My sons are taking a trip to Haiti....

[Giff Holmquist]

Hopefully this is alright to post.

Late next month, my twin boys, who are 15, will be heading to Haiti on a missions trip. While they are there, they'll be working with orphans doing a VBS as well as doing some basic construction projects and assisting with some medical clinics.

The cost of the trip is about $1500 a piece and they are about halfway to their goal.

Pretty excited that my boys have decided to take on a task like this, and it's awesome to see them get excited to go to another country to help people out.

So, if you have any interest in donating, no matter how much, you can use the form attached below to do so.

https://alethia.ccbchurch.com/form_response.php?id=19

Thanks so much in advance for helping!!

Giff

[Mabouya]

Tell them to stay away from mosquitoes and to use bed-nets if they are available:

This won't kill them, but it isn't fun: Chikungunya in the Caribbean - Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions - Travel Health Notices | Travelers' Health | CDC

It's spreading fairly quickly in the Caribbean and is present in Haiti. Just a matter of time until it's more common in the US.

[ldamelio]

At the risk of being a downer and political incorrectness, be very careful that they are well-escorted and well protected. I went to a remote region of Haiti on a medical mission in 1999 and felt in danger every minute. I'm no pansy - I grew up in the city and deal with gangbangers every day in a brutal urban environment as a core part of my current practice. I never felt this unsafe in my life. The politically incorrect part - the care was not appreciated (not that I am the type that expects or needs it), patients and families stole supplies and cut water lines, etc. A hopeless situation and I felt like a rube for putting my fatherhood and future work here at risk. More good to be done domestically without putting your kids in harm's way atmo. YMMV.

[Mabouya]

Lou, I certainly hope that your experience was the exception rather than the rule.

The folks down there need tons of help.

[ldamelio]

Me too. I wish them and those that try to help the best. Lots to do all over the world.

[Blue Jays]

One would imagine the riding conditions/area would be unappealing during "downtime" hours.
My understanding of the region is that it is far better suited for adult visitors rather than minors.
Good luck with whichever path they ultimately take...

[Scott G.]

Haitian humor, "In Haiti, every citizen has their own NGO."

[Corso]

There are plenty of people in our own country that need help too.

I don’t get these foreign trips to help others. My son (college sophomore) went down to florida to help rebuild homes. he couldn’t believe the way some live in the good old USA.

I’m not knocking your son, or the good work that folks do, but why do we feel the need to take care of the world when we don’t take care of ourselves?

[j44ke]

There are plenty of people in our own country that need help too.

I don’t get these foreign trips to help others. My son (college sophomore) went down to florida to help rebuild homes. he couldn’t believe the way some live in the good old USA.

I’m not knocking your son, or the good work that folks do, but why do we feel the need to take care of the world when we don’t take care of ourselves?

Because we live in the world? And because as poor as some people are in the US, there are people who are so much poorer elsewhere in the world as to make poverty in the US an upgrade in standard of life for them. And it isn't about us and them. More of a we. Both are valid and important and not mutually exclusive.

[davids]

Because we live in the world? And because as poor as some people are in the US, there are people who are so much poorer elsewhere in the world as to make poverty in the US an upgrade in standard of life for them. And it isn't about us and them. More of a we. Both are valid and important and not mutually exclusive.

Thank you.

[Giff Holmquist]

Last year they went to San Diego. This group in Haiti, our church has worked with before as well. My sons have also done missions work here in our own city, as well.

The world looks at the US as a world leader. As such, we have somewhat of a responsibility to help others outside our borders. Often, we do a better job of helping folks outside than we do inside because of the welfare and entitlement society we have built. When we go overseas, we help with building project, dig wells, help folks get going in business, etc. Here, we give them government hand outs and penalize them when they hit a certain income, instead of weening them off of the system. We incentivize people to not work! Heck, a good panhandler, at a good intersection can make a few hundred a day!

As for the dangers of the country, I am well aware. It's helpful that they are working with an organization we know.

Thanks for the well wishes and such!

[C.Dyer]

As such, we have somewhat of a responsibility to help others outside our borders. Often, we do a better job of helping folks outside than we do inside because of the welfare and entitlement society we have built. Here, we give them government hand outs and penalize them when they hit a certain income, instead of weening them off of the system. We incentivize people to not work! Heck, a good panhandler, at a good intersection can make a few hundred a day!

It's admirable work your sons are doing. It's a drag that you're choosing to couch it in this paternalistic, reductive, oversimplified, self-serving bullshit though. Hopefully looking outside their own world a bit will open them up to other perspectives.

Good luck to them!

[Chad]

Did not see this thread taking the twists and turns it did.

Good luck to your boys!

[Mabouya]

Believe me, it isn't all bad.

Yes, there is tons of poverty, but it can also be neat in many different ways, both cultural and natural. I was born there, my parents still live there, and my sister was just down there a few weeks ago.

Example for this audience: MTB riding in Haiti can be absolutely incredible. I've never done it, but others have:

MTB racing in Haiti - MTB Ayiti | 2nd Annual International Mountain Bike Stage Race Mar 25-30, 2014*