TRIP FAQs
What are the goals for the trip? To see firsthand what God is doing through this ministry, experience the impact of the PCEA in Kenya, and to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ who serve Him there. We hope to offer practical help such as: fill and organize a library; help with construction at the Huruma kitchen/dining hall, or at other related projects related to Tumaini; help at the new children’s clinic; run an afternoon VBS for the children; help with carpentry projects like building livestock stalls; etc. An emphasis will be on building relationships with the children and the people of Riamukurwe Parish. We will also visit other mission projects to see the scope of the work being done by the PCEA in the community.
Where? The Tumaini Center is located near the city of Nyeri, about three hours drive north of Nairobi.
Leaders? Timothy and Abigail McConnell. (In conjunction with The Outreach Foundation, a mission agency supported the PCUSA)
Cost? About $3600 per person — includes air, ground transportation, lodging, meals and groceries, bottled water, gratuities, safari excursion. Visa fees and recommended vaccinations not included.
Financial Support? Team members are asked to pay at least 20% of the trip cost themselves — this covers the non-mission portion of the trip. For those needing financial assistance, support may be raised individually and with the help of church fund raisers.
Where will we stay? We will mainly be staying at the Tumaini dormitory and/or guest house while in Nyeri. There will be single beds/bunks, as well as bathrooms with running water and a small kitchen facility for our group. Water and electricity can go out at unexpected times, but other than that, the housing will be basic but comfortable. There will also be side trips to see the legendary wildlife and scenery of the country, and we will stay in lodge accommodations while on safari.
What’s the food like? We will eat at the dining facility with the children and probably cook some meals for ourselves. Local food consists of maize, beans, rice, cabbage, kale and other local vegetables, githeri (traditional dish which is a mix of maize and beans – that the children at Tumaini eat for most their meals), ugali (a kind of maize porridge), flat bread called chapati, and some meat. Also, we will likely be hosted by local church families for a few meals and/or celebrations.
What about safety? The Tumaini Center is secure, with locked gates and watchmen at night.
Will I need shots? Some immunizations (including Hepatitis A and B, Yellow Fever, Typhoid, as well as standard boosters such as polio and tetanus) and anti-malarial medicine are recommended. Check with your insurance for coverage.
Travel Documentation? You need a valid passport, which is not due to expire within 6 months of your return, and a visa to enter Kenya.
MISSION TRIP SNAPSHOT
Where: Tumaini Children’s Center, Nyeri, Kenya
When: July, 2008
Group size: 16
Cost: Approximately $3600 per person based on today’s airfares (includes air, ground transportation, lodging, meals, safari experience, water) Visas, Vaccinations may be extra.
Mission activities:
—Fill and organize a library
—Construction projects, possibilities include: finishing kitchen/dining area at Huruma, building livestock sheds, work on vocational institute projects, church construction
—Activities with the children, teaching English, music, Bible classes, or vacation Bible school events.
— Other activities or projects appropriate to our group’s set of skills and talents