Frequently Asked Questions about joining a relief team to help at Danita’s Children
Danita’s Children Relief Effort FAQ
What airport will I fly into?
The airport that we recommend that you fly into is Santiago, DR. The airport code is STI. The distance from Santiago to the Haitian/Dajbon border is 2.5 hours. Danita’s Children is located in Ouanaminthe, near the border town of Dajbon, D.R., in the northeast portion of the country to Haiti. The border opens everyday at 9 a.m. and closes everyday at 5 p.m. The only exception is on Sundays when it closes at 3 p.m.
When should I arrive/leave?
Once your application has been accepted, Danita’s Children Relief Team Coordinator, Sheree, will help you strategize the best arrival and departure dates based on the current relief effort needs. If you have any specific schedule limitations, please list these on your original application.
When should I book my tickets?
Once your application has been accepted, Sheree will give you the green light to book your airline tickets and help you strategize arrival and departure dates in order to coordinate with other relief team members. Please DO NOT book your plane tickets until your application has been accepted and you have coordinated the flight details with Sheree.
What travel documents are required?
When traveling to Haiti you must have a passport. You are not required to obtain a visa. It is advisable to have your immunization record in your possession when traveling to Haiti. Before you leave the United States, make 3 copies of your passport/health records. Leave one copy at home and carry one with you in your luggage.
While on the airplane and before you arrive at immigration at the Santiago airport, you will be asked to fill out a form. There is a section that asks you to put your address in the D.R. In the name section please write Hodelpa Centro Plaza. In the address section please write Calle Mella #54, Esquina El Sol/Santiago, D.R.
What kind of medication/vaccinations do I need?
Danita’s Children recommends that all missions team members and visitors have all their immunizations up to date. It is at your discretion to obtain malaria medication for your trip but it is highly recommended. You should have an up-to-date tetanus shot. Dantia’s Children recommends that you visit the US Center for Disease Control website, www.cdc.gov for the most current recommendations for malaria preventions and immunizations for visitors to the D.R. and Haiti.
Medicine: Please be sure you have enough of your personal medications or prescriptions for the duration of your trip.
Medical Attention: If while you are staying in Haiti, you should require medical attention, there are hospitals in the D.R. These hospitals are well run and we have many connections with several doctors at various hospitals and clinics should there be a medical emergency. You will be responsible for all financial expenses involved in your medial care and treatment should it be required.
Will there be transportation to the orphanage?
Yes. Staff from Dantia’s Children will arrange your transportation to and from Santiago to the orphanage.
In addition to the airline tickets, what will the costs be?
Hotel in Santiago (2 nights in hotel, one upon arriving, one upon returning): $75/day
Meals in Santiago on your travel days: $25/day (restaurants near hotel)
Lodging and meals while in Haiti: $35/day to cover food and lodging in Haiti
Additional Expenses: $100/person (one-time fee that covers costs for the team activities in haiti - taxi’s, fuel, medical supplies, the hiring of cooks, drivers, etc. - this also includes any gratuities)
Border Fees: $56/person (one fee covers the entirety of the trip)
What are the living conditions at the orphanage?
Because you will be coming into a “crisis” situation, living conditions are unpredictable. The Danita’s Children compound will be setting up temporary housing for the new children coming in – most likely the relief team workers will be sleeping in the same conditions as the children, on the floor of the church/school or in some similar scenario. Please bring your own sheet and towel.
What kind of work will I be doing?
Again, because of the crisis nature of the situation, your specific ministry role is yet to be defined. Most likely the primary need will be caretaking for the 100-200 newly orphaned children being brought into the orphanage.
What should I bring?
-Active wear appropriate for hot weather and outdoor activity with kids
-Sunglasses/hat
-Tennis shoes
-Flipflops for shower
-Church clothes and shoes (women wear dresses or nice pants; men wear slacks and nice shirts/no flipflops or sleevless tops)
-Shoes appropriate for walking
-Sunscreen and aloe
-Bible and journal (pen and pencil)
-Toiletries
-Bug spray with DEET
-small first aid kit
-Kaopectate (anti-diarrhea medication)
-towel and washcloth
-bedsheets
-flashlight and batteries
-small bag to carry money and personal docs
-hand sanitizer
-water bottle (we have clean water on the property so you can refill your bottle)
-watch
-camera
-alarm clock
-personal medication (anti malaria meds)
-travel pillow/earplugs/sleepmask (optional)
-if you want to pack snacks take items that will not melt or spoil (granola bars/protein bars work well)
Contact Information:
Should your family or loved ones need to contact you in an emergency while you are on your trip, they can call the stateside office of Danita’s Children located in Orlando, FL. The number is 407-805-9532 or email usoffice@danitaschildren.org. After office hours and on weekends in an emergency, the DC field coordinator can be contacted at: 809-352-0745 or 809-968-1102. This DC field coordinator’s phone number is for emergency use only.
Other Information:
Travel & Medical Insurance: If you become sick should you require medication, hospitalization, or a doctor visit you are responsible for your own expenses. Team members are required to buy short-term medical insurance with air evacuation coverage for this purpose. (www.insuremytrip.com or www.imgloabl.com for further info) The usual cost for this type of insurance is approximately $3/day.
Gifts/Money/Used Clothing: Please do not give money and/or gifts to any of the locals, children or staff, as it makes it difficult on the mission team leaders after you leave Haiti. If you feel compelled to give money or gifts, please do it through your trip coordinator. This is for your safety. If you would like to leave such things as clothing, shoes, tools, etc please give them to a team leader or trip coordinator – they will divide them among those who need the items the most.
Internet and Computers: We have internet access intermittently at the compound and it is only available for emergencies.