Volunteers
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(some items are specific to a St. Paul, MN departure)
**Stay tuned for specific information for the next brigade**
Dear Team Members:
We are excited for our upcoming trip to Honduras from March 13-March 22, 2011. The organization is called Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH). NPH Honduras, opened in 1986, is the home to 564 orphaned, abandoned, or disadvantaged children. The U.S.-based, fund-raising organization that supports the efforts of NPH is called Friends of the Orphans (FOTO) (charitable, 501c-3, Federal Tax ID # 65-1229309). Rancho Santa Fe is the name of the Honduras NPH site. It is located one-hour’s drive north of the capital Tegucigalpa and is out in the countryside amongst rolling hills at 3500 feet elevation. For more information about the NPH and FOTO organizations please visit www.friendsoftheorphans.org.
The Holy Family Surgery Center (HFSC) established in 2005, is located on the Rancho Santa Fe NPH site. It provides outpatient surgical services for NPH children and the rural poor as well as training for the local Honduran medical community.
For more information regarding the Holy Family Surgery Center please visit www.holyfamilysurgerycenter.org
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Patty Anderson, a private travel agent is organizing your trip. You may contact her by phone (952-937-2092) or email (panderson99@earthlink.net) to make your travel arrangements. We typically fly from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Houston (via Continental), Atlanta (Delta) or Miami (American), and then change planes for the direct flight from there to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Each leg of the two flights is 2 ½ to 3 hours. We will be transported from the airport in Tegucigalpa to the ranch by van or bus provided by NPH. The time zone is the same as Central time.
MEDICAL PERSONNEL ONLY
Forms to be Submitted
Nurses and Doctors must fax (651.699.7491) the following
documents to LuLu Daly by February 28, 2011
1. Copy of medically related diploma
2. “Licencia Vigente” current license
3. Copy of photo page of passport
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
The luggage allowance depends on the airline. DELTA – 2 free pieces, AMERICAN – 2 free pieces and CONTINENTAL – 1 free piece. All airlines’ maximum weight of each bag is no more than 50 pounds and cannot exceed 62 total linear inches. You have the option to check in your 2 bags that weigh up to 70 pounds but then there is a fee. If your bag weighs over 70 pounds they will not allow it on the plane. The airlines will only let you check 2 bags.
IMMIGRATION FORM
On the plane you will receive an immigration form asking for your address while in Honduras. Please use the following: Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, KM 36 Carretera Nueva a Olancho, Honduras. State your activity as “tourism”.
CLAIMING BAGGAGE IN HONDURAS
Upon arrival at the Tegucigalpa airport proceed to immigrations, then to baggage claim. Please keep the entire team luggage together as you proceed. Have your luggage claim receipts available to show to airport staff so they can match them with your luggage. The Honduran airport staff requires them. NPH staff will meet you outside just beyond the customs area.
Essential items for your trip
Passports—MUST be valid 6 months from your return trip
$40 USD to leave the country (paid at airport at departure)
Water bottle
Flashlight
Camera
Toothpaste/brush
Mosquito Net for Bed
Insect repellent with DEET
Anti-diarrhea medication
Sunscreen
Antibacterial hand cleaner
Shower shoes
Alarm Clock
Cash (no traveler checks)
Plate, fork, knife, spoon
CLOTHING
Swim Suit, shorts, jeans, t-shirts, collared golf shirts, sweatshirt, tennis shoes & sandals. Please dress conservatively and dress appropriately for weekend mass.
FOOD AND WATER
Purified, bottled water is provided in large, 5 gallon Culligan jugs. Please use your own water bottle to refill from the provided purified water. You may bring your own snacks. Please make sure they are stored properly. All meals are provided. Every night group dinners are scheduled with presentations and discussions to follow. Please bring your own plastic, reusable eating utensils and plates. You are responsible for bringing these to every meal and cleaning them afterwards.
BATHROOM ETIQUETTE
Do NOT flush toilet paper down the toilet. The sewer system cannot handle it. Please use the little garbage cans placed at the sides of the toilets.
LAUNDRY
No laundry facility is available at the visitor corridor so please bring enough clothes to make it through the week. Please bring your own scrubs for the week.
ELECTRICITY
Adapters are NOT necessary for outlet usage.
Electricity goes out frequently so bring a flashlight and bedside light. Please consider donating these items at the end of the trip.
IMMUNIZATIONS
Typhoid and Hepatitis A are recommended. All other immunizations should be up to date as well. Contact your Primary Care Provider or your local International Travel Clinic for immunization administrations and general recommendations about travel to Honduras. If you are from Minneapolis/St. Paul, you can contact the travel clinic at Regions Hospital (651-221-3456) or Abbot-NW Hospital (612-863-5336).
In Kind Donation
Since this is a medical missionary trip, an in kind donation of $500 per student and $1000 per adult is required. Donations cover the costs of transportation, food, lodging and surgery center expenses.
All payments are tax-deductible. Federal Tax ID # is 65-1229309. Checks and online payments are acceptable. Payments are due in full, 2 weeks before departure (March 1, 2011).
For online payments visit www.friendsoftheorphans.org. Then click “donate” button in the upper right hand corner, and that will take you to the donation page. Then choose the country “Honduras”, and in the “special notes/instruction”, specify “Holy Family Surgery Center Medical Mission Trip”.
If paying by check, all checks should be made out to Friends of the Orphans. Reference on the check memo line “Honduras-HFSC Medical Mission trip.
Please send checks to:
Friends of the Orphans
2052 Marshall Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104.
Thank you for saying yes and joining our NPH family. We are looking forward to a wonderful trip!
With Gratitude and Blessings,
LuLu Daly
******Remember: There will be a brief mandatory orientation session with Q&As and distribution of medical supply bins on February 27, 2011 at 2pm at the Daly’s home. 1544 Edgcumbe Road, St. Paul, MN 55116*******
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Peter Daly, MD, pjdaly@comcast.net , 612-889-9349
Lulu Daly, RN, BSN, luludaly1@gmail.com, 612-889-9343
Reinhart Koehler, International Director
rkoehler@nph.org; 011-504-339-73524 (Emergency use only)
Stefan Feuerstein, National Director, Nd.hn@nph.org
Ross Egge, Assistant National Director, regge@nph.org