P.R.A.Y. VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for P.R.A.Y. should be committed, individually and as part of our team, to loving God and serving the people of Brazil.  We do this by respecting and caring for His people, without passing judgment on them.

We strive for Unity by being of one mind, spirit, and purpose.  Our goal is to connect with and love the people, not to change them.  We agree to serve and help one another at all times with humility, diligence, and excellence.

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

·        Preferred minimum age is 21 years

·        Preferred minimum length of stay is 1 month, although longer stays are encouraged

·        Travel expenses to and from the mission site are the responsibilities of the volunteer

·        Travel expenses for a mission representative to pick up volunteer at the airport to accompany to the mission and back can be a financial burden on the already limited funds available for operating the mission.  It would be very helpful and much appreciated if the volunteer can help with those expenses.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Step 1

Fill out our Volunteer application and release statement.  These forms are included in the volunteer packet, or you can download them from our web-site:  www.praymission.com

Complete and mail this paperwork to:

P.R.A.Y.

ATTN:  Volunteer Committee

1006 8^th St.

Wamego, KS  66547

Step 2

Approved applicants will be asked to complete an initial interview with our volunteer coordinator either by telephone or in person.

Step 3

Our volunteer committee will evaluate and recommend applicants to the Kansas P.R.A.Y. Board of Directors for final approval.  Applicant will be notified of approval by the volunteer coordinator.

GENERAL VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

PASSPORT AND VISA

An American passport issued by the United states Government is required for all American volunteers.  Volunteers from other countries must have a valid passport issued by their Government.  Many post offices in the Untied States have passport offices.

A visa from the Brazilian Government is required before entering Brazil.  You may obtain information on a visa from the following web-site:  www.brazilhouston.org  This site is for the Brazilian Consulate in Houston, Texas.  If you do not live in a State that is handled by the Brazilian consulate in Houston, you can obtain information for the Consulate nearest you from this web-site.  It is highly recommended that you use the services of a visa agency instead of going directly through the Brazilian Consulate.  The Brazilian consulate web-site will have a list of visa agencies.

Please contact P.R.A.Y. for type of visa recommendations.  The visa application requires an itinerary or a copyyou’re your round-trip airline ticket.  The visa process may take a month to complete.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

You may use any travel agency you wish.  It is recommended to compare prices with several before making a choice.  Prices can vary greatly.  There are Brazilian travel agencies located in the United States that have very good prices.  One is BACC, 800-222-2746.  Others are; Sambra Travel, 866-772-6272, and Andetur Brasil, e-mail:  donaldreid@ig.com.br 

Most airlines allow you to check two bags up to 70 lbs. And one carry on.  The P.R.A.Y. mission can provide the volunteer with a bag of donated clothing and other items if the volunteer is willing to transport them.  If the volunteer would like to take other donations, please consult with someone from the P.R.A.Y. Board of Directors for information on items that are needed.

You will need to fly into the City of Belem, Para.  From Belem you will travel by bus to the mission site in Jacunda.  It is about a 6 hour trip by bus from Belem to Jacunda.  If you are not experienced already with traveling in Brazil, a representative from the mission will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the mission.  The P.R.A.Y. mission will not take responsibility for a volunteer who chooses to risk traveling to the mission without being accompanied by a mission representative.

Some volunteers choose to stay one day in Belem to rest up before continuing on the trip.  A very simple, inexpensive hotel is the Hotel Central located on Avenida Presidente Vargas.  A room costs approx. $10 American dollars per night or less.  A nicer hotel is located two blocks away from the Hotel Central, the Vagonhas Hotel.  A room averages approx. $15 to $20 American dollars.

MONEY EXCHANGE

You may withdraw money from ATM’s located in the airport or any major bank in Belem with a Visa debit or credit card.  Or you can exchange money at the airport, major banks, or cambio’s in Belem.  You can not exchange dollars in Jacunda.  However, you can withdraw money with your debit or credit card from the local bank ATM.  Travelers checks are very difficult to cash, and are not recommended.

