Kenya: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of the mission trip?
FoundationforPeacemissiontripsaremultifacetedChrist‐centeredministriesshapedbythewordsoftheApostlePaul,
“Bedevotedtooneanotherinbrotherlylove.Honoroneanotheraboveyourselves.Neverbelackinginzeal,butkeepyour
spiritualfervor,servingtheLord.Bejoyfulinhope,patientinaffliction,faithfulinprayer.SharewithGod'speoplewhoare
inneed.Practicehospitality.”(Romans12:10‐13)
Inordertoachievethisgoal,ourmissiontripsarefocusedonbuildingrelationshipswiththeKenyansbyworkinghandin
handwiththelocalchurchonconstructionprojectsandontheprovisionoffreemedicalcareandeducationalprograms,
regardlessofrace,religion,genderorsocioeconomicstatusinthelocalcommunity.Webelievethatthisresultsin
sustainableandsuccessfulinitiativesthatwillrelievetheeffectsofpoverty,encouragepersonalgrowth,andhelpto
alleviatesocialinjustice.
What things will we actually do on this trip?
Therearefourmainactivities:aconstructionproject,Bibleschoolactivitiesforchildren,worshipwiththelocalchurch,
visitationofHIV/AIDSpatientsandamedicalclinicopentoallinthecommunity.Wealsohostthreeimportanteventswith
ourKenyanpartners:teachertraining,awomen’sconferenceandamen’sconference.Wewillalsohavedaily
devotions/groupmeetings,visitstonativewildlifecentersandopportunitiestopurchasesouvenirs.
Do I need construction skills to participate?
Theworkisnon‐technicalanddonehandinhandwithourKenyanfriends(e.g.passingblocks,passingbucketsofsand,
gravel,waterandconcrete,mixingconcrete,diggingfootingsandpainting).Ifsomethingrequirestraining(e.g.laying
blocksortiles),trainingwillbeprovidedattheworksitebyourlocalconstructionmanager.Mostworkissomewhat
physicallystrenuous.
What are the accommodations like?
WestayataRomanCatholicfacilityoutsideofNairobicalledResurrectionGardens.Thereare2‐3bedsperroom,each
withitsownbathroom,showerandhotwater.Roomswillaccommodateeithermalesorfemaleswithacommon
meeting/diningarea.Wherepossible,familieswillbehousedtogetherinoneroom.Accommodationsarebasic.
Is the water safe to drink?
No,notfromthefaucet.Ourhostswillprovidepurifiedwaterandicemadefrompurifiedwaterthatissafetodrink.Avoid
brushingyourteethwithtapwaterordrinkinganywater/icewhenyoudonotknowthesource.
What do I do if I get diarrhea?
Diarrheaisusuallyaself‐limiteddisorderthatresolveswithonlyoralrehydration.Clearliquidsareroutinely
recommendedforadults.Travelerswhodevelopthreeormoreloosestoolsinan8‐hourperiod—especiallyifassociated
withnausea,vomiting,abdominalcramps,fever,orbloodinstools—maybenefitfromantimicrobialtherapy.Antibiotics
usuallyaregivenfor3‐5days.Currently,ciprofloxacin500mgoftwiceadayfor3‐5daysistherecommendedtreatment.If
diarrheapersistsdespitetherapy,membersshouldbeevaluatedbyadoctorandtreatedforpossibleparasiticinfection.
Should I take Pepto-Bismol daily in an effort to prevent diarrhea?
Mostparticipantsdonotdeveloptravelers’diarrhea(abacterialinfection,notparasites).However,ifyouwanttotakea
prophylacticregimentotrytoavoiddevelopingdiarrhea,thefollowingisrecommendedforadults:Pepto‐Bismol(bismuth
subsalicylate)takenaseither2tablets4timesdailyor2fluidounces4timesdailymayreducetheriskdiarrhea.Theuseof
Pepto‐Bismolshouldbeavoidedbythosewhoareallergictoaspirin,duringpregnancy,andbypersonstakingcertainother
medications(e.g.anticoagulants,probenecid,ormethotrexate).Therearepotentialtemporarysideeffectsfromthis
Revised 2/11/14 prophylaxisapproach,suchasblackeningofthetongueandstool,andrarelyringingintheears.ThisPepto‐Bismolregimen
shouldnotbeusedformorethanthreeweeks.
What security precautions are needed for mission team members?
Whenyoutravelabroad,youcanexpecttohaveasafeandincident‐freetrip.However,therearerareoccasionswhen
missiontripmemberscanbevictimizedbycrimeandviolence,orexperienceunexpecteddifficulties.Themostcommon
problemwithcrimeispettytheft.However,in2008,inatranquilplaceintheDominicanRepublic,amemberoftheFFP
missionteamwasshotinastruggleduringarobberyofagoldnecklace.HewasrapidlycaredforandGodblessedhim
withafullrecovery.Theassailantwascaughtandjailed.Themissionteamwasabletocompletealloftheplanned
activitiesinthatcommunity.Asaresultofthisseriousincident,wehaveenactedadditionalsafetyprecautionstominimize
therisksinherenttoworkingindevelopingcountries.
