Haven, a prominent Irish charity working on the ground in Haiti, is looking for volunteers from Galway and surrounding areas to join the 13th annual volunteer programme.
Haven is holding an open information meeting for the 2019 volunteer trip on Tuesday, 15 January in GMIT, Old Dublin Rd, Galway at 6.30pm.
The programme this year takes place from the 26th April – 5th May 2019 on Ile a Vache, a beautiful island off the south coast of Haiti.
The fundraising target for each volunteer is €4,000, which goes towards the cost of building materials, local community development programmes, meals, accommodation and transport to and from Haiti.
Each year, the volunteer programme makes an incredible impact in a local community in Haiti, transforming the lives of the local people.
Damien Meaney, Havens Country Director said: “Our volunteers find this programme to be an incredibly fulfilling, reflective experience as they work side by side with local communities really making a difference where it matters most- on the ground, at grassroots level.
“Last year a total of 36 volunteers travelled to Haiti and one volunteer travelled from Galway. The information meeting this week will show potential volunteers how they can make a difference in one of the world’s poorest countries. ”
The programme this year will tackle the issue of education. In Haiti, 90% of children enroll in primary school however due to insufficient facilities, only 47% continue their education in a secondary school.
This April, volunteers will assist with upgrading facilities for a secondary school on Ile-a-Vache, which will provide the students with brighter opportunities for the future.
