Travel

Homecoming Travel

Lakay se Lakay

A Haitian proverb that means home is home or home is where the heart is. It’s an expression to show how you always have a place where you can feel welcome and safe.

Homecoming Trip

The Homecoming Trip to Ayiti is a cultural and heritage immersion experience organized by Haitian Preservation in partnership with Ayiti Community Trust (ACT). The initiative is designed to reconnect members of the Haitian diaspora with their ancestral homeland while deepening understanding of Haiti’s history, culture, and contemporary community-led development efforts.

The trip will take place each year around September 20, in commemoration of the birthday of Jean‑Jacques Dessalines, the founding father of Haiti and a central figure in the Haitian Revolution. Activities are primarily held in Northern Ayiti, a region rich in revolutionary history and cultural heritage. Holding the trip during this period allows participants to reflect on the legacy of independence, national sovereignty, and the enduring spirit of the Haitian people.

Key Elements of the Experience

Historical and Cultural Immersion

Participants visit historically significant sites in northern Haiti and engage with the stories, traditions, and cultural practices that shaped the nation.

Commemoration of Dessalines’ Legacy

The program honors the life and vision of Jean-Jacques Dessalines through reflection, dialogue, and ceremonies that connect participants to Haiti’s revolutionary history.

Community Engagement

Travelers interact with local leaders, community organizations, and ACT-supported initiatives, offering a firsthand look at Haitian-led development work.

Diaspora Reconnection

The experience creates space for members of the diaspora to reconnect with their roots, strengthen cultural identity, and build meaningful relationships with communities in Ayiti.

Return home.

Beyond tourism — this is intentional travel rooted in ceremony, learning, and community partnership.

To get a glimpse into the significance of these types of trips, watch Mat Jeanius tell the story of his life-changing return to Haiti from last year's Revolution of the Haitian Spirit. Or watch his IG reel of his first visit with his whole family.