What to expect
OCOA
NWC Community Member,
Travelling to a foreign country can be a bit intimidating. Eventually, you might wonder things
like, what will I be sleeping on? What type of food will I be eating? Do I need to bring any
spending money? Is where I am travelling safe? Everyone goes through pre-trip jitters, and
this document contains some key info to help you prepare and learn what to expect before
embarking on your C.L.O.U.D. project.
The experience you’ll gain on your trip is invaluable, and we do our best to let each experience speak for itself; however, it is important to be well-prepared to make sure your trip is as
awesome and comfortable as possible!
Have a read, and let your Community Ambassador know if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
Your NWC Community Ambassador Team
BE INSPIRED, EXPERIENCE SOMETHING AMAZING, AND MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.
© 2014 New World Community Inc. • Haiti: What to expect • Page 1
FOOD
In the community, you will have a cook for the group who prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner each
day. The food is typically traditional Dominican cooking, but our cooks do their best to prepare diverse meals throughout the week. Some examples include:
• Breakfast – scrambled eggs, bread, bananas, mango, ham and cheese sandwiches,
porridge
• Lunch – sandwiches, fruit, chicken and potato soup, plantains
• Dinner – chicken, beans and rice, spaghetti, Sloppy Joe’s, dino cookies!
All food is properly prepared and rinsed to ensure that food is not contaminated or unsafe
for you to eat. It may take a day or two to adjust to the food depending on your typical
diet at home, but Dominican food is all part of the experience!
 NWC TRAVEL TIPS
- Normally have a weak stomach when you travel? Remember to bring any digestive pharmaceuticals, like Pepto-Bismol.
- Bring some snacks! If you’re craving a late night treat or something quick between lunch & dinner,
snacks from home can be clutch.
WATER
All drinking water is from secured Culligan water jugs that are delivered on a regular basis. We run a
very tight ship when it comes to water, and take great care to ensure that there is clean water in the
community and at the work site at all times. (Don’t forget to pack a water bottle!)
All water used for cooking is purified and boiled prior to use. The proper precautions are always
taken to ensure this water is safe for preparing food.
 NWC TRAVEL TIPS
- Use the water from your water bottle to brush your teeth.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Our accommodations for the week are arranged through our local NGO partner, ADESJO
(Asociacion para el Desarrollo de San Jose de Ocoa). ADESJO has been an active force for community development in the San Jose de Ocoa region for over 50 years. They are known as the
central rock within the community, providing support such as water irrigation and distribution, sustainable housing projects, skills training, and other activities that assist men and women of the Ocoa
region to overcome struggles and improve their lives.
We have partnered with ADESJO for over 14 years, and they coordinate all of our accommodations
© 2014 New World Community Inc. • Haiti: What to expect • Page 2
for our group projects. We spend our first and last nights in the central city of San Jose de Ocoa,
where there are showers, WiFi (not guaranteed), and slightly more luxurious amenities. While working on projects, we live and work with our partner communities in the rural, mountainous regions an
average of 45 minutes outside of Ocoa.
Typically, C.L.O.U.D. groups will stay in a school or community centre built by previous groups. Accommodations are equipped with bunk beds, sheets, pillows, and plenty of room to keep luggage
and belongings. Housing areas are locked at all times when we are away at the work site, and our
cook stays in the house throughout the day to prepare for the next meal.
There are no shower or bathing facilities while in our remote, mountainous communities (el campos),
but there is often a water source for daily rinsing such as a water pipe or hose (please only bring biodegradable soap and shampoo to ensure no harm is caused to the community’s crops).
WEATHER
While in Ocoa, temperatures are the standard Dominican fare-sunny and hot!
In the communities in the mountains, temperatures throughout the day typically remain sunny and
hot, but can be much more volatile due to the altitude. It can be cool at nights, cloudy during the
day, and rainy throughout. Please consult the packing list and pack accordingly!
