June 2011
Tanzania Outreach Brigade
Information Packet
Table of Contents
Introduction......
Letter from Brigade Coordinator...... 3
Tanzania History and People
Background
Map of Tanzania………………………………………………………………………………..5
Our trip...... 6
Preparing for the trip...... 7
Medical Needs and Vaccinations...... 7
Passports...... 9
Packing for trip...... 11
Luggage...... 11
What to pack...... 12
Traveling...... 15
Airports...... 15
Respecting the Culture...... 16
The people...... 16
Additional tips on Cultural Sensitivity...... 17
Jet Lag/Culture Shock...... 18
Anticipated Duties/Responsibilities...... 19
Three teams...... 19
Food and Lodging...... 20
Plan for Adventure...... 22
Sightseeing...... 22
To Do List………………………………………………………………………………………..23
Important Dates & Deadlines…………………………………………………………………….24
Addendums...... 25
Additional Passport Information……………………………………………………………...26
U.S. Immunization Schedules………………………………………………………………...27
Useful Swahili Phrases………………………………………………………………………..30
Introduction
February 2011,
Jambo (Swahili for hello),
Just a few months to go before our exciting trip to the East African nation of Tanzania!!!
We are traveling to Tanzania to implement the mission of Village Life Outreach Project (VLOP) to“unite communities to promote Life, Health, and Education.” While our primary goal is service, this journey is also meant to be a learning experience for everyone, so please have fun and learn as much about the culture and the land as possible. Breathtaking beauty awaits us around each corner, and we do plan to “take the scenic way home.”
For those of you who have never been to Africa, this brigade will be one of the most incredible and humbling experiences you will ever have....guaranteed! With dedication, hard work, knowledge and compassion, we absolutely have the ability to improve conditions in the Rorya District of Tanzania and touch peoples’ lives. Our previous brigades have been quite successful, and have allowed us to establish Village Life as a dedicated group of people committed to helping each community we serve with their specific needs. We are really looking forward to going back with fresh faces and fresh ideas to build upon our previous experiences.
This first packet of information is written for the main purpose of providing details about what we need to do, as well as what we should expect in Tanzania. As we get closer to the actual date of departure, there will be additional information given in relation to all the specifics of the itinerary. This packet contains guidelines which we need to follow prior to the trip as well as essential information for our stay in Tanzania. Please, make sure you thoroughly read through the contents of the entire packet as it contains very important information!
I am looking forward to meeting each of you, and I will do my best to answer any questions you might have concerning the trip. All updated trip information will be relayed to each of you in a timely manner. Please feel free to email me at or Village Life’s Administrative Assistant Donna Schmid at ith any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Jeff Perry
Village Life Outreach Project, Inc.
Board of Directors, Treasurer, Brigade Coordinator
Tanzania History and People
Background
Demographics
/ Tanzania (pronounced “Tan-zahn-knee-ah) is roughly twice the size of California and is the largest of the East African countries. There are an estimated 30 million residents made up of over 120 tribes throughout this rich and diverse country.History
/ The country was ruled by the Germans from 1885 until 1918, followed by the British administration until 1961. Tanganyika united with Zanzibar on April 26, 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. It was officially renamed The United Republic of Tanzania on October 29, 1964.Exploration
/ Tanzania has always been a lure for exploration, and in 1871, Dr. Livingstone was greeted by journalist Henry Stanley with the famous line, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?” It was Livingstone and Stanley who worked to help end the slave trade market. Tanzania, especially in the LakeMaliwi area, suffered more heavily at the hands of slave traders than any other country in East Africa. By 1922, however, the very last remnants of the slave trade were eradicated.Natural wonders
/ Tanzania is known as the “cradle of humankind” for its rich fossil finds of early humanoids, and is internationally known for the spectacular lay of the land. The Serengeti National Reserve, the NgorongoroCraterNational Park, Mount Kilimanjaro and the splendid Lake Victoria are all in this one country!Van travel
/ Driving in Kenya and Tanzania is opposite of the U.S. as they drive on the left hand side of the road. There will be quite a bit of “off road” driving so be prepared for a bumpy ride (especially those predisposed to motion sickness).Our trip
Our destination
/ Our primary destination will be the Shirati region, located in the RoryaDistrict. It is situated in the northern region of Tanzania, in close proximity to Lake Victoria.What’s included?
