How much does it cost to participate in the 2006 project?
Since the success of our project relies on generous donations to purchase the playground equipment and transport it to Cuba, individuals who raise at least $2,000 towards our fundraising goal will be invited to join us in Cuba for the assembly phase of the project. There are several ways you can raise funds - ask friends, family, co-workers, employer, businesses etc for a contribution or make a personal contribution yourself. IJTK is a tax-exempt organization organized under the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), which permits contributions to qualify as tax-deductible to the extent allowable by federal and state law.

IJTK will provide visas and air-travel from Miami to Havana, as well as accommodation in Havana for 7 nights; transportation to/from the playground sites; and lunches, water and snacks at the playground sites. Volunteers will be required to pay for their own travel expenses between their home city and Miami International Airport as well as meals and beverages while not at the playground site (most dinners); and any personal items, including but not limited to, airport departure taxes from Havana; passports; laundry and pressing; alcoholic beverages; telephone calls; and tips to waiters, hotel staff, drivers and porters.

I need more time to raise funds. Can I extend the May 1 deadline date?
Invitations to participate in the assembly phase in Cuba are issued once a fundraiser has raised and submitted a minimum contribution of $2,000. You may take additional time to raise your contribution but we cannot guarantee that you'll receive an invitation if you are late submitting your entire minimum contribution. We are only permitted to bring a total of 100 volunteers with us and once all the invitations have been issued and accepted, the registration process will end. We will however, reserve an invitation for any fundraiser who has already contributed at least $500 by May 1, 2006 or at the time they submit their registration documents. You'll then have until May 15, 2006 to submit your remaining contribution. Please note that any contributions received cannot be refunded if you cancel your registration.

I have family in Cuba. Can I stay a little a longer to visit with them?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is no. Any volunteer who participates in this project has to arrive and depart Cuba with the rest of the group. We have received a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control which only allows our volunteers to remain in Cuba during the duration of the project.

Can my children participate?
In response to several recent requests, we now are offering minors who are at least 14 (at the time of the trip) the opportunity to participate. They must be accompanied by an immediate parent (father or mother) and the parent must take full responsibility for the minor child and sign an additional waiver of liability/stipulation form. The parent will share a room in Havana with their child and must chaperone their child at ALL times. Please see the Parental Package for more information.

Will I have any free time to explore?
Our volunteers will be expected to join their assigned team at the playground sites every day until the project has been completed. We'll start early in the morning and work approximately 8 hours, with breaks for snacks and lunch. Except for a Project Completion dinner, which will be arranged on the last night of the trip, volunteers are free to make their own dinner and evening plans during the duration of the project.

Do I need any special skills to volunteer my time in Cuba?
If you are in good health and are dedicated to helping us complete the project quickly and efficiently, no special skills are required. Playground assembly experts will be at each of the playground sites to train, instruct and direct all the volunteers in their assigned tasks.

Can I bring anything back from Cuba?
Recent changes in the US-Cuba regulations state that items produced in Cuba cannot be brought into the USA unless it is original artwork or informational materials (such as videotapes, books, CD's, magazines, newspapers etc.) Souvenirs, cigars and alcohol purchased in Cuba may be seized by Customs officials upon your return to Miami. For more information about US-Cuba regulations, please visit the Department of Treasury website.

Which hotel will we be staying at in Havana?
Volunteers will stay at the Melia Cohiba on the Malecon in Vedado (subject to change).

How can a contributor submit a donation to help me reach my fundraising goal?
All contributions, whether they are from yourself or anyone else, should be accompanied by a Donation Form to ensure that the contributor receives a receipt for the donation. Checks should be made payable to It's Just The Kids, Inc and mailed to 1314 Manor Drive, El Cajon, CA 92021. To ensure that a donation is recorded towards your personal fundraising goal, please instruct the contributor to write your full name in the memo line of the check. We also accept money orders.

I cannot volunteer my time this year. How do I make a general donation instead?
It's Just the Kids, Inc appreciates all donations it receives. Please print out this Donation Form and mail it with your check or money order to the address on the form.

Can I upgrade to a single room in Havana?
Volunteers may request a single room and pay a supplement of $200. Volunteers will be billed separately for single rooms approximately one month prior to the trip and fees should be paid directly to the Island Travel Tours, Ltd., no later than May 1, 2006. This can be paid with a Mastercard, Visa or by personal check. This payment is not a contribution towards IJTK's fundraising goal. Once you have reached your fundraising goal, you'll receive your invitation to join us in Cuba, along with instructions on how to request a single room.

What happens to my donation if I find I'm unable to participate in the project?
In the event that you cannot participate after your placement in the program is reserved or confirmed, please notify us immediately. All monies contributed to IJTK represent donations to the organization for the implementation of this humanitarian effort and are, unfortunately, nonrefundable.

What happens to my donation if IJTK cancels the project?
In the unlikely event that we are forced to postpone or cancel the project for circumstances beyond our control, your donation will be refunded if requested. Alternatively, your donation may remain with our organization and you will be guaranteed an invitation to volunteer in a re-scheduled project.

I'm Cuban-American. Can I volunteer my time in Cuba?
Unfortunately, we are only permitted to apply for visas for non-Cuban-Americans assisting us with this project. If you are Cuban-American, you can still help our organization by becoming a fundraiser, but you will only receive an invitation from IJTK to join us in Cuba, if you personally apply for a visa with the Cuban Interests Section in Washington DC (Tel #: 202-797-8609). If you are successful in obtaining a visa, you'll need to provide a copy to us no later than May 1, 2006. If we still have invitations available and you have submitted your minimum donation of $2,000, we'll issue you an invitation to join us in Cuba.