 NWC TRAVEL TIPS
- Line your luggage with black garbage bags in case your luggage is outside during transit to HC.
There’s nothing worse than wet everything!
SAFETY AND SECURITY
On every C.L.O.U.D. project, safety and security are our highest priorities. Prior to offering group trips,
we analyze the local structure, and partner only with organizations who have the capacity to provide the necessary safety precautions at all times during the project.
We have partnered with ADESJO for over 14 years, and their concern for our safety is evident while
in the communities. In turn, the communities themselves hold ADESJO and the work our groups do
with them to a high regard and are only interested in our wellbeing and continued support.
Each community has an individual with a leadership role and they remain with the group throughout the duration of our stay. Furthermore, ADESJO visits our worksite and living areas regularly to see
if we need anything delivered, and ensure that all is OK.
Based on over 15 years of running international trips and community development projects, The
NWC and its trip leaders have a vast knowledge of best practices while travelling. Some examples
of precautions we take on each trip include:
•
•
No use of ATMs by group members at any time;
Limited travel at night, and never without the accompaniment of our local partners or to areas
with which we are not familiar;
© 2014 New World Community Inc. • Haiti: What to expect • Page 3
•
•
•
•
Secure transportation – our trusted partners are our sole source of transportation;
Belongings are locked up and secured at all times;
Full support provided by your NWC Community Ambassador who accompanies your group on
your trip; and
Access to a local cell phone with local and Canadian emergency contacts.
Basic travel insurance is included in the cost of your trip.
Our central location in Ocoa is just around the corner from a hospital, so medical attention is easily
accessible. On average, our partner communities are a 45 minute drive from the nearest hospital
or medical clinic. Both our local Community Ambassadors and our community leaders and cooks
have cell phones to call ADESJO for transport to the local hospital in case of an emergency.
 NWC TRAVEL TIPS
- Don’t forget to wear your C.L.O.U.D. t-shirt. Not only does it promote a team mentality, but it also
helps to identify our group within the community.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Consult your family doctor or local travel clinic well before your departure date regarding any necessary medications/immunizations.
 NWC TRAVEL TIPS
- Familiarize yourself with the side effects of any medications you are asked to take prior to departure
so that you are adequately prepared.
MONEY
The NWC ensures everything is taken care of prior to departure. All essential elements of your trip are
included in your trip payment: food, accommodations, travel, entry/exit requirements, travel insurance, extra activities, etc.
You might want to bring funds for personal expenses such as checked luggage, souvenirs, snacks,
food in the airport while travelling, and anything above and beyond the necessities listed above,
but it isn’t required.
There will be opportunities to purchase souvenirs and items hand-made by our partner artisans and
entrepreneurs in the community. Typically, participants convert around $100 CDN into Dominican
Pesos to use as spending money and bring $25 - $50 USD for food and snacks during airport layovers.
 NWC TRAVEL TIPS
- The local currency, Dominican pesos, is the best currency to carry for ease of transactions.
© 2014 New World Community Inc. • Haiti: What to expect • Page 4
FUNDRAISING
Together, your group will fundraise the necessary funds to support your project. Your Community Ambassador will assist you in developing, planning and running successful fundraisers.
100% of all funds raised towards your project go directly towards supporting that project.
All fundraisers facilitated by your CA are intended to support your group’s project, not as individual
fundraisers to help cover your personal trip costs. If you wish to run personal fundraisers, please distinguish these fundraisers from events intended to support community projects.
Each group is paired with a Community Ambassador who will guide you on running events, answering question, and prepare you for departure.
Your CA will also travel with you during your project. Some of the policies your CA will go over with
you prior to arrival in the community are:
•
•
•
•
Donation policy;
Social media usage;
Drinking policy; and
Communicating and collaborating with our partner communities.
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
There was space on your Participant Form to provide the contact information of individuals you’d
like to receive updates of your group’s progress during your trip. These individuals will be emailed
shortly after your group has arrived safely and before your group leaves, at minimum.
