General Information

This is a special group package for Christian Based Organizations, Churches and Mission Groups. Both adults and youth planning to have mission trips accompanied by vacations, study tours, organized group outreach, and ministry in Africa are catered for in this package. Baobab Volunteering Services has partnerships with local churches, parachurch organizations, and Christian based ministries for mission work involvement in churches, orphanages, colleges, universities, local communities, schools, children, hospitals, jail ministry, constructions, HIV/AIDS outreach, teen girls, women, small Christian businesses, film ministry, camp crusades and many more depending on the preference of your group.  We organize teams of up to 80 participants and coordinate their experiences in different countries and places of ministry.

This has been a great and excellent tool for reaching out and touching many lives by sharing the gospel in a more practical way. We will be glad to participate in giving your church, ministry, or group a customized program and cross-linkage to a local African Christian ministry for partnership!

Upon Arrival

Upon your arrival to the country of destination, one of our country representative or coordinator will meet you and your family at the airport or port of arrival. Most of the times you will see your name of the sign, we encourage you to wear your Baobab Volunteer T-Shirt so that there will be no confusion!. Make sure to send your detailed itinerary and if possible your photo or family picture ahead of time and notify us of any changes, delays, or flight cancellations so alternative arrangements can be made accordingly.

Clothing

East African countries are generally warmer than Southern African; we suggest that you check your weather forecast ahead of time before arrival. Make sure you have both tropical and temperate clothing because some areas are cooler than others. Desert nights in the Kalahari may be very cold while day time is Dar-es-Salaam are generally hot and humid. In cases where volunteers would like to participate in safaris and excursions then camping equipment would be preferable things such as sleeping bags, flashlight (battery touch), camping mattress etc.

Communication

Mobile phones are a major means of communication in most countries, its relatively easy to secure your own mobile handset with local sim cad line for temporary use. We strongly suggest that the use of internet for fast and convenient communication, internet cafes are available in most big cities. Other means of communication include Post offices, couriers such as DHL, EMS and others if you need to receive or ship packages during your stay.

 Donations

It is encouraged to bring either brand new or used gift items, especially for projects in the orphanages, items like toys, shoes, clothes, etc are highly appreciated. For homestay we also encourage courteous giving only as a token of appreciation but it is not required.

 Currency

Every country uses somewhat a different currency, they may be all designated as shillings or dollars but most of the time they differ greatly in value. Most airports have places to exchange currency, ATM machines can be found in hotels, malls, and banks. We encourage volunteers to only change money at these designated locations and not with individuals (black market). American Dollars and Pound Sterling are common currencies that are widely accepted but one should not exactly the current exchange rate. We advise that volunteers should have these currencies most of the time, especially in Eastern African countries.

Accommodations 

Most of the Volunteers prefer to stay of the “Volunteer Houses” since hotels, bread & breakfast or guesthouses can be expensive for volunteers staying for longer periods of time, home stay programs allows volunteers to live with a local family and experience real African traditional lifestyle. The volunteer houses are large, Western-style houses with TV, showers, and sanitary facilities, and most of time shared with other volunteers.

Safety and Security

The house is normally safe and secure, with a security guard and a large gate, however, with the homestays, we give that family money from your fee for support, food and boarding. It is exciting to stay with a family; that way you will learn the African way of life, meet local people, eat local food, and engage in local customs and traditions. Living is basic but all the home stays have power, water and accommodate volunteers in homes but more so in their lives. We have assessed all homes for basic needs to make your stay comfortable enough; you may stay with other volunteers in the same home or alone depending on the size of your group. Typically, home stay can accommodate up to 6 volunteers while hostels can accommodate more. Do not worry about staying in a home stay—we would not place you somewhere that is unsafe. While bedding is provided it is recommended that volunteers bring their own sleeping bag and towels for any trips away. Homestays are located in the towns and cities closer to the project sites but sometimes they may be 20-30 minute drive from the township.

Food and Meals.

In the volunteer house or hostels, there is a cook who fixes meals for the volunteers, meanwhile, in a home stay, you will normally eat what the family eats. Regardless of the tribe or culture, your host family be assured that they will give you a good African treat and meals will be relatively varied. Most African foods have background stories attached to them, make sure to ask about each dish associated occasion. Bottled water is readily available in all African countries and volunteers need not to worry about bringing their own water supply!. Depending on the African