Is he delivering materials for a dominican company he works for? If so then that is fine and I see no problem with that. It is when donations and volunteers are taxed that it stinks and should be made known to those that can change things.
- Thread starter cobraboy
- Start date
Going to Haiti on Saturday...
This I never heard of. I work for an huge International Organization...the biggest in Haiti right now...nuff said. This $80 is unheard of. With the new Haitian government still wondering what to do first this new "fee" is certainly not one of them. US Passport holders do not require a visa nor pay any fees when entering Haiti. Dominicans who have a US or Canadian visa also do not require a Haitian visa...there maybe a small fee to pay but not $80.
Do you know if this fee is paid you are given a receipt ... official government issued receipt.
Best bet is to check with the US Emabassy in the DR and inquire what are the requirements for US Citizens and fees associated with entering Haiti by both land or Air. But I am fairly certain the fees or requirements haven't changed as we would be well informed by the Organization as we work closely with the Haitian Government.
Do you know if this fee is paid you are given a receipt ... official government issued receipt.
Best bet is to check with the US Emabassy in the DR and inquire what are the requirements for US Citizens and fees associated with entering Haiti by both land or Air. But I am fairly certain the fees or requirements haven't changed as we would be well informed by the Organization as we work closely with the Haitian Government.
There is a great variety of possibilities quoted so far, but I would take the above on good authority. As we have a team of Canadians hoping to come down to volunteer at Messef Orphanage in Ouanaminte in October, they will need to decide whether or not they are prepared to add this to the substantial sums they are already spending on transport and supplies for the kids. I am 100% certain that if those $80 for each person were administered by the individual groups rather than the authorities, that the kids would benefit many times over. Not good news for those who are keen to help.
Facts are not in your favor, my friend.
It is true: the Haitian border authorities in Dajabon ARE and DO charge US$80. Whether official or not is moot.
It is what it is.
If I was voluntering for a couple of weeks or months, it might be worth it. But for ONE day? No way.
No one even accused Haitian authorities of either smarts or honesty. That's the underlying problem with their extreme dysfunction...
$80 might seem a measly amount to some people but for those of us who live here, earn Dominican wages and have residency but not citizenship, it is a lot of money when we have been used to going for $1. The foreigners visiting with us, without residency, have paid the $11 referred to above on the past few visits, plus the usual "incentives" to speed up the process.
It would certainly make me think twice about whether I could go, or not. The children will also suffer! Whilst people who have already visited might be willing to send in their donations with Dominican family or friends who don't have to pay, the way to really get people committed to helping on a long term basis is by taking them to meet the children, to see how their hard earned donations are being used, etc. Then they go back home and work hard to get support so that they can continue helping. I think it is very short sighted, but we all know about that.
It would certainly make me think twice about whether I could go, or not. The children will also suffer! Whilst people who have already visited might be willing to send in their donations with Dominican family or friends who don't have to pay, the way to really get people committed to helping on a long term basis is by taking them to meet the children, to see how their hard earned donations are being used, etc. Then they go back home and work hard to get support so that they can continue helping. I think it is very short sighted, but we all know about that.
I have been to Haiti a number of times and I will never pay $80 to go to that cesspool. It just does not make any sense. If I want to smell poo and urine I could go to a latrine in the campo and give them the $80!!...
This is absurd to the nth degree.
HB
This is absurd to the nth degree.
HB
That would be my initial reaction, too (why would you want to pay for the privilege of visiting hell on earth) if it weren't for about 50 kids who I am committed to.....
This might be a silly question, but I've tried searching and can't come up with any official confirmation of this. Is it too idealistic to think that this might be documented somewhere on the Internet by the Haitian authorities or embassies? I can't see anything on the US or Canadian websites.
Thanks, Linda.
This might be a silly question, but I've tried searching and can't come up with any official confirmation of this. Is it too idealistic to think that this might be documented somewhere on the Internet by the Haitian authorities or embassies? I can't see anything on the US or Canadian websites.
Thanks, Linda.
Any updates?
Is there any news on this? I'm crossing in Jimani tomorrow (walking across, using public transport) and have zero intention of paying $80. If faced with this I would just go back to Barahona, since I was only planning on going one night to a party and to buy some artisan stuff for gifts.
What should I be expecting to pay or deal with? Any tips? I have only crossed in Pedernales in institutional vehicles that were never stopped, no problem.
The people I'm going with (from different Central and South American countries) have crossed before and an intent was made by officials to charge them upon leaving Haiti (don't know how much), but they always insisted, whined, and complained their way out of it, playing the "volunteer" card (they actually are volunteers).
Is there any news on this? I'm crossing in Jimani tomorrow (walking across, using public transport) and have zero intention of paying $80. If faced with this I would just go back to Barahona, since I was only planning on going one night to a party and to buy some artisan stuff for gifts.
What should I be expecting to pay or deal with? Any tips? I have only crossed in Pedernales in institutional vehicles that were never stopped, no problem.
The people I'm going with (from different Central and South American countries) have crossed before and an intent was made by officials to charge them upon leaving Haiti (don't know how much), but they always insisted, whined, and complained their way out of it, playing the "volunteer" card (they actually are volunteers).
I would expect that most practice some type of robbing at sometime until things "heat up" or they are confronted by enough Americans.