You may also have a chance to contact home via phone or Internet during your trip, although this
access is not guaranteed. In case of an emergency at home, the first line of contact is the on-call
Community Ambassador, who can be reached at the number or e-mail listed below. From there, we
will be in touch with our on-site Community Ambassador to relay information to youregarding the
situation.
Emergency Contact Number: 416-738-9022
Emergency Contact E-mail: [email protected]
All images and logos copyright New World Community Inc. Silverware designed by Pham Thi Dieu Linh, Water designed by birdie brain, Hotel designed by Steven Lester, Sun designed by Olivier Guin, Safety designed by Lemon Liu, Syringe designed
by Cassie Blomquist, Donate designed by Brandosaur.us, Ejection Seat designed by Luis Prado, Luggage designed by Luis Prado from the thenounproject.com
© 2014 New World Community Inc. • Haiti: What to expect • Page 5
PACKING LIST
OPTIONAL
 Passport
- be sure it does not expire within 6 months of your departure date
 Money
- local currency (Dominican pesos) for personal spending and US
dollars for airport layovers
 Camera
 Toilet paper
 Sunscreen
 Sunglasses
 Toothbrush and paste
 Baby Wipes
- we are not guaranteed access to showers when in the community!
 Personal hygiene products
 Shampoo and soap
- biodegradable products recommended
 Hand sanitizer
 Towel
 Garbage bags
- as waterproof liner and for dirty clothes
 Reusable water bottle
 Flashlight and extra batteries
 Bug spray
 Running shoes and sandals
 Cool clothing to work in
 Warmer clothing for cool nights
 Rain jacket
 Swimsuit
 Hand lotion
- working in concrete all day can dry out the hands
 One or two non-work outfits
- you’ll usually get a chance for a bit of fun and might want to get out of
your day’s work clothes
 Sleeping bag
- compact ones work best to save space when packing
 Food/Snacks
- granola bars, trail mix, protein bars, etc.
 Work gloves
 Prescription Medication
 Personal over-the-counter medication
- Tylenol, Gravol, Benadryl, etc.
HAVE
FUN!
 Spanish dictionary
- useful for interacting with community members
 Games / cards
- for downtime
 Donations
- shoes, clothes in good shape, baby clothes, school items, colouring
books, medical supplies, etc.
 Games for kids
- skipping ropes, stickers, basic English books, sports items, etc.
 Baseball equipment
- it’s like bringing gold!
WHAT NOT TO BRING
 Anything you would devastated to lose or break
 Anything you don’t NEED

SPANISH CHEAT SHEET
Below are a few words and phrases to get you started:
Hello
Hola
1
uno
Good morning
Buenos días
2
dos
Good evening
Buenos noches
3
tres
How are you?
Cómo esta usted?
4
cuatro
I’m well
Estoy bien
5
cinco
And you?
Y tu?
6
seis
Please
Por favor
7
siete
Thank you
Gracias
8
ocho
You’re welcome
De nada
9
nueve
Goodbye
Adios
10
diez
I’m sorry
Disculpe
11
once
Where is the bathroom?
Donde esta el
baño?
12
dose
13
trece
What is your name?
Cómo se llama
usted?
14
catorce
15
quince
16
dieciséis
17
diecisiete
18
dieciocho
19
diecinueve
20
veinte
My name is...
Me llamo...
Pleased to meet
you
Mucho gusto
Do you have brothers/sisters?
Tiene hermanos/
hermanas?
Do you go to
school?
Vas a una escuela?
What grade are
you in?
En que grado
estas?
How old are you?
Cuantos años
tiene?
I am [...] years old
Tengo [...] años
Where do you live?
Donde vive?
Do you speak
English?
Habla usted Ingles?
I don’t speak Spanish very well
No hablo español
muy bien
What time is it?
Que hora es?
How much does this
cost?
Cuanto cuesta?
© 2014 New World Community Inc. • Haiti: What to expect • Page 6