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| Delhi, India |
| August 8 - 18, 2008 |
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| ITINERARY - 11 DAYS/10 NIGHTS |
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Mission Code: IN08-0808
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Trip Dates: August 8-18, 2008
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Total Cost: $1,970 + $1,450 International Airfare
(Cost of international airfare confirmed at time of booking per person)
Land cost of $1,970 is all-inclusive: all meals, lodging, in-country transportation, insurance, interpreters, bottled water, sightseeing, etc.
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| TRIP LEADERS |
Renae Niebergall,
Westport Church Missions Coordinator |
Umashankar Shankardas,
Orphan Outreach India Director |
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| EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION |
Orphan Outreach Missions Office
972-726-6200 |
Orphan Outreach USA Emergency Contact
Emergency Only (any hour)
214-597-6655 [mobile] |
Hotel Palace Heights
+91 11 23411369 [Telephone]
+91 11 23415419 [Facsimile]
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| HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS |
Hotel Palace Heights
D Block 26/28
Connaught Place, Delhi, 110001
+91 11 23411369 [phone]
+91 11 23415419 [fax]
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| INDIA COUNTRY and CULTURE |
Republic of India
India, the world’s fastest growing free-market democracy, presents lucrative opportunities for all types of businesses especially U.S. companies. In 2005, U.S. merchandise exports to India were almost $8 billion, doubled since 2002.
U.S. companies have the chance to make or increase sales in this booming market by joining the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration Business Development Mission to India. Under Secretary for International Trade Franklin L. Lavin will lead the Mission with coordination by the U.S. Commercial Service in the United States and India.India, a triangular shaped country in southern Asia, buttressed by the long sweep of the Himalayas in the north and protruding into the Indian Ocean in the south. Located in the northern parts of India are mostly snow covered mountain ranges. While in the southern and eastern regions of the country it is mostly hilly and plains.
The wildlife of India is almost as varied as the countryside itself. Some of the highlights of India's fauna are its lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, elephants and rhinoceros.
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Capital:
New Delhi
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Size/Area:
3,287,590 sq km (1,229,737 square miles)
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Population:
1 billion
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Time Zone:
Delhi is 12.5 hours ahead of CST
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Language(s)
Hindi (India’s official language although only about 20-30% of the population speak it); Several hundred languages are spoken in India, and 18 languages have official status by state; English is also a common, widely-used language
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Religion
Hindu (80%);
Muslim (14%);
Christian (2-3%);
Other (5-6%)
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Currency:
Indian Rupee (Rs)
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Voltage:
230-240V
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Type of Government
Federal Republic
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Current Leader
Prime Minister (Head of Government), Dr. Manmohan Singh
President (Head of State), Pratibha Patil
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Education
Free and compulsory for ages 6-14; Approximately 40% (primarily girls) drop out of education after only a couple of years; About 20% of all school-age children actually graduate from secondary school, and less than 10% proceed to higher education
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Adult Literacy
73% (male); 48% (female)
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Eating Habits
Habits vary between modern and traditional families. Modern families follow customs similar to westerners. Traditional families may use their right hand to eat instead of using utensils, and women may wait to eat until after the whole family or guests are finished.
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Types of Food
Types of dishes and flavors vary between different religious followers and castes. Most meals use many spices, particularly curry, and rice and roti (type of bread) are considered to be common staples.
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History
The people of India have had a continuous civilization since 2500 B.C., when the inhabitants of the Indus River valley developed an urban culture based on commerce and sustained by agricultural trade. This civilization declined around 1500 B.C., probably due to ecological changes.
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Entry/Exit Requirements:
U.S. citizens require a passport and visa to enter and exit India for any purpose.
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Medical Facilities and Health Information:
Adequate to excellent medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas. Visitors to India should pay special attention to safe food and water precautions, and steps the traveler can take to avoid contracting malaria. Visitors planning to hike in the mountainous areas of northern India should pay attention to the risk of altitude illness.
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Traffic Safety and Road Conditions:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning India is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
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Major industries:
Textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, rice, wheat, oilseed, cotton, jute, tea, sugarcane, potatoes; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats, poultry, fish
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Major trading partners:
US, Hong Kong, UK, Japan, Germany, Belgium, Saudi Arabia
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Holidays
New Year’s Day (January 1), Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), Mahatma Gandi’s Birthday (October 2), and Diwali (Festival of Lights) are the most common.
