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| COMPLETE PROJECT DETAILS: 2006 PLAYGROUND PROJECT |
Please note that we have temporarily suspended all activity regarding the 2006 trip. We are providing the following FOR INFORMATION ONLY. We are not accepting new registrations at this time. If you'd like to be notified when we move forward with our project (possibly in the Spring/Early Summer of 2007), please subscribe to our email notification service. |
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If you have a question regarding the 2006 Playground Project that is not addressed below, please visit our FAQ Page. If you still have a question, please email it to us. If you prefer to view and print this Project Package as a PDF, please click here. The PDF also includes the registration forms. |
It’s Just the Kids, Inc. (IJTK) is a licensed nonprofit corporation dedicated to meeting the needs of Cuban children. Our goal is to help them by providing safe playground equipment in family neighborhoods to enhance the emotional, physical, and psychological quality of their lives.
Why Playgrounds? Many children grow up without the benefit of public parks. These children play in whatever areas are available, which are often high-traffic public streets that place their safety at risk. Studies have shown that many children are injured each day because they have no areas or facilities where they can safely play. The children of Cuba are just like children in other countries of the world and their needs are important. Playgrounds provide a safe and fun place for these children so that their formative years will be memorable.
About the 2006 Program In June 2006, IJTK and its volunteers will travel from Miami International Airport nonstop to Havana, Cuba. Over a period of eight days, the volunteers will work alongside Cuban families to assemble three playgrounds in public parks in several Havana neighborhoods. This is a full-time humanitarian effort, however, time will be available in the evenings to meet other members of the Cuban community so that volunteers can learn more about Cuban culture and history. All volunteers will be legally authorized to travel to Cuba and assemble the playgrounds under a license issued to IJTK by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Tax-Deductible Contributions Our playground projects are made possible by generous donations. It's Just The Kids, Inc. 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. In accordance with the organization’ s mission, the organization will make every effort within its control to seek any additional approval by any state and/or local authorities, if such approval is required to fulfill its mission. If you have questions regarding the organization or the tax deductibility of your contributions, please contact us. Donations will go where it is needed most, unless you specify a particular use. It’s Just the Kids, Inc. makes every effort to honor your designation; however the organization reserves the right to apply funds to another purpose if in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors of the organization, the original designation becomes, in effect unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment, or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community or area served.
We Need Volunteers! If you enjoy being involved in volunteer and humanitarian efforts, then you should seriously consider volunteering your time and participating in this project. We need volunteers that have a desire and dedication to fulfill IJTK's goals of building the new playgrounds, within a time limit. If your intent in traveling to Cuba with IJTK is for recreation or tourism purposes, this project is not for you! This effort will require various levels of skill with some tasks requiring medium to heavy manual labor to assemble the playground equipment. As part of the registration process, you will be asked to write a short paragraph explaining your reasons for wanting to participate in the project.
What Will Be Provided For The Volunteers? IJTK will provide the following services for each volunteer: Round-trip charter flight from MIA-HAV; entry/departure visa; 7 nights accommodation (double occupancy), including breakfast buffet; transportation to/from the playground sites and related group activities; and snacks, bottled water/Gatorade during working hours. Lunches are provided by the local neighborhood families and typically consist of meat (pork or chicken), beans and rice. Non-meat dishes can be substituted for meat upon request. You have the option to purchase and bring your own food to the sites, if you prefer. All volunteers will also receive a T-Shirt and DVD commemorating their participation in the project. Single rooms may be available (more information regarding this will be sent after you register).
What Is The Age Requirement To Register? You must be at least 18 to register to volunteer. If a minor child (aged 14 and over) wishes to register to volunteer, an immediate parent or legal guardian must also volunteer and accompany the child to Cuba. The accompanying parent is required to sign the registration forms and additional documents on behalf of the minor. In cases of joint legal custody, BOTH parents are required to sign a parental consent and release form. For more information please visit our Parental Package page.
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How to earn your invitation to join us in Cuba |
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We are licensed to bring up to 75 volunteers to Cuba. Since the success of our projects rely on contributions from the general public, we will issue an invitation for the assembly phase in Cuba to those who fulfill a personal fundraising obligation and comply with the registration requirements detailed below. Invitations will be reserved for registrants who successfully complete the registration process, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you cannot meet all of the requirements or commit to fulfilling the fundraising obligation at this time, we recommend that you do not register for the 2006 project. Any funds you submit to IJTK represent donations to the organization and are nonrefundable. Please review the FAQ page on our website at www.itsjustthekids.org before you register and contact us with any additional questions you may have.
Fundraising Obligation:
The minimum contribution required to earn an invitation is $2,000.00 per person. You may contribute the full amount yourself, or you may request contributions from family, friends and co-workers. An initial contribution (check or money order) of $500.00 is required to secure your registration in the program and entitles you to a reserved invitation. Your invitation will be confirmed once you submit the remaining $1,500.00. Reserved invitations will be canceled if the minimum fundraising obligation is not fulfilled by the deadline, which is May 1, 2006. All donations qualify as tax-deductible to the extent allowable by federal and state law. Other than the initial contribution, donations can now be made using a credit card (MasterCard or Visa) on-line.
