General Info
Greetings:
I am so happy you are considering a service journey to Kenya. It will truly be an adventure you will not forget. You will have the opportunity to share your expertise with Kenyans, visit with families, and see the sites as well. It is an experience tourists do not have. Working and laughing side by side toward a worthy goal will make your experience special. Expanding Opportunities is very grateful for your willingness to undertake this challenge. Here is some information for you.
Expanding Opportunities is a 501c3 non profit organization formed in response to volunteer service in Kenya. It is our strong conviction that there is no substitute for personal experience with another culture. For more information about the organization, its goals and projects please visit the web site at http://www.expandingopportunities.org
The service journey is open to anyone. Minors must have parental permission. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Program Fee BASE COST includes:
- Accommodations: We will provide clean and safe accommodations. Often at the Joseph Waweru Home School, but possibly in tents, hotels or homes.
- Meals - Three meals per day - some on the road - some in local restaurants - some in local homes or cooked on site
- 1.5 liters Drinking water per day or more
- In country transportation
- Field Trips - at least one game park and other attractions
The BASE COST does NOT Include
- Air Fare - approximately $1300.00 - $1800.00 from Bangor, Boston or New York - book 30-60 days in advance.
- Transportation in the US
- Passport, Visa, vaccinations
- Medical costs
- Extra charges incurred to accommodate a handicap
- Snacks or Special Diets
- Expenses in airports or stop overs
- Personal touring or transportation
- Souvenirs
- Excess baggage costs
- Ticket change costs - (early or late departure)
- Insurance
BASE COST
The BASE COST may be reduced if you travel with one or more additional people.
Note:
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Teaching in Mangu - Stay at the JWHS and teach in Mangu schools
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Individualized HOME service - your service is planned individually according to your interests or internship
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Long Term Service - Organic Gardener/Alternative Technologies Manager; Children's Home coordinator/social Worker; Business Developer; Interns
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Service Journeys can be arranged for anytime during the year.
- It is also possible to be a self-supporting volunteer. A variety of Independent Volunteer opportunities are listed on the website at www.exop.org/journey/cost.html
CANCELLATION:
Once tickets are issued they are non refundable.
There is a non-refundable application fee of $50.00.
If you cancel your trip 30 days prior to departure all but $50.00 of the base cost will be refunded.
From 29 - 15 days prior to departure 60% of your base cost payment will be refunded.
There can be no refund after 15 days prior to departure due to prepaid expenses in Kenya.
AIRFARE
As people are volunteering from all parts of the world, we have not included airfare in the BASE COST. Some of you may choose to amend your travel to include a stay in Europe. Those traveling from Maine, may choose to travel as a group. You can allow us to arrange your airfare, accept a referral from us, or book your own flight. If you choose to book your own flight we will meet you in Nairobi, Kenya. We will assist you with the most appropriate selection for you and work with you to get compatible flights.
We will be happy to book and pay for your flight. The cost of your ticket will be calculated for the current airline rates at the time of booking. You will be notified of the final flight cost prior to purchase. Flights have been ranging from $1300.00 to $1600.00
PAYMENT
Payment is expected prior to travel.
If Expanding Opportunities is to purchase your tickets,payment is due at least 60 days prior to travel. A late fee of $100.00 will be charged if booking after 60 days.
If booking your own tickets, payment of the BASE COST is expected at least 10 days before departure.
You are encouraged to place a deposit to secure your place as soon as possible.
You may also make installment payments for the balance.
Expanding Opportunities accepts VISA, MASTERCARD, PayPal, personal checks, money orders, cashier's checks, and wire transfers.
PASSPORTS AND VISA
You will need a VALID Passport. Please allow sufficient time for the Passport Agency to process your passport.
You will obtain a VISA upon entry into Kenya. You will need to bring $50.00 US Dollars. The VISA has recently been reduced to $25.00 but can change at any time.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
The flight is done in at least two stages. First a flight to Europe takes approximately 6 hours, then a flight to Kenya approximately 8 hours. There is a direct flight from USA to Nairobi from selected airports. You may plan a to extend your vacation in Europe. We will assist you with your flight plans and meet your plane in Nairobi.
There is telephone, email and fax communication in Kenya. You would be expected to pay for the air time on the phone or modem.
It is suggested that you review travel insurance packages and ticket refund details. Neither is covered by Expanding Opportunities.
SAFETY
A trip anywhere inside or outside of the country has an element of risk. Our organization does not carry liability insurance. Therefore we must ask that you assume the risks yourself. The normal precautions that any tourist traveling abroad should heed are expected for travel to Kenya. We contact the American Embassy prior to departure to inform them we are in the country and to allow them to alert us to any current dangers. If you provide us with a copy of your passport, we will register you with the Embassy and it will expedite things should your passport be lost or stolen.
Kenya has always been a peaceful and friendly country. The Embassy bombing was one of those completely unexpected acts as was the Ohio bombing and the 9-11 disaster. The recent political post election crisis is settling down and we expect all will continue to be in order and peaceful. We will be in the countryside for the majority of the time, which is peaceful, rural, and much more like home. Please consider the normal precautions that any tourist traveling abroad should heed. The best pieces of advice are:
a. do not show your money around-keep only an expendable amount on you.
b. safeguard your passport
c. never travel alone and never after dark without an African.
HEALTH CONCERNS
We will be eating in our place of accommodation and in host homes. They understand our needs, but it is each individual's responsibility to select the food they will eat.
WATER : Bottled or filtered water will be provided. It is best to drink only bottled water, bottled juices and sodas or HOT beverages - NO ICE without first asking if the water has been boiled or treated.
If there are specific health concerns, please let us know ahead of time. There are no required immunizations. Several immunizations are recommended including Hepatitis A and B, Yellow Fever and Typhoid immunizations. Malaria prophylaxis is also recommended. For these and other immunizations, please visit your family doctor, a Travel Cinic and read the information available at the Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/travel/
You can also contact the consular's office for more information on safety concerns http://travel.state.gov/
OTHER CONCERNS?
Feel free to contact me at 207-722-3708 or 207-722-3809 (FAX) or info@expandingopportunities.org
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