Information Slideshow

This informative slideshow includes photos of the job site, details of our project, and info on how you can help, as both a donor and volunteer.

Our Partner in Haiti

Chances for Children has been working in Haiti for six years, caring for orphaned children, sponsoring students to attend school, empowering women to create an income of their own, and most recently providing community services for the village of Kenscoff. Lake Union Crew Outreach Foundation is partnering with Chances for Children to build the community center component of C4C's community development project. This community center will house a clinic, a micro-finance artisan program, vocational training classrooms, and housing for clinic and teaching staff.

Work Description

Our volunteers work hard, there is no doubt.  But with hard work comes the exhiliration and reward of progress, partnership, accomplishment, and tired legs!

You arrive in Port-au-Prince on a Wednesday and travel by van with us to Kenscoff, which is 10 km southeast of Port-au-Prince. The volunteer work week runs Thursday - Tuesday. Volunteers arise for a 5:30am breakfast, begin working at 6am, have 1.5 hours off during the day, and work until 5pm or later depending on the day’s tasks. These requirements apply to all volunteers of all ages.

Haiti volunteers must be skilled in construction work AND/OR must be able to perform demanding physical labor 9+ hours per day, such as: haul concrete block (25 lbs); shovel dirt; push wheelbarrows of concrete (50 lbs); shovel dirt; dig post holes; and shovel dirt. Really.

The successful (and happy :) volunteer is fit, mature, (silly is good), cooperative, patient, follows directions, and LIKES TO WORK. The Haiti 2012 project is at an altitude of about 5,000 ft.  That said, you don't have to be an Olympian (even though we've had two Olympians volunteer on past projects :), you just need to be prepared for and capable of physical labor, all day.

Volunteer Requirements

• Volunteers 18 and older must complete a background check. This is a requirement of our partner, Chances for Children. Washington State residents will complete a State of Washington Background Check.  Volunteers who live outside of Washington State will complete an FBI Background Check.
• No drinking, smoking or drugs are allowed at the jobsite or in the volunteer housing.
• Fitness is essential as volunteers are on their feet, working hard, all day.

Cost

The registration fee covers round-trip transportation from the Port-au-Prince airport to the Kenscoff job site, lodging, food and bottoled water. Volunteers are welcome to participate for as many weeks as there are spaces available.

• $450 for first week
• $300 for each additional contiguous week. Should you leave and return, requiring additional transportation, the fee is again $450.

Registration

Registration for Haiti opens at 9pm PST on Sunday, November 13, 2011.

The Haiti 2012 project lasts 10 weeks, from March 14, 2012 through May 23, 2012. Volunteer spaces go quickly, so check the space availability chart below to make sure the week(s) you want are available.  Volunteer slots are assigned on a first come, first served basis.

1. Complete the online Registration form.
2. Upon confirmation of your registration, complete and submit the Adult or Minor waiver form.

Volunteer Spaces Available

The chart below shows the number of spaces still open for each type of volunteer - cook, unskilled, and skilled-in-construction.

*If you like to cook for a large (up to 12 people), hungry and appreciative crew, this invaluable volunteer slot is for you.
** Contact us to confirm you qualify as a volunteer skilled in construction.

Accommodations

The volunteers housing is next door to the construction site. We are staying in an oprhanage which also houses the children who will benefit from what we build together. The children occupy the top floor of the orphanage and the volunteers will stay on the ground floor. Rooms are spartan, clean and comfortable, and volunteers sleep up to 4 to a room. There is a flushing toilet and a shower. Electricity is typically available but can be sporadic depending on storms. Cell phone reception is available, and internet is expected to be available. The orphanage is currently under construction and is scheduled to complete in January, 2012.

Scheduling Your Flight

Volunteeers participate in the group transportation from the Port-au-Prince airport to the project. Volunteers are expected to arrive in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, between 7 am and 4pm.  Volunteers are returned to the Port-au-Prince airport between 7:30am and 8:30am on Wednesday, depending on flight schedules of those arriving and departing. Departing flights out of Port-au-Prince should be scheduled accordingly.

Health Information

Immunizations: Check with your doctor or a travel medicine clinic to ensure you are properly immunized. Some immunizations are a multi-shot treatment delivered over several weeks or months, so check into this early.

Medications: Cholera and malaria exist in Haiti. Check with your travel doctor for details. We do recommend you bring something like Ciproflaxin, which is used to treat bacterial infections.

Food: Sorry, we cannot accommodate special diets.

Health Insurance: Prior to departing, check your health insurance coverage while out of the country. Different plans can have different or no coverages, so be smart and safe and make sure you know your coverage before you go.

Packing List

Here you'll find useful packing tips and a customized packing list to use as you prepare for travel. Keep in mind that the week onsite is very casual. You will need mostly work clothes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and more answers will be posted shortly.