If you are collecting donations from contributors and they require a receipt for their donation, please make sure that you provide them with a Receipt Request form which they should complete and return to you, along with their donation. This ensures that a receipt is generated and mailed to the contributor. A Receipt Request form is included with the registration forms and should be submitted to us with the contribution. Please make any necessary copies. Receipts for personal contributions from registered fundraisers will be generated automatically, and emailed to the address we have on file.
Registration Requirements:
Passport & Visa: You must have a valid passport with an expiration date of no earlier than December 24, 2006. You will be required to submit copies of your passport, once your registration documents have been reviewed and approved. IJTK will apply for a visa on behalf of the volunteer. Visas are issued at the discretion of the Cuban Interests Section (CUBAINT) in Washington, DC. A visa is not guaranteed. If you are aware of any reason that CUBAINT would not issue you a visa, we recommend that you do not register. If you are Cuban-American, please contact us prior to registering.
Registration Documents & Deadline: The deadline for registration is May 1, 2006 or until all invitations have been issued and confirmed. All registration and subsequent documents must be submitted in a timely manner. Your invitation may be canceled if you do not submit documents that we need in order to finalize your travel arrangements. A working email address is essential for keeping you updated with important information.
Volunteer Expenses: All volunteers will be responsible for their own travel expenses between their home city and Miami on the travel dates, including any necessary overnight hotel accommodations in the U.S. Volunteers are required to arrive at Miami International Airport by 5:00am on the day of departure (June 17). Volunteers will also be required to pay for their evening meals and personal expenses while in Cuba, such as tips, taxi fares, hotel room safe and beverages. Volunteers are also responsible for paying an airport departure tax in Cuba of 25.00 CUC (subject to change). Although we will apply our best efforts to return to Miami by 5:00pm on June 24, unexpected delays could occur. Please be prepared to make adjustments to your return domestic travel plans at your own expense. We do not provide travel, accident or medical insurance for volunteers.
Working Conditions: You must be in good physical health and able to perform medium to heavy manual labor in high-temperature weather conditions. All participants will be required to work at the playground sites for up to 8 hours per day, beginning the weekend we arrive. If any medical condition or disability may prevent you from fully participating, we recommend that you consult your doctor before registering to volunteer.
Cancellations: 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. In the unlikely event that we are forced to postpone the project for circumstances beyond our control, your donation will remain with our organization and you will be guaranteed an invitation to volunteer in a rescheduled project. All expenses related to cancellations are the volunteer's responsibility.
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Registration Instructions |
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Please note that we have temporarily suspended all activity regarding the 2006 trip. We are providing the following FOR INFORMATION ONLY. We are not accepting new registrations at this time. If you'd like to be notified when we move forward with our project (possibly in the Spring/Early Summer of 2007), please subscribe to our email notification service. |
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Step 1 – Download and Complete Registration Forms 1 & 2:
Download the PROJECT PACKAGE (also includes all registration forms). For Registration Form 1, you will be required to read the disclosure notice, and print your name, sign and date the bottom of the form. For Registration Form 2, you will need your passport available in order to complete the Passport/Personal Information section.
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Step 2 – Prepare Your Participation Statement:
Using your email or word processing program, please prepare a statement giving your reasons for wanting to participate in our 2006 Playground Project. If you like, you may include any prior experience with other humanitarian efforts, any language skills, construction skills or other skills that you think will be an asset to our organization (it is not necessary to have any prior experience or special skills in order to participate). Save your statement until you are ready to submit your registration documents.
Step 3 – Mail Your Registration Package:
Your package should include the following:
a) The completed Registration Forms (1 & 2)
b) Your participation statement. Please attach it to the back of your registration documents.
c) 3 copies of the ID page of your passport. Make sure that the passport copies are legible (black & white is fine) and please do not staple the copies together. On a copy of your passport, please PRINT the following information: 2 emergency contact names, their relationship to you, their telephone numbers and addresses.
d) Your initial contribution of $500.00 or your full contribution. Your donation will be processed when we issue your reserved invitation.
MAIL YOUR PACKAGE TO:
Debbie Watterson
It's Just The Kids, Inc,
1314 Manor Drive,
El Cajon, CA 92021.
Step 4 – Completing The Registration Process:
All registration documents will be reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis. We will only issue up to 75 invitations - registering does not guarantee an invitation. You will be notified via email once your registration has been reviewed and approved.
Your initial contribution secures an invitation in your name. We will not revoke or cancel your invitation unless you do not meet your Fundraising Obligation by May 1, 2006. When we have processed your registration documents, you'll receive a Reserved Invitation to join us in Cuba for the assembly phase. You'll receive your Confirmed Invitation once you have fulfilled your Fundraising Obligation.
As an invitee, you will be required to submit a few other documents over the next few months, mostly to help us make your travel arrangements to and in Cuba. These documents will be requested or sent to you for completion via email, at the appropriate time.
Once all the invitations have been reserved, we will not accept any new registrations. We will inform you via email when registration closes and you may request to be put on a waiting list in the event that someone cancels.
If you have any questions that aren't addressed here, please visit the FAQ page before calling. If you still have questions, please email Debbie. |
If you cannot volunteer your time, but would like to donate equipment, tools, supplies, services, or funds to help make this trip a success, we would be most appreciative. Please contact the Program Coordinator, Bill Hauf, at 858-481-1955 or by email. |
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