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Gestures
Using many hand gestures while talking is considered impolite, and pointing is usually done with the chin.
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Greetings
A common greeting between Indians is to press the palms together (fingers up) below the chin and say “Namaste.” Showing respect to your superiors is important and is done by bowing slightly when doing the “Namaste” greeting, or to speak using more formal greetings such as “Good Morning,” instead of just “hi” or “hello.” Adult men and women usually don’t shake hands or touch in public. Showing respect through word and action in a greeting is important.
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People
Although India occupies only 2.4% of the world's land area, it supports over 15% of the world's population. Only China has a larger population. Almost 33% of Indians are younger than 15 years of age. About 70% of the people live in more than 550,000 villages, and the remainder in more than 200 towns and cities. Over thousands of years of its history, India has been invaded from the Iranian plateau, Central Asia, Arabia, Afghanistan, and the West; Indian people and culture have absorbed and changed these influences to produce a remarkable racial and cultural synthesis.
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| TRAVEL WARNINGS |
For up-to-date travel warnings, please click here to visit the U.S. Department of State website.
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| IMMUNIZATIONS |
Some immunizations may be required. We recommend that you call your personal doctor and let him or her know the dates and regions of your travel. He or she will be able to give you the needed immunizations based on your personal medical history and your travel itinerary. You can also consult the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for additional information regarding travelers’ health. If you need to paste the link into your web browser, the link is: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationIndia.aspx
Your local “County Health and Human Services” department may also have the necessary immunizations, or you can research to see if your community has a medical clinic geared towards traveler’s health.
If you live in the Dallas area, a good resource is the North Texas Travel Medicine Center. You can reach them by phone at 214-247-4444. If you need to paste the link into your web browser, the link is: http://www.tripvac.com
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| RAISING SUPPORT |
Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
• People who make financial contributions for volunteers traveling on a mission trip will receive a receipt for their donation. As a volunteer who is paying your own way on a mission trip, a significant portion of your cost may be tax-deductible. Please consult your personal tax advisor with respect to tax deductions.
• Keep track of your donations for your personal records: list the donor name, mailing address and amount received. Our Missions office will also keep an account of your donations so that we can double-check records, in case anyone mails a donation directly to us on your behalf, or if you have any questions, etc.
• Remember to send each donor a personal thank-you note and trip update upon return
• We accept trip payments in the form of credit cards and checks.
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Checks
Checks should be made payable to “Orphan Outreach”
If you receive a check payable in your name, you must sign the check over to Orphan Outreach by signing your name AND writing, “For deposit only to Orphan Outreach.”
This allows us to send a tax receipt to your trip supporter.
Mail the collected checks in an envelope with a note that states your name and mission trip code.
Mail the checks to:
Orphan Outreach
ATTN: MISSIONS
7616 LBJ Freeway, Suite 560
Dallas, TX 75251
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Credit Cards
You can make a payment towards your trip ONLINE. Simply click here to go to our “Make a Donation” page and click the link to make a trip payment.
If one of your trip sponsor’s wants to use a credit card to make a donation towards your trip, simply direct them to the “Make A Donation” page on the Orphan Outreach website and they can select the button to sponsor a trip participant ONLINE.
** Please Note: Orphan Outreach is charged a 3% fee on all credit card donations. A 3% convenience charge will be added to all credit card payments.
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Cash
DO NOT send cash through the mail. Instead, send a money order for the total cash amount that you have received. Include an itemized list of each donor name, mailing address and amount given so that tax deductible receipts may be issued. If you write a personal check on behalf of donors that send cash, you will receive a receipt but we will not be able to send a receipt to your donors.
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Fundraising Ideas:
• Tell everyone you know what you are doing and how they can help
• Write personal support letters explaining your mission and fundraising goal
• Speak to your church, businesses or groups that may have a special interest in your trip
• Offer to do yard work, housework, errands or other chores for donations
• Host a craft sale or bake sale
• Start a money jar
• Host a garage sale for your neighborhood or church with donated items
• Host a fundraising dinner for friends and share about the needs of the orphan children
• Host a dinner at your church and charge admission. Share about the needs of the orphan children and culture in which you will be serving.
