Preparing for your Mission Trip

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Preparing for your Mission Trip"

Asher Moore
5 years ago
Views:

1 Preparing fr yur Missin Trip AIRLINE TICKETS Our missin teams travel via United Airlines, with a cnnectin in Hustn, t the Hnduran capital city, Tegucigalpa. Once the dates f the trip are cnfirmed, travelers can bk their wn flights r the Saint Basil Parish secretary can assist the traveler with making flight reservatins. Travelers are respnsible fr paying the full cst f their airfare, which averages $600 - $900 per persn, rund trip. Upn arrival at the airprt in Tegucigalpa, we pick up rental trucks fr the fur hur trip t San Francisc de la Paz in Olanch. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Yu are required t have the fllwing pieces f persnal identificatin: Passprt: Applicatins can be made at the Pst Office. Cst is apprximately $100 and takes abut six weeks. NOTE: Passprt must nt expire within six mnths f the return date f the trip. Required back-up ID: Yu shuld make fur cpies f the inside f yur passprt which includes yur picture and persnal infrmatin. One cpy shuld be carried separately frm yur passprt, n yur persn; a cpy t be given t the designated team leader; a cpy t be held at the parish ffice and a cpy kept n file at hme. Immigratin frm: This will be given t yu by the airline during the flight. Departure Tax: There is a $39 (U.S. dllars) departure tax per persn that is paid at the Hnduras Airprt. Cash is necessary fr this departure tax. IMMUNIZATIONS The Center fr Disease Cntrl recmmends the fllwing: Malaria preventative Tetanus. Shuld be updated every ten years. Typhid Hepatitis Type A Arrangements fr the abve immunizatins can be made thrugh Cleveland Clinic Marymunt Travel Clinic by calling r University Hspitals by calling (the recrding indicates yu have reached the medicine scheduling ffice; stay n the line fr an peratr and ask fr the travelers clinic ffice). If pssible, immunizatins shuld be dne at least 60 days in advance f departure date.

2 HEALTH INSURANCE Because ur American health insurance desn't cver ur medical needs in verseas missin travel, we will cntract with a cmpany that will prvide basic and emergency health insurance while in Hnduras. Fr a 10 day trip the cst is apprximately $60 per persn. This cst is included in the advance payment that is described belw. CARRY-ON BAGGAGE United Airlines will permit ne bag plus ne persnal item (Cat, purse, camera) per custmer t be carried n the aircraft. The maximum cmbined linear measurement (length + width + height) f carry- n bags must nt exceed 14 inches x 9 inches x 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm) r 45 linear inches (114 cm). A backpack wrks great as a carry- n fr the trip. Make sure all yur bags have identificatin tags with yur name n them, including yur carry n. Suggested items fr carry- n: Passprt Credit Card $39 fr departure tax frm Hnduras, this is separate frm the $100(suggested amunt fr use during stay) Change f clthes in case yur baggage is lst Camera and film Snacks in case f delay Water bttle Tilet paper (2 rlls) Hand sanitize gel Medicatins t include the fllwing: All persnal medicatins. Pept Bisml r Imdium AD and Crrectl. Dramamine is recmmended, if yu are prne t mtin sickness. Ibuprfen is als recmmended. Acidphilus pills gd bacteria! Health insurance card Reading materials CHECKED BAGGAGE All passengers are permitted t check tw bags, up t 62.0 linear inches (157cm) L + W + H and 50.0 lbs (23 kg) per bag. One bag, cntaining all f yur persnal items (see the list belw), can be checked at n charge. A secnd bag will be packed with items we will use fr ur Missin wrk and the charge will be cvered as part f the Missin expenses. Fr additinal infrmatin, visit United Airlines Web site ( r Transprtatin Security Administratin ( Clthing Bts / shes Twels and washclth Bed linens (twin bed)/pillw/ lightweight blanket Sap/antibacterial ltin Tilet paper/paper lunch bags fr tissue use Sunglasses

