ADVOCATE Program
Coming to Haiti with Advocate Program? Click here for travel documents including Advocate Program description.
Purpose
The purpose of the ADVOCATE Program is to team up people from the U.S. and Canada with Haiti Partners to help Haitians change Haiti through education for students, teachers, leaders and disciples.
The Need
Haiti’s educational situation was dismal BEFORE the earthquake. With an estimated 4,000 schools destroyed, a generation could be lost if major measures are not quickly taken. Haitian churches are also important centers of education, and they’ve faced incredible loss. This could be one of the most compelling needs and opportunities, on a national level, of our lifetime.
Strategy
Host in Haiti small groups of people (3-4) who have either decided to partner with Haiti Partners as Advocates or who are seriously considering doing so. Haiti Partners Advocates:
- Visit Haiti on an initial trip.
- Serve as an Advocate for 3 years—and longer if you love it!
- Visit Haiti again within 3 years (each Advocate covers his/her own costs-see below).
- Advocate for Haiti Partners at your church, community groups and/or company.
- Become a Change for Haiti Partner ($30 per month commitment) and help recruit at least 5-10 new Change for Haiti Partners each year.
- Attend a Haiti Partners event each year.
- Add Haiti Partners’ links to your blog/website (if applicable), join Haiti Partners online community (Facebook group, Twitter, etc.).
- Participate in several conference calls each year, including in preparation to travel to Haiti, so Haiti Partners can hear your ideas and you can hear how the work in Haiti is going. We want YOU to help shape this program and the ADVOCATE Trips.
Philosophy and Practice
Partnerships grounded in humility, mutual respect, shared learning, reflection and action are key to long-term sustainable change (not to mention to personal growth!).
ADVOCATE Trips
- 4-5 days with travel, 3-4 nights in Haiti
- Itinerary includes: spending time with students, teachers, and parents at Learning Centers, meeting with Haitian business and government leaders, and group reflection.
- Specific group goals/project: Each group of Advocates will develop, with help from Haiti Partners’ staff, a project and a set of goals prior to the trip that engage the expertise and interests of the group.
- Cost: $125-$150 a day (does not include airfare to/from Haiti) [This cost includes Lodging* (w/ Internet access) and three meals, Transportation and Interpreters.]
For More Information
Email: info@haitipartners.org, Phone: 772-539-8521
*Lodging is in the home of John and Merline Engle–”Bellevue Guest House”–located in mountains 3 miles outside of Port-au-Prince. It’s safe and secure and withstood the earthquake. Tucked away in the trees and with an elevation of 2,400 feet, temperature is usually 10-15 degrees cooler than Port au Prince. The setting and view are beautiful but the home, which is not complete, still has rustic aspects. There’s 24 hour a day electricity and wireless internet but no running water. Guests share a room and there are also tents beside the home. The cuisine is Haitian-Creole/international. Click here to see photos of Bellevue Guest House.
Click here for travel documents including Advocate Program description.