HOMESICKNESS AND CULTURE SHOCK

Culture shock is a term that describes the more pronounced reactions to the psychological disorientation most people experience when they move into a culture markedly different from their own.  Signs of culture shock include homesickness, withdrawal, irritability, stereotyping of and hostility toward host nationals, loss of ability to work effectively and physical ailments.

Culture shock is a cyclical phenomenon.  Several recognized stages include:

a)        initial euphoria; b)  irritation and hostility; c)  gradual adjustment and level of comfort with the culture; d)  adaptation to bi-culturism.

Culture shock usually onsets about 1-3 months after arrival and reaches its peak at 6-9 months.  It is therefore advised that volunteers staying one year or more do not return home during the first year.  Otherwise, the stage virtually starts all over and the person never completes the process.

WHAT THE MISSION PROVIDES

The volunteer is provided free room and board as a sign of appreciation for the free services rendered by the volunteer.  The mission has electricity, running water, and indoor bathrooms. Meals are also provided.

Please keep in mind that the mission is sustained by donations and, therefore, has a very limited income.  All food at the mission is also donated.  If the volunteer has the means to help out in any form, it will be very much appreciated.

NORMS OF BEHAVIOR

The P.R.A.Y. volunteer is presumed to be a socially mature adult, capable of making decisions about appropriate responses and behavior.  He/she is considered a missionary.  Whether one is aware of it or not, or whether one agrees to it or not, the volunteer will be judged according to those standards.  One should pay attention to:

a)        attitudes towards foreigners

b)       what is considered appropriate dress for men and women

c)        how men and women relate to one another in public

d)       class distinctions

e)        drinking alcoholic beverages and/or smoking in public

While on mission, one represents all P.R.A.Y. volunteers and one’s actions will reflect not only upon one’s self, but on P.R.A.Y. as well.  The volunteer should strive to offer their talents and skills, so that by their actions, others may come to know Christ through this witness.

Americans are generally known for an informal style and direct communications.  However, these cultural norms are not universal standards.  One should be aware a volunteer is a guest in another country.  A good rule to follow is to accept the fact that as an expatriate volunteer, one has much to learn.  It is important to be observant and slow to judge or criticize.

Volunteering as a witness to the Gospel, entails walking with the people one serves, in all aspects of their life.  At times, volunteers may find themselves in a situation where their values are challenged by existing structures or cultural practices.  Before any action is taken, volunteers are asked to wait before speaking and pause before acting.  Often cultural practices convey much more than what is first perceived as a threat to basic human rights.  Careful discussion with those who know the culture might be necessary before making a decision to challenge an existing culture’s way to doing things.  All volunteers are asked to work within the existing structures and ways of a people, withholding criticism as much as possible.  Volunteers are not being asked to deny their values and opinions, but asked to view them through the eyes of their counterparts and community members.

Speaking English in front of local community members, may be seen as offensive or as a conscious attempt to exclude them from the conversation.  The more volunteers attempt to speak the local language, the better their command of the language will become.

HEALTH

Protecting one’s health is the responsibility of each volunteer.  Mission life often means exposure to illness and conditions unknown in the US.  Although mission life can be demanding, it is important that volunteers maintain adequate diet and get sufficient rest;  overtiredness and malnutrition invite sickness.  This is particularly true when one first arrives.  The change of climate will also affect one’s health.

MANAGEMENT OF COMMON ILLNESSES AND EXPOSURES

Diarrhea:  The most common health problem that overseas travelers report is diarrhea.  Traveler’s diarrhea is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses transmitted by the consumption of contaminated food or water.  The main symptom is watery, loose stools but symptoms can also include nausea, vomiting and a low-grade fever.  The main problem associated with traveler’s diarrhea is dehydration.  You should be seen by a healthcare provider immediately, however, if you experience a high fever or bloody stools.

