE
      You are allowed 2 checked bags weighing a maximum of 50 pounds each, and 1 carry-on bag. We ask that you try to use at least one suitcase for supplies for the people of Haiti. Also, bring 1 set of twin sized sheets to leave behind. They need not be new. If you need supplies to fill your suitcase, please call us. Because of new governmental restrictions, we are unable to carry medicines to Haiti.