Young Adult Mercy Experience 2012

Transcription

1 Kenya Project 24 Young Adult Mercy Experience 2012 Young Adult Mercy Experience 2012 Young Adult Mercy Experience is to give young adults, ages 18-28, mercy experience in working with Project 24 in Kenya, Africa. Target Date June 9-18, 2012 Young Adult Experience in Kenya 1. These young adults will experience being assigned to a Project 24 site for 3-5 days in providing mercy care in and amongst the orphans, deaconess, pastors, and Kenyan people (the mercy care may include: home visits, Saturday morning Bible School, helping memorize the catechism, personal witness and prayer with the sick and invalid, etc). 2. These young adults will experience some traveling in Kenya, especially to experience other Project 24 sites and Kenyan culture (experience the cities, roads, food, open markets, the people, landscape, smells, etc) Outcomes from this Experience 1. These young adults will have the privilege of providing mercy care to God s people in Kenya. 2. These young adults will have the privilege of experiencing a culture different than their own, thus coming to a greater appreciation of their own culture. 3. These young adults will have the privilege of growing in the faith as they are spiritually mentored in the Word while providing this mercy care. 4. These young adults will have the privilege of returning to their District to share with the people at home what God is doing in Kenya through His people. 1

2 District Partnership The Mary Okeyo Fund for Student Travel 1. The District will secure round-trip airfare from Minneapolis MN to Nairobi Kenya (approximately $1,600), evacuation insurance, and housing arrangements while in Kenya. 2. District Representatives (District Presidents, Human Care Facilitator, or Project 24 founders) will accompany these young adults in order to provide spiritual care, guidance, and mentorship to them, helping them evaluate their experience, their role in the Church, and how this impacts them personally, their home congregation, the District, and the greater Church. 3. District representatives will put together a comprehensive packet of materials and resources in helping the young adults prepare for this experience Selection of Young Adults 1. Each young adult desiring to be selected will submit a Project 24 Young Adult Mercy Experience 2012 application no later than December 1, Young Adults selected will be ages 18 to approximately 28 years old Youth will be selected for Project 24 Youth Adult Mercy Experience The Project 24 Board of Directors will select the Young Adults who will be on the Project 24 Young Adult Mercy Experience Responsibilities of the Young Adults Selected 1. They will need to obtain their own passport. 2. They will need to get the necessary shots to enter Kenya. 3. They will need to secure health care insurance through their own provider. 4. They will be responsible for their own airport luggage costs. 5. They will be responsible for their own food costs when no meal is provided (e.g. host homes, invited out, etc) 6. They will complete the necessary reading material and assignments prior to the experience. 7. They will need to provide their own spending money. 8. They will give at least three presentations on their experience after returning from Kenya. 9. They will be fully engaged in the mercy care experience while in Kenya (industrious, good attitude, fruits of the spirit, cooperative, etc). 10. They will make a good faith effort to raise funds for Project 24, the Project 24 Scholarship travel fund, or the Evangelical Lutheran Churches Bible Clubs that equal or surpass the amount expended to get them to Kenya. 11. They will make a good faith effort to continue to support the public relations, information and witness aspect of their trip whenever possible. 2

3 Application Project 24 Young Adult Mercy Experience 2012 Young Adult Mercy Experience 2012 Full Name Age Date of Birth Address City District Cell Phone # Address Home Congregation Pastor s Name Pastor s Signature If you are a college student: Institution Major If you are employed: Name of Employer Position 3

4 1. Why are you applying for the Project 24 Young Adult Mercy Experience? 2. What experiences in life have you had which you see could be helpful for the Project 24 Young Adult Mercy Experience? 3. How do you see your Project 24 Young Adult Mercy Experience affecting your Christian faith and life? 4

5 4. How do you see your Project 24 Young Adult Mercy Experience having a positive impact on your congregation, District, and Synod? Return this Application to: Minnesota North District LCMS PO Box 604 Brainerd, MN

6 Although this experience is the result of the vision and extended mercy/mission emphasis of the North Dakota and / or Minnesota North District, the only sending agency for workers, is the organization brand, known as LCMS World Mission. This includes volunteer teachers and mercy workers that are being considered to be sent and travel with the knowledge and help of the the Board of International Mission. As such we will work with a World Mission counselor and an LCMS volunteer coordinator. We have been assured that medical evacuation insurance will be a part of our trip package with LCMS World Mission. In the event someone has a medical emergency, they will be covered. Policy information will be sent as the departure date nears. Team members should be reminded to always carry the provided medical card with them as well as their own insurance card. We can add anyone to this coverage with just their name, travel dates and location of service. This insurance coverage is billed per 30 days. (Single Individual $20, Couple $32, Family $37) As dates are firmed up and travel arrangements are being made, the liaison with World Mission will become more important. Team members should direct all questions and comments to the leaders that are tasked with taking them on the trip and returning them home. It is their responsibility to speak with the appropriate LCMS representative. LCMS World Mission staff will only work with the designated leader. NO information will be sent directly to team s members unless agreed upon beforehand. This communication structure is important to ensure that all information is accurately sent. We will attempt to have mailed before hand valuable information about Kenya. It will include information on the history and culture of the country you will soon visit, as well as the State Department s most up-todate safety information for people traveling in that country. CIA World Factbook This is a great resource and we also have an in with members of Naval Intelligence and the US Secret Service. Before any trip is taken we will make sure that all threat assessments are taken into account and no one in our care will go if the threat seems to be unreasonable. O:\TT- Manager of International Logistics and Support\Orientation\LCMS ESE Infosheet.doc Emergency Services & Evacuation Program Provided for: The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod ID Number: Provisions have been made for persons participating a Trust for comprehensive travel assistance while traveling and serving overseas, by simply calling the AIG Travel Assist telephone numbers provided. MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AIG Travel ASSIST can help the travelers get medical attention when someone suddenly becomes ill or is in an accident by: locating medical facilities, including physicians, hospitals, or dentists verifying insurance coverage making arrangements with providers of medical care to avoid cash deposit, where possible, prior to obtaining treatment communicating with family members, personal physicians, and employers back home on the patient's condition assisting family or friends who are traveling with the patient EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION - $100,000. Emergency Medical Evacuation will arrange proper medical care available from anywhere: Medical Advisers are always on hand to consult with attending physicians to make sure patients are receiving the correct medical care. But, sometimes more sophisticated treatment is warranted - treatment which may require evacuation to better medical facilities. If deemed medically necessary by AIG Travel Assist, arrangements will be made for land and air transportation, including passage on either a commercial or chartered air ambulance, with in-flight physicians, paramedics or nurses and in-flight equipment and supplies. All family arrangements and immigration and customs details will also be handled. 6

7 FAMILY Coordination benefits - $25,000. Arrangements for the travel needs of a family in the event of an Evacuation. The Repatriation of the Remains benefit is included within this limit. (Some countries forbid the shipping of the deceased.) An Extra Expense limit of $2,500. is provided (only) in conjunction with an APPROVED Evacuation situation. MEDICAL EXPENSE benefit not applicable. Medical Expense coverage is provided under.. LEGAL ASSISTANCE Legal Assistance provides a ready resource for travelers helping to find English-speaking attorneys for persons in danger of being arrested as the result of any non-criminal action, or needing to replace lost or stolen documents, such as passports, or personal items, such as luggage. ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT - $10,000. per covered person A benefit is provided in the event of death by Accidental means. TO USE THIS SERVICE, IDENTIFY THAT YOU ARE UNDER ID Number GLB Following are the telephone numbers to use for medical, legal and other assistance services: AIG Travel ASSIST Worldwide Call Center 24/7 Service Overseas Phone: (collect) USA Telephone: Facsimile: medicalsp@aig.com Please contact AJG-GCIIS for benefit information, claim forms or assistance with filing a claim aaiclaims@ajg.com Gallagher Charitable International Insurance Services Each traveler will also receive a Crisis Management Card to carry with them at all times. In a Crisis the following action plans are put into place. A crisis is any significant event with potentially severe consequences that requires immediate action or response. Crisis Management is the process of preparing for, mitigating, responding to and recovering from a crisis situation. This Crisis Management Plan provides a framework for response to the most likely hazards or crises facing the missionaries of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. There are five regions of international work in The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. There regions are Latin America, Africa, Eurasia, East Asia and South East Asia. Each of these five regions is charged with the responsibility of implementing action plans in response to a crisis. This Crisis Management Plan is divided into five different action plans each one designed to deal with problems encountered in various crises. In the event of a crisis, a Crisis Management Team (CMT) will be formed to implement action plans. The CMT will include the 1) regional director, 2) area facilitator, 3) IC personnel, 4) local missionary (field crisis manager), and 4) a member of the partner church, if applicable. The field crisis manager is responsible for 1) communicating with mission personnel, local authorities; 2) maintaining liaisons with the local American Embassy/Consulate and other outside contact groups (e.g., police & fire departments); 3) preparing and maintaining emergency evacuation plans; and 4) maintaining emergency information files for every individual at their mission center or area. Maintained information lists are invaluable in planning and implementing Crisis Management Plans. They assure completeness and greatly increase efficiency. Each region is responsible to maintain the following information: 7

