Swakopmund, Namibia
Mission Trips

Your time in Namibia will be coordinated by the EM Africa staff with local community partners. Below is a basic schedule for the week, but we also like to “build the plane as we fly it.” We allow time for plans to change so that teams will live in the moment. Our primary focus is building relationships and coming alongside the local church and their work in the community.

Each morning, there is time set aside for devotions and quiet time. This is a valuable time and we strongly encourage all team members to spend it with God, journaling their thoughts and experiences as the days unfold.

The EM Africa staff will lead a time of debriefing alongside the team leader(s). This is also a great time to spend time in worship if you have those that are gifted in those areas.

There are also a few added bonuses that we include during your experience, including visiting Rhino & Lion Park to see four of the “Big Five” animals in South Africa and the potential for an elephant experience, white water rafting, and more.

Day 1
Groups Arrive
Leader's Meeting
Dinner
Orientation Meeting
Team Time (time for your group alone)

Day 2 - 3
Breakfast
Devotions and Quiet Time
Orientation Training
Lunch
Ministry in Town
Dinner
Evening Gathering / Team Time

Day 4 - 5
Breakfast
Ministry which may be:
- Ministering at local market
- Helping hand out clothing and food
- Serving at a safe haven for abandoned babies
- Etc.

Day 6 - 7
Church
Fun activities which may include:
- Sand boarding
- Camel rides
- Exploring the desert mood-landscape
- Walking around town
- Watching the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean
- Etc.

Day 8 - 11
Ministry which may be:
- Ministering at local market
- Helping hand out clothing and food
- Serving at a safe haven for abandoned babies
- Etc.

Day 12
Leave to departure airport by bus
Depart for the U.S.

* Experience Mission works closely with local leaders to identify work projects and ministry opportunities that address the authentic needs of the community. We ask that you come with a servant's heart and willingness to adapt to the unique qualities represented in each location. Opportunities can vary significantly from one week to the next. Your team may work at one location or serve at multiple locations each day.Due to the changing needs of our community partners, we cannot confirm your specific activities until your team arrives.

Lodging Description

Teams will be staying at a self-catering facility. The rooms are set up with bunk beds or single beds for the team members. There are also areas for team time or quiet time.

Sleeping

Beds, including bedding, will be provided for the teams. There will be rooms designated for males and females. Nights between June - August are winter months in Namibia, so you can expect cooler evenings.

Showers & Bathrooms

There are hot showers and bathroom facilities readily available.

Water

There is running water, and teams will be provided with purified drinking water at all times.

Electricity & WiFi

There is electricity, but there is no WiFi at the facility. However, the facility is walking distance from multiple coffee shops and restaurants which have WiFi. The EM Africa staff will also be staying at the same facility with access to local cell phone data should an emergency arise.

Security

Namibia is a very safe country, and the facility is very secure.

Food

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided each day. Teams will also have the opportunity to experience local cuisine while serving in various parts of the community. Otherwise, the EM Africa staff will prepare the meals for the teams. Curious about EM's ability to accommodate specific food restrictions? View EM's Food Policy

Air Travel & Ground Transportation

Destination Airport: Hosea Kotaku International Airport (WDH) or Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB). Team members are responsible to cover the cost of their round-trip airfare to the airport of their choosing. From arrival in Namibia until departure, all ground transportation will be arranged by EM Africa staff.

Passports & Travel Documents

Each team member must carry a valid passport. If you do not have a valid passport, it is of the utmost importance that you apply as soon as possible. The processing time for a Passport can take several weeks once your application has been submitted. An expired Passport is not considered valid.

Notarized Letter of Parental Consent

All team members under the age of 18 must carry a written, notarized letter from their parents giving them parental permission to leave the country. They must carry the original notarized copy of this letter. It cannot be a photocopy of the letter.

1) If the minor is traveling without their parents, both parents must sign the letter.
2) If they are traveling with one parent, the parent that is not traveling with them must sign this letter.
3) If their parents are separated or divorced and both parents do not want to sign the same letter, they must have a notarized letter from each parent giving them permission to go.

Experience Mission can provide a sample copy of a permission letter or you can create your own letter that must include the following:

1) The full name of both parents and their formal signatures
2) The full name of the child
3) The full name of the Adult Chaperone serving as the Team Leader
4) The specific traveling dates for each country
5) The destination country
6) The reason for travel to the destination country (example- "youth group function")
7) The Airline itinerary (if applicable)

If you have further questions regarding required travel documents we advise you to contact the US State Department: www.travel.state.gov

Staff Certification

There will be a staff on the ground who is certified in First Aid and CPR.

Medical Kits

Medical kits that include first-aid supplies for general accidents and ailments are provided for each site. In domestic locations, we ask that teams supply their own medications like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl, and Imodium as they deem necessary. In international locations, we will also carry a Trauma Kit or First Responder Kit. In these remote locations, we will have medications like Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Benadryl, and Imodium on hand. We make these available to adult team leaders for their sole discretionary use with their team members. EM Staff will not dispense any medications.

EM's Health & Safety Plan

Based on the severity of each emergency, EM has a plan for appropriate response.

If a team member becomes seriously ill, they will be taken to a local doctor to receive appropriate medical attention and medications. If they are a minor, their Team Leader along with our staff will accompany them to the clinic. If needed, their parents will be contacted. Their recovery will be carefully monitored by our staff.

If there is an accident that requires a doctor, but is not life-threatening and does not have the potential to cause permanent damage, Experience Mission staff will locate the Team Leader, contact parents or guardians (providing the injured is a minor) and provide safe but quick transportation to a local clinic.

In the event that an accident occurs that is life-threatening or has the potential for permanent damage, emergency medical care will be secured and arraignments will be made if necessary, to transport the injured person to the United States as quickly as possible providing they are serving in one of our International locations. In our domestic locations, local 911 services will be contacted immediately. The family will be contacted immediately to assist in guidance for appropriate response.

All medical care is the sole responsibility of the team member. Experience Mission requires every team member to be covered by domestic medical insurance and recommends that team members traveling abroad carry additional international travel insurance to cover any medical needs their domestic medical insurance may not cover.

Immunizations: As with all mission trips, it is essential that volunteers are up to date on all childhood immunizations. Each volunteer must also have a tetanus shot.

For more information about health concerns and recommended immunizations, you can visit the CDC travelers guide to Namibia. You should consult your local doctor prior to receiving any immunizations.

Experience Mission has specific policies regarding team registration and withdrawal. Please refer to the document below for specifics.

View EM's Mission Trip Registration Policy

INDIVIDUALS

All volunteers on a week-long EM mission trip must be part of a team that meets the minimum team size for their community, with at least one team member age 21 or older to serve as the Team Leader. Not part of a group? All young adults ages 18-30 are eligible to apply for EM's IMMERSION program.

Mission Trips involve many details, and we know you probably have a few questions about EM mission trips.

View the Experience Mission FAQ page