Our youth group is going to Haiti for a missionary group. I think this is a wonderful experience, however there are many downsides. For one, to me, i’d have to get a passport and get alot of shots and miss a week of school. That would be tons to catch up on since i have a lot of homework anyways. dont get me wrong, the people there really need help. we’d be building things, teaching children sunday school, and cleaning up, but theres too many downsides. would you go?
Are you sure this is still on? THIS IS A BAD IDEA.
Read about the trouble two church workers got into: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34958965/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake/
There is no place to stay. There are no toilets. There is very little electricity.
Think about what you would need:
If you went for 10 days, you would need a gallon of water for each day. A gallon of water weighs about 8.5 pounds. That’s 85 pounds of water.
You would need your own food. Figure a pound of food a day. 10 pounds.
You would need a sleeping bag and a tarp. 8 pounds.
A mosquito net–mosquitos carry malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases. 5 pounds.
How about a first aid kit? 2 pounds.
Clothing? 10 pounds.
So, you have more than 100 pounds of supplies _just for yourself_ to lug around destroyed streets, in 80+ degree heat, surrounded by stinking, rotting corpses.
Don’t expect a motor vehicle to transport you.
Your health insurance is not valid in Haiti. If you break a limb, you would go to the end of the line for treatment. If it were an open break and became infected, the current treatment of choice is _amputation_, because of the lack of antibiotics.
#1 by Augman on April 28, 2010 - 2:14 am
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If you have opportunity, you should go. Unless you are striving for a 4.0 GPA in school, you can make up the work and get good enough grades to pass for that week. The big trick will be getting a passport. Depending on when the trip is planned, you may need to express the passport, costing a bit more. Having a passport is a plus, not a downside. If you ever plan to travel outside the country in the future, might as well get the passport now.
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#2 by XC on April 28, 2010 - 2:54 am
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1. The passport will be useful besides this trip as chances are you’ll leave country on pleasure or otherwise. Getting it isn’t too much of a hassle since the main thing is just waiting for it to come.
2. The shots may be a hassle but they’ll keep you safe. Also just like number one it will come in handy in the long run if you ever consider leaving the country again.
3. The week of school also shouldn’t be too bad either. You can talk to your teachers or the principal about make-up work, and if they have half a heart they’d be happy to help you. They may initial say your main priority is school but obviously you’ll be rebuilding lives which is in my opinion more important than sitting in a dungeon all day.
Even though it may seem like I’m telling you to go just realize that it’s your choice. I too would hesitate as Haiti is in ruins right now and I’m used to living in a normal city. Whether or not you should go is something you should discuss with people you trust.
References :
#3 by Mary O on April 28, 2010 - 3:14 am
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Are you sure this is still on? THIS IS A BAD IDEA.
Read about the trouble two church workers got into: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34958965/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake/
There is no place to stay. There are no toilets. There is very little electricity.
Think about what you would need:
If you went for 10 days, you would need a gallon of water for each day. A gallon of water weighs about 8.5 pounds. That’s 85 pounds of water.
You would need your own food. Figure a pound of food a day. 10 pounds.
You would need a sleeping bag and a tarp. 8 pounds.
A mosquito net–mosquitos carry malaria, dengue fever, and other diseases. 5 pounds.
How about a first aid kit? 2 pounds.
Clothing? 10 pounds.
So, you have more than 100 pounds of supplies _just for yourself_ to lug around destroyed streets, in 80+ degree heat, surrounded by stinking, rotting corpses.
Don’t expect a motor vehicle to transport you.
Your health insurance is not valid in Haiti. If you break a limb, you would go to the end of the line for treatment. If it were an open break and became infected, the current treatment of choice is _amputation_, because of the lack of antibiotics.
References :