FAQs

How can I get involved?

We invite physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, orthotists, prosthetists, social workers, translators, support personnel, and people with experience in construction work to participate in our trips to Haiti. There are many other ways you can get involved as well. Check the Volunteer Opportunities page for a few ideas. Once you've decided what you want to do to help, complete the application form and mail or fax it to us or call us for more information.

What is the cost and what does it include?

The price of your airline ticket to Port-au-Prince is your major cost, which will vary depending upon where you live. Current room and board prices can be found at the Guest House section. Transportation packages in Haiti (to and from other treatment facilities as well as to and from the airport) range from $80-$200 per person for a 10-day stay. Medical teams are generally successful in covering portions of their expenses through fundraising efforts. It's hard to know exactly how much an individual's trip will cost, however, a ballpark figure would be around $1500. Keep in mind that the variable costs (immunizations, airfare, etc.) are the reason we can't really give a specific cost to your trip.

What can I donate?

The Haitian people need your time and expertise. Medical supplies and equipment, prosthetics and medicine are always in demand. Donations to pay for the clinic utilities and building maintenance are also needed. Visit our Wish List page for a list of in-kind donations we currently need.

What immunizations are required?

It is recommended that each medical team volunteer be current on Hepatitis A & B, tetanus polio booster, MMR, typhoid, malaria and meningococcal immunizations. Please visit with your local care provider to determine current requirements for traveling to Haiti.

Is a passport or visa required for the trip to Haiti?

A current and valid passport is required, however a visa is not.

What is the current calendar of medical trips?

Click here for the 2006 calendar of medical trips.

Can my expenses be written off as a charitable deduction?

Healing Hands for Haiti International Foundation is a 5O1(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and your donations are generally tax deductible as charitable contributions. For contributions of $250 or more, you must provide the IRS with an official receipt for the amount of your contribution. An official receipt will be furnished by Healing Hands for Haiti International Foundation. Please e-mail us at info@healinghandsforhaiti.org us for additional information.

How are the teams developed and how many members are on a team?

Teams are developed through word of mouth and recruiting on the part of the team leader. They will try to contact as many people as they can to find those who would be interested in going on a trip. There are typically 15-30 members on a team. If a team is larger than that, additional accommodations will be made, however the clinic room and board rate cannot be guaranteed for teams larger than this.

Can I join a team from another state or country?

Yes, many of our teams are from all over the US and Canada, as well as from other countries. Many times a team will consist of individuals from different locations. Keep in mind that when organizing a team, team meetings are used to get everybody on the same page. If you join a team from another state or country, arrangements should be made and coordinated with your team leader so you are updated or can somehow participate remotely with these team meetings so you are in sync with the rest of the team. It is also important for you to have some kind of electronic communication method so that you can be updated on a regular basis by your team leader.

When providing treatment in Haiti, do you also teach?

Every treatment opportunity is also an opportunity to teach. Because we also have a school in our clinic, there may be times when one of our students is observing your treatment or perhaps times when you will be providing treatment as part of a lesson they are to learn. Also, when we go to orphanages, there are care providers there that we teach constantly. We are typically at these orphanages for 1-2 days per month, whereas the care providers are there 24x7x365 and we need to take every chance we get to help them be better care providers. The more they know, the less drastic the situation is when we visit and provide treatment to these kids. More information about our education programs can be found at our Education Page.

Keep in mind that there are also teaching opportunities at Healing Hands for Haiti, which means you could come down separate from a medical team and actually teach a class in Haiti. Please contact us if you are interested in doing this.

I have medical supplies and other medical equipment to donate. How do I get these items to Healing Hands for Haiti International Foundation?

Please email us so we can make arrangements for your donated materials. Keep in mind that as a non-profit organization, it is not always feasible for us to pay for shipping of such materials to Haiti or to our corporate headquarters. If you live near one of the teams going to Haiti, it might be easier for you to contact them to see if they can transport the equipment and supplies to Haiti. Each team member is allowed to check 2 bags/bins up to 50lbs each. We typically take all our medical supplies in this manner. We occasionally send large shipments to Haiti, but these shipments sometimes spend 6 months to a year in customs which makes it difficult for us to get the supplies we need.

How do I start a chapter or team in my location?

If you're interested in starting a team to go to Haiti, please contact us and we'll send you information about starting your own team. We have a trip manual as well as many people who have been to Haiti several times, leading their own teams and they can help you get started.