One of the most important elements of HBHH's work is that of missions. Our missions provide the opportunity for volunteers to not only provide help but also provide a presence that shows true concern for the people of Haiti. Those who are fortunate enough to go on a mission quickly learn that the life and spiritual lessons learned during mission experiences apply equally to the mission participants and the villagers.
Safety
Many of the questions people ask about our missions trip revolve around the question of safety. There is no question that the many news stories of violence and kidnaping have created the impression that travelling to Haiti is a risky venture. HBHH doesn't contest the accuracy of those reports or the fact that the State Department discourages U.S. citizens from travelling to Haiti.
However, HBHH does point out that the violence and kidnapping portrayed in those articles occured in Port-au-Prince, a city that is well removed from the mission locations of HBHH (see Map). It is the policy of HBHH to fly all mission trip participants into the Haitian city of Cap Haitian (see Map), from Ft. Lauderdale, on Lynx Airlines, a U.S. carrier. Cap Haitian has never experienced the violence or kidnapping activity of Port-au-Prince.
The mission trip team is met at the Cap Haitian airport by the priest of the village where the mission will take place. The priest and his assistants guide everyone through customs and immigrations, then the group is transported directly to their village by private transport and drivers. Within ninety minutes, the mission team is unpacking suitcases in the village, high up in the Haitian mountains. There has never been any instance of crime in those villages since our trips began.
Each mission is sponsored by Bishop Chibly of Fort Liberte as well as the the pastor of the village where the mission will take place. While HBHH fully funds the mission, the village parish uses those funds to supply transportation, meals and lodging for mission volunteers. HBHH directly hires translators to accompany each mission trip, although all mission team members are encouraged to learn some basic Creole before hand.
Types of Missions
To date, there have been three types of missions: Medical Missions, Young Adult Missions and Teen Missions. The Medical Missions are organized to provide enough medical personnel to local clinics so that a large number of people can be quickly seen, enabling the doctors to make good use of there time and medical supplies. Young Adult Missions focus on special projects such as agriculture projects (building a shade nursery), repairing old wells and correcting some of the erosion problems in the village. Teen Missions focus on labor intensive activities such as school repair where the energy of these young volunteers can make an amazing difference.
Location and Climate
Both types of missions take place in the mountain villages outside of Fort Liberte, in the northeastern section of Haiti (see Map). Compared to the lower elevations in Haiti, the climate in these mountains is much more temprate: 90's in the summers, cooling at night; 70-80's in the Fall and Spring, with sweaters needed in the evenings.
Skills and Activities
The Medical Missions need primary care physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare individuals who are knowledgeable about care, medicines and treatment procedures. The Teen Missions need teenagers, typically high school juniors or seniors, who have the maturity and interest needed to perform in third world conditions. HBHH Teen Missions also need chaperones who can travel with the teen group, provide leadership in project activities, and make certain that HBHH mission rules and regulations are followed at all times.