Project Haiti, a group that goes to Haiti every spring break to help poor Haitians, is changing its plans this year because of political chaos in the country.

Dan Beachler, president of Project Haiti, said the group decided not to go to Haiti this year because of the violence and mass kidnappings of Americans.

On Nov. 22, 2005, the U.S. Department of State posted travel warnings telling Americans not go to Haiti, citing violent armed groups, looting and assault. The warning said more than 25 Americans had been kidnapped during the past year.

"It's just not safe enough for us to go," Beachler said.

Last year, Penn State did not give official support or funding to the group traveling to Haiti because of the danger. However, the group went to Haiti anyway, despite the lack of support.

Beachler said Project Haiti would instead be going to the Dominican Republic to help out a group of Haitian immigrants through Crossroads, www.dominicancrossroads.com, an organization dedicated to missionary work.

Beachler added that the participants would do the same activities as they have in the past years -- fundraising for a community and then traveling to help the citizens.

He said they usually raise $10,000, which goes to help the community build hospitals, houses and other critical buildings.

Andrew Demers, a member of Project Haiti since 2001, said forming an opinion on the current political situation is tough.

Former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was ousted from his position in early 2004, left the country for political asylum.

Since then, elections for a new president have been delayed four times and the country has witnessed security issues and voter registration problems.

"There's bad guys and good guys. It depends on whose angle you're looking at," Demers said.

Demers, who is writing an honors thesis on Haiti, said he had good experiences helping Haitians in the past.

"It's important that we don't forget about it," he said.

Katie Meier, vice president of Project Haiti, said that even though they couldn't go to Haiti this year because of violence, they are still planning on going next year and the years after.

"The Haitians are a great people with a ton of determination," Meier said. "They're very giving and generous."