CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES PACKAGE
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 representatives or coordinator will meet you and your family at the airport or port of arrival. Most of the time you will see your name on the sign, we encourage you to wear your given Amani Hostel T-Shirt so that there will be no confusion! Make sure to send you’re the detailed itinerary and if possible your photo or family picture ahead of time and notify us of any changes, delays or flight cancellation so alternative arrangements can be made accordingly.
Clothing
East African countries are generally warmer than Southern Africa; 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; it’s relatively easy to secure your own mobile handset with a local sim card line for temporary use. We strongly suggest the use of the 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’s 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 a homestay, we also encourage courteous giving only as a token of appreciation but it’s 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 off the “Volunteer Houses or Hostel or Host family” since hotels, bread & breakfast or guesthouses can be expensive for volunteers staying for longer periods of time, homestay programs allow 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 the 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, homestay can accommodate up to 6 volunteers while hostels can accommodate more. Do not worry about staying in a homestay—we would not place you somewhere that is unsafe. While bedding is provided it is recommended that volunteers bring their own sleeping bags and towels for any trips away. Homestays are located in the towns and cities closer to the project sites but sometimes they may be a 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, at a homestay, you will normally eat what the family eats. Regardless of the tribe or culture, your host family is 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 worry about bringing their own water supply!. Depending on the African country you are volunteering, breakfasts generally consist of a cup of tea or coffee, bread or traditionally made cake, toast, fruit, and deep-fried dough.
A typical lunch can include meat and vegetables with rice, sandwiches, and fruit while dinner usually sees traditional food such as ugali and chapatti accompany the meat and vegetables. Breakfast is taken in the morning, then, lunch, which is served at about 1 pm (or you can take a packed lunch if you wish to eat at your project) and then dinner/supper served at 6 or 7pm or sometime later. Volunteers with special special dietary needs are accommodated by let us know ahead of time. Please dot not expects to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but also as a volunteer, there is a need to be flexible and courteous.
Activities in a Nutshell.
- Volunteering Teaching disadvantaged and vulnerable children in the rural areas in schools, orphanages, and secondary schools. Opportunities for more technical and advanced skill transfer can be made ahead of times to be able to teach at high schools, vocational, or university levels. Mission-oriented volunteers can also have the advantage of ministering to church groups like women, youth, children, and special groups like businessmen and women.
- Volunteering with both domesticated and wildlife animals, children, and communities in Africa. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with local veterinarians, captivity centers, wildlife management and conservation organizations, and community-based development organizations that further the sustainable utilization of natural resources and community awareness projects.
- Learn new skills and take in knowledge about other parts of the world. Volunteers can be attached to a specialty group of professionals such as architects, engineers, pharmacists, mechanics, etc to learn new skills and experience how things are done in different parts of the world. Prior arrangements of this kind of volunteer work is required in order to make proper arrangements with local professionals.
- Help uplift the community through building and refurbishment projects and community development programs such as the construction of school classrooms, rural medical centers (dispensary), kid’s playgrounds, orphanages, community meeting places, etc. Volunteers participate in the community brainstorming sessions for projects that benefit them all.
- Volunteering in the Medical center to help with vaccinations, immunization, treatment, counseling, education, and protection of diseases and health care issues! Health education, promotion, and wellness are the center of the medical volunteer focus. Volunteers have the opportunity to engage their hands-on skills in making a difference in touching people’s lives in a unique way.
- Make a real impact in women empowerment, legal aid, advocacy, and basic human rights issues. We work with Human Rights organizations that aim to provide legal aid and counseling services to poor and disadvantaged women and children. Volunteers have the opportunity to facilitate seminars, workshops, camps, and conferences.
- Volunteer with organizations and centers that work with disadvantaged teenage girls. Most of these teen girls have children, the volunteers have an opportunity to provide these girls with a hope for a better future and teach them skills that allow them to become self-supporting and take care of their children.
- Work with a project that cares for the environment, agriculture, perm culture, wetlands, and natural resources management. These projects are dedicated to environmental conservation, the population’s welfare, and community development. Volunteers will work in partnership with local governments, as well as other civic organizations.
- Most of the centers and projects accept internship opportunities for students and participants. Students can earn College or University credits by participation and professional references are produced to indicate the level and extent of volunteer’s involvement in the skill transfer and participation.
- Enjoy cultural tours, adventure trips, and safaris
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE
Day 1: The volunteers at Amani Hostel will be oriented the route to the project site, introduced to the staff and people at the project you will be working with and taken back to the hostel or home stay.
Monday to Friday:
A typical week depends on the project site and activities done, office-oriented work may extend to regular hours while labor-intensive outside work may not be typical and usually ends early. A typical day may be as follows:
Monday to Friday.
- 08:30 Am- 4:30 pm
- 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm Dinner
You will be given a detailed duty plan for your work for the entire week ahead of time so you have an idea of what to expect and how to make adjustments.
Saturday and Sunday:
During the weekend, volunteers have free time to chill and relax, take the opportunity to explore the country and learn more about culture. Whenever there are long weekends volunteers could go on safari or travel further afield to places of interest, your country representative will give you all possible places to have fun and tour. If volunteers wish to work over the weekends they can visit other projects that are active during these times, such projects as orphanages (or other children helping organizations) to spend time simply playing with and entertaining the children.
Fees
- All airport pick up and drop off from the project
- Work permit application and arrangements
- Detailed Handbook for Volunteerism
- Country and Project orientation programs including safety briefings
- Full board and lodging stay, which includes all meals a day
- Tour and Game drives (subject to project)
- Assistance from Country coordinators
- Certificate of Participation
What the fee excludes:
- Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement which must include cover for repatriation
- All transport to the destination (ie flights)
- All items of a personal nature, such as souvenirs, curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
- Email/internet and telephone calls
- Soft drinks, Medications, and Entertainments
- All visas for border crossings
- Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary