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Important
Things to Know
Alcohol
Use:
Drinking alcohol is
strictly forbidden on the work site. You can enjoy a drink during your
free time, but please act responsibly, and within the laws and cultural
norms of the country you are visiting.
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Currency
Exchange:
For indicative
exchange rates, please refer to a web site like www.oanda.com for converting
your currency to Thai baht, Sri Lankan rupee, or Indian rupee. It is possible
to change to your money into local currency at the airport when you arrive.
Converting currency at banks is unavailable on weekends.
ATM machines are available at airports and near all assigned work locations.
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Departure
Taxes: Departure
tax is usually included in the price of airline tickets for India and
Sri Lanka - please check to make sure. If not included, there is a 1,500
rupee charge at the airport in India. There is a 500 baht international
departure tax in Thailand that must be paid at the airport after checking
in. This can be done easily at a machine or at the departure-tax payment
window.
Gifts
and Donations: Offering
personal gifts or cash to families or individuals, including Habitat affiliate
members, in a community you are working in seems like a good thing to
do. However, inappropriate items given to the wrong people can cause unintended
difficulties and resentments in a community after you have gone. Habitat
for Humanity asks you to be culturally sensitive on this issue and follow
our policy.
Habitat for Humanity national offices require that team members neither
hand out nor leave behind money, food, toys, books, clothing, tools and
other items.
There are, however, appropriate ways to give a gift or cash.
If you would like to leave behind tools or clothing or similar items,
please hand them to a staff member from the national office of the country
where you are volunteering. He or she will ensure the goods are distributed
appropriately by the affiliate.
A favorite is to provide schools supplies and books, especially in areas
where schools were heavily damaged. Buy them locally: there is no need
to bring them with you. Please give the school goods to the national staff
person to distribute to the school. Again, do not leave these supplies
with individuals or families.
If you wish to give money, please wait until you return home and donate
through your local Habitat national office. Alternatively donate through
the Habitat web site (www.habitat.org and www.hfhap.org), especially if
you propose giving a large donation. Smaller donations can be given to
the volunteer co-ordinator who represents the national office of the country
where you are volunteering. Please do not hand over donations to the local
affiliate. The national office staff person will ensure that the money
is deposited in the right fund and that you receive a receipt.
The best gift you can give is your continued support once you return home.
Donate money for homes, raise awareness and encourage others to donate,
support future First Builders and Global Village participants, or join
another team to come and help!
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Phone/Internet
Access: There
is limited access to internet cafes and/or telephones to make overseas
calls. Team leaders will have cell or mobile phone access for emergencies
only.
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Visas:
Visas are provided
on arrival in Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Visas for India must be applied for and received before your departure
to India by contacting the Indian embassy in your country. The process
can take up to six weeks. Specific information will be available to your
group leader by the sending coordinator in your country.
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