Pretoria, South Africa
Mission Trips

Your time in South Africa will be coordinated by the EM Africa staff with local community partners. During your trip, you may have the opportunity to help pack food parcels, sort clothing donations, visit an old age home, assist with the aftercare program at the school and so much more. 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 with the local community.

Each morning there is time for your own personal devotions. This is a time we strongly encourage everyone to spend with God journaling and processing their thoughts and as the days pass.

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.

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

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

Day 2 - Day 5
Ministry in Pretoria-area communities

Day 6
Ministry TBD

Day 7
Church

Day 8-11
Ministry in Pretoria-area communities

Day 12
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 between 2 places depending on team size. If your team size is 16 or smaller you will stay at the EM Africa base. But if the team is 17 or larger then you will stay at HeronBridge Retreat. The rooms at the EM Africa base are set up with bunk beds for the team members. At EMA Base there is a swimming pool and plenty of areas for quiet time and team time. At HeronBridge they are set up similarly to dorm rooms. HeronBridge has a pool, volleyball court, soccer field, and rock climbing wall that are available for use.

Sleeping

Beds including bedding will be provided for your team. There will be rooms designated for male and female volunteers. Nights between April-August are the winter months in South Africa, so you can expect cooler evenings.

Showers & Bathrooms

There are hot showers and bathroom faciltiies available at both HeronBridge and the EM Africa base.

Water

There is running water at both housing locations. Teams will also be provided with purified drinking water at all times.

Electricity

There is electricity at HeronBridge. The electrical service is not as dependable as the United States, and outages are fairly common during the winter season.

Security

Both the EM Africa base & HeronBridge are safe places for your teams to stay. At HeronBridge there are security guards on staff 24/7 in a secure complex. The EM Africa base is located in a gated community with security guards 24/7 as well.

Food

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will all be provided whether you stay at HeronBridge or the EMA Base. Teams will also have the opportunity to experience local, cultural food while serving in various parts of the community during the day. The local staff members will typically prepare those meals for the teams. Teams will also be provided with purified drinking water at all times. Curious about EM's ability to accommodate specific food restrictions? View EM's Food Policy

Air Travel

Destination Airport: OR Tambo International Airport. Team members are responsible to cover the cost of their round-trip airfare to the OR Tambo International Airport.

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

Ground Transportation

Upon arrival to Johannesburg, South Africa all transportation IS INCLUDED, including transportation to and from the OR Tambo Airport.

EM's Health & Safety Plan:

EM Emergency Response 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 which 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 South Africa. You should consult your local doctor prior to receiving any immunizations.

Check out EM's current Covid Guidance

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 of at least six (6) people, 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