8 Rosters of all mission workers and their addresses List of passport numbers, expiration dates and location of passport for each mission worker Names of mission workers with special medical needs Maps, travel routes and modes of transportation Communication networks (telephone numbers, radio locations, frequencies, operators, hours of operation, etc.) Emergency telephone numbers for local police, fire, hospital, Embassy, etc. List of other agencies, missionaries, government offices, private citizens who could be a resource during an emergency (including names, addresses and telephone numbers) Locators for all staff (addresses, telephone numbers, maps) List of essential items to include in an emergency evacuation pack Action Plan I responds to incidences of personal injury or illness including those requiring medical evacuation. Action Plan II responds to political situations and natural or manmade disasters, which would require mission personnel to severely curtail their out-of- home activities. Action Plan III responds to political situations and natural or manmade disasters, which would require mission personnel to evacuate the country. Action Plan IV responds to victims of crime. Action Plan V responds to kidnappings. 8

9 Action Plan I. This plan will be implemented when a missionary suffers serious personal injury or illness. This includes crimes such as muggings and rape. This plan may also address other unspecified family emergencies. 1. The first person made aware of a fellow mission team member s need for medical care must take responsibility to ensure that the injured missionary receives care at an appropriate local medical center as quickly as possible. This should be done in all cases of serious injury, even if the injured missionary is reluctant. Medical care is mandatory in cases of rape. 2. As soon as possible, the regional director should have the following information: a. What happened and to whom. b. Present location of the injured missionary. c. Present condition of the injured missionary. d. Contact telephone numbers for doctor and hospital. 4. The regional director activates the CMT. The CMT takes all possible steps to insure proper medical, emotional and spiritual care of injured person, including an evaluation with a qualified Christian mental health professional if necessary. 5. Other local mission personnel are notified, as appropriate. 6. If evacuation is warranted, this is done through the personnel care manager and the evacuation insurance company. (Self-evacuations may not be covered by insurance or the LCMS) a. The treating doctor determines if the medical assistance/treatment needed by the missionary is available at this site. b. Treating doctor s home, cell and work phone numbers are obtained. c. Hospital s phone number is obtained. d. Above information is communicated to personnel care manager: Office , Mobile +1 (314) f. As a last resort, if it is impossible to make contact with the personnel care manager, the field crisis manager may call Travel Assist directly, or The field crisis manager should have the ID number ready. The mission is listed under LCMS or Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Travel Assist will ask for the number of the patient to verify coverage, the patient s social security number, the patient s birth date, the medical problem, the name and phone number of the treating physician, and the name and phone number of the hospital. From this point Travel Assist will work with the physician and the field crisis manager to determine if an evacuation is necessary and when to evacuate. Travel Assist will also be in direct communication with the personnel care manager. 7. The action plan is terminated when it has been determined that the CMT is no longer needed to coordinate care and termination is communicated to local mission personnel. 9

10 Action Plan 2 =The CMT implements Action Plan II when circumstances arise which necessitate the curtailment of outside missionary and/or other activities. Anticipated potential causes include short-term political unrest, nuclear plant accidents, or localized natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, fires). Typically the US Embassy declarations will trigger such action. This plan may also be implemented in certain hostage situations, if the CMT believes that other mission personnel may be targeted. The field crisis manager, even in instances where communication with an IC staff crisis manager and the regional director is impossible, may implement this action plan. 1. Upon the decision to implement this plan, the field crisis manager will contact all mission personnel affected. Information to be supplied will include the following: a. The nature of the situation and supporting details b. Extent of activity restrictions (i.e. school suspension, shopping suspension, avoidance of demonstrations, etc.) c. Expected duration of restrictions d. Method and frequency of further contact e. Contingency plans for worsening of the situation 2. The regional director informs mission personnel in other LCMS centers in the region and a St. Louis staff representative of the implementation of the plan. 3. The field crisis manager or designate maintains contact with the US Embassy or Consulate for updates and advisements on the situation. 4. When circumstances no longer warrant the curtailment of outside activities, the action plan will be terminated by agreement of all the CMT members. 5. The decision to terminate the plan will be communicated to all mission personnel in the region. 6. Within sixty days of the resolution of the crisis, an individual appointed by the international team will conduct an evaluation of the incident. The evaluation shall address causal factors in the crisis, initial response to the crisis, and the performance of the CMT. Action Plan II - Curtailment of Outside Activities 10

