Expeditions | Extollo

LISTENING & LEARNING EXPEDITIONS

Expand your worldview...

OVERVIEW

Join us in Haiti on an expedition of discovery. Meet with our Haitian staff, business and civic leaders, and our Haitian students to learn about life in Haiti and its rich history. Learn first hand the manifold dynamics that brought Haiti to where it is today which continue to dog its potential. You will see many things on your trip, but not from the vantage point of a mere tourist. You will be invited into pain, hopes, joys, challenges, and disappointments. For only when we first listen and learn can we be emptied of our sense of control enough to receive insight from on high.

Your team will also explore the beauty of Haiti, discovering why the island was called the Pearl of the Caribbean. Less than a 2-hour flight from Florida, Haiti is located on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. While Haiti’s “mountains beyond mountains” and rugged island beauty are breathtaking, poverty is a tangible force in the daily lives of most Haitians.

Historical French colonial exploitation, decades of ineffective government, and natural disasters are just a few contributing challenges in Haiti. With more than two-thirds of adults lacking formal jobs, many cannot afford to care for their children, let alone pay the required fees for education. Less than 50% of children in Haiti attend school.

In spite of economic struggles, hope and resiliency are strong among Haiti’s people. And Haitian churches are rich in faith and actively ministering to their communities.

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WHAT WE DO

Extollo International is a Christ-centered social enterprise that is unleashing Haiti's potential to build a stronger future by training a construction workforce of character and capability while adding strength and safety to Haiti's infrastructure. Operating a training-focused construction company, Extollo’s mission is to help ambitious men and women in Haiti lift themselves out of extreme poverty through skill acquisition, character development, and economic opportunity.

WHAT TO EXPECT ON A LISTENING AND LEARNING TRIP

Community

Our team is eager to introduce you to life in Haiti. You will meet with students, graduates, business and civic leaders, and entrepreneurs creating new opportunities for employment. You will also visit historical sites and places of incredible natural beauty. And, of course, you will get to spend time with the wonderful staff at Extollo.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive and tour Haiti's capital and learn about its history and culture

Day 2

Day trip to remote island to visit Extollo project and children's village

Day 3

Tour and experience Extollo's campus and training program

Day 4

Check in to a Carribean beach resort for fun, rest, and relaxation

Day 5

Tour local businesses and return to Port au Prince for departure

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Weather

Come prepared for a healthy dose of Caribbean warmth and sunshine. Haiti’s climate is tropical so average daily temperatures range from the mid 70s to the low 90s and humidity is typically high. November – March is Haiti’s dry season, while April – October is rainy season with rain 2-4 nights a week. Haiti lies within the Caribbean’s hurricane belt so tropical storms and hurricanes are possible from June – October.

Culture
You and your team will experience the kindness, openness and hospitality so common within Haitian culture. You will sample local cuisines, including the wildly popular pikliz. You will observe both the beauty and struggle of daily life while you travel through the city and countryside.

Cost

Trip cost is $795: $100 deposit and $695 trip fee. The $795 includes:

All accommodation, including a nice hotel in Port-au-Prince and a beach resort the last night (and guesthouse in between)
All food
All in-country transportation (potentially including short-hop flights)
Emergency services coverage
Staff time, and interpreters as needed
Interactions with business leaders, local civic leaders, and very unique insights into the challenges Haitians face.

We settled on $795 pp as this comes to $159/day, or if broken down by night just under $200 a night (for four nights), all inclusive. We structured it to break even but if there's any overage, the funds will go to our scholarship program.

1. Create your fundraiser

Log in to your Facebook account and click “Fundraisers” in the left menu of your news feed. The option to create a fundraiser also appears when you click on the downward arrow on the far right of the top toolbar.
2. Click “Select Nonprofit.”
3. Search for or select “Extollo International”
4. Set up your fundraiser’s page.

Determine your personal fundraising goal as well as an end date for your fundraiser. (For example, you could create a fundraiser that runs through your entire birthday month or through the week of your birthday.) Give your fundraiser a catchy and descriptive title and use your summary to explain why you think your Facebook friends should donate to Extollo. Make it count! Share why Extollo’s work matters to you, how Extollo makes an impact in your life, or how Extollo accomplishes its mission of helping Haitian's find good work, earn a better living, provide for their family and, through all this, build a stronger country for all. Next, you will need to choose a cover image. On the cover image selection page you will see photo options from Extollo’s Facebook album under “More Suggestions.” To upload a photo of your own, click “Edit” in the right corner of the default cover photo, select “Upload New Photo,” and choose from your files. Once you’ve picked out a cover image, click “Get Started” to make your fundraiser’s page available for everyone to see!
5. Spread the word.

Use the Invite tool to search for the names of friends you think will support your cause. Inviting all of your friends to participate will maximize your outreach — and so will talking about your fundraiser! Post about your fundraiser on your Facebook and add a personalized note about why Extollo’s cause is important to you. You can take an extra step by emailing your contacts to notify them about your Facebook fundraiser, sharing the link to your fundraiser’s page, and asking them to contribute in your honor. You can also reach out to friends over Facebook messages. These steps will help increase your fundraiser’s visibility – and attract more donors.
6. Now that you’ve created your fundraiser, keep up the energy by monitoring its activity and sharing updates toward your goal."

Sharing your excitement will encourage people to join your cause. Let your friends know how your fundraiser is going by posting about milestones along the way (“We’ve hit 20 percent of our goal!”). You will be notified when donations and posts are made. Be sure to reply to any posts or comments and like and comment on people’s donation posts to thank them for supporting your fundraiser.
7. How to edit or delete your fundraiser …

To edit details about your fundraiser, click “More” and then click “Edit Fundraiser.” To delete your fundraiser, click “More” and then click “Delete Fundraiser.”
8. Important Notes about Privacy and Security

- Fundraisers can only be created by Facebook users who are 18 years of age or older. - When you donate to a fundraiser, the charitable organization to which you are donating and the creator of the fundraiser will be able to see your donation. However, the amount you donate will never be shared on Facebook. - Donations made through Facebook to Extollo International are tax-deductible, though tax laws vary by state and by country. - The way Facebook designed the fundraiser function, only individuals can currently create a fundraiser and those gifts are for the Extollo International Fund. However, engaging with your branch members on social media and using Facebook to promote other fundraising strategies is always a good idea. - After you make a donation, a confirmation email from Facebook will be sent to the primary email address listed for your Facebook account. This confirmation shows that you’ve made this donation as a charitable contribution and that you are not receiving any goods or services in return. - Facebook covers all processing fees for donations to U.S.-based charitable organizations made through Facebook.

Interested in learning more?

Tentative
Expedition Dates

To Be Determined

(When it is safe to travel to Haiti)

Monday - Friday