port, you DO NOT need a visa. All other countries need to apply for a worker’s visa.
Buying your ticket – Shop around. The Caribbean is one of the most lucritive spots to fly to in the world, and the Airlines try and milk it for all they are worth. Often times there is quite a bit of difference between travel organizations, so a little bit of research could save you hundreds of dollars.
Airlines: Caribbean Airlines flies all through the Caribbean. It also has reciprocal agreements with other American airlines. Flights leave from JFK International airport in NY and Miami International. The flights go through Trinidad before arriving in Georgetown. All international flights come in and leave out of Cheddi-Jagen International Airport in Georgetown. While technically it’s not in Georgetown, it is still considered Georgetown Guyana, thus your ticket should indicate the final destination as Georgetown Guyana (GEO). We suggest that you get the ticket as early as possible to save on price. Plan to arrive some time the first week of September and leave after May 17.
Filling out the paperwork the immigration paperwork.
- § Address in Guyana: 121 Durban Backlands Rd., Georgetown, Guyana
- § Length of Stay in Guyana: 1 Month – Once you are in the country we will immediately begin an application for a worker’s visa with the ministry of home affairs. As long as your application is in process, you can legally stay longer in the country.
- § The customs’ officers always ask – “How long do you plan to stay?” Simply tell them, “I put down 1 month, but we plan to apply for a workers visa so we can stay longer to do our volunteer work.” They have never given us problems over this.
- Filling out the paperwork for the customs
- § You don’t have to declare anything unless you plan to sell it for profit.
- § Make sure and go through the far line that says “Nothing to Declare” otherwise you’ll be there a while.
- Taxi - If we know of your flight ahead of time, we’ll have a designated taxi driver waiting to pick you up. If by chance everything goes awry and the driver doesn’t make it, get a taxi driver and tell him that you want to go to the Davis Memorial Hospital. This is the Adventist Hospital in Georgetown, and the missionary doctor is John Wilson. The cost should be $25 U.S, and they most likely will take American currency.
What should you bring to Guyana?
Clothes
- Church clothes –
- Guys - shirts, slacks & ties.
- Ladies – dress or skirt & blouse
- work clothes – something you wouldn’t mind getting stains on
- exercise clothes
- teaching clothes
- Guys – docker pants and collared shirts
- Ladies – Skirt and nice shirt or blouse
Hat & Sunscreen - the sun is hot here
Shoes
- Rubber boots are good for the farm
- Sturdy all-around shoes
- Sandals or slippers
Vanities (shampoo, soap, laundry soap, some toilet paper, floss for an entire year 150 yards)
- All these can be purchased in the village (except floss), but the prices are higher.
- If you need special medication, make sure and bring 9 month worth supply.
Flashlight with rechargeable batteries & battery charger.
Umbrella
Mosquito repellant
Bedding for a single bed.
Some extra cash –
- It is recommended that you bring $200 a month (or $1600) for your stay here. We kindly ask that you give $100 to cover the high costs of food and airplane fuel to fly in supplies. The other $100 is for your personal needs while here in the jungle.
Digital camera with enough memory, or a computer to download onto.
Note: Many of the things listed above can be purchased when you arrive in Georgetown, but plan on bringing most of it when you come since your stay in Georgetown may be short (sometimes just hours!).
What’s nice but not absolutely necessary to have?
Laptop computer for classes and emails
MP3 Player with nice Christian music or sermons (no Christian rock music please)
Dried fruit and nuts to supplement your meal selection.
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Staff Clothing
Staff Gentlemen:
- Sabbath – Slacks, button down shirt, and tie or string tie.
- School – Collared shirt and slacks or cotton pants (no jeans please)
- Work – T-shirts, shorts, boots (no tank tops, or heavily ripped clothing please)
- Hair – Short and neat (no long hair please)
- Principle – Dress well and look sharp and the students will respect you more.
Staff Women:
- Sabbath – Dress or Skirt & Blouse
- School – Dress, Skirt & Blouse or nice T-shirt
- Work - Long pants or knee-length shorts may be worn during work hours, on field trips, or for sports.
- No tight clothing, low necklines, sleeveless tops, see-through material, or high slits above the knee.
- Jewelry and excessive cosmetics are out too. (Trust me… No one cares a lick!)
Music
Staff are allowed to have their own CD Players or MP3 players provided that they play appropriate music on them that is in line with the school values. Christian Rock music isn’t allowed. Only music that glorifies God and edifies the student spiritually and mentally is recommended.
Students aren’t allowed to have recorders, walkmans, or discmans of their own. The students are allowed to use your equipment provided you give them permission and make sure they follow the school guidelines.
While playing guitar, keyboard, or singing, students and staff are requested to be considerate of others around them and refrain from disturbing someone who is sleeping or studying.
Recreation
No playing cards or other questionable games will be allowed.
Language-
Foul or indecent language will not be tolerated on the campus.
Other
Alcoholic beverages, cassack, and all other fermented drinks aren’t allowed at DIIC. Tobacco and other harmful drugs are also prohibited.
Friendships & Relationships
In many cultures of the world, there are clear interpersonal boundaries that govern relationships between members of the opposite sex. But in the Amerindian culture, those boundaries aren’t well defined, and in some cases are non-existent. Sexual promiscuity is a very serious problem in Paruima village. Even married church members frequently fall into the sin of adultery.
When a boy and girl are seen spending time alone in the jungle, or walking together after dark, it is automatically assumed by most that they have been engaging in sexual activities.
Because of this phenomenon, our school doesn’t permit students or staff to date or have special relationships. Here are some of the basic guidelines of our school:
- Avoid spending time alone or frequently with any person of the opposite sex whether student or staff. Group association is preferred.
- Avoid all appearances of evil.
- Physical touch that is more than casual contact is not allowed (i.e. holding hands, hugging, kissing, etc)
- Students and staff are not allowed to visit the dormitory of the opposite sex except with the dean’s permission.
Students look up to staff and expect them to set a good example. When a single staff member spends much time with another staff member or student, it is assumed that they are engaging in bad behavior, which may not be the case at all. Because of this, we absolutely insist that all our unmarried staff members abide by the same rules as the students and refrain from dating relationships with other staff, students, or villagers.
Traveling and costs
Your destination will be Georgetown, Guyana round trip from the US would be about 800-1000 USD. You may check www.kayak.com for more info.
Housing is provided but you are required to have 100USD/month to pay the mission for your food.
Immunization
There is no vaccination requirement to enter the country, but the Yellow fever vaccination and Hepatitis A, B, C, is recommended.
Welcome
We are happy to have you in the mission in Guyana, but please understand that there will be no financial retribution and that you are not receiving any salary.
You may fill the application and our volunteer coordinator will be in contact with you.
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