Volunteers Information, Recommendations & Guidelines for visiting Rev Themi and the Sierra Leone Mission, West Africa - last updated 2011

More and more supporters are wishing to volunteer their time & skills, travel to West Africa, help Rev Themi & experience the satisfaction of helping in his mission.

PK4A have put together some details, recommendations & guidelines for you to understand. Please remember this is a Christian Charity Mission in one of the poorest countries on the planet. It should not be mistaken for a Holiday.

Nothing can prepare you for a experience like this; so why are you going? what can you contribute?

1. TRAVEL RISKS

First, you should check your countries governmental Department of Foreign Travel Board and satisfy yourself of any safety issues.

USA Travel Advise - http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1016.html

Aust Travel Advise - http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/

UK Travel Advice -  http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/

In general Freetown is not without risk; because of criminal activity, overcrowding, poor maintenance lack of basic safety equipment and immense poverty,petty crimes such as pickpocketing and bag snatching are common throughout the country and residential burglaries continue to be on the increase.

Security risks are heightened at night. Women should never travel alone.

2. KNOW WHERE YOUR GOING

Research Sierra Leone at http://www.visitsierraleone.org/ and any other country you may be visiting.

3. TRAVEL VISA – (5-10 Day application time)

You must apply and gain a Travel Visa; below is a link to the Sierra Leonean Governments web-page where you can apply online for a VISA. -http://www.visitsierraleone.org/Visiting-Sierra-Leone/Before-you-travel/Visa-Application-Information.html

You must forward a copy of a valid Visa to pk4a@pk4a.com before you leave your home city

Note that airlines will not allow you to board the plane to Freetown without a valid Visa, so it is imperative you apply and receive your Visa before you leave your home city.

4. INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Sierra Leone’s International Airport is - Lungi International Freetown, SL (FNA)
Travelling from and to the airport to the PK4A Mission House can take up to 10 hours

We recommend that you request that one of our Mission Staff meet you at Lungi Airport and help you to the mission.

(Refer to Transfer Costs section below)

On arrival prepare yourself for chaos at the airport.The noise is mostly caused by porters falling over themselves to provide some sort of assistance that willland them a tip. If you have chosen not have one of our mission staff meet and assist you, then our advice would be to choose one porter and make sure he sticks with you through out. Make sure you are good with faces because you are probably going to be approached by someone else claiming to have assisted you.

If you do not require any assistance, smiling and replying sternly “I’m fine”, should work.

Make sure you have your small dollar US dollar bills for tips in hand to avoid revealing cash and personal effects that you may be carrying.

(Refer Money & Tipping Section below)

5. TRANSFERS – LUNGI TO PK4A HOUSE AND BACK

The Lungi Airport andFreetown are separated by the Sierra Leone Bay (the 2nd largest in the world). In recent times, this journey across has been an adventure in itself and on very few occasions, withfatal consequences.It is your decision which mode of transfer you choose but the main considerations to evaluateare speed, safety and reliability – all of which are availableto various degrees.

Regardless of which mode you decide, it is an all day affair. Always allow the full day for travelling.

Helicopter

Helicopters and Sierra Leone have a bit of a notorious past, with a couple of crashes widely reported. However, the company that used to run these old Russian crafts are no longer in operation.The helicopter service (at this time of print) is now operated by Intercity Air, who so far have proven to be far more reliable than their predecessors and have recently just launched their ‘new’ helicopter fleet. Price is USD $80 and journey time is around10 minutes.

If you choose this service we require you to pay both ways for the PK4A Staff to greet you.

Approx Cost USD $240.00 subject to change.

Water Taxi-UNRELIABLE & HAZARDOUS

The water taxis are slightly bigger than your average speedboat and run on dual engines. The  company,(at this time of print) Pelican

Water Taxi are relatively new in the game but have so far carried out their operations in a professional manner. The ride is sometimes bumpy & hazardous so you must prepare yourself for that.

Approx cost is $80 with journey time around 30 minute subject to change

Ferry-RECOMMENDED

The Mission recommended option is the Ferry but it is certainly not the quickest option.The Mission vehicle and driver will meet you at Lungi and bring you to PK4A House.
There are two ferries operating at scheduled times of 8am, 11am, 2pm and 6pm. There is a later ferry which runs with the schedule of the last flight, but there is no fixed time and schedules are often changed without notice.

If you choose this service we require you to pay both ways for the PK4A Staff to greet you.

Cost approx USD $160.00 subject to change.

By Road- HAZARDOUS

It is possible to drive to Freetown from Lungi (6+ hours) depending on weather and a myriad of other conditions.

