Awareness Trip Program
Contact: Bob Topliffe
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES ARE:
- To raise awareness in our communities of the situation in Haiti, Dominican Republic and other developing countries.
- To educate and raise the consciousness of participants of the richness of life in the developing world.
- To demonstrate our support for the people in developing countries.
BACKGROUND
The experiences of the Rayjon founders, Ray Wyrzykowski and John Barnfield, during their first visit to Haiti in 1985 inspired a project to establish an opportunity for others to share their experience. As a result the awareness trips have become the primary program of the Rayjon organization.
Since 1986, Rayjon has taken more than 2000 adults and high school students to experience life in the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. Rayjon is a registered Canadian charity (#1190 9460 rp) and trip costs are tax deductable (except medical and insurance costs). Rayjon’s administrative costs are less than 5%.
HOW TO GO ON A TRIP
Rayjon awareness trips take place every year – at the end of January and March break for the week-long Haiti trips and March break for the Dominican Republic trip. To become involved, you should attend the Trip Information session which occurs the first Sunday in October at Sacred Heart Church meeting rooms, Lecaron Ave. Sarnia, from 2-4 pm. This is the first step for anyone who is interested. The trip meetings start two weeks later and continue for 4-5 more meetings until the trip departs for either Haiti or the Dominican Republic in January or March.
Students age 16 & over are accepted for these trips, as well as adults of any age. Students age 16 can go to the Dominican Republic, age 17 & over are accepted for the Haiti trips. Trip costs are approximately $1500 for the Dominican Republic, $1600 for Haiti. During the Information Session, any questions you may have will be answered – there is no commitment required at this time. However – IF you choose to take part in either trip, a down payment of $500 is required 2 weeks later at an “Interview Session” – 2 weeks after this, the first of 4 critical & mandatory meetings will be held. After the first meeting, no further applicants will be accepted. These trips can be a life-changing experience – ask anyone who has taken part in them.
Remember – first Sunday of October. Look for notices re: this again in the local papers, at High Schools, in church bulletins & radio bulletins closer to the date. We welcome you all to this impacting experience.
A TYPICAL AWARENESS TRIP:
Destinations are normally to the Caribbean island of Hispanola (Haiti and Dominican Republic). Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. Both are easily accessible, Port au Prince the capital of Haiti being closer toOttawa than Calgary.
Duration of the trips are generally 7-10 days duration. You will visit several locations and participate in a range of activities.
First time travellers are encouraged to visit the Dominican Republic first since the experience in this country is less demanding than Haiti. Regardless of the country visited the experience is likely to be one of the most challenging and meaningful weeks of your life.
The group consists of an experienced leader, a local guide and usually up to 20 travellers.
Activities include visits to a variety of communities ( schools, hospitals, community groups etc.). At each location ample opportunities exist for participants to interact with members of the local community.
Accommodation, usually at residential schools or guest houses, is simple with very basic amenities, but safe.
Great care is taken to ensure the Safety and Health of participants. Extensive medical preparations are prescribed and high quality food and water is provided. CLICK HERE FOR MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Half a day is usually scheduled for Rest and Relaxation.
A period of Reflection and Discussion is scheduled each evening reviewing the experiences and insights gathered from the day’s events.
Donations (medical and education supplies, crafts, money) collected in preparation for the trip are presented to the leader of each community project by an assigned trip participant at the end of each visit.
Follow Up
The experience continues after the trip through attendance at follow up meetings, in particular, a reunion scheduled approximately one month after the trip. The reunion provides opportunity to revisit significant events of the trip, explore future opportunities and make plans for any continued involvement. This event is considered an essential part of the Awareness Trip Program and is included in the trip cost.
Participants
Participants (17 yrs. old for Haiti, 16 yrs. for the D.R.) represent a very wide range of age, occupations and interests. They come from “many walks of life” all sharing a curiosity of life in a developing country with a desire to personally contribute in some meaningful way to improving the quality of life within these countries.
They are individuals open to experientially exploring situations outside their normal comfort zone/habits and to learn from these experiences. They are individuals who are prepared, with appropriate guidance, to take full responsibility for their own personal security and health and to contribute to the security, health and well being of fellow group members.
Expectations
Participants must be physically fit since the days are long and tiring.
To ensure a meaningful and satisfying experience for the group each participant is expected to commit to:
1. Participate in all pre-trip preparations and follow up activities.
2. Understanding, accepting and adhering to the RAYJON Code of Conduct that:
- minimises risks to personal safety, health and security;
- honours and respects the local customs and traditions of the host countries and communities;
- maintains or enhances the RAYJON reputation both at home and abroad.
Costs/Funding
The total cost of each trip is covered by the travelling group.
Participants are individually responsible for raising funds to cover the cost of their trip.
Costs are estimated ahead of the trip and presented to potential travellers as a single
cost. (Haiti – about $1600 and the DR – about $1400)
The cost includes:
- transportation from Sarnia,
- food,
- accommodation,
- transportation during the trip and
- participation in a post trip reunion.
It does not include any medical preparation costs for individuals., cancellation or out of country travel insurance.
RAYJON provides instruction for
- pre-trip medical preparation
- ideas for fund raising for individuals seeking financial support.
A receipt for most of the costs will be issued for tax refund as a charitable expense.
RAYJON’S CODE OF CONDUCT
To ensure a meaningful and satisfying experience, each participant is expected to commit to an established program for trip presentation and follow up, and abide by RAYJON’s Code of Conduct during the trip. This will minimize risks to personal safety, health, and security. It will honour and respect the local customs and maintain Rayjon’s reputation both at home and abroad.
Before a candidate’s application is accepted, he/she must have a personal interview with a trip leader, during which, guidelines and rules will be explained. This will ensure that the candidate fully understands the commitment he/she is making. The candidate will sign the Awareness Trip interview form to confirm this.
Students who are interested in going on a trip should ensure that their parents/guardians fully understand RAYJON’s Code of Conduct. To prevent any misunderstandings in the trip guidelines and rules, parents/guardians are encouraged to take part in the pre-trip preparations.
Participation in pre-trip planning and information meetings is mandatory. If attendance at all the meetings is not possible because of other commitments, the candidate should consider postponement to a later trip.
During the trip, each participant will be assigned a specific duty to perform and will be expected to help generally in other ways, in order for the trip to run smoothly. These assignments must be undertaken both willingly and seriously.
Alcohol is not part of an Awareness Trip.
Smokers must be considerate to the non-smoking participants and to the people of the host countries, and if possible, should be restricted to the hotel / guest houses.
For safety’s sake, participants or small groups will not be free to wander around alone.
What past participants have said:
Participants on previous RAYJON trips have wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. Following are a few comments:
“I look at what I have, though some might not think it’s much, and I think of what I saw. WOW! How we’re blessed. -Trudy Boers
“This experience provided me an opportunity to examine and evaluate my priorities. It started a growth process that I hope will never end.” -Connor McDonough
“How much humility these people must have; they have so little, still, they seem to be so thankful for so much. I came to discover my own spiritual poverty.” -Scott Burns
“My one week in Haiti taught me more about human dignity than anything else I have ever experienced. For anyone choosing to go next year, they will find as I did, that they will receive much more from the Haitians than we could ever hope to give them.” -Elly Vukobratic