/ The flight, all lodgings and most meals, ground transportation, safari, visa applications, and bottled water are included in the fee of $3,600.Local people
/ The first Luo immigrants into the region came in the 15th century from Sudan searching for pastures and a continual water source. Today, the Luo are distinguished as skilled watermen, fishermen, and boat builders, as you will see in the village of Burere. Some of the Luo have migrated away from Lake Victoria into the regions of Roche and Nyambogo. It is in these three villages where we will focus our efforts to help villagers improve the health and education conditions in the region.Our local contact
/ Our main contact in Tanzania is Dr. Esther Kawira. Esther was born and trained in the United States, but married a Tanzanian man named Josiah Kawira and moved to Tanzania in the 1970’s. Esther now runs a health clinic in Sota, a small village near Shirati.Josiah and Esther Kawira help run the Shirati Health, Education and Development Foundation (SHED), which is Village Life’s sister organization in Tanzania. They help with all of Village Life’s accommodations and ongoing projects.How can I be contacted during the trip?
/ We will have a designated person from Village Life here in the United States who will be in contact with the group while they are traveling. This person will be available to give concerned family members updates on how we are doing throughout our travel, since we will have limited access to telephones, e-mail, etc. In case of emergency, your designated contact person can contact this Village Life representative in order to relay a message to you while traveling. However, this should only be done in case of a true emergency that you need to be notified of right away.Preparing for the trip
Medical Needs and Vaccinations
Vaccinations
Required / Yellow Fever vaccination is absolutely required by the government prior to entry in the Sub-Sahara region of Africa. You must show proof that the vaccination was received.How to get vaccinated
How to obtain appropriate documentation
/ There are several ways to get vaccinated and obtain appropriate documentation.1) Your primary care physician may be able to direct you to the nearest facility which carries the vaccine.
2) Contact your local health department for information
3) Global Health Services is a local clinic that graciously waived their office fees and just charged for the cost of immunizations for several brigade members last year. Their website is The phone number is (513) 777-8111, and the contact person is Beth Townsend, RN.
4)University of Cincinnati students may be able to utilize the health services on campus to receive vaccinations.
You will receive an International Certificate of Vaccination booklet, approved by the World Health Organization, which is the proof of vaccination. This booklet is mandatory and should be kept with your passport.
When to get vaccinated
/ You must receive your vaccine 4-6 weeks prior to leaving in order for the proper immunity level to be reached.How long does the vaccine last?
/ Once you receive the vaccine, it is good for (10) ten years..
Want to know more?
/ Yellow Fever:General information about travel and prevention of infections:
Continued on next page
Medical Needs, continued
Other Immunizations
/ For our brigade, Village Life requires that all childhood immunizations are up to date. Also,Hepatitis B series of injections should be completed
A tetanus booster within the past (10) ten years
Hepatitis A vaccine
Typhoid vaccine
Polio vaccine (A one-time dose of polio vaccine is an additional recommendation.)
Meningococcal vaccine
These vaccinations will need to be obtained at least 4-6 weeks prior to our departure (early May at the latest).
Other Medications
/ Have a prescription filled for Ciprofloxacin (Cipro or the equivalent) as a precaution against traveler’s diarrhea.Bring medicine for nausea and motion sickness.
Imodium AD (or equivalent anti-diarrheal) could come in handy.
Bring all regularly prescribed medications. They must be in the original containers, and you should also have a written list indicating all medications, doses, directions, and reasons for use.
If you suffer from allergies, you will definitely need to bring medicine to relieve your symptoms.
Antimalarial medications are necessary for travel to Africa and very strongly advised by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), the WHO (World Health Organization), and VLOP.
Malaria
/ Malaria can be a very serious disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes. Travelers to Tanzania are at an increased risk for contracting malaria and should take every precaution available. There are multiple anti-malarial drugs to choose from, and the choice is entirely up to you and your doctor. For an in-depth description of the available anti-malarial drugs, please see: Other precautions to prevent malaria are personal protective measures including wearing an insect repellent containing DEET 15% to 30% and wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.Do I need medical insurance?
/ Village Life does purchase group travel insurance through an insurance company which will cover medical needs for the entire group. If you are worried about additional coverage, please consult with your health insurance carrier to confirm what benefits, if any, you have while traveling overseas.Passports/Visas
Passports
Mandatory
/ A VALID PASSPORT AND TRAVEL VISAS ARE REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL TO TANZANIAANDKENYA. The passport must have an Expiration Date at least 6 months past the date of return to the U.S. If you currently do not have a passport, you must submit one ASAP and have it expedited in order for it to be processed and your visas to be obtained in a timely manner.How do I get a passport?
/ For a new passport, you must apply in person at a designated facility. Approximate costs are $55 for the passport fee, $12 for a security surcharge and $30 for an execution fee, for a total of $97.Required items:
A CERTIFIED copy of your birth certificate (bearing the state seal). Birth certificates may be obtained from the vital statistics office of the state in which you were born. You can also go to the following website for information:
Four (4) passport photographs. This can be done at Sam’s, Kinko’s, Walgreen’s, etc. These photographs must meet all the specifications of a passport application.
Have more questions?
/ For more detailed information about obtaining a passport and downloadable application forms, please refer to the following website:Is your legal name on your passport?
/ For women who are already in possession of a passport but have had a last name change due to marriage, you must get this name change documented on your current passport. (It is basically a stamp placed on the back of the passport indicating the name change.) The marriage certificate is required for this to be documented. It should be an easy procedure, but it is absolutely necessary to have this done. For more information:Valid passport needs
/ Your passport needs to be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date we obtain visas. It is also advised that you have four (4) blank pages on your passport in order for the consulates to place their entry visa stamps. (They do not like to put the stamp on a page which already has a visa stamped on it.)Copies
/ Once you get your passport back with the approved visas, we ask that you make two (3) photocopies of it. These copies will be in addition to your original passport. One copy is to be kept here in the U.S. with Village Life. A second copy will be kept with you during your travels, travel with you but be kept in a separate, secure place from your original. The third copy will be a backup kept by the Village Life leader during the brigade. Your original passport MUST be kept on your person AT ALL TIMES while in Africa. You DO NOT want to have your passport lost or stolen. These may seem like duplicated precautions, but your passport will be one of your most valuable possessions throughout the entire trip.Visas
Visa Requirements
/ Our travels will require us to cross both the Kenyan and Tanzanian borders. Separate visas are required at entry and exit from each country.Visa Applications
/ Visa applications will be filled out in Africa. You will get your Kenyan Visa at the airport when landing in Nairobi and your Tanzanian Visa when crossing the border into Tanzania. You do not need to do anything ahead of time in regards to Visas.Packing for trip
Luggage
Two checked luggage
/ Description: Two (2) large suitcases that should be easy to roll with extendable handles and very sturdy.Contents: One and a half (1 ½) of these suitcases will be STRICTLY for the transport of our medications and supplies. The second checked suitcase will have some space left over for your personal items.
Weight limit
/ Remember that the weight limit for checked baggage is 50 lbs. This is STRICTLY enforced! You are NOT permitted to pay extra for additional weight. Your luggage will not be allowed to travel if it exceeds 50 lbs.What to put in checked luggage
/ Place anything sharp or questionable (eg. scissors, metal nail files, cuticle clippers, razors, etc.) in your checked luggage. DO NOT pack any aerosol cans such as hair spray or Lysol with ANY of your luggage. If one person gets held up, we all get held up. You can be detained, questioned, and actually denied the right to get on the flight.Carry on items
/ Only one (1) carry-on bag is allowed along with one (1) personal item.Please refer to new carry on guidelines posted at
Suggestions for carry on items:
A “gym type” duffel bag or a small carry on with wheels can really hold all the clothes/personal items you will need for the entire trip.
Wear a backpack for your personal items. You really NEED A BACKPACK as we will be heading out to the villages every day, and you will pack it each morning with everything you need for an entire day in the field.
Additional carry on
/ On the plane, keep with you everything that you need for travel and for two (2) nights stay (clothes, toiletries, etc).Depending on many factors, it could take that long before you get access to your checked luggage once we arrive in Shirati.
Have any medications that you may need during our flights easily accessible.
What to pack
Personal care items
/ Carry items for freshening up, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, “brush-ups,” facial cleansing cloths, baby wipes, etc.Money belt
/ You may want to use a money belt to hold your passport, airline tickets, money, and other important documents. It should be one that goes around your waist and snaps securely shut with a clasp.What money should I take?
/ This will be discussed further during our informational meetings. There are several meals that are not covered in the Brigade Cost and we suggest bringing cash for tips and, primarily, for shopping in Nairobi. Most travelers bring anywhere from $100-$500. We suggest bringing denominations of $20.00 as that will make it easier for vendors, hotels and banks to exchange for shillings. Smaller denominations will make it easier to exchange currency, purchase souvenirs, or tip personnel. The local markets and vendors will accept U.S. dollars, but will give you change in shillings.There are opportunities to use a credit card or ATM at the shopping mall in Nairobi. If you bring a credit card, only bring one and keep it with you at all times in a very secure fashion.
Drive to Shirati
/ It is a long drive from Nairobi to Shirati. Keep snacks and rain gear handy.Clothing
/ Do NOT take excessive clothing.a few cotton shirts
t-shirts (no halter tops, tube tops or sleeveless tops for men or women in public)
a couple pairs of Khaki type pants or jeans
shorts (only for leisure, it is not acceptable in the culture to wear shorts while working in the community)
scrubs (for health team personnel)
pair of sandals
pair of sturdy gym shoes
undergarments
socks
one “nice” outfit
lightweight rain jacket
sweatshirt
- Consider bringing items that you won’t mind parting with, as you will have the opportunity to donate clothing to villagers at the end of the trip.
-Laundry service is available for a small fee while staying at our motel in Tanzania.
What to pack, continued