What would the "Trip" look like?

With our email list growing I have been fielding some questions in regards to traveling to Africa in the Summer of 2009. While I currently have...um...yes...I have exactly 0...zero answers; I can add some insight with experience from our previous trips.

Caveat: This is all speculation and I cannot make any promises in this regard, this is meant to be a dream building process to get people thinking about challenging their comfort zones to make a difference in another part of the world!



What would we do?

• Fly to Nairobi


• Travel the "one of a kind" African roads


• Game Drive (I highly recommend Masai Mara) Note: Picture to the right is of Shelley and Joanne at Masai Mara on the Kenyan/Tanzanian border.


• Visit and volunteer at Hopewell Jr. Academy. Note: Picture on the left is a picture of the Hopewell Jr Academy...think pre-school.
• Eat lots of interesting food!
• Meet lots of great people!
• Celebrate the grand opening of WTW's International Village-Hopewell, and hopefully be the first guests during our stay.

How long would we stay?

• Probably anywhere from 10-17 days; remember travel to and from takes a "few" hours :)!
• There is at least one person who is considering staying a longer time ie. from Mid-June through the end of July/early August.

What would we need to do to make this happen for ourselves?

• First, you have to have a dream and align this with your priorities. Most people never make a decision to go...you are elite!
• Next, make a decision, make a commitment, and just do it!
• Passport...if you don't have a valid passport you will need one...head over to the Post Office today and get an application...what's it going to hurt?
• Shots! Close your eyes, grin, and bear it! Really, they are not that bad. Everyone will need to call the travel clinic and schedule the shots they need to travel safely.
• Money...everyone knew this is coming...and for those couples out there, get out your calculators because you will need to do some multiplying. Some guesses would be about $2000 for airfare and probably another $1000 for everything else. Now this is just a guess...so please don't hold me to it. These costs may rise and they may fall depending on everything that is going on.
• Participate...get active! You know, read your email, check the blog, comment on it...attend fundraisers, take some responsibility, etc. You can do it!

That's all I can do for now...Ill post more later.

Details-Labor

Labor: Obviously we will need people to work at the IV-Hopewell to keep things fresh and running. I will guess at some positions and someone from Kenya can give me an idea of what each of these positions should get paid to do this work.

Manager-This person must be trained first in people skills and secondly in all things hospitality. While this is by no means intended to be a posh experience, we do want everyone to enjoy their stay. This person would oversee all areas including but not limited to: cooks, waitstaff, housekeepers, security guards, drivers, and groundskeepers. Must be very honest with everyone from WTW Board of Directors to his/her staff, to guests.

*Note: depending on the number of guests, vacancy, and more these duties can be and should be combined to save on money...however it is also important to note that having jobs and paying salaries is beneficial to the community as well.

Cooks- How many cooks are needed to cook for 0-40 people? How much does a cook get paid?

Waitstaff- Can be easily combined with other duties. Key is to be clean, friendly, smile, and be willing and able to serve.

Housekeepers- Would need to do the very important job of keeping the entire place clean from the dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms, great room, everything inside!

Security guards- 24/7 Security...

Driver(s)- While I think this is down the road...it is important to get a cost for two vehicles that are able to take on the Barut roads...one smaller and one larger...maybe even a matatu? Also, what kind of schooling does a driver need to complete? I remember Charles talking about his education...are there Hopewell students wanting a job like this? What does a driver get for pay?

Groundskeepers- Their main job would be to keep the grounds and outside areas of the village clean and in good repair. Possibly someone with mechanical expertise if we do consider getting a vehicle or vehicles.

Building Details

Details!

Building- Strong and safe, doesn't need to be fancy, one window and door per room. Rooms should open into hallway and not outside. Floors need to be solid! One of the things I remember from seeing some of the older classrooms at Hopewell was the cement floors falling apart within I think it was only 2 years! A floor covering such as tiling should be examined. Rooms can be semi private with walls not reaching the ceilings if that saves money. It would be best if done with Barut/Hopewell labor.

Furniture- Best if quality built by Barut/Hopewell labor. Need costs for single beds and bunk beds for rooms. Possibly a dresser or two in each room depending on cost and quality. Bed mattresses, I am unsure what is available...does not need to be fancy DOES need to be able to be kept clean. No bed bugs! I got those in Sri Lanka...and was miserable!

Bathroom- Function is most important, followed by eco/green technology. Does not have to be Western Standards...only acceptable and have the ability to be kept very clean and free from smell.

Kitchen- I have no idea what a Kenyan kitchen looks like...none! Obviously nothing fancy...would be great be able to make the traditional dishes, like Greens, Ugali, smoked meat such as Noma Choma, Tea, etc. Must also include storage for dry goods, bottled water, and ... I am going to need some help here from my Kenyan friends.

Dining Area- Dining tables and chairs for 40? Does that sound like a good number?

Great room- Chairs, couches, tables, etc

Eco/Green- Costs need to be figured on the following: a new well, clean water filtration, water harvesting program, bio gas for cooking/heat, solar energy for electricity.

Transportation- It would be wonderful...but definitely not a first step...to get a touring van and a smaller car for transportation.

Linens- Most international travelers bring their own linens to sleep with, however sheets, towels for showering, table cloths, and cloth napkins for eating may be worth investing in.