Welcome to
Tonga
Helping Hands International is going to Tonga! We are partnering with a long term missionary family and plan to explore ways we can encourage them and continue the local outreach!
Join us in: Tonga!
TRIP Information
DATE:
6/16/24 - 6/30/24
TRIP FEE COST:
$1,200 (not including airfare)
FUNDRAISING GOAL:
OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
TBD
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 Tonga and meet with local Missionary family
Day 2-6
– Fellowship with Tonga Missionaries
– Learn what the Pastors is currently doing (e.g. outreach etc.)
– Go to local market
Day 7
– Pack up and say our goodbyes
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 Missionary's wife. We will be served a variety of food from:
- Native fruit, vegetable and proteins
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
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
Helping Hands International is exploring how we can come alongside a missionary family who decided to leave the United States and move to the Kingdom of Tonga.
The above video includes interviews, photos, and videos, Chris, Ashley and their three children talk about the decision they made to follow the calling of God.
They discuss how and why they decided to move to this small South Pacific island and share with us their stories about the struggles, difficulties, and joys they experience in their daily lives living and working alongside the Tongan people.
We are so excited to lead our first team there this June.
– 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.
