RAYJON SHARE CARE of Sarnia Inc.
WORK TRIP PROGRAM
Purpose and Objectives :
- To raise awareness in our communities of
the situation in developing countries
- To provide a "hands-on"
experience to participants and demonstrate our support for the people in
developing countries.
- Establish working partnerships with communities who have
demonstrated a readiness to cooperate.
Roles
Local community
leaders select and manage the projects. The Rayjon
team provides both
skilled and unskilled labour together with a
significant portion of the materials and supplies. The community and Rayjon members learn from each other as they work alongside
each other.
A typical Work Trip:
Projects are normally in the
- benefits that can be extended to a larger
community
- ability to safely accommodate up to 12
people
- political, social and economic stability of
host country
- ability of host
country coordinator to facilitate project activities i.e. transportation,
food, accommodation, building materials etc.
Duration of the trips are generally 1-2 weeks in duration and
are task/project oriented within a
single location.
The work group normally consists
of an experienced leader, and up to 12 workers.
Typical work
activities have included help in building and maintenance of schools, homes, water
collection and containment , sanitary systems, roads
and reforestation.
At each location
many opportunities are available for participants to interact with the local
community.
Accommodation varies from a one room house to
guest dormitories at local schools.
Amenities are very basic, but safe.
Great care is taken
to ensure the Safety and Health of participants. Extensive medical
preparations are prescribed and high quality food and water is provided.
"Change of pace " At least one day is usually scheduled to explore/experience
another part of the local culture or to visit natural or historical points of
interest in the region of the project.
A period of Reflection
and Discussion is scheduled each evening reviewing project progress,
experiences and insights gathered from the day's events.
Donations of easily
transportable building tools, supplies, specific items of value to the host
communities ( schools, clinics, hospitals etc.) and
money are collected in preparation for the trip by the participants supported
by the broader Rayjon organization. The money collected is used to purchase bulk
local materials required for the specific work to be done.
.
Follow Up The experience
continues after the trip through attendance at a group debrief and reunion
approximately one month following return.
It provides opportunity to review accomplishments, explore future
opportunities and make any plans for any continued involvement with Rayjon.
Participants
Participants, at
least 16 years old, represent a very wide range of age, occupations, interests
and abilities. They come from “many walks of life” with a desire to be involved
in manual tasks
working alongside those who will benefit from the work
While previous
experience of travel in a developing country is expected, technical skills are
an asset but not a requirement.
They are individuals
who are prepared, with appropriate guidance, to take full responsibility for
their own personal security and health and to contribute through Christian
fellowship to the security, health and well being of fellow group members.
Expectations
To ensure a
meaningful and satisfying experience for the group each participant is expected
to commit to:
1.Participate in all pre-trip
preparations and followup activities.
2.Understand, accept and adhere
to the Code of Conduct for the trip that:
- minimizes risks to personal health and
security
- honours and respects the local customs and traditions of
the host countries and communities.
- maintains or enhances
the Rayjon
reputation both at home and abroad.
Costs/Funding
- All costs during the trip (transportation,
meals and accommodation) are covered by the traveling group.
- Costs are estimated ahead of the
trip and presented to potential travelers as a single cost.
It does
not include any medical preparation costs for individuals ,travel
or out of country travel insurance.
Rayjon provides detailed
instructions for pre-trip medical preparation.
A receipt
for most of the costs will be issued for tax refund as a charitable expense.
Accomplishments
To date, dozens of trips have been organized
to over 10 countries involving hundreds of participants.
Just one of many success stories
In 1989 a Rayjon
work group together with local community members constructed 7 water cisterns
in the rural community of
Lauture, Haiti. This project became the
catalyst for ongoing development of water collection and containment systems
throughout the mountain region.
Today there are over 400 cisterns that provide
families with easy access to water for cooking, drinking and cleaning. These
families no longer have to walk several kilometers for their water supply.
A second phase of this project was initiated
has been underway through the mid 1990's. Grass roofs on homes have been
replaced with tin and fitted with eavestroughs to
channel the precious rainwater into the cisterns built adjacent to the homes.
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