Haiti Advantage - FAQs
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What will a volunteer do?
Volunteers with the Advantage Program will work alongside the staff in the hospital, rehabilitation clinic or shop, a vocational training program for persons with disabilities, a nearby Mother Teresa home, or in a mobile clinic. The mobile clinics are conducted with medical doctors or nurse practitioners. Treatment is given as appropriate and persons needing more extensive care are identified with arrangements made for follow-up as needed. In addition, the Advantage Program works alongside other agencies providing medical care in Les Cayes.
Where will we stay? Volunteers stay at a guest house within walking distance of the clinic. Beds & linens, good food, clean drinking water, and (most of the time) running water & electricity. Can others sponsor my trip? Yes. Others can provide financial aid to pay for your trip expenses. Contact Medical Teams International to find out how. What if I get sick while we are there? Volunteers will be working at a hospital and outpatient clinic where there are medical directors, a surgeon and nurses. Volunteers should bring with them all prescription and non-prescription medications. You should bring a few band-aids and simple medicines (Imodium, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol, and Benedryl). You must alert Medical Teams International if you have special medical needs. The pharmacy at the hospital/clinic is well stocked with basic medicines (analgesics, NSAIDS, steroids, antibiotics, anti-hypertensives, etc.). The volunteer coordinator will assist you with purchasing emergency medical evacuation insurance, which can be purchased for a very low fee. How can I let my family & friends know about this project? One of the best ways to inform others about your upcoming trip is through a personal letter. You can use bits & pieces of this information sheet to create a personal letter. What do I need to take with me?
You will need a small personal backpack, water bottle, small flashlight (with one set of replacement batteries), one small pump bottle of bug spray, personal toiletries (small amount; only the amount needed for the trip), a small towel (for the beach), surgical scrubs for working in the clinics, a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of sandals, bathing suit, small bottle of sunscreen, small notepad (for journaling), clipboard and ink pens. Please do not take T-shirts that have advertisements (particularly for alcoholic beverages or ones with questionable logos). The guest house has pillows, linens, and bath towels. The Haitian people “dress up” when they come to the clinic and go to church or other social events, so do have at least one casual dressy outfit (men: khaki pants, shirt, tie preferred; women: dress/skirt that does not expose the shoulders and comes close to the knee in length).
Ladies: While working in the clinic, you should wear scrubs or a scrub top and loose fitting capris or a skirt. You should take at least one conservative dress (or skirt) of knee length or longer. When working in the clinic, your shoulders should be covered. You may wear conservative shorts and sleeveless tops for the leisure times at the guest house. Most of your shirts should have at least cap-sleeves. Please do not take spaghetti strap or mid-drift tops. All scrubs, pants, dresses and skirts should fit loosely.
Men: The “preferred” attire for men is long pants and shirts with sleeves. You may wear scrubs or khaki/jean pants anytime. Around the guest house, you may wear shorts. Please wear shirts/T-shirts with sleeves.
Can I call home or can my family contact me while we are there? Many cell phone data plans with an activated international (global) feature work in Haiti, but are often expensive to use. If you need to contact someone by phone, the Advantage Program staff can assist you to do so, at your own cost.
There may be access to an Internet phone while we are there, but the Internet phone does not always work. If someone needs to get in touch with you, they can call Medical Teams International who will in turn make sure that the Advantage Program staff are alerted to communicate with you.
The Internet system works most of the time, so personal emails can be made, if you have a personal laptop with you or if you share one with someone.