📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Volunteers For Peace is organizing this project directly with the local community, our Clean Water for LaVallee volunteers, and a community drum and dance club.
Clean Water for LaVallee is community group supported by VFP with the goal of installing Bio-sand Water Filters in all 58 schools in LaVallee. In addition to installing the filters they train Community Health Promoters (CHP) and Youth leaders in areas of health,water and the environment.
This project will be led by local Haitian leaders supported by VFP Executive Director, Megan Polyte.
💼 What the programme involves
This project aims to provide volunteers with deep and personal exploration of the Haitian culture, build awareness about water related issues and serve to abate those in the local community, talk about environmental challenges and support local efforts to address them by gardening with youth, and raise awareness about violence to women and girls and create a dance with local artists as part of the One Billion Rising campaign. This is a cultural exchange project and volunteers will be expected to share their culture, music, art and activities with Haitian communities and schools during their visit.
Volunteers will be working closely with leaders and educators of Clean Water for LaVallee to:
Educate the community and especially kids about the importance of clean water
Help improve water issues and the environment by planting trees
Paint murals at schools where we have filters to celebrate our collaboration
Volunteers will support the community by volunteering in the local library and assisting on other community based projects.
Volunteers will raise awareness about violence toward women and children by creating a dance with a local drumming and dance troop. Volunteers and local dancers will perform this dance at the local market.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will stay in the TCHAKA Inn for the first night. This inn is located in Port au Prince and is a safe and exciting way to experience the city and compare it to the area you will serve.
In LaVallee you will stay at the Prag Hotel in Ridore. This is a simple hotel,owned by a former Mayor and Judge of LaVallee. In both locations two, typical Haitian meals will be provided each day. All volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with meal preparation and to learn about local foods.
📍 About the location
LaVallee is a beautiful and rural region about 60 miles south west of Port au Prince. You will quickly become members of the community and much time will be spent engaging in cultural activities and exchanging information with those you meet. Opportunity to attend church, visit the local markets, and explore the region will be provided.
We will provide you with lots of opportunities to learn about Haiti on this trip including a basket weaving lesson, movie on the history of Haiti, visit to the hospital, library, and police station, opportunity hear local drummers and maybe even see the dancers, and a day trip to the city of Jacmel and the local beach.
You will learn a lot about water and water related challenges on this project, visit the school and see how Biosand Filters are made and learn how they work, help to install some filters in a school, witness first hand why trees are important to keep water in the soil, and even try carrying some water on your head!
ℹ️ Additional information
We welcome families, volunteers under 18 years old, and groups into this project. Option to stay an additional week if you would like an extended trip.
Volunteers must be self-motivated, eager to engage with the people of LaVallee, and physically able to participate.
Volunteers with dance, video, or WASH experience very welcome!
We can accommodate early arrival or later departure upon request.