Mission Trip to Bright Star School

Trip Reminders         Links to Information         Jobs to Be Done          2011 Group

Purpose: to visit Bright Star School, to take gifts for the orphans and staff, to assist in a listed activity at the school and/or in the slum, to provide medical care, and to witness for Christ wherever we are.

Date:  2 weeks during March and/or April

Size of group:  12

Passport required - www.travel.state.gov/  or post office - $97; allow 6-8 weeks to get a new passport; be certain the one you have doesn't expire for 60 days while overseas.

Kenyan visa required - www.kenyaembassy.com/visa.html  - $25; for those who live near Kokomo, I'll take care of the process about 4 weeks before we leave; I'll help those who live out-of-state.  I need your passport to get your visa; the passport gets you in and out of the U.S. and identifies you in foreign countries while a visa is issued by a country giving you permission to enter for a specified length of stay.  It's possible to get your Kenyan visa at the Kenyatta Airport when we arrive.

Medical requirements – none: malaria pills recommended, especially if you're going on safari; Hepatitis A/B, tetanus, and typhoid are strongly suggested; polio has been eradicated in Kenya.  For more information, go to  www.cdc.gov/travel/eafrica.htm#bringwithyou 

Hotel -  approx. $50pp

Wildlife safari (optional) - approx. $400

Communication – inexpensive phone calls and e-mail are easily accessible; you might be home before your postcards arrive.

Food – breakfast included in price of hotel room, school lunch (free), cafes ($2-$3), restaurants ($8+); allow $100.

Luggage - carry-on luggage is limited to one piece of luggage no more than 45 linear inches (9x14x22) and one purse or similar item.  Airline regulations vary.

Drinks - inexpensive bottled water is readily available in Nairobi; tea and coffee are Kenya’s national drinks; Coke, Sprite and Fanta are also available.

Transportation – cost of hired vehicles/taxis will be shared (approx. $10/day).

Travel Insurance - (optional) www.aig.com

Clothing
     wear what is comfortable for you
     sweater/jacket/sweatshirt for cool mornings and evenings
     OLD, comfortable shoes that can be worn in mud and thrown away later
     rain coat/slicker (umbrellas can be purchased in Nairobi cheaply)
     a dress for Sunday worship service
     hotel laundry is expensive; bring clothing you can wash out at the school or in the hotel room

Safety – Nairobi government has increased security in tourist areas; there’s a constant threat of purse snatchings on the street; street beggars can be persistent; the U.S. government warns of possible terrorist acts against Americans all over the world.

Souvenirs are cheap - wood and soapstone carvings, masks, wildlife, woven baskets and bags, and beads

Time - time change will be 7-8 hours (they are ahead of us).

Things to remember:
     Everyone is different.
     Every place is different.
     Plans change.
     Things go wrong.
     God is with us always.