DiscoDadda wrote:Got an "opportunity" to go to Haiti... Church Mission Trip... Decided to go... I am pretty handy with a hammer and screw gun... afterall.
Third world country advice from more wordly travellers?
Disco
Been to Haiti five times over the past two years. Here's some advice:
First, it is common for Haitians to believe that it is the requirement of Christians to share with those who have less than they do. In other words, you, being an American and a Christian, obviously have more than anybody you'll meet, and therefore you should be willing to provide for their needs/requests. Furthermore, as a Christian, you should give expecting nothing in return. You WILL be asked for money, stuff, or something. If you do anything or give anything to anyone, I promise you that the rest of the people will find out, and then you are in real trouble. If you want to donate/give-away stuff, give to the pastor on your last day and let him distribute.
Second, the recommended malaria med (according to CDC) FOR HAITI is chloroquine which is taken once a week starting a week before travel and extending 4 weeks post-travel. Avoid Mephaquin for malaria as it induces psychotic episodes. Some doctors prescribe malaria meds costing hundreds of dollars. You can get effective malaria meds from Publix for free.
Third, most people are scared of malaria or cholera as those can kill. What people rarely tell you is that they are 99.5% not deadly for healthy people. You really have little to fear from either. In my opinion, the sickness I fear the most in Haiti is dengue fever. It's nickname is "the bone-crushing disease." This is because it feels like your bones are being crushed inside your body. It probably won't kill you; it'll just make you wish you were dead. The best malaria/dengue fever preventative is GOOD, consistent use of mosquito spray. Take an antibiotic prescription with you over there. If you get sick, there aren't any pharmacies nearby. Realize that your doctor may prescribe the antibiotic Cipro for you to take to Haiti. It's is a powerful antibiotic, but you cannot get sun exposure once you take it, and that can be a challenge in Haiti I personally take a Z-Pack (Azithromycin).
Fourth, the sun comes down at a sharper angle than in the US and will cook you twice as fast. Put on sun screen and bug spray everyday when you put on deodorant in the morning. Beware heat stroke. In my opinion, it is way more dangerous than malaria or cholera. It is not even close.
Fifth, people say the language in Haiti is Creole, but I only speak French and was able to communicate with 96% of the people I met. French is the language of the education system. Creole is primarily bastardized French with some Spanish and African language slang thrown in.
I hope this helps.
Truth is worth finding and life is too short to work for money.
