INFORMATION FOR MEDICAL MISSION TEAM MEMBERS FOR LES CAYES, HAITI (revised 8/2/08)
WHEN: November 4-20, 2008
WHERE: Les Cayes is in the southeast of Haiti, about 120 miles from Port-au-Prince. It is the third largest city in
Haiti, with about 70,000 residents. We will see patients at Pwoje Espwa outside Les Cayes, at Charlotte, a rural
farming community, at Isle La Vache at Sister Flora’s orphanage on the island off Les Cayes, and possibly at the
prison in Les Cayes.
WHO: Athens Medical Group has partnered with Project Espwa, an orphanage for over 600 children near Les Cayes,
run by Father Marc Boisvert (website www.theoswork.org) to participate in a medical mission to Haitians deprived of
even basic medical care. Non-medical people can also contribute. Our long-term hope is to provide continuity of care
through a local physician and nurses, with a regular series of visits from members of our local medical community.
The Athens Medical Group has been supporting a Haitian nurse, Marie Geralde Baptiste, since November 2005 to
assist with continuity of care. Klinik Espwa is now open, with 2 nurses, 2 nurse assistants, and Dr. Jacob Baptiste. We
will have a group of Haitian medical students working with us from the Haitian Academy.
HOW: Team One will fly from Indianapolis to Miami on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 4, where we will meet
those team members who are flying out of O’Hare and we will stay in a Days Inn motel near the Miami airport, and
depart for Port-au-Prince early on the morning of November 5. Team two will leave Indianapolis on November 12,
arriving in Port-au-Prince on November 13, after a similar overnight stay in Miami. After clearing immigration, claiming
baggage, and clearing customs, we will meet the medical students, Vladimyr, Francise, Duval, and Merline, and will
either ride a taxi to a smaller airport nearby, where we will fly on a smaller plane to Les Cayes on a local airline called
Tortug’Air (which costs $150 per person RT), or we have the option of riding an air conditioned bus, which we can
charter for $750. There will need to be a bus for transportation of the baggage regardless. We will stay at the Guest
House at Project Espwa. Cost will be $40 per night per person for room and board (includes all meals and bottled
water). There is usually satellite Internet access at the orphanage, and they have local power with a generator for
back-up and a battery bank. There is no AC but they have fans. We request that your personal baggage be in your
carry-on luggage, which we suggest be a knapsack and a duffel or carry-on suitcase. We will use the checked
baggage allotment for 2 Action Packers, suitcases, or duffel bags with medical supplies and equipment per person.
These are limited to 50 pounds each, or an additional fee is assessed. We will have 1 or 2 packing sessions for the
medical equipment and supplies. We will return by flying on a small plane or taking the bus from Les Cayes to Port-
au-Prince, and then via American Airlines to Miami and then on to Chicago or Indianapolis, arriving late on the
evening of November 12 (Wednesday).
COSTS: Current airfare is roughly $425 from Indianapolis, and $325 from Chicago. The local airfare is $150 RT and
room and board is about $280. So the cost will range from about $700 to $850 for those leaving from Indianapolis.
The motel room in Miami is about $90 with tax, so if you share a bed and there are 4 in a room it is $22.50, and with 2
to a room it is $45. There should be few other expenses- tips, taxi between airports, travel meals, and sodas are all I
can think of. These costs are tax deductible.
PREPARATION: Checks can be made to Medical Mission South Haiti for your trip expenses, and are tax deductible.
Please realize that the ticket will be in your name, and cannot be exchanged for another person. If you cancel, there
will be a $100 fee assessed by American Airlines, and you will be given a credit for the remainder to be used on any
AA flight in the next year. I am requesting a deposit of $500 so that I may make your airline reservations.
Passport- if you don’t have one, apply now at the County Clerk in the Courthouse. You need a copy of your birth
certificate, a photo ID, and a 2x2 picture, which you can get at CVS or Walgreen’s. You may need to expedite this for
additional cost.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
Tetanus booster (within 10 years). Adacell is better as it includes pertussis booster.
Hepatitis A, 2 doses 4-6 months apart.