11 Action Plan III - Field Evacuation from Country This plan will be implemented by a Crisis Management Team in response to an unfavorable political climate or natural and manmade disasters imminently endangering the safety of mission personnel. A Trigger for this action plan will typically when the US Embassy orders all non-essential personnel to evacuate or upon agreement between the local missionaries, the area director and a St. Louis staff representative which indicates that there is an elevated danger to missionaries. It is possible that outside communication could be disrupted and that an evacuation coordinated with the field crisis manager, personnel care manager and the regional director will be impossible. In these cases, the field crisis manager implements the plan. 1. Upon the decision of the CMT to implement this plan, the field crisis manager will assign or do personally the following: a. Make ready a central location for personnel to gather b. Obtain a quantity of cash in local currency and US dollars c. Obtain tickets for all personnel for the selected evacuation method d. Contact all mission personnel and inform them of the following: *The nature of the situation and supporting details *The need to pack one small bag not to exceed 20 kilos/44 lbs. *Information about rendezvous and travel plans 2. The field crisis manager or designate maintains contact with the US Embassy or Consulate for updates and advisements on the situation. 3. Failure of personnel to arrive at the designated location will result in notification of the missing person to the American Embassy or Consulate 12 hours after their expected arrival. If possible, national partner personnel may be contacted to determine the whereabouts of missing mission personnel, but LCMS personnel should not be involved in a physical search. 4. The regional director keeps mission personnel in other LCMS centers in the region informed of the implementation of the plan and its conclusion. 5. The action plan is terminated by the regional director when all mission personnel are safely evacuated. 6. A follow-up evaluation from a qualified Christian mental health professional may be necessary for those evacuated. 7. Within sixty days of the resolution of the crisis, an individual appointed by the international team will conduct an evaluation of the incident. The evaluation shall address causal factors in the crisis, initial response to the crisis, and the performance of the CMT. 11

12 Action Plan IV. The CMT initiates this plan anytime a crime is committed against mission personnel. 1. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate: The State Department is committed to assisting American citizens who become victims of crime while abroad. Consular officers are available for emergency assistance 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. 2. Contact the local police to report the incident and get immediate help. Request a copy of the police report. 3. The CMT will work with an IC staff representative and US consular officers to assist the victim of a crime. 4. A victim of sexual assault will receive a follow-up evaluation from a qualified Christian mental health professional. Other resources include RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) Toll-free 24/7 hotline for sexual assault counseling and referrals: HOPE, U.S. Department of Justice Violence Against Women Office Information about local sexual assault victim assistance 5. The action plan is terminated upon the resolution of the crime against the mission personnel. 1. Within sixty days of the resolution of the crisis, an individual appointed by the international team will conduct an evaluation of the incident. The evaluation shall address causal factors in the crisis, initial response to the crisis, and the performance of the CMT. 12

13 Action Plan V. The CMT initiates this action plan in the event of a hostage seizure. 1. US Embassy officials are notified by appointed representative. 2. The family of the hostage will be evacuated to a safe location as soon as possible. In most cases, the safe location will be the family s home country. This is LCMS policy and will be waived only if a determination is made that an evacuation of the family is not in the best interests of the hostage, his family, or the organization. 3. The CMT will work with an IC staff representative and US Embassy officials to affect the release of the hostage. a. The CMT is authorized to conduct any communications necessary to affect the release and/or save the lives of any abducted staff members or their families. b. The CMT may employ such consultants and negotiators, as it deems appropriate such as a professional negotiator from the firm, Red 24 Assist or c. It is the policy of the LCMS that the CMT should not approve the payment of or yield to extortion or other demands issued through the use of hostage-taking or other forms of extortion. d. The CMT retains the authority to make a decision during a crisis which it believes to be Godpleasing and is in the best interests of the affected personnel and the organization. 4. The action plan is terminated with the end of the hostage situation and termination is communicated to mission personnel. 5. Upon release of the hostage, the victim and the immediate missionary family and the CMT members receive a follow-up evaluation from a qualified Christian mental health professional. These evaluations will occur immediately following a crisis and again six to twelve months following the crisis. 6. Within sixty days of the resolution of the crisis, an individual appointed by the international team will conduct an evaluation of the incident. The evaluation shall address causal factors in the crisis, initial response to the crisis, and the performance of the CMT. 13