Prevention:  Your best defense against diarrhea is to avoid any uncooked food (raw meat, seafood or shellfish), raw salads, unpeeled fruit, raw eggs, un-pasteurized milk and cheese, street vendor food, and buffet food that has been re-warmed or recycled.  You should also avoid untreated tap water or locally bottled water.  In addition, you should always wash your hands with soap and water before eating.  Boiled or chemically treated water will be safe.  Also hot drinks, such as tea or coffee, are generally safe but be sure that the cup you drink from is clean.  Bottled or canned beverages, such as soft drinks, fruit juices, and carbonated water will be safe as well.

Treatment:  Fluids, fluids, fluids!  It takes two things to potentiate diarrhea:  the pathogen and the depressed, frustrated, and weakened individual.

One person may be infected with amoeba or giardia and not show any symptoms while the next person gets sick on a low dose of E coli.

International travelers continually discuss whether or not to use tetracycline, Bactrim or Flagyl.  These antibiotics may shorten the symptoms.  Bismuth subsalicyclate (pepto bismol) may prevent diarrhea.  Antiperisstatics such as paregoric and Lemotil, and kaopectin solutions may temporarily alleviate the symptoms, but may also prolong the disease.

What one really needs is rest and fluids.  Fluid and electrolyte balance can be maintained by drinking potable fruit juices and soft drinks (preferably caffeine-free) and eating salted crackers.  Iced drinks and non-carbonated fluids made from water of uncertain quality should be avoided.  Dairy products aggravate diarrhea in some people and are best avoided.

MALARIA

Malaria is a protozoan infection transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and is a significant health risk to international travelers.  Transmission occurs in large areas of Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania.  The estimated risk of acquiring malaria varies markedly from one region to another.  Travelers should be aware that some forms of the disease can persist in the liver, causing relapses for up to four years.  The most pronounced clinical manifestations of malaria are periodic chills and fever, usually accompanied by frontal headache and myalgia.  Fever may persist for several days before the typical periodicity develops.  The initial appearance of symptoms of malaria occurs 10-15 days after the bite of the infected mosquito.

Volunteers should take the necessary prophylactic drugs before, during and after their trip as protection against malaria.  In choosing an appropriate chemoprophylactic regimen prior to travel, several factors should be taken into consideration.  The travel itinerary should be reviewed in detail and compared with the information on malarial areas to determine whether the traveler will be at risk.  In addition, it should be established whether the traveler has previously experienced an allergic or other reaction to the malarial drug of choice.

Due to the nocturnal feeding habits of mosquitoes, malaria transmission occurs primarily between dusk and dawn.  Travelers should take measures to reduce contact with mosquitoes during those hours including remaining in well-screened areas, using mosquito nets (especially those impregnated with insecticide), and wearing clothes that cover most of the body.

Additionally, travelers are advised to purchase insect repellent before travel for use on exposed skin.  The most effective repellents contain DEET, an ingredient in many commercially available insect repellants.  The actual concentration of  DEET varies among repellents; the higher the concentration, the longer lasting the repellent activity.  Travelers are also advised to purchase pyrethrum-containing flying insect spray to use in living and sleeping areas during evening and night time hours.

Information about specific malaria drug regimens can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Volunteers should be aware that it is still possible, despite these efforts, to contract malaria.  It is important to understand that malaria can be treated effectively early in the course of the disease but that delaying appropriate therapy can have serious or even fatal consequences.  Individuals with symptoms of malaria should seek prompt medical attention.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

In the US an adult needs two or three liters of fluid a day.  In the tropics, this increases to three to four liters per day.  Coffee, tea and beer do not count as fluids since they dehydrate.  In fact, it is a good rule not to use alcohol in tropical countries before sunset.  Many travelers have collapsed after a cold beer in the desert sun.

Soft drinks may be one of the best sources of clean liquid in many countries, but they attract flies and tend to be a diuretic due to their sugar content.  Cold drinks are not needed, as cold fluid actually makes you vasoconstrict and get warmer.  Simple bottled or boiled water is best, assuming that the cup you are using has been washed with clean water.

