We need to be thinking about what we’ll be packing to take to Guatemala to work in.
You should all have received a big manilla envelope from me (Ian and Katie Dawes yours are in the mail as of last week) that had a Habitat for Humanity booklet in it “Global Village Orientation Handbook.” I’d encourage you to read it soon as it answers some of the questions that are coming up now.
On page 38 you’ll find a section on “Dressing for Work”. The thing I want to point out is that appropriate footwear is important. Please note this instruction: “Any volunteer wearing sandals or other types of inappropriate footwear will not be permitted to remain on site.” This will be an environment where heavy stuff can get dropped on your toes. Ian wrote me a few weeks back raising this issue and offering a number of other great, practical suggestions. I’ll just copy and paste what he wrote:
Guatemala build participants should have appropriate safety gear. Shoes/boots with steel toes and shanks will need to fit well and so need to be bought at home and brought to Guatemala. Work gloves are easy to pack and would be best brought from home too to get right sizes (if even available down there). Working with cinder block is tough on hands, so it is best to get gloves with leather palms — full leather may be too hot, so likely tough cotton uppers best. I wouldn’t be surprised if some ‘disappear’, especially if not available readily there, so bringing a spare pair is a good idea and we can donate them to local people afterwards if we wish — will likely be mucho appreciated. I don’t know if hard hats are needed and if HFH provides them, but I expect we will need to bring our own safety footwear and gloves. It is easy to step on nails, etc, so this is important — especially in tropics where infections can get nasty. In that regard too, it would be best to buy the footwear well ahead and wear them for a while back home to avoid blisters down there, which likewise can get infected. This way, if there are problems with fit, etc, these can be dealt with at home where options are possible, since there likely will not be much available there (e.g. exchange for better size, Dr. Scholl’s inserts, …).
Some travel tips for participants (much learned from Zoe) re travel in Central America:
Backpacks are best for luggage in Central America. On public transportation, these can be worn backwards, with pack on front and straps over back of shoulders to avoid theft. Even when doing this, on a bus to Managua airport, Zoe once had a pocket on her pack slit with a knife and something stolen — after an accomplice bumped her from the other side to distract her.
Cell phones should be kept out of sight in public places as much as possible — especially fancy models. Check with your service provider at home if your phone will work in Guatemala and if arrangements need to be made in advance for service there. Jewelry and expensive watches should left at home. In general, we need to be sensitive to the fact that we will be among people who do not enjoy the level of affluence we take for granted in North America. We can attract problems and/or cause resentment if we flaunt nice clothes, gadgets, etc. Modest practical dress is best — older clothes — which are also best for physical work.
Passports, credit cards, plane tickets and cash should be distributed across multiple hidden money belts, necklaces, or leg pouches. Due to heat and humidity, passports, money, papers should be sealed in zip-loc bags inside the money belts, etc. Customs officials and merchants don’t like soggy passports and money! I recommend carrying a throw-away wallet (old or cheap one) with only a limited amount of cash in it at any time, which should be used when paying for items in public, especially in crowded markets, etc. Pickpockets watch where you put your wallet after paying for things. This way, if they steal your wallet, you only lose a small amount. Secret money pouches should only be accessed in private to replenish the throw-away wallet. One should never chase or resist thieves who may have accomplices and/or weapons. Money can be replaced and is not worth jeopardizing health/lives.
Thanks for this, Ian.
A few people still need to send me a copy of their passport. I’ll take a look at the list and send a separate email to remind you.
With love in Jesus,
Steve
