When you are on a mission’s trip, you are stepping into a new culture. It’s important to educate yourself on health and safety before arrival. We wanted to give you important things to know before going on a mission’s trip:
Health
1. Be Careful Drinking The Water
We are used to turning on the faucet and drinking the water. But in other parts of the world, the water isn’t clean or purified. It’s not regulated in the way it is in the states. Some locals will boil water before drinking, but you may need to get your hands on bottled water.
2. Only Eat Veggies & Fruits Unless They Have Peels
As we said above, water can be contaminated but is sometimes used to clean fruits and veggies. To ensure that what you are eating is safe, make sure you are eating items with a peel that protects the insides from bacteria.
3. Bring Your Own Snacks
You are going to get hungry and possibly be in situations where safe food isn’t accessible. Keep granola bars, trail mix, or other easy snacks on hand for those situations so that you can ensure you are keeping your body safe and well-fed.
Safety
1. Keep Track Of Phone Numbers
There may be times when you need to make a phone call but can’t access the phone numbers from your phone. a) Your phone may not work overseas b) Electricity may not always be available to keep your phone charged. Therefore, it’s important to have access to any and all important phone numbers written down.
You should keep track of local emergency numbers, your trip leader’s international cell number, the US Embassy, the phone number of your accommodations, and any important family and friends at home.
2. Bring Copies Of Important Documents
The hope is that you will never lose important documents, but just in case, it’s important to keep copies on hand. Bring separate copies of your passport or other forms of identity, itinerary, etc. Copies may not be as accepted as the original, but they are important to have as a back-up.
3. Keep Yourself Informed
One way to keep yourself informed is to sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program). STEP is an alert system by the U.S. Department of State designed to keep international travelers informed and protected in case there’s ever an emergency or safety issue. The local U.S. Embassy is also meant to contact you if there is ever a safety issue or an emergency situation. Sign up for STEP here.
Be sure not to worry. There is unlikely going to be any issues on your trip, but it’s important to know how to keep yourself healthy and safe before your arrival. The more prepared that you are, the better you will feel and the more you will be able to enjoy your trip!