WOUNDS

Skin wounds can take a long time to heal, so they should be prevented as much as possible.  In particular, keep your feet covered.  Wear shoes; sandals do not provide enough protection.  Remember that the ground may harbor hookworm, nails, glass, snakes and insects.  An infected foot can take month sot heal, especially if you continue working and do not take the time to keep it elevated.  Be sure to shake your shoes out in the morning before you put them on.  Scorpions, in particular, seem to find them an appealing hiding place.  You may want to wear rubber thongs in the shower to prevent infections.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Start immunizations early.  Contact your doctor, CDC, or health agency for recommended vaccinations for Northern Brazil.

SAFETY

Personal safety entails freedom from undue fear or worry, as well as awareness of situations, conditions or events that are potentially harmful or dangerous to one’s well being.  Safety is ultimately in the hands of the individual.  Keep in mind that, as a foreigner in any country, you are particularly susceptible to acts of crime.  (In other words, you are a target).  A maxim to remember – a little sense goes a long way.  Volunteers are often eager to fit in and afraid to offend.  This may cause a person to let down his/her defenses.  Remember, your safety comes first.  Trust your instincts.  If you don’t feel safe, you probably aren’t and remove yourself from the situation.

P.R.A.Y. is not responsible for reimbursing volunteers for property/personal effects lost or stolen while traveling or at the volunteer site.  Keep passport, visa, cash and credit cards on your person at all times while traveling.  Once you arrive at the mission site, you can ask the Manager for help in storing your valuables in a safe place.

RETURNING HOME

The return or re-entry home is often a more difficult adjustment than the initial adaptation to the country where the volunteer was placed.  As an experienced volunteer, one has been changed.  One’s experiences have been broadened and one’s understanding of society and global realities have been challenged and deepened.  While one has had this experience, his/her friends and family have not.

One of the volunteer’s frustrations is the feeling that his/her actions had only small effect.  It may be difficult for the volunteer to reconnect with people with whom he/she was close prior to going.  After the initial excitement of being with the people one has not seen for a long time, one can easily feel a stranger in a land once familiar.  The United States, once seen as the land of abundance, not seems to be a place of rampant materialism and consumerism.  The amount of waste can seem staggering.  Anger, on the part of the returned volunteer, is not uncommon.  Very often, for instance a returning missionary feels frustrated, misunderstood, and at times even alienated.

Re-entry is a transition process.  Like other transitions, it can be a painful process.  No mater how well prepared one is to return, or how anxious one is to come home, the process will involve the pain of letting go and beginning anew.

It is extremely important to say good-bye to the people with whom one has worked.  Sometimes, volunteers do not wish to have others do anything special, so they leave by “sneaking out the back door.”  Although this is understandable, it is an insensitive act.

Volunteers have affected the people with whom they have worked and lived.  In many instances, they have been accepted as members of a family.  People should  be given the respect of bidding farewell done in a manner that is respectful of the culture.  This may involve spending time with people individually, or exchanging gifts, photos or personal items.  The important thing is to say good-bye.

Please make contact with the volunteer coordinator in the US upon return.  Sometimes volunteers are asked for stories of their experiences which can be printed in the P.R.A.Y. newsletter.

Volunteers who are successful at coping with re-entry find ways to integrate their volunteer experience into their lives at home.  One of the best ways to do so is to communicate with other former volunteers.  Another successful re-entry strategy is to give talks and presentations to interested groups about one’s overseas experiences.  Some volunteers get involved with social justice issues at home and activities supporting missionary activity overseas.

Often volunteers stay in contact with the facilities they worked at or with individuals they worked with in an effort to continue to provide support.  The ongoing material needs of these places can be overwhelming.  Most volunteers feel they are now part of the “family”.  It can be a wonderfully enriching experience to stay in contact with the new friends and family members you have made.

BEFORE YOU GO:

·          Is your passport current?

·          Have you obtained all necessary visas?

·          Have you had all required (and recommended) immunizations?

·          Have you made all airline arrangements and left a copy of your itinerary with your family and/or office?

·          Have you checked with the Volunteer Coordinator concerning extra items to bring to the mission site?

·          Have you signed and returned the release form?