What we do

TWA brings Canadians to developing countries. Each person is encouraged to bring two bags filled to the maximum weight allowable (approximately 50 lbs). These bags are filled with donated goods such as clothing, medical supplies, toys, school supplies, etc. Some participants have mixed their own clothing in with the donations and left everything there, returning to Canada with only the clothes on their backs. A very liberating feeling.

Upon arrival everyone settles in to the accommodations. In Haiti we have normally been welcomed to St. Joseph’s Home for Boys with a glass of water. The next day is spent visiting the project sites:

• Malnutrition clinic – This is a malnutrition clinic for babies and toddlers. Run by Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity they specialize in caring for babies and toddlers until they are strong enough to go home with their parents. Each day is spent assisting the sisters with their work, feeding, changing, and above all playing, holding and giving human contact with joy. Parents visit each morning.
• Wings of Hope – Wings of Hope is a house run by St. Joseph’s Home for Boys and works with intellectually and physically challenged children. Physiotherapy, massage and education and assisting with daily routines of meal preparation and meal service.
• Medical Clinic – Medical clinic in Cite Pele adjacent to Cite Soleil. Work involves massage and other physical therapy. Med students can work with doctors in routine medical assistance.
• School construction project – Ecole Chretienne pour le Development has been our main construction project since 2005. It started with a kitchen and grew toinclude an entire school compound. It continues to expand in accordance with community needs. This is an ongoing project designed by the Cite Soleil school administrators and local community. Volunteers assist in construction duties, some education duties for Kreyol or French speaking volunteers.
• AIDS Hospital – Volunteers will work in assisting staff with day to day routines and duties according to hospital needs.
• Croix De Bouquet – We are supporting an orphanage and school in Croix De Bouquet with food, shelter, school supplies, and teacher support.

Nightly meetings continue throughout the trip giving everyone a chance to share stories and feelings about the day. You do not have to speak if you do not want to and the discussions are not censored or moderated. It is a chance to express unedited and fearless opinions about your experience which are respected no matter how dramatic the exchanges may become. We have had some very emotional and dynamic discussions. No one is forced to, nor expected to fit a mold of pre-set beliefs. In return the group is asked to work as a group and co-exist as a community of individuals with an open mind, humour and compassion. To travel with a single, common cause and purpose which is to serve the local community and learn from them.

Our group strives to stay in solidarity with each community. We do not travel by private vehicle but instead use the local transportation system (if there is one) or walk. In Haiti we travel by ‘Tap Tap’ the local means of transport which is essentially modified pick up trucks. The only times we hire vehicles are when we are traveling as a whole group and/or traveling a good distance. With this solidarity comes an element of danger which must be accepted. Safety can never be guaranteed but what we do guarantee is that every reasonable precaution within our mandate is taken. In Haiti we hire local guides to take us to the areas and they inform us of any potential trouble. If an area is too ‘hot’ on a particular day then that group can opt for an alternative location. The objective is to always work with the local community and respect their wishes.

After breakfast the day begins with a spiritual or philosophical reading given by a different person each day. Then one hand is offered by each into the circle and the working day is greeted with a simple, resounding…

“YESsss!”