Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I join?
We don’t need to tell you that the world needs change. The poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. The good news is that change is possible. As part of a Go MAD in Tanzania gap year programme you will have a real chance to make difference to the lives of individuals and communities. But you may find that the real transformation is the one that happens in your own life.
What happens during the trip?
As part of a Go MAD team in Tanzania, one of the focuses will be on physical work such as building a house or church, making water tanks or digging toilets, with a team of local Tanzanians. Other tasks can include more relational tasks with children, young people or adults in a variety of projects, such as helping in an orphanage, teaching in an English speaking primary school, getting involved in education about HIV /AIDS. All programmes support development projects that carry on after you’ve gone home.
Whatever you do, there’ll be lots of time to develop relationships with local people and get involved in the regular meetings of local Christians. If you can sing the Cathedral choir will want to hear from you. You’ll also do a series of Bible studies and discussions on poverty issues.
Let’s be quite clear: the work you’ll do will be very useful, but you’ll probably get as much out of the programme than your hosts will! Your visit will leave local people encouraged to carry on the work long after you have gone. But more important than what you leave behind is the change that will happen in your life. Living in a different culture will change your values, understanding and feelings about poverty, what you do with your life and how you want to change the world. The rest of your life starts here.
Who can apply to go?
Committed evangelical Christians who currently live in the UK or Ireland and are involved in a church which can provide a reference for you. We’re looking for people who are flexible, will contribute to the team, are growing in their relationship with God and are part of a local Christian group that can support them in prayer.
Tearfund does not discriminate against applicants on the grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic background or disability. However, you do need to be fit and well. We welcome applications from those with disabilities that will not significantly hinder their mobility or ability to care for themselves in the UK or developing world.
Are there any age restrictions?
To go on a Transform trip independently, you must be over 18. There is no upper age limit on who can go on a trip, although a small premium may be payable by those over 75 (to cover any increase in insurance costs). Group trips can include participants under the age of 18, however this is at the Transform team’s discretion – please contact the office for more information.
Where do I stay and what do I eat?
In Tanzania you will be staying in a simple guesthouse. It has running water (most of the time), flushing toilets (some of which are squat toilets). It has clean rooms and beds. Food will usually be a mixture of local food and English food. We will also sample the culinary delights of downtown Musoma from time to time. It is hard to predict what you will encounter so you need to expect the unexpected.
Is there any training or support?
Preparation Pack
Three months before going overseas or at your orientation all participants are given a preparation pack. The Pack contains medical advice and all the forms needed to obtain medical clearance, information about immunisations, flight and visa information, a kit list and specific country information. It also includes a checklist of everything you will need to do before your trip and when you need to do it by. The Pack also contains all the information we think you’ll need to know to prepare you for your trip, including: in-depth medical and travel advice, travel insurance information, cultural guidelines, fundraising ideas and advice about involving your local church.
Orientation
You must attend an orientation course. This will be the first time you meet your team. The course will prepare you to visit a new culture, and help you and your team get to know each other. There are also sessions on culture, staying healthy, safety and security, information about where you are going, as well as plenty of time to focus on God. We work in partnership with Interhealth, a medical charity for those travelling and working overseas. We take health and safety very seriously and comply with the Global Connections Code of Best Practice in providing you with adequate insurance cover, 24-hour support whilst overseas and the appropriate equipment.
Transform International Weekend
In the November after you return we organise a weekend event for everyone who has travelled to Tanzania as part of Go MAD to get together. This is an excellent opportunity to renew friendships, to review what you have experienced, most importantly to thank God for all that he has done and to ensure that it continues to impact your life.
Responsibility
The teams are led by people who have often worked with Tearfund, have travelled overseas before and have had previous leadership experience. All team leaders are given full Tearfund training.
What should I take with me?
You will be given a preparation pack either three months before you go overseas or at your orientation course, this will tell you everything you need to take with you and also all you need to do before you go.
What about security?
We take a number of steps to ensure the safety and security of our teams whilst overseas. We consult our Regional Desk Officers based in Teddington, the overseas Tearfund Partner that the team is visiting and the latest Foreign Office travel advice, before making decisions about whether a team can travel. We will cancel a trip if we are not happy with the security situation. Team Leaders are all briefed on our Emergency Procedures and are able to contact us 24 hours a day. We carry out a Risk Assessment before the teams go overseas and all Team Leaders are required to carry out another Risk Assessment when they arrive, to be emailed back to us in the office. All team members receive a safety and security briefing at their orientation.
How much will it cost?
The trips vary in price from year to year, however, it will cost around £3200 for a Tearfund Transform 12 week trip. In 2011, this will be less for the reduced 8 week trip.
On top of this price, you will be expected to raise £300 for your team building fund before you leave. (Each Transform team will be building a house or church roof, plus a water tank and a toilet.) This is crucial as it pays for the costs of the buidling work you will do. The Transform and Go MAD staff will be happy to give you tips and hints on ways of fundraising this money.
For accurate prices on the Mission Direct Summer trips, visit their website: http://www.missiondirect.org/.
The cost includes the following: orientation, Transform International Weekend, flights, travel in country, accommodation, food, insurance and medical clearance. It does not cover injections, travel to and from the orientation and Transform International Weekend, or any day-trips/gifts bought whilst in country. When we first meet you at an interview day or at an orientation we will give you some ideas about fundraising.
If I decide not to travel will I lose my deposit?
When you apply you are required to send in a deposit of £50. If you decide not to travel prior to the closing date for applications we will fully refund this deposit. If however, you decide not to travel after this date we will not refund this deposit as we will have processed your application, assigned you to a team and orientation.
After we have confirmed your place and selected you, we will ask you to send in a further deposit of £500. This is for your airfare and again, this is non refundable. If you feel there are extenuating circumstances causing you to withdraw, you are required to put them in writing and we will consider the appropriate course of action with you.
If at the time of applying the details of the trip (dates and location) have not been advertised we will refund your deposit if you subsequently decide not to travel.
