Haiti
Missions
Haiti Totals
Thank You Letter from Bishop Huie, Bishop Ough, and Bishop Ward for your response to the Haiti Earthquake
Ways You Can Help...
Give to UMCOR - Advance Special Number 418325
Write checks to your local church with the Advance number "#418325" on the memo line. You may also donate directly to UMCOR online at www.umcorhaiti.org. Church treasurers only: Send your church payments to Haiti faster by using this address: http://makepayments.holston.org
Mission Trips to Haiti
For more information contact:
Melissa Smith, Holston Conference UMVIM Coordinator
(865)689-5175; msmith@fountaincityumc.org
The country of Haiti is now ready to receive volunteer in mission teams. There is much that can be done over the next several years to assist this country in its recovery and we as United Methodists are privileged to be a part of that process.
Due to the wide extent of damage done in Haiti, officials for the United Methodist Church have worked very diligently to put a structure in place in order to receive mission teams. The following guidelines have been put in place for all mission teams that desire to serve in Haiti:
1. All UMVIM teams must sign their team up through the US Haiti Calendaring Coordinator, Susan Meister. She will work with you in scheduling a date and will determine the location of where teams will work. Please contact Susan Meister at haitivolunteers@yahoo.com.
2. All teams will work on projects which are the priority of the Methodist Church of Haiti.
3. Your team leader must have current UMVIM team leader training.
4. Your team leader must have been to Haiti previously on a mission trip.
5. Teams are to consist of no more than 10-12 members
6. Teams must register and insure with UMVIM, SEJ
7. Teams will be required to have all immunizations up to date
8. It is highly suggested each team have at least one medical person as a part of their team. Some locations will be at least an hour away from hospital care. With more medical persons on a team they can assist in medical assessments in the communities where the teams will be working.
9. Each team will be expected to raise an estimated $ 3,000 in project money. This amount will be matched by UMCOR up to $3000.
11. At this point and time there are only two flights a day into Port au Prince. All teams are required to enter and leave through this city.
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If you are interested in being a part of a mission trip to Haiti, please feel out the attached Haiti Mission Team Application.
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Due to the lack of infrastructure in Haiti, please keep in mind that there are additional expenses for a mission trip to Haiti. Teams must be willing to pay for Haitians that will be assisting them with their food, housing, and transportation. UMCOR has offered the following sample budget that you can use as a guideline in forming your mission team:
Sample budget for a team of 10 persons/ per person for 10 days in Haiti:
Food preparation (done by Haitians) $100
Haitian Interpreter ($30 per day) $30
Haitian Driver ($25 per day) $25
Transportation (In-country) $150
Lodging ($50 day; Includes 2 meals) $500
Lunch ($10 per day) $100
UMVIM registration/insurance $35
SUB-TOTAL $940
Air Fare (projected, depending on airlines) $1,240
Project Fees ($3,000 divided 10 ways) $300
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,480
UMCOR Health Kits
Health Kit (Value: $12 per kit):
Much of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has been flattened including hospitals and foreign aid offices. There is no electricity or phone service and supplies of fresh water are dwindling.
Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.
• 1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”, no kitchen towels)
• 1 washcloth
• 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
• 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
• 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
• 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)
• 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages
(NOTE: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent. Please include $1 for each kit you send toward the purchase of toothpaste.)
Important Kit Assembly Information - All items included in kits must be NEW items.
All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items – nothing more.
Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.
Processing & Shipping Costs: Please enclose an envelope containing at least $1 for each kit you send. This donation enables kits to be sent without delay to areas in need.
Drop-Off Points for Health Kits
The deadline to drop off health kits is January 31, 2010
Abingdon – Pleasant View UMC and Project Crossroads (Marion)
Big Stone Gap – District Office
Chattanooga – Brainerd UMC
Cleveland – District Office
Johnson City – District Office
Kingsport – First Broad Street UMC
Knoxville – District Office
Maryville – Fairview UMC
Morristown – Asbury Greeneville and District Office
Oak Ridge – Luminary UMC
Tazewell – District Office
Wytheville – First Hillsville UMC and Mt. Pleasant UMC
Use a Sunday bulletin insert. Invite worshipers to participate in the relief effort with this bulletin insert.
Address the tragedy with special resources.
The General Board of Discipleship has prepared a list of worship resources.
Also available: Children's ministry resources.
Available in the Audio/Visual Library: "God, Why?" Understanding God's activity in the midst of natural disaster.
Sign up for a mission team (but be patient).
According to the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, "the Haitian government has indicated that it will be mid-March before UMVIM teams will be able to enter. While the desire to offer immediate help is universal among Christians, please know that waiting is the most faithful witness we can offer at this time."
Special training and insurance are required of UMVIM teams. To sign up for a future mission effort, e-mail Melissa Smith, msmith@fountaincityumc.org
Pray, pray, pray.
The United Methodist Church has prepared a Facebook page for shared prayer concerns
UMCOR - Haiti Earthquake website
UMCOR Hotline
Volunteer in Haiti
Ministry When Disaster Happens
