Short-Term Mission Trips

life changing journey2

Share your skills and exceed your own expectations – helping the people of Africa reach their greatest potential by joining a team of short-term volunteers working hand-in-hand with the local people. Our volunteer coordinators will work with you to choose a date, project and country to fulfill your volunteering goals. Service programs are generally two weeks.

A “working vacation” you’ll never forget.
Come join us. A Hands on Africa volunteer vacation is not just an opportunity to travel and immerse yourself in a foreign culture. It’s an opportunity to use your unique skills and interests to help provide the people of Africa with a horizon they wouldn’t otherwise have. Be the hands and feet of Jesus and share His love and saving Grace with the people of Africa.

We lead trips to Zambia, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Malawi twice a year, and hundreds of people have traveled with us. A trip usually lasts about 10 - 14 days including travel time.  If you want to find out more about dates and the different ministries in each country you can visit the Trip calender.

We work in rural areas, in villages with limited to no luxuries, making the experience so much more authentic.

We invite you to see firsthand the despair, hope and joy that exist, and to experience how your gift of presence can impact lives.  Come and share the love of Christ.  Step outside your comfort zone into God's comfort zone.

HOW TO APPLY?

1. Select the type of project or region of Africa that most interests you. Our volunteer coordinators can help you.
2. Visit our Trip calender for the next available programs. Check your calendar. Select service program dates most convenient for you. Call/email us with any questions.
3. Complete and submit the application form below  – under age 18 – must complete a minor application and travel with a parent or adult legal guardian. After we receive your completed informational forms, we will process your application and you will be notified of approximate costs. If you are within 75 days of departure, you must submit your entire payment by cash/check. If you are more than 75 days from departure, you may submit your flight fees (the earlier flights are booked, the lesser the costs) and the balance 75 days prior departure by cash/check.
4. Renew your passport, if required, and make your travel arrangements. Our volunteer coordinators will assist you with visa and vaccine requirements.
5. Review the Service Program Volunteer Agreement.

TAX DEDUCTABLE SERVICE PROGRAM FEES

If you are a U.S. tax-payer, your out-of-pocket savings for volunteer service programs. Your Service Program fees, air fare, visa and related travel expenses are tax deductible if you adhere to our program itinerary, because you perform the work of Hands on Africa, a 501C-3 tax-exempt organization. When combining federal and state income tax savings, the average volunteer will save about 33 percent of the total cost of the service program.
IRS requirements is that you work, on average, eight hours per day, five days out of seven to ensure you can claim this tax benefit. The service program time eligible is from the time you arrive in and depart from the host country, assuming reasonable travel time. Daily travel time to/from the work site and your lodging isn’t included in the eight-hour requirement. However, you can include reasonable preparation and planning time. For instance, when your work project includes teaching, you are expected to prepare one hour for every hour of teaching. Please note that additional travel or vacation either before or after the service program may disqualify all or part of your service program fee, air fare, etc., from this tax deduction. Regardless of your volunteer work projects, we recommend you keep a personal journal detailing the hours you work for tax purposes.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

There are inherent risks in traveling anywhere in the world, especially in developing countries. However, since 1997, and with thousands of volunteers working with us, Hands on Africa has maintained a top safety record. We do our best to provide a safe environment in all host communities. However, while we take every reasonable precaution to protect your safety, as is the case in all travel, you are primarily responsible for your personal safety. Food, lodging and transportation arranged for volunteer teams are done in a manner to maximize health and safety.

If you're hearing the question, "You're going where?" from family and friends, you're not alone. While our volunteers rarely let world headlines keep them from their destinations, their loved ones back home often need extra reassurance. Here are some important facts:

Because volunteers travel as representatives of Hands on Africa, not as tourists, team members are accepted as "friends" in the host communities, and as such, are afforded an extra measure of safety. Additionally, volunteers work together as a team, and never need be alone in the host community.

If you or your family members are concerned about your security in a host community, contact us for current information. For information on immunizations and infectious diseases, refer to the website for the Center for Disease Control for the latest information about suggested immunizations and travel advice.
Overall, be aware that the headlines can overstate or exaggerate reality. Be a world-wise traveler, but don't let the headlines keep you from doing God’s work. While Hands on Africa has never had a health or safety circumstance that couldn't be resolved quickly and thoroughly, inherent risks and dangers are part of travelling or staying in any foreign country. These include, but are not limited to, travel on dangerous roads, different hygienic standards; infrastructure challenges (including unsafe roads, road maintenance, transportation delays and accommodation conditions); forces of nature, geographic/climate conditions; civil unrest or terrorism; travel by motorcycle, bicycle, train, foot, automobile, aircraft, raft, boat, bus, van or other conveyance; the hazards of traveling in mountainous terrain, high altitude and undeveloped areas; significantly lower standards of healthcare, infectious diseases, and accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or availability of adequate medical supplies and facilities.