• Work at a sporting event concession
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| PACKING INFORMATION |
• Passport (visa inside)
• Health card showing proof of required vaccinations
• Paper ticket or E-ticket
• Bible and devotional reading
• Money for souvenirs (please take clean, new large-faced bills)
• Money belt (money, passport/visa, and ticket will be kept on you at all times)
• Phone numbers, addresses, email addresses of family and friends
• Camera, film, batteries, chargers
• Small packets of tissue
• Antibacterial hand cleanser and wipes
• Travel alarm clock
• Prescription drugs for entire length of trip (place in carry-on luggage)
• Over the counter medicine (cold & cough, stomach, pain relief, Tylenol PM)
• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush & paste, personal hygiene items)
• Everyday clothing
• Comfortable pair of shoes
• Eyeglasses/Contact Lenses (with extras for emergency)
• Adapter and converter for electrical items (India is 230-240V; these are country-specific and can be bought at most stores where luggage is sold/ travel section; both South African/Indian-style plugs are used, as well as European plugs, for electrical outlets)
• Snacks that withstand travel and heat
• Small flashlight with batteries
• Currency Converter cheat sheet (www.oanda.com)
• Books/magazines for flight
• Safety pens/travel sewing kit for emergencies (optional)
• Locks for luggage (at the hotel); luggage cannot be locked through airport security
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Everyday Clothing
• Long trousers/skirts, t-shirts and sweatshirts are fine
• Layering clothing is best
• Pack one change of clothing in carry-on luggage
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Fun Items for the Kids to Collect and Pack (OPTIONAL):
• Candy to pass out to the children
• Small toys for the children
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IMPORTANT:
• If you decide to collect items to take to the children, remember to collect large quantities of the same item so all the children receive the same thing
(ex. 50 small race cars, 50 bottles of nail polish, 50 yo-yos, etc)
• Please bag items in zip lock bags and mark the bag with the quantity (ex 100 pencils)
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Baggage Allowance
Due to the amount of in-country air travel you will be doing, we request that each person pack according to the following guidelines:
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Carry-On Luggage
1 personal item (such as a small purse, laptop bag or camera bag) and 1 small rolling carry-on (if necessary). Remember that the overhead bins for the in-country flights in India are smaller, so make sure it is a small rolling carry-on. You can check the website for American Airlines (www.aa.com) to see the dimensions they allow for carry-ons, but please don’t use a carry-on that is the maximum allowed size.
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Checked Luggage
1 checked bag (not exceeding 50 lbs). Consider packing a small fold-up bag inside your checked luggage that you can use to pack souvenirs and check on the way home. These usually can be found in travel stores or in stores that carry luggage and travel items (such as Wal-Mart). The Container Store carries a brand called “Baggallini,” and they have a great light-weight, zipper fold-up bag that is durable for checking on the way home.
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Email from Uma (Director in India) concerning packing tips:
As far as appropriate dressing is concerned, conservative will always be the key for India. In August the weather will be hot and humid. Temperatures will be in the average range of 91 F to 102 F and humidity does tend to be high at that time of the year. T Shirts would be handy although I would advise the women to avoid sleeveless tops as they will be spending time in the slum community where the conservative aspect is important. For the Agra trip and leisure times, which would be evenings and Sundays, it would be okay for them to dress as they feel comfortable for the weather conditions mentioned. As far as Church is concerned there is no particular dress code, which means that both casual (jeans) and formal apparel are fine. |
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| INSURANCE |
Orphan Outreach purchases secondary insurance for each trip participant traveling with us on a mission trip. The cost of the secondary insurance is included in your land cost. Information completed in your application (such as listing your designated beneficiary) is used by our missions office to purchase the insurance. Your trip leader is trained to know what to do in case of emergency and will carry the needed documents during your trip.
Adams & Associates International has developed a plan for volunteers on an international short-term mission trip while on active service with Orphan Outreach. The insurance purchased for the short-term mission trip is a secondary insurance that, for example, covers lost or stolen baggage all the way to emergency medical evacuation. In case of an incident, the trip participant will need to pay charges then get reimbursed through Adams & Associates after filling out the proper claim form after the mission trip.
Please see below for a brief summary of the coverage which outlines some of the features of the policy.
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INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR Orphan Outreach
A&AI Travel InsuranceAmerican International Group, in cooperation with Adams & Associates International® (A&AI), has developed a package of benefits for you while you are overseas and while in route to and from your assignment. (The Property Insurance is underwritten by Chubb).The coverage provides a basic level of Personal Accident Protection, Permanent Total Disability and Property Insurance and is not intended to replace any personal insurance that you may currently have.