3 Cntact lenses/slutin (bring an extra pair). Glasses are preferred at cnstructin sites. Shes/wrk shes and shwer clgs Light rain jacket Electric hairdryers and shavers Earplugs (fr nise reductin while sleeping) Snacks (granla bars, crackers, hard candy, tuna makers) Flashlight A few zip lck bags Wrk glves Sun blck, lip balm, insect repellant Prayer bk Jurnal Ladies nte: Cme prepared with feminine hygiene prducts. Yu are able t purchase sme prducts but nt all (tampns are nt available) in Hnduras. PACKING Pack lightly. D nt take anything yu can't affrd t lse. Rlling clthes takes less space. Avid glass cntainers. Yu may bring a purse r small camera bag in additin t yur carry- n. Nametags need t be n all baggage. One bag shuld cntain yur persnal items, while the secnd ne is used t pack supplies and gifts. Always be mindful f where yur passprt is; and always have it n yur persn when traveling t and frm the airprt. CURRENCY DO NOT BRING TRAVELER'S CHECKS. Yu can bring sme cash (apprximately $100 U.S. dllars) fr snacks and suvenirs. Yu will be prvided with $100 Limpera (Hnduran currency) smetime prir t ur departure r at the airprt. One Limpera is wrth abut five cents. Credit cards are accepted at sme shps in Tegucigalpa and at sme gas statins in Juticalpa. N credit cards are accepted in San Francisc de la Paz r the villages. SAFETY AND SECURITY We will make every effrt t ensure the safety and security f ur missin teams and the success f ur Missin effrts by fllwing sme basic rules and guidelines while in Hnduras. Fr example, we always travel in grups and make sure t cmplete ur wrkday s we arrive back at the Hgar del Niñ befre dark. As t be expected in any develping cuntry, the cnditins in sme f the places where we travel are nt the same standard as the cnditins t which mst f us are accustmed (i.e. plitical envirnments and judicial systems). Further, there are certain health and detainment risks as well as ther risks that anyne cnsidering a trip shuld be aware f. Any questins r cncerns will be addressed at infrmatinal meetings held prir t a trip. Finally, we clsely mnitr any travel warnings fr Hnduras psted n the U.S. State Department Web site:

4 Things t Knw Abut Yur Stay in Hnduras LIVING CONDITIONS Husing: During yur time in Hnduras, yu will be staying at the Hgar del Nin. Originally cnstructed as a children s medical hspital, the facility is secure with a gate that is lcked 24 hurs a day t keep visitrs frm wandering in and ut. Sleeping arrangements are in drmitry- style rms with shared restrm and shwer facilities. Beds are prvided, hwever yu need t bring linens (fr twin beds) and pillws. Shwers are with cld water and yu will need t bring yur wn twel, washclth and sap. Fd: One full, ht meal a day, typically dinner, will be prepared by a Hnduran ck. Nrmally, breakfast and lunch is n ur wn and we d the shpping. If yu wuld like t bring items frm hme, make sure they are nn- perishable (crackers, granla bars, trail mix, tuna makers, peanut butter, instant atmeal, micrwave ppcrn). Hndurans shw their lve and affectin fr thers thrugh their cking. They appreciate hearing that yu enjyed yur meal. D nt buy fd frm street vendrs. The kitchen is equipped with pts and pans, micrwave, small stve, refrigeratr. Cst fr grceries purchased in Hnduras is included in the $120 depsit. Weather: The temperature is likely t reach 90+ degrees in the heat f the day. Dehydratin can easily ccur under these cnditins. Drinking plenty f bttled water (which will be supplied) is a must. A water bttle is required, s individuals can btain clean water at the Hgar. Sunscreen, SPF 15 r higher, is recmmended alng with lip prtectin. Ale Vera is helpful with sunburn. Bring a lightweight, lng- sleeve shirt if yu burn easily. A hat is recmmended. Grups traveling in winter and spring shuld be prepared fr cl evenings and bring sweatshirt r lightweight jacket. CLOTHING It is imprtant, ut f respect fr the Hndurans, that we cmply with their clthing standards. Please use discretin and cmmn sense. Keep mdesty in mind. Wearing clthes that are tattered is a sign f disrespect. Cl, cmfrtable clthing is recmmended. Cttn clthing is mst apprpriate. Male attire. Lightweight wrk pants, slacks and jeans are apprpriate. Shrts may nly be wrn at the Hme Base, nt the wrk area. Shrt- sleeve shirts, t- shirts r tank tps may be wrn, hwever they must nt cntain any questinable lgs, such as beer, cigarettes, r rck grups. Fr Mass, a shrt sleeve cllared shirt and casual pants are

5 recmmended. Tennis shes and bts are the recmmended ft attire. Sandals/flip- flps can be used at the Hgar and are excellent fr shwering. Female attire. Jeans, slacks and apprpriate shrts may be wrn. N mini- skirts, tank tps r skin revealing attire shuld be wrn utside the Hgar. Tennis shes and bts shuld be wrn t the wrk area; n pen ted shes. Jewelry. N jewelry, just an inexpensive watch. HEALTH AND HYGIENE Sanitary cnditins thrughut Hnduras are pr. Parasites and micrrganisms cause many health prblems fr the Hnduran peple. These can cause intestinal disrders, such as diarrhea, in freigners. T remain healthy, carefully bserve the directins belw. Water: Drink nly bttled water. Tap water is unsafe t drink. DO NOT EVEN USE IT TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH. Ice made frm tap water is als unsafe. Lettuce and nn- peeled fruit (a banana wuld be kay, an apple wuld nt be) culd als be cntaminated. Wash-N-Drys: These and/r hand antiseptic sanitize gel are great. They are cnvenient t use when water is nt readily available. Tilet tissue: Is nt flushed dwn the tilet, rather it is depsited in a cntainer (small brwn bag) next t the tilet. Als, please bring several paper lunch bags fr dispsing f tilet tissue. Please bring a fur pack f tilet tissue with yu (it is recmmended yu keep ne rll n yu at all times; even areas such as the airprt lack tilet tissue). DISTRIBUTION OF GIFTS AND SUPPLIES Never arbitrarily give items away t Hndurans. If yu want t leave sme f yur persnal belngings (clthing), check with yur team leader first. Giving things away, even candy, can create chas. It is very imprtant nt t add t the disempwerment f the peple by creating a begging mentality. The items that the team brings (shes, clthing, schl supplies) will be distributed by the members thrugh an rganized, pre- determined prcess. Yu shuld refrain frm giving mney t beggars, particularly at the airprt, many f whm are prfessinals. COMMUNICATION We have three cell phnes fr use by team members during their stay in Hnduras - - t stay cnnected with ne anther and t check in with hme. We ask that team members limit the time and number f calls t hme. Part f the purpse f the missin is t disengage frm ur everyday life and engage with the peple f Hnduras. Checking in ccasinally with yur lved nes t make sure everything is kay at hme and t reassure them that yu are ding well is t be expected. If smene needs t reach yu, they shuld cntact the Saint Basil Parish Office and smene frm the ffice will cntact us. Yu might want t check with yur cell phne prvider t find ut if yu have service in Hnduras. There is als an internet café in San Francisc de la Paz and several in Juticalpa.

6 Other Infrmatin Yu May Need COST OF TRIP AND PAYMENT INFORMATION The ttal cst fr the trip will average abut $900- $1,100, depending n the price f airfare at the time f the trip. This includes airfare; $150 fr immunizatins; $100 fr a passprt if yu dn t currently have ne; $85 fr accmmdatins and meals at the Marritt Htel the night befre departure t return hme; and $39 departure tax per persn that is paid at the Hnduras Airprt (Cash is necessary). Travelers are encuraged t use frequent flier miles t defray the cst f the airfare. All expenses related t the missin are tax deductible. In additin, it is ur hpe that yu will see these expenses as an investment in yur persnal grwth, and as a cntributin f service t the peple f Hnduras. Advance payment f $120 t cver the cst f fd, Limpera and insurance are due at the Saint Basil Parish Office apprximately six t eight weeks prir t departure. Checks shuld be made t Saint Basil Hnduras Missin. INFORMATION TO LEAVE AT HOME The Hgar del Nin where we will be staying is lcated in: San Francisc de la Paz Department (State) f Olanch, Hnduras, C.A. The evening befre departing Hnduras, grups stay at the Marritt Htel in Tegucigalpa. The cst per rm has been apprximately $85 (U.S. dllars) and includes breakfast and transprtatin t the airprt. Htel infrmatin: Tegucigalpa Marritt Htel Bulevard Juan Pabl Segund Tegucigalpa, Hnduras Telephne: Fax: The U.S. Embassy and Cnsulate are lcated at: U.S. Embassy Tegucigalpa Avenida La Paz Tegucigalpa, Hnduras Telephne: r Emergency after- hurs telephne: American Citizens Services Unit Fax: Cnsular Agency San Pedr Sula

7 Banc Atlantida Building (acrss frm Central Park) 11th Flr San Pedr Sula, Hnduras Telephne: Fr infrmatin n services fr U.S. citizens, please ask fr ext Fr mre infrmatin abut traveling t Hnduras, visit the U.S. State Department Web site:

Shuttles are scheduled ONLY when there is a reservation. Without reservations we DO NOT travel.

Custmer Agreement / Cmpany Plicies Shuttles are scheduled ONLY when there is a reservatin. Withut reservatins we DO NOT travel. (Excluding Hlidays) Reservatins must be prepaid with a credit card. Please