Rayjon Awareness Trips
The purposes of Awareness Trips are to:
- To raise awareness in our communities of the situation in Haiti, Dominican Republic and other developing countries
- To educate and raise the awareness of the richness of life in the developing world
- To demonstrate our support for the people in developing countries
RAYJON AWARENESS TRIPS
Rayjon Awareness Trips are available to adults as well as students, and generally take place each year to the Dominican Republic and/or Haiti. Trip timing varies with the makeup and purpose of each trip, but trips typically occur during the high school March Break week, and/or in the Fall for adult-only trips.
Trip preparation meetings are an integral component of the Awareness Trip program. Generally 4 – 5 meetings are held in the weeks leading up to the trip departure.
Adults and students aged at least 16 for a Dominican Republic Trip, and 17 and over for a Haiti trip are considered for Awareness Trips. No commitment is required in order to attend the information meeting.
Awareness Trips can be a life-altering experience. For more information about Awareness Trips or any other Rayjon trips, please email us at [email protected] or call us at 519-381-5929.
AWARENESS TRIP EXPERIENCE
Destinations for Awareness Trips are normally Haiti or Dominican Republic. Both countries are found on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.
Duration of Awareness Trips is generally 7-10 days.
First time travelers are encouraged to visit the Dominican Republic 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 of your life.
The group consists of an experienced leader, a local guide and up to 20 travelers.
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. Appropriate medical preparations are recommended and high quality food and water is provided. Half a day is usually scheduled for rest and relaxation.
Teams enjoy a reflection time each evening, allowing them to discuss the experiences and insights gathered from the day’s events.
Follow Up
The Awareness Trip experience continues through attendance at follow up meetings, in particular a reunion scheduled approximately one month after the trip. The reunion provides an 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 & EXPECTATIONS
Participants represent a wide range of ages, occupations and interests. Participants share a curiosity about life in a developing country and a desire to personally contribute in some meaningful way to improving the quality of life within these countries.
Participants 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.
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:
- Participate in all pre-trip preparations and follow up activities.
- Understand, accept and adhere to the RAYJON Code of Conduct
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.
AWARENESS TRIP COST & 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. Fundraising is encouraged!
Costs are estimated ahead of the trip and presented to potential travelers as a single cost.
The cost includes:
- transportation from Sarnia
- food
- accommodation
- transportation during the trip
- participation in a post trip reunion
- a $50.00 non-refundable administrative fee
The trip fee 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.
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 to abide by RAYJON’s Code of Conduct during the trip. Adherence to the Code of Conduct will minimize risks to personal safety, health, and security, honour and respect the local customs and maintain Rayjon’s reputation both at home and abroad.
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.
For safety’s sake, participants or small groups will not be free to wander around alone.