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God may be calling you to use your gifts to help others in Uganda. If so, we hope this page will serve as a resource for finding out what is involved.
Where in Uganda?
This team went to Kampala, Hoima, Masindi then Murchison Falls Park on a short safari. The next team will go to Hoima but will likely have a different agenda beyond Hoima. Potential other locations include Bundibudgyo, Fort Portal and more.
What are the trip costs?
The exact number is dependant on airfare at the time of departure but assume around $2500 for travel expenses and lodging. Add an additional $500 for shots so total trip costs will range around $3000. You will need to either raise this money or pay out of pocket.
How long will the trip be?
Currently we are shooting for a 10 day trip but 14 has been considered.
When will the next trip take place?
It is unknown as to exactly when the next trip will be but currently we are hoping for October 2008
The itinerary for the next trip will likely be different but to give you an idea of ballpark, here is ours: it took about 2.5 days to get to Hoima.
- Asheville to Detroit 2 hour flight
- 6 hour layover
- Detroit to Amsterdam - 7.5 hour flight
- 5 hour layover
- Amsterdam to Entebbe 7.5 hour flight
- Drive to Kampala 1 hour
- Stay over night
- Drive to Hoima 3-4 hours.
We are in the process of determining an age limit. You definitely must be very aware of your surroundings so this trip will not be appropriate for younger people. Currently a cut off of late teens is being considered but we will let you know when we have determined the cut off - this age limit will be strictly adhered to.
No. Uganda is a much more rigorous trip than Honduras. It's 2.5 days of travel to the destination and 2.5 days from. The accommodations will vary. You may or may not have power and/or water. The risks are greater. This is a new mission so the path is new with some unknowns. Be prepared to be very flexible.
Yes. We are in the process of putting together a mandatory program that those going will need to attend. This will take place in the weeks just ahead of the trip.
This is not an easy trip and there is no going out to the store for supplies or medication. You should be in good health, good physical shape and in control of any medical conditions you may have. Examples of some medical conditions where we would recommend you not go: hepatitis, the inability to walk or stand for protracted periods of time, a compromised immune system, heart difficulty, extreme allergies that require special injections or treatment or any other medical issue where you need regular care. This list is just to give examples and is not meant to be a complete list.
What shots and medication will I need?
The complete list should be checked at the CDC 2 months before departure but for the last trip, 11 shots plus malaria medication was either required or recommended. The shots are:
Yellow Fever (REQUIRED for departure)
Hep A - 3 shots (2 before departure)
Hep B - 2 shots
MMR
Polio
DPT (tetanus)
Typhoid
Meningitis
Malaria (pills)
You will need to call your county health department to schedule a travel appointment at least 1 month before departure.
Will safe water and food be available?
As with any travel to a third world country, there is potential for illness but in general, you will have access to safe food and water but recognize that risks do exist and people that go on missions trips frequently do experience intestinal problems.
Uganda is a hard place and though Hoima is currently stable and in general peaceful, there is always some risk of violence. There is currently unrest in the northern part of Uganda but peace efforts are underway and Hoima is far south of this. Check the latest news and the US government travel information for current information. Ebola was last present in the Bundibudgyo district about 4-5 hours south of Hoima in Oct - Dec 2007 timeframe it was de-quarintined in Feb 2008. Always check with the CDC for latest disease information. HIV/AIDS is prominent in the area but is not transmitted through mosquitoes - see the CDC for more information. Malaria is common but the malaria medication will give around 90% protection.
Is there electricity, running water, toilets, hot water?
In the hotels we stayed in, there was electricity. None of the homes we visited nor the church had power. The church did have a generator to run a keyboard and speaker system. All the places we stayed in did have running water but it seemed that if too many (or any) people were using the water in another room, you were left with none. We usually had hot water but not always. We had flush toilets in the hotels but in some cases, we had a "hole" that you squat over then flush. If you stay in a place that has power, the power is 240V and you will need an adapter kit that includes a "British" adapter and converter. Your accommodations may well be different and may not have power or running water. As the itinerary firms up for the next trip, we will give you as much detail as we know.
You will need $50 to purchase a visa upon entry to Uganda at the airport. They take dollars there. You can get money exchanged. To exchange, you MUST have bills that are newer than the year 2000 and you will need $50 or $100 denominations (smaller bills get much lower exchange rate). You will need money for souvenirs and food.
Should I take food with me?
It is a good idea to pack food. There were some cases where we had to fend for ourselves. Breakfast bars and non-perishable items like tuna, crackers, peanut butter, etc. It should be noted that there are no diet sodas available there. If you can, please leave any unused food with Edward and Christine.
Toilet paper as you may not always have access to some. A towel and wash cloth. Any medications or hygiene items you will need. There is no "running to the store" to get something you forgot. Cold, flu, allergy, anti-diahrreah, vitamins, laxatives, aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, sleep aids, band-aids, ointment, feminine hygiene, etc.. are all good medicines to have. Bug spray is a must. Any towels, medicines and any bug spray you can leave with Edward and Christine, please do so. This could save someone's life. Also see the list of needs given by Christine. Any of these items that you can bring will fulfill specific requests.
Somewhat. Special trips can be made to the internet but connections are excruciatingly slow. It took 20 minutes just to get past the log in page one night. Do not plan on doing a lot of internet work but it is possible to do some.
We never saw a way to do laundry. Washing clothes in the sink sounds like a good idea but the air was humid enough when we were there - drying in any amount of time seemed formidable. We were covered in dirt during the day. Wearing something twice was almost impossible. It's a hassle but pack a change of clothes for each day unless it is something really dark that won't show dirt.
Runyoro(Edward's dialect) and Rutoro (Christine's dialect) and English. Many people speak a little English but many speak no English at all. Edward, Christine and their family are fluent. Christine gave some Runyoro words.
Please contact Jim Pearce or call 891-2006
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