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Encouragement
Inc. - Volunteer Member
Passports: Each team member
is responsible for obtaining their own passport. The
expiration date should be at least 4-6 months past the
return date to the US. Always carry a copy of your passport
with you and leave one copy at home for emergency purposes.
Your local post office can assist you with the details.
http://www.usps.com
Visas: Visas
for Kenya are easily obtained at the Kenya border/airport
upon entering the country. A single entry visa for Kenya
is usually all that is needed since we do not leave
the country of Kenya once there. Visas may also be obtained
by mailing your passport and Visa application to the
Kenya Embassy in Washington D.C. You can save the postage
by waiting until you get to the Nairobi airport and
purchase your Visa then. There is no difference in price.
The cost for a single entry visa is $25.00 (2010 rate).
However, if you wait until arriving in Kenya you will
save a significant amount from the postage of mailing
to Washington, D.C. and back. If you decide to mail
your passport to the Washington D.C. Embassy, it is
highly recommended that you use only certified or registered
mail. Your local post office can assist you with the
details or visit the following link: http://www.kenyaembassy.com.
Airline Routes:
Teams usually leave the USA in the evenings and land
in either Amsterdam, London or Paris early the next morning. If we go
to London and have time we will sight-see in London
during the day and then fly on to Nairobi, Kenya later
that evening. From Nairobi, we either take a flight
to the Western Province of Kenya or we are transported
by vans to the Encouragement Ministry Center in Webuye.
(Way-boo-yeah)
Weather: Remember
the weather in Europe is much like the weather
in the USA, but the weather is the opposite in Africa.
Our summer is their winter, etc. Dress appropriately!
Kenya winters are like that of Southern California.
Warm during the day (75-85 degrees) and cool at night
(55 degrees).
Costs:
Encouragement Inc. makes ALL of the arrangements for our
team members. Because we are a non-profit mission
organization we sometimes get special airline rates not
offered to the public. The cost is set at $3,000.00 USD
per person (2009-2010). This includes air flight, all
ground transportation, lodging and all in country meal tips.
It does not include passports, immunizations, gifts,
and food in the airports and while in route. Usually
a "free-will offering/tip" is received for
our bus driver & safari guide, if we use one. Many
people choose to carry around $200 USD with them for
these expenses and for gifts and airport snacks. Major
credit cards are accepted at most places in Europe and
Africa. ATM machines are readily available in Africa.
Usually only the cost of a meal and an inexpensive ride
on the "tube" to downtown London from the
airport is all that you will need to pay for. Usually
$50.00 will cover everything. Seeing a few of the city
sights in London can be done free of charge. (Buckingham
Palace, Big Ben, the Thames River)
Immunizations:
Though no immunizations are required, you will want
to check with your doctor or local county health department
for their recommendations. We encourage people to get
all the immunizations they can afford.
Food: Three
meals a day will be prepared at the Ministry Center.
There are limited snacks in Africa.. You may want to
bring some snacks, candy, or granola bars, etc. Or if
you have a special diet, you will need to plan yourself
for meeting these dietary needs. Each team members is
asked to take food from a provided list of foods. These
food items usually cost each member around $40.00 to
purchase here in the states. We share taking turns in
the food preparation while there. This makes it safe
for those who would rather not eat African food daily.
We provide bottled water for all the team members daily.
Clothes: The
cool months are May-August. A sweat shirt and a light
jacket are necessary at night during these months. Long
pants or blue jeans are good for the cool months. The
hottest months are Oct-Feb, although it does rain during
these months. Most outdoor work can be done in shorts.
Men need a collared shirt for the church services and/or
the pastors conferences. Women need a casual dress or
skirt for church. Tennis shoes are fine for all occasions.
Walking shoes or sandals are advisable. There will be
washing of clothes available almost daily except Sundays.
"Tips" are always appropriate for the locals
doing the laundry.
Misc: People
enjoy using a GPS and other toys, these are totally
optional. Everyone will want a camera, but each team
should have a designated camera person and one video
camera. Others can take a video camera if they desire.
Luggage: Each
person can take: 1 (one) 13 lb. carryon bags; and 2
(two) 50 lb. bag. Sometimes we ask each person to transport
a second 50 lbs. bag full of items for the orphanage
or churches. This is how we transport needed supplies.
Sometimes we get a special allowance by the airline
to take a 3rd bag of 50 lbs. It is a good idea to pack
an extra set of clothing in your carry on luggage in
case your suitcase is lost or arrives late. (We will
check baggage requirement updates and inform you of
any changes as we get closer to our departure date.)
It is advisable to bring all daily medications
in your personal carry on luggage. Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
and bug spray are recommended.
Nearby attractions:
There is an optional safari to the World Famous Masai
Mara game preserve where you can be up close and personal
(at a safe distance and in a vehicle) with lions, elephants,
wildebeests, baboons, giraffes, zebras, and a host of
other exotic animals in the wild. The cost is around $500.00
per person for a two night safari package with a professional
guide and safari vehicle. This includes lodging at a
5 star indoor safari lodge overlooking the Mara River,
all meals, transportation and park fees. The safari
is the last two nights of your stay in Kenya before
being flown back to the USA. This is a once in a life-time
experience and we highly recommend this safari to all.
We do not make any money from this excursion. You can use a credit card for payment once there.
www.Mpata.com
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