“Becoming a part of the HavServe family has been the most rewarding experience ever.”
Information for Global Volunteers
Follow these simple instructions when applying to volunteer with HavServe in Haiti:
Browse through our active projects and decide which project best fits your needs, when you will go, and for how long.
Only apply when you are completely sure that, if accepted, you will join HavServe in Haiti. If you apply and are accepted, but then back out, you will have a negative effect on your chances of being accepted into a HavServe program in the future.
Steps to take before applying:
Apply online using our application form. It’s easy to fill out and you can submit it online. Once we receive your application, within seven (7) days* we will:
*We may need up to two weeks to accomplish the above if:
Within seven (7) business days of receiving your Acceptance Letter, review and agree to our Volunteer Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct, and pay the fee as per the instructions that your HavServe Coordinator sends you.
Your placement is only confirmed once we receive your Liability Waiver, Code of Conduct, fees, and flight reservations. Once we receive these items, we will:
To learn about our cancellation and refund policy, see our terms and conditions.
Once you are confirmed, review your Volunteer Preparation Booklet, which offers a wealth of information about getting ready for your trip, as well as the Safety Video we will send you.
Additionally, work closely with your HavServe Coordinator to go over pre-departure details and any questions that you may have. You can also meet your HavServe Coordinator on Skype for a one-on-one chat.
Finally, connect with past, current and future HavServe volunteers through Facebook.
If you have any additional questions contact us here or ask our Facebook community!
Reviews from our Volunteers
Frequently Asked Questions
Application and Program Details
HavServe offers volunteering and internship opportunities in rural Haiti, virtual volunteer positions and pro-bono consultancy. We also offer Summer Special Experience Trips as well as gap year options for our volunteers.
Currently, HavServe is operating in Haiti and hosts mentoring programs in the United States.
There’s a wide array of programs to choose from. Participants can make their choice based on their skills, educational qualifications, and their interests.
Volunteers can choose to be a part of the HavServe International Academy, Teaching Programs, Community Development Programs, Women Empowerment Programs, Medical and Healthcare Programs, Journalism Internships, Dental Electives as well as Sports Coaching Programs and our Summer Camp and Educational Enrichment Program.
Most people are surprised to hear that they would have to pay to volunteer in Haiti. What they often do not realize is that there are significant administrative costs involved in arranging a worthwhile volunteer placement in hard-to-serve rural environments.
HavServe is not supported by any government funding and runs the programs and projects entirely from the support of our volunteers. There are several costs involved, such as food, accommodations, transportation, transfers, project selection, T-shirts and local service staffs, among others. The program fee charged by us goes into providing you all these services to ensure that you have a meaningful volunteer in Haiti experience.
All volunteers need to apply online to book their volunteer placement. The placements are given on an individual basis depending on the information given in your application and the project choice. HavServe would also require an applicant to email his/her CV, photograph as well as any other supporting documents as required. We usually confirm your placement information within 10 working days’ time. After the placement is confirmed, volunteers can check the project info by logging into HavNet. The final program fee payment can be made after the booking has been confirmed and the itinerary is mailed to your program coordinator.
There is no deadline for registering for your program. However, it is advised to apply as soon as possible after you have decided on your choice of program and the desired dates. Every program has limited number of spots available and due to this reason, and volunteers are requested to book their spot when as soon as they decide their program date. We abide by the first come first served policy.
Your Program Coordinator will e-mail you the link to the cost of your program. HavServe strives hard to keep costs low and offers one of the most affordable volunteer opportunities in Haiti. You can compare our prices and services to other organizations to see the difference.
Absolutely! We will ensure that you get placed along with your friend or partner in the same project and have the same accommodations. Volunteers need to inform us in advance and mention the necessary preferences in the application form.
The minimum age requirement for individual participants for most of our programs is 18 years. However, volunteers below 18 years and children can join the program if they are volunteering as a part of a group (with adult members). We also welcome families to join our programs. There’s no specific maximum age bar to join our programs – as long as you are healthy and fit enough to volunteer, you can join the journey.
No, we do not have the funding to offer any scholarships or financial aid. We offer one of the most affordable volunteering programs and strive hard to keep our costs low whereby you can get the best low-cost volunteering experience in Haiti.
You can fundraise for the project you want to work for in our Peer-to-Peer Network For Good Platform and HavServe will be happy to provide you with any documents or letters which you will require for the fundraising efforts.
Flights and Visas
The HavServe team will be glad to guide you while you book your flight tickets. We suggest you plan to arrive in Haiti before 2:00 PM and plan your departure after 2:00 pm. We can suggest you cheap airways and websites from where you can book your tickets.
For international trips, you will need a current passport that is valid for six months beyond your travel dates. For visas, please visit www.travel.state.gov to review the requirements for Haiti.
We shall guide you about the procedure to get visa, and also provide with necessary documents if needed. For most countries, there is no need of a visa to travel to Haiti but we strongly suggest that you either check online about getting an eVisa or visit your nearest embassy for more information.
Yes – travel insurance is compulsory for volunteers. Plan on getting medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, local ambulance expenses and trip interruption.
Health and Safety
This depends on the country where you’ll be serving.
We highly recommend you to consult your doctor for advice on immunizations according to your medical history.
You can visit https://www.cdc.gov/ for additional information.
The safety and security of the participants is our first and foremost concern. All our placement sites are located in safe areas, in order to provide a memorable experience. However, while exploring the country, you should be careful about your belongings.
Check out the safety tips that you need to remember when volunteering with HavServe in Haiti here.
Accommodation and Living
Our in-country coordinator will be there at the airport to receive you, with a placard displaying your name. The coordinator will accompany you and take you to your accommodation, where you will be given an orientation about the place and transportation facilities.
Yes, you will have the weekends free and you can do sightseeing as well as explore the most popular places of interest. Our local coordinators are always available to arrange any local trips. On the weekdays, volunteers and interns are free during the evenings to explore the villages and local markets. We also have planned tours, which you can learn more about in the LOGIN section.
Meals are provided 2-3 times a day, as mentioned in your program itinerary. Mainly, the local cuisine will be served, and it’s absolutely healthy. Both veg and nonveg food options are available, and if you have any specific preferences or restrictions, you can mention it in your application.
Most of the time, internet service will be hard to come by. In Haiti, internet services can be considered a luxury, therefore we cannot assure you about connecting to wifi.
We usually accommodate rooms on a gender sharing basis. However, if you inform us about getting a single room and there’s availability, we shall be glad to offer you a private room.
Connect with Past Volunteers
Please visit HavServe Reviews page and the Video Page to see volunteer reviews and feedbacks. You can also contact us and tell us your choice of program destination. You can drop us a mail at