HAITI 2006 - 2007

Builders Without Borders is looking for two Volunteers with joinery and woodworking skills to teach in Haiti in 2006. The volunteers must be able to speak French.

While the political unrest continues in Haiti, the BWB Woodworking Program has been delayed. This project will be revised at the end of 2005 with the hopes of starting it in 2006. In the mean time, for those interested in participating in this project in 2006 the following is a summary of the Woodworking and Joinery Program. 

Background

Eighty percent of Haiti's eight million people live in abject poverty, two thirds of the labour force does not have formal jobs, and there is an extreme shortage of skilled labour.

Following the request of two Haitian Foundations - the Good Samaritan and Love a Child, Builders Without Borders undertook an assessment mission to Haiti in July 2003. We have subsequently entered into a one year agreement to establish a woodworking and joinery apprentice program, that would provide young men the opportunity to earn an income.

The two Haitian Foundations have been working in Haiti for over ten years. They provide free school programs from kindergarten to grade twelve. Love a Child provides schooling for orphaned children.

Program Objectives

From January 2006

Builders Without Borders requires two French speaking volunteers with woodworking and joinery skills. Each would teach a ten week course, to a class of 25 young Haitian men, aged 18 to 25 in Port-Au-Prince.

The first volunteer will teach a ten week introductory joinery / carpentry course, commencing January 2006.

The second volunteer will then teach the second 10 week course on making simple wooden household items, commencing March 2006. Builders Without Borders will assist in determining the appropriate household items that can be sold in the country.

A third volunteer will instruct the students on how to establish a small cooperative enterprise that will build and sell the furniture.

Volunteer Appointment Conditions

• Must have a minimum of five years experience in woodworking and joinery.
• Must have a working knowledge of French, as the courses are to be conducted in French.
• One volunteer must have knowledge in the operations of a small business.
• Each course will be for ten weeks, teaching Monday to Friday, for eight hours a day.
• All travel, health and insurance expenses to and within Haiti will be paid .
• Accommodation and food will be provided by way of an apartment/house and a cook to prepare meals.
• The workshop is equipped with electrical power tools and hand tools. Each student will be provided with his own kit of hand tools.
• An honorarium of $1,000 will be paid to each volunteer for the ten week duration.

Contact Builders Without Borders

Those interested in this assignment should complete the volunteer application form on the Builders Without Borders website www.builderswithoutborders.com. If you require more information about this project contact: