TEAM FAQ
Scroll down to answer your questions or
1.What will we be doing?
2. How should I pack?
3. What do people often forget to bring?
4. What immunizations do I need?
5. How do I get medical credentials?
6. What visa do I need?
7.What do I do when I arrive at the airport?
8. What are we doing for housing and food?
9. How do we get money?
10. How do teams do finances?
11. Why are we bringing supplies (particularly medicines)?
12. What are do’s and don’ts on the trip?
13.Can we use our cell phone in Ethiopia?
14.Do we have internet access during our trip?
15. WhyDoWeLoveTeams?
1. What Will We Be Doing?
This depends on the makeup of the team and the needs of the project. Most teams make home visits, hold medical clinics,work with support groups and with children. Your team leader will get your time and activity schedule two weeks before departure. If you need more explanation regarding the activities you can ask Danny Abebe or Teddy Alemayehu .
2. How Should I Pack?
You will pack for yourself and the team. You need to plan space for medicines
and supplies for the team’s work and for the project, and of course your personal
items. Some important things to know:
Use suitcases. Do not bring anything packed in boxes or footlockers. Regular suitcases are best. If you have medicines or supplies spread them out among the team. Do not fill up suitcases with one thing.As much as possible, remove unnecessary packaging.
Never bring expired medicines. If they are close to their expiration date (six months before the expiration date on the original packaging), do not bring them. We understand that many medicines continue to be effective well past their expiration date, but the government has strict rules and bringing expired medicines places the project at risk.
The team house has laundry facilities and the team house helper does laundry for you during your stay. You won’t need a change of clothes for every day. It can take a couple of days for clothes to dry, so include this in your planning. The team house provides linens (sheets, blankets, pillows and towels).
Dress is generally casual. Slacks are fine for women, except for church on Sunday, when a skirt or dress would be more appropriate. It is best to dress modestly. No bare midriffs or short shorts. Jeans are great. It is important to have comfortable shoes for walking. A good raincoat is important, especially during rainy season (June to September) and for the short rains in April. It can also be cool in the evenings and early mornings, so a sweater or light jacket is helpful.
3. What do people often FORGET to BRING?
Water bottle and sunscreen. Addis Ababa is very high, 7500 to 8000 feet. You will feel it. There is filtered water available at the team house and the project office. Filtered water can also be purchased in restaurants and shops around the city. The most important things to remember are to stay hydrated and to protect yourself from the sun.
Hand sanitizer – have a small bottle to keep in your pocket or backpack and perhaps a larger bottle to use for refills. Use this often! It is one of the best ways to stay healthy.
Bug spray – we don’t have malaria in Addis Ababa, but we still have mosquitoes and other biting insects, especially fleas.
Snacks (if you have a favorite that it is hard to do without)
Personal medicines
Flashlight/Headlamp – the power goes off periodically (i.e. frequently)
Camera – You are going to want to record this!
4. What Immunizations do I need?
Check the CDC website for their current recommendations for Ethiopia. As long as you stay in Addis Ababa you will not need malaria prophylaxis. Addis Ababa is too high for the malaria-carrying mosquitoes. We do have lots of rabies, but don’t require the vaccines for short-term teams. You will need to be cautious when around animals (don’t pet the pets). If you are coming for longer than three months, you must get all the recommended vaccines, including rabies, typhoid, Hep A, Hep B, meningitis.
5. How do I get Medical Credentials?
If you are coming through MTW, the medical department will assist you with this to make it as quick as possible.
Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physical therapists will all need to apply for Ethiopian credentials. This can be a difficult process because Ethiopia requires more documents than most other countries. We also need a lot of time to process the paperwork, so you will need to start early and get things sent at least two months before you plan to arrive.
REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OR RENEWAL OF
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE
What this means is that you will need to submit to your team leader, or the MTW medical department, at least two months in advance:
FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA MINISTRY OF HEALTHREGISTRATION REQUAIREMENT FOR HELALTH PROFESSIONALS
1. Application Form –Download from our website (
2. Curriculum Vitiate (One copy)
3. A letter of Good StandingDownload Sample from our website
4. Transcripts - If the originals are not in English they should be properly translated, signed & sealed by notary public of legal translator.
5. Health certificate –Download Sample from our website
6. Duly legalized Photocopy of all professional documents (Certificate Diploma Degree, transcript etc). If the originals are not in English they should be properly translated, signed & sealed by notary public of legal translator.
7. Two Passport size Photos
8. Passport photo page – photocopy.
9. Current license from country of origin/not applicable to new graduates within the country
10. English language proficiency certificate/applicable foreign applicants
We realize that this is a lot of paperwork and most countries don’t require this kind of documentation, but Ethiopia does and will not issue a license without all the documents. It is a help to the project staff if you can get all the paperwork together early. The wheels of bureaucracy do not always turn swiftly, and in order for you to work with the project you must have your Ethiopian credentials.
6. What Visa do I need?
For Teams & Interns - a business visa is required. You will need an official letter of invitation from the project in order to get a business visa. For us to request this letter on your behalf we need the full name of everyone on your team as their name appears in their passport. or Danny Abebe will help you with the visa invite letter. Please do not attempt to secure your own visa without an invite letter.
More information is available at the following sources:
Travisa Website
U.S. State Department Website:
The Ethiopian Embassy (for the most current visa information):
7. What do I do when I arrive at the airport?
Addis Ababa has a beautiful, modern airport and coming into the country should not give you any surprises.
On your flight to Ethiopia one of the cabin crew may give you an entry card.Entry and exit cards are being phased out, so this may not be required. If it is still required you will be given a card while you are still on the plane. You will need to fill in this card and present it with your passport and visa at immigration. You will need an Ethiopian address and phone number for the entry card. Use the following information:
SIM Ethiopia
LidetaKifleKetema
Kebele 12
House no. 598
Phone 011-655-7657. Or 0912649760
After landing your first stop will be immigration Show your passport with its visa and your entry card.
Next, collect your luggage and go through customs.
Do not hire a porter, do not accept help with bags from anyone, but DO USE the FREE Luggage Carts in the terminal.
All bags (including purses backpacks and other hand luggage) will be X-rayed. It is best to go through customs one or two at a time and not as a large group. Do not volunteer information like, “we are part of a medical team bringing medicines and equipment.” Answer questions politely and honestly, but don’t go beyond what is asked. If asked, you can explain that you are in Ethiopia for a short visit to assist with an HIV/AIDS project.
You shouldn't be bringing anything that will be a problem, but if you are asked to open a bag, cooperate. If the customs officer tells you that customs must be paid then get your team leader. He will have documents describing the supplies. If the officer insists on charging customs then ask him to hold the supplies and complete the required forms for clearing the supplies later. Make sure that SIM’s name appears on the form beside your name so that one of the project staff can clear the goods without you having to return to the airport.
If luggage is missing it will need to be reported. There is a desk at the far end of the luggage hall. Sometimes compensation will be paid and it never hurts to ask. Once you have your paperwork you can proceed to customs to clear any luggage that did arrive.
Once you leave customs you will enter the main arrival hall and GizawMelese will be waiting to meet you. He will have a sign with the MTW logo. Now is the time to gather everyone together and make sure that everyone is present and that all luggage arrived. While there is not a lot of crime in Addis Ababa you do need to keep an eye on your luggage, particularly smaller items. Proceed to the parking lot as a group and get on the bus.Getts Travel provides local transportation. They have good buses, vans and drivers. They will supervise loading the luggage, but you can help by keeping an eye on the bags and insuring that nothing disappears.
Welcome to Ethiopia!
If somehow there is no one at the airport to meet you then you will need to find a pay phone, or friendly person with a cell phone and call Gizaw, Danny or Teddy
Helpful phone numbers:
Gizaw – 091-264-9760
Teddy – 091-261-5554
Danny Abebe – 091-142-9123
8. What are we doing for Housing and Food?
The project operates its own team house. It isn’t luxurious, but is comfortable and adequate. The house has three bedrooms upstairs with three beds each and two baths, and one bedroom downstairs with a queen size bed and access to a half bath. Thehouse also has one annex bedroom with a queen size bed.There is a kitchen and large dining area and also a sitting area. There is hot water (most of the time) electricity (most of the time), a phone, and laundry services are provided by the team house staff.
A full-time cook and housekeeper, Woyineshet, will cook most of your meals, do the laundry and keep the house neat.Woyineshet understands a good amount of English. You will find her very helpful and pleasant.
For breakfasts it is schedule dependent. Breakfast M-F is served at 7:30 AM by Woyineshet.
Saturday and Sunday are self-serve. There will be food, like cereal and eggs that you can fix, and often fresh-baked bread or rolls. When something begins running low, please let Woyineshet or Gizaw know.
Lunches will be eaten out or be bag lunches.
Most suppers will be at the team house and Woyineshet will have prepared these.Woyineshet does not work on Sundays, but will have prepared a pot of soup, or stew that can be warmed up and eaten for lunch or dinner, and one meal will need to be eaten at a restaurant.
Food Safety – we want you to enjoy your time in Ethiopia and nothing will spoil it faster than being sick. The most important rule is to never drink unfiltered water. Nothing from the tap should go into your mouth. This includes brushing your teeth!
Everything served in the team house will be safe to eat. However, when you are out the rules are it must be cooked or peeled first. Never eat fresh salads or uncooked vegetables. Do not eat raw, or under cooked meat.
SOFT DRINK & MINERAL WATER – we REUSE the bottles so please help us conserve and do not place them in the trash.
9. How do we get Money?
Your team leader will organize this with Gizaw.SIM has its own treasury, open every weekday during office hours, where money can be exchanged. It is best to bring cash or personal checks. SIM will accept personal checks. They do not accept credit or debit cards or travelers cheques. It is possible to get cash with a credit card or debit card at one of the international hotels (the Sheraton and the Hilton) but this is inconvenient.Your team will cover lodging, meals, transportation, and most other expenses, so you will only need money for souvenirs and other small items you might want to buy. It is also best if the team organizes to exchange money together.
10. How do teams do Finances?
Every team is different, so it is impossible to give an exact projection for a team budget. However, some expenses are fixed and others can be estimated. Some things that will make team finances work more easily include:
Appoint a team treasurer. The treasurer should be responsible for exchanging money, paying bills and keeping track of receipts.She/He will need to work closely with Gizaw and the project accountant. Keeping good records makes life happier for everyone, so choosing a detail-oriented person helps.
Keep team and personal monies separate.
Always ask for a receipt.
11. Why are we bringing Supplies (particularly medicines)?
Teams are asked to bring supplies for both the project’s ongoing use and for the team to use while they are in Ethiopia. It is helpful to keep these two things distinct.
Ongoing use: The project stocks its own pharmacy for the care of its beneficiaries. These are usually drugs that are unavailable in Ethiopia or prohibitively expensive. We will send a list of these drugs to the team leader. We request that teams pay for these medications.
Use by Team in Clinics: Teams will pay for medicines and supplies they intend to use in clinic, and the project will provide an estimate of what they will need for team clinical use. Teams will also be expected to pay for any medical tests, like x-rays and blood work, done by an outside laboratory. These expenses have been worked into your MTW Team Budget.
We as a ministry depend on your support for both ongoing care and care in clinics. We appreciate this important contribution.
The project also needs teams to bring out other supplies. These include things like watches, shoes for the children, clothing and often personal items for missionaries and staff members. We will communicate with you about this beforehand via email.
12. What are Do’s and Don’ts on the trip?
Consider: Be respectful of police and local authorities. You are a guest in Ethiopia and you should defer to government representatives. Let Gizaw or Teddy know if you have contact or interaction with police or other government officials.
If going outside of the compound, always go in pairs or a group.
Let someone else on the team know if you are going out and who is with you.
Be aware that there are thieves in the area. Keep money in front pockets, keep bags close to you, and especially watch your cameras or other valuables.
Do not take pictures of government buildings, police, soldiers, etc.
Be discreet when taking photos. It’s best to take photos after establishing some relationship with the person. We’ll let you know when it is appropriate.
Don’t carry important papers around with you. Passports, tickets extra money, and other important papers should be locked up in the safe in the office.
There is a phone in the guesthouse that you are free to use for local and international phone calls. There is a charge for both so please keep track of all your calls. The group will make a plan as to how you should pay for these, whether individually or all together as a group. The international code to dial the U.S.A. is 001-area code-number.
There will be limited access to email through the project office. The group leader will arrange how that is to be handled.
If you need to use a taxi, Contact Gizaw, he will arrange a contract taxi for you.
We will arrange a time for shopping. Ethiopia is well known for the Orthodox crosses, beautiful textiles, intricately woven baskets, and some of the world’s best coffee. You’ll certainly want to take a few things home with you.
You will encounter beggars on the streets and will need to have a plan as to how you will respond. Never take out a large amount of money in public. Keep some small bills or coins handy if you want to give to a beggar or to pay for something small.
13.Can we use our cell phone in Ethiopia?
It all depends on your carrier and plan – contact your carrier for complete info. Also – IT infrastructure is quickly changing and always improving in Ethiopia – what you are able to do changes from time to time. Do some internet research to see what the latest situation is.
14.Do we have Internet access during our trip?
Wireless Internet is available at our office and in the team house.
15. WHY DO WE LOVE TEAMS?
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