Volunteer

For those interested in helping in South Sudan or Kenya please request an application. Here is some specific information on our South Sudan trips.

South Sudan Information

Temperatures: 125 F +/- in dry season

Conditions: No traditional showers. Bucket baths or Solar Showers if there is enough water.

Toilets: Squat latrines are the only form of toilets,

Water: we will purify our water with water filters.

Hot Water is usually available in the morning for instant coffee.

Location: Upper Nile area of South Sudan

Travel Information

Each team member is responsible for obtaining and bringing their personal supplies including light sleeping bag, (we supply the tents, food and sleeping mat). See Recommended Packing list.

Our hard cost for team members includes: commercial flights to Kenya, chartered private planes in and out of South Sudan (commercial planes do not go to these areas of Sudan), ground transportation, Kenyan lodging and food, Sudan and Kenyan transit Visas while in country.

Personal Health care insurance is the responsibility of the Volunteer. International SOS supplies a good product.

Kenyan and Sudan Entry Visas : Medical Teams Worldwide will provide you with instructions on how to obtain a Southern Sudan and Kenyan Visa before heading to the field.

We will need: 2 color copies of your passport and 2 new passport photos prior to the trip. (Also keep another 2 photos and a color copy of your passport with your personal items on the trip.)

Cost and Payment

Payment: For Sudan $4000 to be made out to Medical Teams Worldwide. This is a 100% tax deductible for you or your supporters. ( For Kenya $2800 is needed)

A refundable deposit of $1500 is required in order to process any application.

We realize this is a lot of money. We are going to one of the hardest (and therefore costliest) locations in the world to reach. This is the precise reason why the people of Sudan so desperately need our encouragement. The Sudanese are often “a forgotten people”.

However, once approved, please note that any portion of the funds paid toward the trip (eg : plane tickets) are NONREFUNDABLE.

Carrying money: We recommend that you bring approximately $300 - $500 for emergency situations.

Expenses you will need to pay while traveling are for entry Visas and all food in airports, There may also be opportunity for souvenir shopping in Kenya upon return from Sudan.

If team members are not able to cover these expenses themselves, we encourage you to include friends, family, church, corporations, etc. in your mission endeavor so that they may have the joy of standing with the people of South Sudan.

Housing

In Kenya: Medical Teams Worldwide has a facility. Rooms are usually double occupancy.

In Sudan: Short-term missionaries will probable sleep in a tent on the ground.

Transportation

Flights will be from the US to Nairobi, Kenya and will be arranged by Medical Teams Worldwide. Once the team meets in Kenya, we will be transported to our facility for one night, probably leaving early the next morning via chartered flight for Sudan. This Sudan flight is with a private chartered plane as commercial planes do not fly to our areas of operation. We may land on a dirt landing strip or a paved tarmac.

Important: NO pictures are permitted to be taken at any airport in Africa. If photos are taken, the photographer may be arrested on the spot or at best, lose his or her camera.

Recommended Vaccinations: See your physician or a Travel Clinic

  • Typhoid
  • Cholera
  • Hepatitis A + B
  • Tetanus if none in last 10 years
  • Polio
  • Meningitis
  • Malaria prevention with Malarone or Doxycycline

Preparing your heart, mind and body

  • If you are not already doing so, we advise a vigorous exercise program including aerobic exercise. This will help to make you physically stronger. (Please work with your Doctor on this.)
  • Avoid high fat and high sugar foods , “fast foods” .
  • Avoid alcohol
  • Talk with your local Doctor and check out the CDC for the any additional medicines/vaccines to take for Sudan.
  • Prepare your heart as you plan for Sudan. You will experience a distinctly uncomfortable and at times hostile environment (snakes, scorpions, heat, insecure areas with no rule of law). You will see deprivation and suffering at times on an heart wrenching scale, that you cannot help or change at all. (Giving money is the exactly wrong thing to do, by the way) You will feel like crying at times, it is healthy to let your emotions flow at times. Bottling up your emotions will only have them burst out at unexpected times. Talk with your teammates or the staff. You need to remember we are there to relieve suffering and sometimes it is only like a "cold cup of water on a hot day". But there is great value in such actions.
  • On returning home, have a good support system of sympathetic people ready for support. (However you may find they cannot relate in any way to your experience.) In that case reach out to your team members or the staff for some “debriefing” on your return.

Recommended Packing List

Please try to pack in I large backpack or duffel bag and J-day pack or small backpack. Wear 1 set of clothes and pack only 2 others.

  • 3 pairs pants (quick dry recommended)
  • 2-3 long sleeved shirts (quick dry)
  • Lightweight Fleece Jacket
  • 3 changes quick dry underwear
  • 3 pairs hiking socks (wicking)
  • 1 pair hiking boots (recommended) or comfortable/durable shoes of your choice
  • One or 2 scarfs to be used as a Hijab if needed
  • Sleeping bag (light/fleece) & travel pillow
  • Ear plugs, Camera (optional) , Swiss Army like knife , headlamp and small flashlight extra batteries
  • Compass
  • 2 : 1- 1.5 liter water containers
  • $300-$500 USD cash - should be all new bills year 2006 or newer. No travelers' checks.
  • Snack foods for in-transit : Beef Jerky, Protein Bars, Power Bars, Dried Fruit, Trail Mix, Foil bag chicken or tuna if desired. Set your own 'diet' and bring what you will need to supply that diet.
  • 1 pair flip-flops for evenings/shower only.
  • Hat with brim to protect face and neck
  • Personal Items: Small bottle of hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, baby wipes, towel (small, quick drying), shampoo and conditioner, antibacterial Soap, 1 rolls of toilet paper. #50 sweat-proof sunscreen
  • Medications: i.e., personal prescriptions, Aleve (or preferred pain reliever), malaria med, anti­ diarrhea, 1 round general antibiotic, Benadryl (pills and cream), Triple Antibiotic ointment

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE OR WEAR:

  • Expensive jewelry - including diamond wedding rings (only plain wedding bands allowed).
  • Please dress modestly: No tank tops or spaghetti straps. No low collared shirts. No shirts unbuttoned low.

Optional: a sleep aid like Unisom