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SUMMARY OF COVERAGES - PERSONS AGES 13 TO AGE 69
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment — Principal Sum: |
$100,000 |
| Disability Income, per month for 1st through 100th months, Accident: |
$1,000 |
| per month for 101st through 200th months, Accident: |
$500 |
| per month for 4th through 54th months, Sickness: |
$250 |
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| Medical Expense, |
$100 deductible
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| Note: $2500 of this benefit can be used to meet eligible medical expense incurred in the US. |
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Medical, Legal, Passport and Baggage Assistance see AIG International Services Summary (formerly AIG Assist)
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| Emergency Medical Transportation |
$75,000 |
| Repatriation of Mortal Remains |
$7,500 |
| Family Coordination |
$15,000 |
| Property & Baggage Insurance, |
$100 deductible, per family unit (Chubb) $2,500
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SUMMARY OF COVERAGES - PERSONS AGE 70 & OVER, AND, CHILDREN
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment — Principal Sum: |
$10,000 |
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Medical Expense
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$10,000 |
| Note: $2500 of this benefit can be used to meet eligible medical expense incurred in the US. |
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Medical, Legal, Passport and Baggage Assistance see AIG International Services Summary (formerly AIG Assist)
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| Emergency Medical Transportation |
$75,000
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| Repatriation of Mortal Remains |
$7,500 |
| Family Coordination |
$15,000 |
| Property & Baggage Insurance, |
$100 deductible, per family unit (Chubb) |
| The Property Benefit does not apply to children. |
$2,500
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| * In case of emergency, obtain required documentation of the incident during your trip. |
| * Note the two emergency numbers (your trip leader will carry these numbers with him or her and will follow the emergency policies and procedures): |
1-800-626-2427
(Call collect outside of the U.S.) 713-267-2525
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| PASSPORTS [Original Passports are being collected by Renae Neibergall] |
The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.
A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.
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New Application for a U.S. Passport
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To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of over 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.
Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.
You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time: if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.
For more information on getting a new passport, please visit the U.S. Department of State website or visit the link "How to get a passport".
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Renewal of a U.S. Passport
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You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.
You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading at the U.S. Department of State website.
If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.
For more information on how to renew a passport, please visit How to renew a passport page. |
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| VISAS [Visa Application, Original Passport and Visa Photos are being collected by Renae Neibergall] |
Visas are required for any U.S. citizen traveling to India. Tourist Visa's are valid for 6 months to 10 years. A ten (10) year visa is available only to US citizens under a bilateral arrangement. Irrespective of the duration of validity of visa, on each visit maximum period of stay in India is limited to 6 months (180 days). Multiple entry visas are given.
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In order for Orphan Outreach to obtain your Tourist Visa to India, you must complete the following requirements and mail all items to our office at:
Orphan Outreach
7616 LBJ Freeway, Suite 560
Dallas, TX 75251
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1. Application: Download the official Visa Application Form and complete the entire form. Mail it along with your passport and visa photos to Orphan Outreach. Orphan Outreach will work with the Embassy of India to provide visas for the entire team.
Click here to download the Embassy of India Visa Application.
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2. Passport: Your passport must have a minimum validity of six months from the date of application with at least two blank visa pages.
Last 2 amendment pages are not acceptable. YOU MUST send the actual passport NOT a copy.
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3. Photographs: 2 latest identical passport size photographs (color) depicting front pose against light background.
Digital photos are not acceptable. Photographs must be official passport and visa photos.
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4. Proof of Address: Applicants must submit a photocopy with proof of residence/address while applying for the visa.
Photocopy of driver license or utility bill is acceptable. For minors, a parent or guardian proof of address may be submitted instead.
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| MISSIONS BOOKS AND DEVOTIONALS |
| Transforming Ventures: A Spiritual Guide for Volunteers in Mission [Ives, Jane.] |
| Let the Nations Be Glad [Piper, John] |
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| TRAVEL RESOURCES |
Weather
India’s climate can be described as being hot with 3 seasons:
Hot (March-May, temperatures range from 90-110+ degrees Fahrenheit);
Rainy (June-October);
Cool (November –February)
Visit www.weather.com for the weather conditions while you are in India.
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Currency Exchange Rate
Visit www.oanda.com for the latest currency exchange rate in India.
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