Fundraising
INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING
Each student can send letters and/or emails to family and friends, make phone calls, use gifts such as birthday or Christmas or pay out of pocket. We also encourage you to send them to this website to see the preparations being made and let them be a part of the process.
However, we encourage you to share the purpose of this mission and your personal reasons for going to as many people as possible, whether you’re raising funds or not. Ask that they keep you and this trip in their prayers. Send updates during our preparations and send a personal account when you return.
While this trip will specifically help a small community in Honduras, we feel that the spirit of this trip and the purpose of it can capture the hearts of countless others.
TEAM FUNDRAISING
Any money raised by the team will be used to lower the overall cost of your trip. Team fundraising will be student driven and will benefit each individual that participates.
We do ask that all fundraising efforts be done outside of the congregation at Hillsboro. Each year the Hillsboro Family raises a large portion needed to build our houses, and we will be asking again for their support this year. We don’t want to “double dip” and repeatedly ask for support from the same people.
OTHER FUNDRAISING
Your Team Leaders will also be exploring other ways to raise money from community and civic groups, foundations, and other activities. From time to time we may need your assistance to speak or attend functions that will help with this process. Your willingness to help will greatly aid our efforts over the next several months.
HOW CAN I AFFORD IT?
The main concern that most people have about being a part of one of our mission teams is how they will be able to afford it. This year, $1500 is needed per person in order to participate in a trip, and at first glance this might seem like a great deal of money. However, this cost covers everything including airfare, housing, food, transportation, and supplies and materials needed for various work projects. Nevertheless, it is still a lot of money that most of us don’t have.
Passport Info
NEW PASSPORTS
A passport will be required for this trip. Apply NOW for your passport! To obtain a passport, you will need a certified birth certificate, two passport photos and a driver’s license. In addition, you will need to pick up and fill out an applications from the Post Office and turn it in for processing with the US Passport Agency. All of this can cost from $65 – $100, depending on when you apply. You should allow 6 – 8 weeks for your passport to be processed and arrive. Also, account for any delay if you need to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate from your state of birth. More information on this process can be found here. Do it today.
RENEWALS
If you have a current Passport, check the renewal date. If it expires within 1 year of our travel date, we’re going to ask that you go ahead and have it renewed. Again DO NOT WAIT to renew your passport. In the past, we’ve left students in Miami who had passport issues, and we’ll be obliged to do it again. Check your passports now or live in the Miami Airport later.
Medical Info
IMMUNIZATIONS
As you travel to other countries, it is important that you have the proper immunizations against diseases that you might not experience here. Here are some guidelines from the CDC regarding the immunizations that you will need to travel to Honduras:
- Tetanus Toxoid – If you have not had one in 5 years
- Hepatitis A (Harvix)* – #1 & #2 within 6 – 12 months
- Hepatitis B – #1, #2 & #3
- Typhoid Booster – Injectable vaccine in the last 2 years or the oral vaccine in the last 5 years
- Malaria – Prior to departure (check with your doctor)
These immunizations are generally available at Student Health, your family doctor, or a Travel Medical office. DO THIS EARLY. The Hepatitis shots are given in stages, so you shouldn’t wait until just prior to the trip. For these to be effective, they should be well established in your system.
PRESCRIPTIONS
If you have prescription medicines that you take regularly, be sure that you have current, valid prescriptions with enough medication to last you for at least 2 weeks. All medications must be in their original packaging, so don’t dump them all in one bottle or baggie. We’ll ask prior to a departure for a comprehensive list of medications both for our Nurse and our health records (notes from doctors never hurt, either). If you have special conditions or needs that we need to know about, go ahead and let us know early.
NOTE: We also REQUIRE that you bring a broad spectrum antibiotic with you (Ciproflaxin or equivalent) to use if needed during the trip. Ask your doctor for more information and recommendations.
INSURANCE
Check your medical insurance coverage to see what is covered and what isn’t while you’re out of the country. We will have a trip policy that will cover emergency evacuation and emergency services during our trip. However, we do recommend that you know any limitations or special conditions of your own insurance. See Alexander, Ryan, or Stan if you have any questions about your coverage.
Travel Links
Here’s a starting list for some interesting reading about Honduras, traveling abroad, etc.:
CIA Factbook | Interesting facts and figures about Honduras, but don’t ask any questions or we’ll have to kill you.
Wikipedia | More interesting facts, and if its on Wikipedia, it must be true.
US State Department | Consular Information Sheet with security warnings and up to date travel recommendations (you may not want Mom & Dad to read this one).
TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items | A list of what you can and can’t have in your checked and carry-on luggage.
Packing Lists
All personal effects MUST be packed in ONE checked bag (weighing less than 50 lbs.) and ONE TSA approved carry-on (backpack). Please familiarize yourself with TSA recommendations and guidelines prior to packing both checked and carry-on bags.
Clothing / Misc.
- Work Gloves
- Work Shoes – closed toes, sturdy
- Work Clothes (x 5 days) – shorts and tees that you don’t mind getting dirty, ruined and possible leave behind
- Lt. Jacket / Sweatshirt – It WILL get chilly at night
- Hat / Bandanna – to cover up with during the day
- Sunglasses – for (1) brightness in the sun and (2) eye protection when working
- Church / Going Out Clothes – nicer clothes to wear to church and when we go out into town for dinner; long pants and collared shirts for men; long skirts or pants and modest tops for women.
- Optional: Bedding – sheets, pillows and blankets are provided, but if you have particular needs, feel free to pack your own bedding materials
Meds / Toiletries
- Motion sickness medicine – for airplane or bus travel (as needed)
- Kaopectate / Immodium – anything you might need to make it start or stop
- Cortizone Cream – for bug bites or scratches
- Prescription Meds – must be in original bottle with YOUR name on it to get through customs
- Pain Meds – for aches and pains; Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.
- Pepto Bismol tablets – to take before meals
- Fiber Pills
- Soap, shampoo, other personal toiletries
- Shower shoes
- Feminine products
- Toilet paper – travel size for use in the field
- Prescription glasses / contacts – backup vision correction just in case
- Optional: Towels – towels are provided, but if you need something specific, feel free to pack your own towels and/or washcloths
Gear / Misc.
- Bible, Journal, Pen
- Mission Manual – provided prior to departure
- Passport – in a secure, dry covering
- Water bottles – 1.5 liter for use in the field
- Camera – in a protective bag
- Small flashlight – with extra batteries
- Backpack – for daily personal use to carry lunch, supplies, etc.
- Snacks / Lunch – for 5 days in the field
- Powdered drink mix – to mix with water in the field or during evenings
- Large garbage bags – to carry in the field for team trash
- Hand sanitizer – wet wipes AND liquid
- Insect repellent spray – not cream or lotion
- Sun block & lip balm – high SPF, mandatory for all team members