6. WEATHER

The climate of Freetown is of the typical tropical kind, basically meaning hot and humid (80% humidity) the whole year. The hottest time is from February to May when temperatures (especially in April) are generally well over30 °Cduring the day. The wet season lasts from June to October and the total amount of rainfall is significant.

It is one of the wettest places in this part of the world and during the months of July to September there is around 2000 mm of rain in total! That time of year is cooler though, with temperatures between26 °Cand28 °C. Night temperatures are just slightly cooler with temperatures year round around25 °C.

7. BAGGAGE, CLOTHING & TOILETRIES

Travel Light – One carry on only if possible – Any Baggage in cargo will more than likely be subject to pilferage

Freetown is high in humidity and is either HOT & DRY or HOT & WET.
Light T-shirts, Short sleeve shirts and Singlets
Good Comfortable running shoes or sneakers are recommended
Light Jeans, Shorts, Skirts, Socks
General Toiletries such as toothbrush, toothpaste, disinfectant soap, roll on deodorants (no aerosol’s), shaver, hair products etc all in small travel size.
It is recommended you bring with you your own “EAR PLUGS”, “MOSQUITO NET”, “SEVERAL LARGE PACK OF MOIST DISINFECTANT SANITARY WIPES”, ‘CHEAP 2ND HAND MOBILE/CELL PHONE.

Do not take any electronics with you but if you do, carry them with you.

8. MONEY & TIPPING

There are very few ATM’s in Sierra Leone and no one has Credit / Debit Card facilities. You can withdraw money from your Credit / Debit Card from the banks but this is difficult, time consuming and problematic.
Local Currency is Sierra Leonean Leone - US dollars are recommended.
When arriving to Sierra Leone it is advisable to have USD$20 in USD$1 notes for tipping.
Tip $1 to $2 dollars only, from your pocket.

Do not show your purse or wallet.
If you wish to exchange Dollars to local Leones Fr Themi will organize it for you.

If you become friendly with any staff, mission helpers or persons and you wish to give them some money as a gift, DON’T

Just take note of who they are and then clear it with Rev Themi. Give the money to Rev Themi and he will make the gift.

This will be a test in itself. DO NOT FLASH CASH!!

9. SHOPPING

There is no such thing as shopping as we westerners know it. There are no recognizable supermarkets, snack bars, fast food restaurants, clothing shops etc They are all 3^rd  world standard and anything you purchase will be expensive.

10. COST OF GETTING TO LUNGI INTL AIRPORT

There are several ways of getting to Freetown.
International services are limited but airlines like Brussels Airlines (Accra and Brussels), BMI     (London), Kenya Airways (Nairobi) and Royal Air Maroc (Casablanca) have services.
The cheapest is via Kenya, the dearest & the safest is via London.
Shop around, but before you book, contact PK4A for last minute advice.

All Travel must be liaised and approved by Rev Themi in writing.

11. COST OF STAYING AT THE PK4A Mission House

Accommodation in Freetown is expensive and the Mission House’s expenses are paid entirely by PK4A. So staying at the Mission House is NOT Free, …….so your visit and stay costs the mission precious resources and so there are some costs to visitors.

Please understand that everything at the mission costs money. All money that runs the mission has been donated and always hard to raise. In Africa, everything costs, Electricity is “pay as you” go and when there is none, its by “generator”, Water is specially bought in, Food is expensive, Petrol is expensive & most times scarce; the cost of living for a westerner is expensive.

Therefore, if you decide to stay at the Mission House, we must charge a fee in a effort not to cost the mission precious funds and to help minimize expenses to the mission.
So every person must pay a nominal “$50.00 USD a day per person”.

This fee must be paid to PK4A via Ezi Donate by Credit Card before you leave your country of origin. 

Share Accommodation

You will be billeted in the PK4A house staying with Rev Themi and other volunteers and mission workers

The PK4A house has (at this time of print) 6 self contained units, each unit has its own
- open kitchenette – small refrigerator – separate bathroom with toilet and shower
- open bedroom with lounge area
– bunk beds, queen-size lower bunk, single size upper bunk
- air conditioning unit -

Each unit can house a configuration of up to 2-3 persons

Mission Accommodation Etiquette

Water and Power are rare commodities and should be used sparingly.

Lighting, electrical power and Air-conditioning should be used carefully and switched off at 11pm nightly.

Water is expensive, showers should be kept to 1 per day per person.

