Volunteering Projects in Haiti

Haiti has long struggled as a turbulent and impoverished state.  It shares the Island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic: Haiti occupies the Western one-third of the island, and the Dominican Republic the remaining eastern two-thirds.  Haiti has approximately 9 million inhabitants with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming.

Volunteers will be working with children, youth and women within GVN’s two placement sites- Jacmel and Croix-des-Bouquets. Projects will vary for each site depending on the needs of the community. Currently both sites are offering opportunities for volunteers to teach adult literacy programs in addition to assisting with child care and child education programs for IDP (internally displaced people) camps near each placement site.

Depending on which placement you are assigned there might also be construction, rubbling (removing rubble), health care/health education and arts/crafts programs available. Please note that each placement is different and the aforementioned programs are consistently changing according to the needs of the community in question. Flexibility is a priority within each placement site.

To volunteer in the Haiti program you need to be 21 years of age or older.

Your specific project will be assigned during your orientation on your program start date. This is due to the dynamic nature of the situation at this time. Please note, that while we try to assign volunteers to the type of placement they are looking for, projects are assigned on a needs-related basis and according to your skills as per your application.

Volunteers will fly into Port au Prince and will need to arrive on the last day of the month if starting on the 1^st and the 14^th of the month if starting on the 15^th.

Long term volunteers are able to participate in different projects consecutively.  Each program is full time for 2 weeks. 

Most Haitians speak only Creole.  Some speak French and a few speak English. If you can speak French you will be able to get around – transport, shops, etc. If you are very fluent in French you should be able to understand some of what is being said in Creole. Our partners and program supervisors will speak English.  

Volunteers need to arrive ready to start the program on the 1^st or 15^th of the month.  Accommodation is provided from the 30^th/31^st or 14^th.

Volunteers will be accommodated in a secure compound. Volunteers will sleep in 1-2 person tents and will need to supply all their own bedding, from mattress to a sleeping bag, a mosquito net, a pillow and so on. Conditions will be extremely basic. Depending on your placement you will either wash using a bucket or normal shower and the toilets will be either pit/squat style or normal sit down style. Hot water for showers will be intermittent depending on the conditions of your camp but all placement locations will have access to a limited amount of electricity to charge cell phones/batteries etc in the evening.

Volunteers will be based in either Jacmel, located on the South-East coast of Haiti approximately 3 hours South of Port-Au-Prince or  in Croix-des-Bouquets, located 40 minutes  North of Port-Au-Prince.  Prior to your departure the GVN Country Coordinator will let you know which camp you will be placed at.

Placement sites within each placement will vary depending on the needs of the community. Volunteers can expect 20-40 minute walk from their accommodation to their placement site.   Alternatively you can get a moto taxi ride which will be at the cost of the volunteer.

There will be approximately 30 – 50 volunteers split between various projects.

Volunteers will have free time in the weekends.  There are beaches, and mountains for walking nearby to Jacmel.  The Dominican Republic is approximately 3 hours from Jacmel.

Haitians are predominantly Catholic.  It is also widely acknowledged that Voodoo (or Vodoun) is the true national religion of Haiti.  Volunteers will not be required to work Public Holidays.

This depends on your project. Volunteers are required to work for approximately 7 hours per day, 5 days a week with the weekends free. Often volunteers find, and enjoy, the fact that their days are considerably longer. Volunteers must be flexible if the number of hours they are asked to work each day are longer or shorter than 7 hours a day.

Volunteers should dress modestly.  Knee length or below the knee length skirts, loose-fitting pants, or jeans to the knee or longer, modest tops with sleeves or straps going over the shoulders are the best option for women. For men, long pants, jeans, three-quarter length shorts, shirts and tee-shirts are most appropriate. For the feet good walking shoes are a must for volunteering and sandals or flip-flops are useful for around the accommodation compound. If you are volunteering during the raining seasons a waterproof rain coat and gumboots will be needed.  The temperature is hot and therefore lightweight, breathable clothing is essential.

Staple foods include beans, rice, manioc/cassava, plantains, and sweet potatoes. Protein is usually found in the form of chicken, fish, or goat, often prepared in a tomato-based sauce. Treats include fruit such as mangoes, sweetbread and rapadou – a nutritious paste made from sugar cane.