Hepatitis B, 3 doses, at 0, 1-2, and 6 months.
Typhoid, oral, (Vivotif Berna) 4 doses every other day, starting at least 1 month before trip. (I can give you a
prescription if you need one)
Polio booster, if appropriate.
Consider Meningococcal vaccine
Medications:
Chloroquine is needed for malaria prophylaxis, 500 mg weekly, starting 1 week before trip, and continuing 4 weeks
after trip. I have a supply of chloroquine for everyone.
Permethrine soak or spray for clothing. New military strength by Sawyer is available at Sportsmansguide.com.
DEET insect repellant: MaxiDeet by Sawyer and Ultrathon are good choices.
Sunscreen, 30 or greater.
Clothing:
Scrub tops and pants are fine. We have quite a few scrubs in Haiti already.
Clothing should be synthetics which will dry quickly. I would avoid denim and cotton.
Clothing should be conservative and not flashy or revealing.
Plan to wear long sleeved shirts and long skirt or pants in evening to protect from mosquitoes.
Swimsuit (one piece for women) - we will get one day at the beach.
Tennis shoes or walking shoes are good for work days and walking. Open-toe shoes are OK for travel days, but not
recommended for Haiti itself.
Keep jewelry to a minimum. A money belt would be a good idea.
Plan to bring clothing and personal items that you might want to give away before leaving. Bring a cheap towel for
shower and beach, and leave it behind.
Sunglasses and a hat are essential.
Language:
Haitian Creole is the primary language. Many people speak French, so if you have any proficiency, you might brush
up on it. We will have enough English interpreters for Clinic. I have a CD program for learning Creole and some
books, if you are interested.
Money:
Cash is best. Traveler’s checks will be hard to cash. One can get cash advance on credit cards at the banks in an
emergency. Basic unit is the Gourde. There are 5 Gourde to the Haitian dollar, and about 7-8 Haitian dollars to 1 US
dollar. We will get money changed in Cayes, and it is a good idea to carry Haitian currency.
Do not drink tap water!!! Bottled water will be readily available for drinking. Keep well hydrated. Use it for tooth
brushing also. No ice, and drink sodas from the bottle or can only. If it is not cooked and you can’t peel it, don’t eat
it. Use hand sanitizer liberally. Bring a small bottle with you to carry in your pocket. We will have antibiotics and
Immodium for traveler’s diarrhea if needed.
Travel insurance is a must. Your medical insurance does not cover you when out of the country. You will need
coverage for medical evacuation flights, which can cost up to $25,000. Go to TravelGuard.com. We will set up a
calling tree for communication with home. We have a Haitian cell phone, and we can purchase calling cards to call
home. There is satellite Internet available at the guest house.
Other:
A small flashlight is a good idea. (Or a headlamp, which is useful in Clinic)
Doctors should bring a stethoscope, otoscope, etc. Nurses should also bring their stethoscope. We will have plenty
of blood pressure cuffs.
Use travel size personal items to save space. We will save space in the checked luggage for liquids and toiletries- you
will need a small amount for Tuesday night at the hotel, since the baggage will be checked through to Port-au-Prince.
Remember that you can only take liquids or gels in a 3 ounce size or less, and they need to be in a small clear zip-
lock bag.
Extra camera batteries or charger and film are essential- don’t assume you can get it there.
Snacks are a good idea- if you don’t use them, you can give them away.
Bring a small roll of toilet paper for travel. The guest house will have it.
Travel alarm with batteries, or your cell phone, is a good idea. (Power can be intermittent).
Shower shoes/thongs might be a good idea.
Bring a fanny pack or knapsack- leave the purse at home.
Do not give out your phone number or email address in Haiti unless you are prepared to respond.
It is great to bring used clothing, etc., but be sure it is in good condition. People there love American items. Baseball
equipment, soccer balls, sunglasses, shoes, hats are very welcome. Dolls and stuffed animals and candy like suckers
are great for children in clinic. If asked, cash donations can be made to Medical Mission South Haiti. Other useful
items are reading glasses, anti-fungal creams, Frisbees, school supplies, etc.
BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND OPEN TO CHANGE
WHEN: November 4-20, 2008
WHERE: Les Cayes is in the southeast of Haiti, about 120 miles from Port-au-Prince. It is the third largest city in
Haiti, with about 70,000 residents. We will see patients at Pwoje Espwa outside Les Cayes, at Charlotte, a rural
farming community, at Isle La Vache at Sister Flora’s orphanage on the island off Les Cayes, and possibly at the
prison in Les Cayes.
WHO: Athens Medical Group has partnered with Project Espwa, an orphanage for over 600 children near Les Cayes,
run by Father Marc Boisvert (website www.theoswork.org) to participate in a medical mission to Haitians deprived of
even basic medical care. Non-medical people can also contribute. Our long-term hope is to provide continuity of care
through a local physician and nurses, with a regular series of visits from members of our local medical community.
The Athens Medical Group has been supporting a Haitian nurse, Marie Geralde Baptiste, since November 2005 to
assist with continuity of care. Klinik Espwa is now open, with 2 nurses, 2 nurse assistants, and Dr. Jacob Baptiste. We
will have a group of Haitian medical students working with us from the Haitian Academy.
HOW: Team One will fly from Indianapolis to Miami on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 4, where we will meet
those team members who are flying out of O’Hare and we will stay in a Days Inn motel near the Miami airport, and
depart for Port-au-Prince early on the morning of November 5. Team two will leave Indianapolis on November 12,
arriving in Port-au-Prince on November 13, after a similar overnight stay in Miami. After clearing immigration, claiming
baggage, and clearing customs, we will meet the medical students, Vladimyr, Francise, Duval, and Merline, and will
either ride a taxi to a smaller airport nearby, where we will fly on a smaller plane to Les Cayes on a local airline called
Tortug’Air (which costs $150 per person RT), or we have the option of riding an air conditioned bus, which we can
charter for $750. There will need to be a bus for transportation of the baggage regardless. We will stay at the Guest
House at Project Espwa. Cost will be $40 per night per person for room and board (includes all meals and bottled
water). There is usually satellite Internet access at the orphanage, and they have local power with a generator for
back-up and a battery bank. There is no AC but they have fans. We request that your personal baggage be in your
carry-on luggage, which we suggest be a knapsack and a duffel or carry-on suitcase. We will use the checked
baggage allotment for 2 Action Packers, suitcases, or duffel bags with medical supplies and equipment per person.
These are limited to 50 pounds each, or an additional fee is assessed. We will have 1 or 2 packing sessions for the
medical equipment and supplies. We will return by flying on a small plane or taking the bus from Les Cayes to Port-
au-Prince, and then via American Airlines to Miami and then on to Chicago or Indianapolis, arriving late on the
evening of November 12 (Wednesday).
COSTS: Current airfare is roughly $425 from Indianapolis, and $325 from Chicago. The local airfare is $150 RT and
room and board is about $280. So the cost will range from about $700 to $850 for those leaving from Indianapolis.
The motel room in Miami is about $90 with tax, so if you share a bed and there are 4 in a room it is $22.50, and with 2
to a room it is $45. There should be few other expenses- tips, taxi between airports, travel meals, and sodas are all I
can think of. These costs are tax deductible.
PREPARATION: Checks can be made to Medical Mission South Haiti for your trip expenses, and are tax deductible.
Please realize that the ticket will be in your name, and cannot be exchanged for another person. If you cancel, there
will be a $100 fee assessed by American Airlines, and you will be given a credit for the remainder to be used on any
AA flight in the next year. I am requesting a deposit of $500 so that I may make your airline reservations.
Passport- if you don’t have one, apply now at the County Clerk in the Courthouse. You need a copy of your birth
certificate, a photo ID, and a 2x2 picture, which you can get at CVS or Walgreen’s. You may need to expedite this for
additional cost.
IMMUNIZATIONS:
Tetanus booster (within 10 years). Adacell is better as it includes pertussis booster.
Hepatitis A, 2 doses 4-6 months apart.
Hepatitis B, 3 doses, at 0, 1-2, and 6 months.