14 Vaccinations ~ Please consult your physician and the Center for Disease Control website to learn what vaccinations/medications you may need and when you need to get them. Record all vaccinations in the yellow immunization card that will accompany your passport. Remember to bring a copy of your vaccination record with you! Before visiting Kenya, you may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at your destination: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4 6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it. Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling. CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. Find a travel medicine clinic near you. If you have a medical condition, you should also share your travel plans with any doctors you are currently seeing for other medical reasons. Be sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Routine vaccines, as they are often called, such as for influenza, chickenpox (or varicella), polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) are given at all stages of life. Routine vaccines are recommended even if you do not travel. Although childhood diseases, such as measles, rarely occur in the United States, they are still common in many parts of the world. A traveler who is not vaccinated would be at risk for infection. Here is the latest list of vaccinations but this list changes see a travel Doctor. Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Typhoid Yellow Fever Polio Encephelitis Meningitis Rabies recommended but the best practice is not to play with animals no matter how cute. Remember that all your vaccinations should be up to date. Tetanus, measles etc. 14

15 Malaria Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. You can get malaria from the bite of a mosquito infected with the parasite. Malaria carrying mosquitos are EVERYWHERE in East Africa. There are different types. Highlands malaria is prevalent around Nairobi and Kisumu. You can prevent this serious disease by seeing your health-care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against mosquito bites. Travelers in Kenya, should take one of the antimalarial drugs your Dr. will recommend. Symptoms Malaria symptoms may include fever chills sweats headache body aches nausea and vomiting fatigue Malaria symptoms will occur at least 7 to 9 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Fever in the first week of travel in a malaria-risk area is unlikely to be malaria; however, you should see a doctor right away if you develop a fever during your trip. The ELCK personnel will help you find a Dr. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice. Some Malaria infections if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, coma, and death. Despite using the protective measures outlined above, travelers may still develop malaria up to a year after returning from a malarious area. You should see a doctor immediately if you develop a fever anytime during the year following your return and tell the physician of your travel. Your anti-malaria medication can also cause serious complications if you take too much too long. Ask your Dr. about this. Other items you may need: Sunblock and sunglasses. Nairobi is 1 mile high, the same altitude as Denver Colorado and sunburn happens very quickly. In other areas you are in a tropical climate and the heat and humidity is quite high. Always carry bottled water and use it even for tooth brushing. Never drink tap water even in the nicer places that you may stay of eat. Avoid ice in drinks. Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. To prevent insect/mosquito bites, bring: o Lightweight long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat. o Flying-insect spray to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes. 15

16 o Bed nets treated with permethrin. We assume that the ELCK will have bed nets available however that is not always the case. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, can be contracted in fresh water in this region. Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) in these countries. Avoid wading in med puddles or walking through water barefoot. Nausea and Diarrhea, The toilet facilities in country are primitive and for some a deal breaker. To be nauseous and diareatic in these conditions is not a good thing. Many of the people that I have traveled with take along an antibiotic called Ciprol. At the first hint of nausea or diarrhea they take the Ciprol and say that it works. Ask your DR. Passports ~ Keep your Passport with you at all times. Take a photocopy of it and leave a copy in your luggage and leave a copy at home with your family, in case of an emergency. If you need to update your passport, please do so as soon as possible! The process has taken considerably longer over the last few years, with some taking as long as several months to process. Please don t put this off! For more passport information, please visit Visas ~ $25 Visas forms can be completed and paid for before leaving the United States. For more information please visit Lately we have been purchasing the Visa at the airport in Nairobi. Air Travel and Security Rules ~ For any team traveling by air, it is important for you to remain very current on the regulations of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA). TSA rules can change almost daily. TSA rules can be found at their web site 16