Yes, you can indicate in your application form if you are vegetarian.

The in-country fee covers 3 meals a day during your placement. We recommend you bring enough money to cover your time in Haiti in US dollars.  This will cover any personal spending and extra snack food purchases.  Volunteers should bring extra money to cover the costs of transport for personal use, and between the accommodation to the project if desired. 

People from most nationalities will not need to apply for a visa prior to their arrival in Haiti; it will be issued automatically when you arrive at the airport in Port au Prince. This includes those from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You will need to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival.

The people are very warm and friendly towards foreigners, so you will be well looked after. Volunteers should follow safety guidelines provide by GVN and the in country coordinator.  Volunteers should travel in groups and not walk around, either by yourself or in a group, at night.  Volunteers should register with their embassy on arrival.

 All volunteers must complete a police check prior to arriving in Haiti and must bring in the original police check/clearance to orientation in Haiti.

Haiti has a warm, humid, tropical climate. This varies somewhat depending on altitude, however in Port-au-Prince the average temperature ranges from 23˚C   (73˚F) to 31˚C (88˚F). There are two rainy seasons, April-June and October-November, while the lowlands and the northern and eastern slopes of the mountains often experience heavier rain throughout the rest of the year.  Lightweight, breathable clothing is essential.

MMR,Tetanus (essential), Polio, Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, TB (for medical volunteers only), Cholera, and Malaria

Optional: Rabies

 Other illnesses to be aware of are Dengue Fever and Malaria.  Malaria is prevalent throughout Haiti and is spread by mosquitoes.  Please seek the advice of a physician for an anti malarial that will protect you.

Additionally: Prior to your departure to Haiti you will be required to obtain a letter from your physician stating you have been cleared medically to volunteer in Haiti. This letter will be collected at the first day's orientation.

 Any donations would be appreciated especially school materials, note-books, pens, pencils, teaching materials, world maps things to decorate the walls, etc.

Resources for teaching, child care, construction etc. are extremely difficult to locate in Haiti due to the economic and social repercussions of the earthquake. Therefore, it is highly appreciated and recommended for volunteers who want to participate in a specific field (such as teaching, child care, construction etc) to bring any resources they have available.

Volunteers in this program are required to be over the age of 21.  Due to the conditions on this program children will be unable to attend.

Yes,  groups can participate in this program – please contact us for details.

Each GVN program has different criteria depending on our partner's requirements. Every application is reviewed to ensure that the minimum requirements (as set out on the program page) are met. Next we look to see what skills or experience you have that relate specifically to the program. We are also interested in any previous volunteer experience you may have (either local or international), travel experience, and your particular interest in the program.

After reviewing your application, should we require any further information from you, we will email you to request this.

No, volunteers come from all over the world.

All GVN Volunteers must have insurance. You are free to take out insurance cover through any provider of your choice. However, as some policies do not cover volunteering, we recommend you check you are covered during your volunteer placement.

For your convenience we have arranged a comprehensive package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as “loss of deposits” cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc. If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/insurance/

You will be required to send your travel insurance details to the Haiti Country Coordinator prior to your departure to Haiti. You are also required to bring your details with you to Haiti.

Approximately one third of travelers to developing countries become ill as a reaction to contaminated food or water. While volunteering, you should monitor your own health so that you can see a doctor right away if you show signs of illness. In the case of malaria, it is much easier to treat when you detect it early.  In the event of requiring medical treatment you will be given guidance from the in country coordinator.

It is highly recommended that you visit a travel doctor for your vaccinations and appropriate medicines (including anti-malaria medicine) prior to your departure to Haiti. Once you have paid your application fee you will be sent an information packet that contains additional information regarding what over the counter and prescription drugs you should carry with you to Haiti.

Your application fee secures your place on the program (remember this is fully transferable to a later date or different program if you decide not to take part in the program, subject to the terms of service). Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 8 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer. Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer’s expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Eighty percent (80%) of your program fee is refundable until one calendar month before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program. Refer to GVN's legal terms of service for full details.