|
Team Travel Application Evaluation Process |
Our missions are truly an unforgettable journey. If you haven't experienced the immense satisfaction that comes with giving an impoverished child the gift of learning, you must join our mission. The hopefulness and gratitude expressed by this community of children is heart warming. While our mission will take you to one of the most poverty-stricken places on earth, you will be unprepared for the optimism and spirit within these children’s faces. Their smiles are quick and their response to the simplest acts of affection is the very face of humanity. Literacy Missions are important because they provide an invaluable service to children living in poverty. The Missions achieve three objectives:
Our volunteers transport and hand deliver a minimum of 4,000 children’s books to identified children’s libraries in Ethiopia on each mission. In addition to delivering
Mission Volunteers Dates for DMP 2010 Mission Trip: Depart August 7, 2010 & Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia August 8, 2010 Depart Addis Ababa, Ethiopia August 15, 2010 & Arrive Washington DC August 16, 2010 Depart Washington DC August 17th & Arrive Home August 17th.
Team Travel Application Evaluation Process
Mission Air Travel and Transportation The Mission Team will travel roundtrip from Houston, Texas to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and remain in Addis Ababa for the entire mission. Team members are responsible for travel to and from the Houston airport (IAH). All travel is economy class. Mission Team members must be at least 16 years of age. If participant is under 18 a legal guardian must accompany them. The Davis Moon Project will cover half the cost of a roundtrip economy airfare ticket departing Houston, Texas and arriving in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for each Team Member. The ticket cost will be negotiated by the organization on behalf of the Mission Team in order to secure a group travel rate. Team volunteers who are chosen to participate in the mission will be required to pay approximately $1500 by July 1, 2010 to cover their half of the airfare. Team Members must limit themselves to carry on baggage only. All checked baggage allowance is reserved for children’s books.The Davis Moon Project will be responsible for all group transportation and several group meals while in Ethiopia. Mission Activities The Davis Moon Project will be responsible for collecting and storing all books for our mission. Additionally, the organization will be solely responsible for arranging all book containers to be transferred to and from airports and ultimately delivered by Team Members to the children’s library in Ethiopia. You will be required to submit a copy of your valid passport with your mission application. You may apply for a passport with the U.S. Department of State. http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html Processing times for passports are typically between 4 - 8 weeks. Expedited Services processing time is between 2 - 4 weeks. We strongly urge you to get your passport as soon as possible as a Travel Visa must also be obtained before your trip. Passport fees are typically $100 for processing by mail and $75 if application is processed in person. The responsibility for obtaining a passport lies solely with the mission volunteer and is not the responsibility of the organization.
Travel Visa
Visa processing takes up to 4 business days provided all the requirements are complete and is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. You will need a valid passport, the $70.00 fee, a return stamped envelope, a completed visa application and passport photo to apply. Keep in mind that your visa must be valid throughout your entire stay in Ethiopia and upon your re-entry to the US. The responsibility for obtaining a travel visa lies solely with the mission volunteer and is not the responsibility of the organization. A copy of your tourist visa will be required by the organization before your travel date.
Vaccinations Below is a sample vaccination schedule along with associated cost assuming no insurance coverage.
Mission Health
The Davis Moon Project will provide all lodging for Team Members while in Ethiopia. Lodging will be equivalent to a typical 2 star hotel. Participants must be prepared to share a room with another Mission volunteer. More than likely, Internet connections will not be available and limited phone use must be anticipated. Addis Ababa frequently experiences loss of electricity and our Team should be prepared for the unexpected. We may be utilizing an orphanage guesthouse as a lodging option. These guest homes help raise money for the local orphanages and are often found on the grounds of the children’s quarters.
The Davis Moon Project 2008 Mission Photos
|
The following criteria will be considered:
The Davis Moon Project will be responsible for organizing a thoughtful Mission itinerary that provides hands-on experiences with the children of Ethiopia. These activities may include: delivering books to Shola Children’s Library; volunteering for library services at two free children’s libraries in Addis Ababa; volunteering with impoverished children at local orphanages; general site seeing within Addis Ababa; group meals and; volunteering on public works projects within Addis Ababa.
In order to travel to Ethiopia you must obtain a travel visa. You will need a “tourist visa” from the Embassy of Ethiopia to gain entry into the country. This is a paper permit that is inserted into your passport. You may obtain a tourist visa for $70 by contacting the Embassy of Ethiopia. 
You will need to consult your doctor or travel clinic for the appropriate vaccinations. You are strongly encouraged to have a yellow fever vaccination in your passport when you enter Ethiopia. Proof of your vaccination record will be required by the organization before your 
2 weeks before travel
September of 2008 was our second trip to Addis Ababa and our first literacy mission. The library was impeccably maintained with general rooms for children to read, a video learning center, books in English and Amharic, a railway car that has been painted and converted into a classroom and canvass tents that provide reading areas for children. Photos of children lined the walls and the founder met with us and discussed his plans for the books we delivered. The library has a well developed donkey mobile library program that spreads literacy throughout the country. 
