Planning a Mission Trip to Haiti

You’ll Need a Passport

You must have a current passport. Apply for a new passport six to eight weeks prior to making your mission trip. Processing time for a new passport varies depending on the U.S. State Department’s workload and other circumstances. During busier times, such as the summer travel season, the State Department encourages you to expedite your passport application if you are traveling in less than 10 weeks. Contact the nearest post office or county court house for an application and mailing information. You must have an original birth certificate and two passport photos to apply for your passport. These photos can be obtained from some drug stores, photo shops, or Wal-Mart.For comprehensive information about passports, the passport application process, and other important details visit the U.S. Department of State International Travel website.

Haiti Landscape

Shots, Immunizations & Medications

When traveling to Haiti and other countries, it’s advisable to protect yourself from medical risks. For health information on traveling to Haiti, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and their Health Information for Travelers to Haiti. For a checklist and additional health information on vaccinations and travel, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Disease Directory.

Luggage

On most airlines you can take one check-on pieces of luggage that will go into the airplane’s storage compartment. Luggage is limited to 62 inches total for length/ width/height and a maximum weight of 50 lbs. Each. (Check to make sure of restrictions as they change regularly.) Trunks (footlockers) pack much easier and better protect the contents. You can also use large pieces of luggage instead of trunks. You cannot lock your luggage on the plane. Use plastic ties to keep them from opening during travel (only after airport security checks them). You can usually carry one or two small pieces of luggage or backpacks onto the plane. They must fit under your seat or in the overhead compartment. Consider carrying a backpack for use throughout Haiti for snacks, personal items, camera, etc.

Suggested Backpack Items

(Check with airlines; typically only 3 oz. size or smaller liquids are allowed and should be together in a quart-size ziplock bag.)

  • Airplane Tickets
  • Book for Travel and Down Times
  • Camera (or smart phone)
  • Change Of Clothes
  • Lip balm
  • Eye Drops
  • Extra Batteries
  • Gum
  • Small pack of tissues
  • Hat
  • iPod or Tablet
  • Liquids (All must be in a separate clear Ziploc bag.)
  • Medicine
  • Passport
  • Rain Jacket with Hood
  • Small Bible
  • Small Bottle of Hand Sanitizer
  • Snacks
  • Sunshades
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle
  • Writing Pens
Suggested Checked Luggage Items
  • Roll of toilet tissue to leave at Guesthouse
  • Small Alarm Clock (or smart phone)
  • Bible
  • Books for down time
  • Bug Repellent
  • Camera (or smart phone)
  • Cap/Hat
  • Lip balm
  • Dirty Clothes Bag
  • Ear Plugs – (optional for street noise, dogs, roosters, etc. at night)
  • Flashlight (small)
  • Flip Flops or Sandals (for shower)
  • Journal
  • Lock for Luggage (while away from guesthouse)
  • Medicine
  • Passport
  • Photocopies (in all pieces of luggage with phone number)
  • Personal First Aid Kit with Imodium (for upset stomach) and headache relief
  • Rain jacket with hood or poncho
  • Soap and Soap Dish (or Ziploc Bag)
  • Shoes—Old sneakers or shoes for work, nice pair for church
  • Snacks (dried fruit and granola bars, raisins, crackers – nothing that melts)
  • Swimsuit (one-piece only, ladies/ no “Speedos”, men – Only bring if an excursion to a beach or pool is planned.)
  • Sun Block
  • Sunglasses
  • Toiletries
  • Washcloth
  • Water Bottle- labeled with your name
  • Ziploc Bags
Work Clothes

Men

  • Shorts or work pants (jeans are usually too hot)
  • Pants for evening or church Polo shirts – something nicer than T-shirts

Ladies

  • Dresses or Skirts below the knees, or Culottes (Haiti’s Christians don’t approve of ladies in pants or shorts)
  • Dresses or Skirt and Blouse.
  • Pants/Shorts for use at the guesthouse in the evening

Men & Women

  • T-shirts or Collared Shirts (something you don’t mind leaving behind)
  • Ball Caps or Hats for Sun Protection
  • Work Shoes (old sneakers)
  • Bandanna to keep sun off neck
  • Sweat Towel (small)
  • Casual and Church Clothes
  • Shoes (comfortable walking/work shoes and nice shoes for Sunday (sneakers are ok)
  • Hat or Cap (for riding in the back of a truck and sometimes working in the sun)

Have Questions?

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Haiti Under God

Haiti Under God is a Christian organization sharing the love of God through education and the pursuit of sustainability while changing the lives of the Haitian people with the good news of Jesus Christ.

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Haiti Under God, Inc. is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity established as a South Carolina non-profit corporation.