TheUSStateDepartmenthasissuedatravelwarningregardingtourisminKenya
(http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/kenya‐travel‐warning.html).Theprimaryconcerns
expressedbytheStateDepartmentrelatetotravelalongtheborderwithSomalia,whichisfarfromwherewewillbe
workingandtraveling.InadditiontheStateDepartmentrecommendsthatAmericancitizensinKenyashouldbeextremely
vigilant,particularlyinpublicplacesfrequentedbyforeignerssuchasclubs,hotels,resorts,upscaleshoppingcenters,
restaurants,andplacesofworship.Wewillnotbeinthosekindsofplaces.
InadditiontheystatethatAmericansshouldalsoremainalertinresidentialareas,schools,andatoutdoorrecreational
events,andshouldavoiddemonstrationsandlargecrowds.WewillnotgoanywherewithoutourKenyancolleagueswho
willcontinuetomonitorthesecuritysituationasinpastyears,andwewillnotbeattendinganyoutdoorrecreationevents,
demonstrationsorjoininganylargecrowds.
Asalways,theKenyamissionleaderswillplanactivitiestoavoidknowndangerousplacesandsituations.Atthesametime
weneedtorecognizethateveryday,whetherwe’reathomeoraway,thereissomedegreeofriskdespitethese
precautions.
What are typical temperatures during the summer months?
Herearetheaverageminimum/maximumtemperaturesdegreesFahrenheitinNairobi.
Temp
Avg.
January
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
August
Sept
October
Nov.
Dec.
Min/
Max
55/78
55/79
56/79
59/78
59/75
55/75
53/75
53/75
55/78
57/78
57/77
57/77
Whileallworkareaswillhaveshadetorestin,it’simportanttowearsunscreenandahatorvisor.
Do the Kenyans speak English?
Yes,thevastmajoritydo.Thereisasubset,especiallyintheslums,whorelymoreonSwahiliforcommunicationthan
English.
What type of electricity do they have?
Kenyauses240voltswithaBritishthree‐pinrectangularbladeplug.
Checkeachelectronicdeviceyouplantobringtomakesureit’scompatiblewith240V.If
notyoualsoneedtobringavoltageconvertertodecreasethevoltageto120V.Plugging
inadevicethatisnot240Vcompatiblewillruinthedevice.
Revised 2/11/14 How will airline travel arrangements be made?
Thegroupwilldecidetogetherwhetherornottosecureagroupreservation.Groupreservationsaregenerallyabout5%
moreexpensivebecauseyoudonotneedtopayfortheticketsuntiljustbeforedeparture.Signing‐upearlyandproviding
thefundstocoveryourticketguaranteesyouaplaceinthegroupreservation.Theotheroptionisforeachpersonto
reserveandpayfortheirownticketonaspecificitinerary,eitheron‐lineorthroughaTravelAgent.
Can I arrive early or stay later than the mission trip dates (i.e. stay extra-time)?
Yes,thisispossible,butitisveryimportantthatyoudiscussthisoptionwithyourgroupleaderasearlyaspossible.An
additionalfeeforin‐countrycostsmaybeincurredforfood,lodgingandtransportation.
Can I arrive late and/or leave early if I cannot stay the entire time (i.e. shorten your mission trip)?
Theseoptionsshouldbeavoidedbecauseitwillsignificantlyimpacttheoverallqualityofyourexperience.Arrivinglate
andleavingearlyisdisruptivetothegroupandcreatesextraworkforthemissionteamstaff.Ifyouareconsideringsucha
schedule,specialarrangementsmustbeapprovedbyKenCulver.
Are there any special documents or fees that are needed to enter or leave Kenya?
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Everyonemustpayanentrytaxof$50USD;thedeparturetaxisincludedinyourairlineticket.
AVISAisrequiredandwillbeobtainedattheairportuponarrivalinNairobi.
Will there be a lockable area for valuable items?
Thesleepingroomsarelockable,butcleaningstaffwillcomeintotheroom.Werecommendalockablesuitcasebeusedto
storevaluablesinyourroom.
What are the typical meal menus?
Thefoodistypicalforthecountry,suchasbeans,rice,greens,meat,thatarespeciallypreparedbycooksexperiencedin
cookingforNorthAmericansusingpurifiedwater.Peopleshouldnoteatfoodthathasnotbeenspecificallypreparedfor
yourmissionteamwithoutcheckingwithyourgroupleader.Anyonewithdietaryrestrictionsshouldnotifythegroup
leaderbeforethetripandwewillletthecooksknowaheadoftime.Thereisnoguaranteethatwewillbeableto
accommodatealldietaryrestrictions.
