Living Water Christian Mission

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

Before coming to Haiti you will need to submit the following:

• A completed and signed application form (which has been approved and scheduled)
• $500 per person to the forwarding agent (unless other arrangements have been made with Salonique)
• Confirmation of airline reservation

Please note:  If you are coming with a team, all donations and applications should be sent together by your team leader.

PASSPORTS:

You will need a passport to enter Haiti. Please make 2 photocopies of your passport identity page and give one to your team leader and leave the other with someone at home just in case of theft or an emergency.

CURRENCY:

You must travel with American currency. While in Haiti, American currency can easily be exchanged into Haitian currency. Visa cards are only accepted at some hotels and at one modernized grocery stores in Port au Prince.

HEALTH:

We encourage you to check with your physician before traveling to Haiti. You need to have your tetanus booster updated if it has expired. It is up to you and your physician to decide whether or not to take Malaria medication or other immunizations. Please request a prescription to treat travelers’ diarrhea.  It is common sense to have travel insurance for your trip.  TravelGuard is recommended.   

PACKING TO GO:

The airline allows one free 50-pound suitcases and one carry-on bag per person. If you wish, you can bring one suitcase full of articles you will need for your stay and you may fill the other suitcase with supplies needed for the ministry in Haiti.  The second bag usually costs $40 extra.

Personal items you will need:

• Lightweight cotton clothing is strongly suggested
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Bible
• Modest swim wear 
• Sunscreen
• Backpack with an insulated water bottle
• Flashlight and batteries
• Toiletries (i.e. shampoo, soap, etc…)
• Mosquito repellent
• Camera
• Band-Aids, Tylenol, Imodium, Gravol, Benadryl
• Outfit for church service. Formal attire for church, according to Haitian Culture.  No shorts, jeans, or short skirts.

In the Haitian culture, ladies generally wear dresses or skirts all the time. Men must wear a shirt at all times. Pants are preferred but modest shorts are acceptable for men except in church.  Ladies may wear shorts around the house.

We also ask our visitors not to smoke or drink alcohol during your visit. Due to the Haitian culture and their beliefs, we request males remove all body piercings. It is believed that men with piercings are thieves and women with extra piercings are prostitutes or witches. Women are allowed earrings but excess piercings must be removed. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

YOUR ARRIVAL IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI:

While on the plane you will receive a customs/immigration card and upon arrival at the airport you must pass through immigration. When passing through immigration the card that you received will be processed there.

On the customs/immigration card you will need to fill out the address of where you will be staying in Haiti. Please put this address in your wallet or with your passport for your convenience. For security reasons please keep this address confidential and do not give it out to people you may meet in the airports, on the planes, or while we are in Haiti:

• Address:  #7 Ave des dates, Ruelle Sajous, Gonaives, Haiti
• Phone: 011-509-3767-5951

Salonique will generally meet you at baggage claim and hire men to assist us in claiming our baggage and will transport our luggage through customs inspection and outside to the vehicle. Before exiting the airport it is often required to hand in luggage claim tickets to a customs officer.  DO NOT give away these tickets until all the luggage has been retrieved.

PURCHASING CRAFTS & PHOTOGRAPHY:

Customs has advised us not to purchase or touch any goatskin items. Goatskins carry diseases and will not pass through customs.

We ask you refrain from purchasing the following two items which are used in voodoo practices:

• A statue of an old man with a pipe, leaning on a stick
• Voodoo drums

You are welcome to take pictures and video while on the trip. However, we advise you to ask the Haitians permission before taking their photo.

 TRIP COSTS:

You will be responsible for:

• Your own Airline ticket
• Travel Insurance
• $500 per person for trip budget and donation to help further charitable programs.  The amount needed for trips doing large projects will be discussed with Salonique.
• You will be required to pay an airport exit tax when leaving Port au Prince Airport.  The cost is $10 per person.
• Souvenirs and spending money for food at Airports are also your responsibility.

We thank you so much for your interest in our ministry. We want to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Every individual has different expectations, personalities and talents. Please share your trip expectations with us. We’ll work with you the best we can to try and make your visit to Haiti an enjoyable memory.