Typhoid, oral, (Vivotif Berna) 4 doses every other day, starting at least 1 month before trip. (I can give you a
prescription if you need one)
Polio booster, if appropriate.
Consider Meningococcal vaccine
Medications:
Chloroquine is needed for malaria prophylaxis, 500 mg weekly, starting 1 week before trip, and continuing 4 weeks
after trip. I have a supply of chloroquine for everyone.
Permethrine soak or spray for clothing. New military strength by Sawyer is available at Sportsmansguide.com.
DEET insect repellant: MaxiDeet by Sawyer and Ultrathon are good choices.
Sunscreen, 30 or greater.
Clothing:
Scrub tops and pants are fine. We have quite a few scrubs in Haiti already.
Clothing should be synthetics which will dry quickly. I would avoid denim and cotton.
Clothing should be conservative and not flashy or revealing.
Plan to wear long sleeved shirts and long skirt or pants in evening to protect from mosquitoes.
Swimsuit (one piece for women) - we will get one day at the beach.
Tennis shoes or walking shoes are good for work days and walking. Open-toe shoes are OK for travel days, but not
recommended for Haiti itself.
Keep jewelry to a minimum. A money belt would be a good idea.
Plan to bring clothing and personal items that you might want to give away before leaving. Bring a cheap towel for
shower and beach, and leave it behind.
Sunglasses and a hat are essential.
Language:
Haitian Creole is the primary language. Many people speak French, so if you have any proficiency, you might brush
up on it. We will have enough English interpreters for Clinic. I have a CD program for learning Creole and some
books, if you are interested.
Money:
Cash is best. Traveler’s checks will be hard to cash. One can get cash advance on credit cards at the banks in an
emergency. Basic unit is the Gourde. There are 5 Gourde to the Haitian dollar, and about 7-8 Haitian dollars to 1 US
dollar. We will get money changed in Cayes, and it is a good idea to carry Haitian currency.
Do not drink tap water!!! Bottled water will be readily available for drinking. Keep well hydrated. Use it for tooth
brushing also. No ice, and drink sodas from the bottle or can only. If it is not cooked and you can’t peel it, don’t eat
it. Use hand sanitizer liberally. Bring a small bottle with you to carry in your pocket. We will have antibiotics and
Immodium for traveler’s diarrhea if needed.
Travel insurance is a must. Your medical insurance does not cover you when out of the country. You will need
coverage for medical evacuation flights, which can cost up to $25,000. Go to TravelGuard.com. We will set up a
calling tree for communication with home. We have a Haitian cell phone, and we can purchase calling cards to call
home. There is satellite Internet available at the guest house.
Other:
A small flashlight is a good idea. (Or a headlamp, which is useful in Clinic)
Doctors should bring a stethoscope, otoscope, etc. Nurses should also bring their stethoscope. We will have plenty
of blood pressure cuffs.
Use travel size personal items to save space. We will save space in the checked luggage for liquids and toiletries- you
will need a small amount for Tuesday night at the hotel, since the baggage will be checked through to Port-au-Prince.
Remember that you can only take liquids or gels in a 3 ounce size or less, and they need to be in a small clear zip-
lock bag.
Extra camera batteries or charger and film are essential- don’t assume you can get it there.
Snacks are a good idea- if you don’t use them, you can give them away.
Bring a small roll of toilet paper for travel. The guest house will have it.
Travel alarm with batteries, or your cell phone, is a good idea. (Power can be intermittent).
Shower shoes/thongs might be a good idea.
Bring a fanny pack or knapsack- leave the purse at home.
Do not give out your phone number or email address in Haiti unless you are prepared to respond.
It is great to bring used clothing, etc., but be sure it is in good condition. People there love American items. Baseball
equipment, soccer balls, sunglasses, shoes, hats are very welcome. Dolls and stuffed animals and candy like suckers
are great for children in clinic. If asked, cash donations can be made to Medical Mission South Haiti. Other useful
items are reading glasses, anti-fungal creams, Frisbees, school supplies, etc.
BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND OPEN TO CHANGE
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| from March 2008 Trip |