Entry Training
Health and Travel Guidelines
Health Guidelines
1. If you choose to take anti-malarial pills get a prescription filled for Doxycycline or another medication before coming to Gateway. Doxycycline is effective against the malaria found in Benin. According to the Center for Disease Control “Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial drug in Benin and should not be taken to prevent malaria in this region.”
2. Remember to bring your prescription medications. You may not be able to find what you need at the field service location.
3. Bring pain relievers (Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, etc.) that you normally use for minor aches and pains. This trip is not the time to try out other brands or other types of pain relief.
4. Pepto-Bismol or Imodium can be important for any traveler! You can never predict how your digestive system will react to the types of food and food preparation in other locations.
5. Pack cough drops and decongestant for that unanticipated cold or flu. The plane cabin is kept air-conditioned and can dry out your nasal passages.
6. Be cautious of the water you consume in the country. The quality of the water may be that which your system is not used to. Drinking water should be purified or distilled. Remember the water might not be safe to brush your teeth with, to open your mouth while in the shower, or for ordering ice in your warm soda from street venders. The team will have bottled water available.
7. Bring a laxative just in case. Many times the food, water, and environment can cause irregularity and constipation. A laxative might come in handy should you encounter this problem.
8. For contact lens users, be sure to consider the practicality of wearing and cleaning your lenses based upon what conditions you will be living and working in. You may want your spare pair of glasses.
9. For health reasons, wash your hands often and be sure to keep them away from your mouth. We suggest you keep your fingernails cut short. Be sure to bring liquid hand sanitizer.
Travel Guidelines
Field service can be challenging but also a lot of fun. Together, we can make this a special time in your life, as well as for the whole team. Our own attitudes will be partially responsible for this. Here are some tips to help us to be better prepared.
1. Travel sickness: If there is any question you may have any kind of travel sickness please bring Dramamine or a generic brand of motion sickness medication. This will be to your benefit as well as the benefit for the team.
2. Dress code: Be culturally sensitive – dress in a similar manner as the local Christians. You might have to give up some of your favorites during this time. (See what to bring list).
3. Carry-on luggage: Pack some necessities in your carry-on luggage in case your suitcase does not arrive at the airport the same time you do. Bring any medication that you need and include some toiletries. Airlines may have restrictions against certain items, be sure to check before going to the airport. If you bring 2 suitcases (you may need to pay for the second), pack one with field service essentials since the other may need to be stored.
4. Passport copy: Know where your passport is at all times. They are a valuable item on the black market. Pack a copy of your passport in your suitcase. Gateway staff will carry a copy of your passport as well.
5. Flight itinerary: a copy will be given to you to carry in your carry-on luggage.
6. Valuables: leave them at home. It is wise not to bring the sentimental watch that was handed down through the past fourteen generations. Married couples may consider wearing one simple ‘wedding’ band instead of their wedding set. Jewelry can also communicate to the locals that you are “wealthy” in their eyes, sometimes causing expectations and misunderstandings.
7. Remember your manners! As a group, we will stand out. Be respectful to your team members as well as those pushing and shoving in the boarding line and anyone else that God places in your path. The message of the Gospel can be given just through your actions and attitudes. Remember that no matter what country you are in, you are always representing the Kingdom of Heaven. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
8. Team spirit: While traveling in places such as the airport or bus stations, you must remember that you are part of a team. This simply means that you must inform someone before you leave the team area; this includes buying a drink, going to the restroom, or even finding time to be alone during the stress of traveling. If an emergency arose, someone on your team would need to know how to locate you.
9. Communication with home: Make sure that before you leave on your trip you let your loved ones know of your travel itinerary in case they need to get a hold of you. There may be times when you will not be able to be reached easily, however staff will have a cell phone and will be in regular contact with the IOC.
10. Septic systems may be very fragile. There could be times that you will not be able to flush toilet paper. There will normally be a waste receptacle in the bathroom stalls. Your used paper should be placed in there instead of the toilet itself. Also it is a good idea to carry some tissues or paper with you, as often you will not find any in public restrooms.
11. Have a flexible attitude: During the entire field service, remember to have a flexible attitude. Expect to be uncomfortable, to eat strange foods, to be delayed and not to get good rest. Grumbling and complaining won’t change your circumstances for the better. We, as your Mercy Ships field service team leaders will try our best to make it a safe and enjoyable experience for you but often times things are out of our control, such as weather, breakdowns, change of schedules, etc. A healthy sense of humor and good attitude will be valuable qualities to help you and the rest of the team as you walk through many new and challenging experiences.