What currency is used in Kenya?
TheofficialcurrencyofKenyaistheKenyanschilling(abbreviated$ks).FoundationforPeacestaffwillprovideyouwith
anopportunitytochangedollarsforschillingsatthecurrentexchangerate(generally60‐70schillingstothedollar)early
inyourmissiontrip.
Can we use ATM, debit and credit cards in Kenya?
TherearebankswithATMmachinesavailable,butbesuretocheckwithyourbanktodeterminefeesyouwillbecharged.
However,yourcardmayormaynotworkinthem.Debitandcreditcardsaretakenmanyshopsandattheairport.
Is there internet access?
Internetaccess(albeitslow)isavailableatourlodgingsite.
How can I call home?
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Useyourcellphone(checkwithyourcarriertomakesureyouhaveinternationalcoverageandasktheprice,
becauseitmaybeveryhigh)
Usethecellphoneofanothermemberofthegroupandreimbursethem
Manyteamsuseemail,texting,FacebookorSkypetocommunicatewithfamilyathome.
Revised 2/11/14 What is shopping like?
Bargaininginthemarketisacommonpractice,soenjoy,butlookforawin‐win.Bealittlegenerouswiththosewhodon’t
haveasmuch.IfpossiblecheckwithKenyastafftoseewhatafairpriceis.
Is malaria prophylaxis required?
ItisnotrequiredintheNairobiarea,butshoulddiscussitwithyourdoctor.Ifyouintendtogoonthesafariitisadvised.
MalariaprophylaxiswithdailyMalarone(Atovaquone/proguanil)istheonlyacceptablemedication(donotuseLariam
[mefloquine]orchloroquine).Pleaseobtainaprescriptionfromyourphysician.ProphylactictreatmentwithMalarone
shouldbestarted1or2daysbeforeenteringthemalaria‐endemicareaandcontinueddailyduringthestayandfor7days
afterreturn.ThedailydoseofMalaroneshouldbetakenatthesametimeeachdaywithfoodoramilkydrink.
Inaddition,eachpersonshouldbringandroutinelyusemosquitorepellantcontainingDEET.
Are there special immunizations/vaccinations required?
Modifiedfromhttp://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya
Alltravelers
Routinevaccines
Makesureyouareup‐to‐dateonroutinevaccines.Thesevaccinesincludemeasles‐mumps‐rubella(MMR)vaccine,
diphtheria‐tetanus‐pertussisvaccine,varicella(chickenpox)vaccine,poliovaccine,andyouryearlyflushot.
Mosttravelers
HepatitisA
CDCrecommendsthisvaccinebecauseyoucangethepatitisAthroughcontaminatedfoodorwaterinKenya,
regardlessofwhereyouareeatingorstaying.
Polio
Ifyouwerevaccinatedagainstpolioasachildbuthaveneverhadanadditionaldoseasanadult,youshouldgetan
additionaldose.Adultsneedonlyoneadditionaldoseintheirlives.
Typhoid
YoucangettyphoidthroughcontaminatedfoodorwaterinKenya.CDCrecommendsthisvaccineformosttravelers,
especiallyifyouarestayingwithfriendsorrelatives,visitingsmallercitiesorruralareas,orifyouarean
adventurouseater.
Sometravelers
HepatitisB
YoucangethepatitisBthroughsexualcontact,contaminatedneedles,andbloodproducts,soCDCrecommendsthis
vaccineifyoumighthavesexwithanewpartner,getatattooorpiercingorhaveanymedicalprocedures.
Malaria
Thereisnovaccineformalaria.Malariaispresentinallareas(includinggameparks)<2,500m(8,202ft).Thereis
noneinthehighlyurbanized,centralpartofNairobi.
Meningitis
(Meningococcal
disease)
Kenyaispartofthe“meningitisbelt”ofsub‐SaharanAfrica.CDCrecommendsthisvaccineifyouplantovisitKenya
duringthedryseason(December–June).
Rabies
Rabiescanbefoundindogs,bats,andothermammalsinKenya,soCDCrecommendsthisvaccinefortravelers
involvedinoutdoorandotheractivities(suchascamping,hiking,biking,adventuretravelandcaving)andchildren
becausetheytendtoplaywithanimals.
YellowFever
Recommended foralltravelers≥9monthsofage,exceptfortravelerswhoseitineraryislimitedtothefollowing
areas:theentireNorthEasternProvince;thestatesofKilifi,Kwale,Lamu,Malindi,andTanariverintheCoastal
Province;andthecitiesofMombasaandNairobiThegovernmentofKenyadoesnotrequireproofofyellowfever
vaccinationifyouaretravelingfromtheUSA
Revised 2/11/14