Welcome!
India
Helping Hands International currently serves native Indian's a remote village within the State of Andhra Pradesh. We invite you to join us in sharing the love of God by bring help and hope to hurting people in this beautiful place!
Join us in: India!
TRIP Information
DATE: 10/1/2022-10/14/2022 (Update as of 9/2/22: This trip is full.)
ESTIMATED COST:
Click here for payment schedules
FUNDRAISING GOAL:
$16k to finish Orphanage building!
OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
Completing an Orphanage – We will primarily be focused on completing an Orphanage, which currently has a foundation and pillars but no enclosed walls or electricity. We will be working with a local mason to to set the brick for the walls as well as starting the plaster and electricity. This transformation will radically change Emmanuel’s ability to take care of the children he watches over.
Outreach to Orphans — The children will be present while we are building and I’m sure will be a big help in the process as well as be an amazing blessing to spend time with. Activities with local Orphans will include playing games, doing crafts and a one day vacation bible school. We will also share meals with them and have lots for fellowship.
Church — The team will attend at least one church service where they will be given the opportunity to share a message such as a testimony.
We will have the opportunity to reach out to un-reached people groups in a remote villages. There will be adequate time to explore some of India and fall in love with the culture.
TYPICAL SCHEDULE
Below is the tentative schedule for the trip, but we approach this with flexibility because our ultimate focus is on relationships.
Day 1
– Arrive in Visakhapatnam and meet with local Pastor
– Load up and drive two hours to the Orphanage
– Meet the kids unload and relax until dinner
Day 2-3
– Fellowship with locals
– Go on a city tour
– go to local market
Day 4
– Go to and participate in two church services
– Participate in baptisms
– Rest and relax
Day 5 – 11
– Work on orphanage building project
– Spend time with children
Day 11-13
– Remote village outreach
– Vacation Bible School for kids
– Go to beach city
– Pack up and say our good byes
LODGING & FOOD
Where We Stay & What We Eat
Lodging will be at the Combined Orphanage/church. There will be basic but comfortable sleeping arrangements. There is running water for a shower and standard toilet.
The food is prepared by the Pastor's wife. We will be served a variety of food from:
- Vegetable, chicken and water buffalo curry
- Native fruit
- Different soups
- Naan bread
- Many other Indian dishes
SUPPLY LIST
What to Bring
- Bible
- Bedding: Sleeping bag, pillow, fitted sheet, alarm clock and ear plugs (if a light sleeper) etc.
- Bath: Bath towel, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, personal items, flip flops for shower etc.
- Cloths: Work clothes, one nice (not dressy) outfit for church, jacket and/or sweater (cold at night), work gloves, bandanna or hat, swimsuit (modest please; no bikinis) etc.
- Shoes: Flip flops or open toed shoes, tennis or work shoes for remote outreach and work (e.g. no bare feet at any time) etc.
- Other: baby wipes, beach towel, camera, flashlight, hand sanitize, sunscreen and water bottle etc.
- Bug repellent
DRESS CODE
- No undergarments showing at any time (guys and gals)
- Dresses/skirts for outreach should be mid-calf to ankle
- No tight fitting shirts (girls) especially those that barely meet the top of the pants when moving or stretching (e.g. showing bellies)
- No tank tops, low-cut or scoop neck for girls (sleeveless is ok)
- No skimpy clothing worn to and from the dorms to the showers
- No skimpy shorts/skirts, except on beach day
- Men cannot take off their shirts, except on the beach day
- No Bikinis (tankinis ok)
HEALTH & SAFETY
Helping Hands International recommends you follow those health and safety recommendations readily published by the CDC and Travel Alert program offered by the US State Department, as well as those recommended by your personal physician. COVID-19 testing varies by Country and may be necessary before this trip departure and before returning to the USA. Please click here for vaccination requirements and/or recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We also suggest you check with your personal health clinic or physician regarding what vaccines or medicines you may require while participating on this service project. Please note, if you do take prescription medicines, please check with your local pharmacist to ensure the medicines are not considered a controlled substance in the location you are traveling. Finally, please be sure to read HHI's COVID-19 policy, and Consent to Leave the Country (for minors) form, requirements below.
PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
THE STORY BEHIND THE PROJECT
“Andhra Pradesh is a state bordering India’s southeastern coast. Major cultural landmarks include Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, an ornate hilltop shrine to Hindu’s Vishnu, in the southern part of the state. It’s visited by tens of millions of pilgrims annually. The major northern port of Visakhapatnam has popular beaches like Ramakrishna and Rishikonda lining the Bay of Bengal, offering spots for swimming and surfing.
Helping Hands International completed a scouting trip to this area in 2019 and is excited to partner with the local Pastor and school teacher Emmanuel Masa to help him further in his efforts. This year we will be completing an Orphanage facility that Emmanuel has started.
Emmanuel and his wife run the Bethany Children home where they take care of more than 30 local Orphans.”
– Tim Plankenhorn, HHI Program Director & Team Leader
Healthy & Safety
COVID-19
Helping Hands International requires each Volunteer planning to travel on a non-US project, or out of State project, to obtain a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure, IF you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or may have been recently exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Test results will need to be shared with individual HHI Team Leaders. However, you do NOT need to send results to our main office.
We also HIGHLY recommend all participants receive COVID-19 vaccinations prior to your trip overseas!
While Helping Hands International recognizes that vaccinations are a voluntary decision, we highly recommend all participants receive a COVID-19 vaccination, in large part because we do not want to bring the virus to a small or remote village that has little or no healthcare - the results could be devastating!
Helping Hands International also recommends you follow the country specific health and safety recommendations readily published by the CDC and Travel Alert program offered by the US State Department, as well as those recommended by your personal physician. You can find this information on your trip specific HHI web page (e.g. www.helpinghandsinternational.com/kenya or www.helpinghandsinternational.com/mexico etc) as well.
COVID–19
While COVID-19 requirements vary by location, and sometimes day by day, we will do our best to monitor and keep you abreast of testing requirements for each trip. Please also be aware that some countries may require you to provide a negative COVID test before leaving the USA and entering their country, as well as prior to departing their country to head back to the United States.
FAQ
Q: What if someone tests positive for COVID-19 in a foreign country and cannot fly home?
A: Although this scenario is unlikely, it is a possibility we need to be prepared for. If an HHI Volunteer tests positive for COVID-19 in a foreign country, that person (if a minor, with an adult) will need to stay in the country and quarantine for the amount of days required by local authorities (e.g. in some cases this is between 10-14 days.) Helping Hands International will arrange lodging for HHI Volunteer(s) who need to be quarantined, but the expense will be the responsibility of the traveler(s), not the nonprofit.