Etiquette for Mission Visitors – Men and Women

Both men and women must take care and be mindful that as foreigners to Sierra Leone you will stand out. The following is recommended for your safety. Women must take extra care. You will be a minority at the mission house and you must take great care.

Dress codes: Sierra Leone is very humid. It would be best to wear loose fitting cotton clothing. As a visitor to the mission, modesty in dress is expected of all visitors.

Interactions with others; A simple greeting with a kiss can be interpreted differently, so when you interact with anyone be as formal as possible. Never kiss or hug anyone in a adult situation, just shake their hand and if you want to show your Christian love and compassion shake their hand with both hands. This applies to everyone, males and females, and even with Rev Themi.

Mission visitors are forbidden to casually leave the mission alone at any time. Make sure that you have informed mission staff of your intentions. Again this is for your safety.

Appearances are everything and Rev Themi has spent many years gaining the respect & trust of the people. As foreigners to Sierra Leone you will stand out.

Be mindful also that all visitors automatically are seen as representatives of the mission and your presence and actions will be seen as a reflection of the mission and Rev Themi.

Alcohol

The Mission is Alcohol Free, Alcohol is not permitted within the confines of the Mission. Intoxication will not be tolerated.

If you visit the mission as a worker or a guest, you will be seen as a representative of the mission.

Food

Basic breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided at the PK4A house community dinning hall with large groups.

You will be able to buy some groceries from selected supermarkets for yourselves.

Payments of Transport & Accommodation

Fees should be paid for before leaving your country of origin by Direct Deposit, Telegraphic Transfer or Paypal.

This is not mandatory but is recommended to save time and effort. The less cash you carry with you the safer it is.

Email admin@pk4a.com for details.

12. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION

PK4A have two vehicles at its disposal. Where possible, Fr Themi will issue you or your group a Vehicle, Driver / Guide on your free days –
Driver and Fuel costs are to be met by yourselves at a rate of $50 USD per day (4 persons max).

If the vehicles are not available, Rev Themi can organise a rental for you or your group at your cost.

13. LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS

Mobile / Cell phone communication in Sierra Leone is improving every day.

The mission has a Visitors Mobile/Cell Phone, Laptop and Internet USB.
Taking a cheap phone will allow the volunteer to keep in communication with home and loved ones via SMS.
Volunteers can purchase Pre Paid Sim Cards, calling to international numbers is expensive.
Internet is slow and scarce but Internet cafes are available and will be made available as time allows.
You will be able to share this where possible at the cost of pre-paid top up cards.

14. MEDICAL ADVICE & INSURANCE

Be aware that when you arrive in certain countries you could be refused entry if you do not have their required vaccination certificates and on your return to your country of origin you may be put into quarantine if you have not taken the proper precautions.

Every Volunteer must have their own comprehensive Medical Insurance and inoculations.
Copies of all insurances and vaccination certificates must be scanned and emailed to Rev Themi at admin@pk4a.com

Immunizations and Malaria Prevention

You must consult your primary doctor or travel clinic regarding your specific needs.

Mandatory Vaccinations

Yellow Fever: A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers arriving from all countries in to Sierra Leone.

Immigration will request a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate upon entry and they may deny entry without it.

Some countries, such as Australia, will also request a valid vaccination certificate when you return from Sierra Leone anmay refuse your entry or place you in quarantine without it.

Australians can look at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/health-pubhlth-strateg-communic-factsheets-yellow.htm which is the Australian government’s requirements in regards to the Yellow Fever vaccine.

Highly Recommended Immunizations

Travel Immunizations:

• Meningitis (ACWY)
• Typhoid
• Cholera
• Hepatitis A – Series of 2
• Hepatitis B – Series of 3 (for any volunteers whose work will involve health care or plumbing)
• Rabies (discuss with your Doctor)

Full course of the following (including childhood series and adult booster as required):

• Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Tetanus
• Polio
• HIB (Haemophilus Influenzae type B)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 2 doses)
• Meningitis C
• BCG (TB immunization) – only in countries where available

Malaria Prevention

Malaria is a common cause of illness and a potential cause of death in travellers to West Africa. Prophylaxis medication should be taken to help in the prevention of Malaria.  There are several options available and this should be discussed with your Doctor.

Also, efforts must be taken to prevent mosquito bites: These include using a mosquito net for sleeping, wearing long sleeved light coloured clothing, and the use of insect repellent containing 30% DEET.

For more information about health and travel to Sierra Leone, you may wish to look at a travel medicine website such as:http://www.traveldoctor.info/vaccinations/sierra+leone.88.html#4 and/or
http://www.travmed.com/guide/country.php?c=Sierra%20Leone