STAYING INVOLVED AT HOME

When you join a Hands on Africa Volunteers team, you join a worldwide network of service sustained by local host organizations, Hands on Africa staff and volunteers worldwide. All work together to ensure our partnerships will consistently address the needs of the local people we serve. When you return home, you join a network of volunteers who help us continue to serve host communities in many new ways.
Help us Engage New Volunteers: A steady stream of committed volunteers and sufficient funding form the foundation of our continued support across the globe. Many of our volunteers join future teams, and many bring others with them. This is the most effective way you can continue to support Hands on Africa’s work. While your personal service is central, we also need your help to recruit others to join future teams, and to provide additional financial support for vulnerable children in host communities worldwide.

Work with us to share your story in these ways:
Social media: Facebook, (like our fb page hands.on.africa.1 and share posts), Twitter, YouTube, and more.
Personal presentations: Meet with your friends and neighbors.
Feature interviews: Write a first-person story or talk with the media (write a review on our fb page)
Volunteer references: Email, call or write prospective volunteers
We'll support you with fact sheets, videos, photos, brochures and powerpoint presentations to support your efforts.
Donate to a Project: While our volunteer teams provide tremendous "hands-on" resources year-around, funding often falls short. That's where your donations help fill the gap. If you're excited about the opportunity to provide essential services to children, please help us to raise funds for special needs or one of our on-going programs.

Application Form:

Name (as it appears on your passport):*
Middelname (as it appears on your passport):
Service Program Country: *
Service Program Start Date:
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E-mail:*
Address:
Phone:*
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Date of Birth: *
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Gender: *
Occupation: *
Employer:
How did you first learn about Hands on Africa:
Select size for your Hands on Africa logo polo-shirt:

SERVICE PROGRAM VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT

Hands on Africa is a 501C3 nonprofit organization.In this Agreement, “Hands on Arica” means the organization, its directors, officers, employees, team leaders, and agents.“You” and “Your”refers to the person signing this Agreement. “The Host” refers to the entity(ies) (e.g., school, clinic, hospital, organization) which invited Hands on Africa and/or to which you are assigned to serve, and its employees, agents, officers, and directors.

Hands on Africa will make all the necessary arrangements to provide You with the opportunity to work with and serve the local people in the community.You agree to volunteer your time and talents to the best of Your ability following Hands on Africa’s guidelines and policies.

You further agree to the terms outlined in this document.

SERVICE PROGRAM PAYMENT POLICIES

Service Program fees to be obtained from your volunteer coordinator.The Service Program fee is due 75 days prior to the scheduled date of departure.The Service Program fee does not include visas and additional costs you may incur outside the authorized Hands on Africa Service Program. It does include airfare, transportation, accommodation and meals (unless otherwise stated).

TRAVEL DEVIATIONS

If you voluntarily deviate from Hands On Africa’s scheduled itinerary, you may not be able to take the costs of the Service Program as a tax deduction.We recommend that you seek the advice of a tax advisor regarding this matter.(please inform Hands on Africa of Your travel plans so we can coordinate your arrival and departure with the other members of the team.)

CANCELLATION AND REFUND

Hands on Africa may cancel any Service Program at any time.Hands on Africa may also reject an application anytime before departure.Hands on Africa will refund the total amount you paid (1) if Hands on Africa does not accept your application for any reason, or (2) if the Service Program is canceled for any reason other than a U.S. State Department travel warning that applies to the country to which you are traveling, or for any reason beyond the control of Hands on Africa.If you cancel your Service Program for any reason, you must notify Hands on Africa in writing.If you cancel participation on a Service Program, or if the Service Program is cancelled because of a U.S. State Department travel warning, or for any reason beyond the control of Hands on Africa, you will receive a partial refund according to nonrefundable costs incurred.Hands on Africa will not refund airfare penalties or transfer fees under any circumstances.Hands on Africa will not make refunds for unused portions of the Service Program or because of your inability to participate according to the scheduled itinerary.We request that you don’t apply for a Service Program until you’re certain about both country and dates to avoid costly arrangements made on your behalf.

YOU PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK

You acknowledge that there are dangers in traveling to and living and volunteering in the country for which you are applying.You agree to travel and participate at your own risk.You agree to assume full responsibility for injury to you, including death and emotional trauma, and damage to or theft of your property.Hands on Africa is not responsible for the acts or failures of anyone else who provides services to you.

YOU AGREE NOT TO SUE HANDS ON AFRICA OR THE HOST

You agree not to sue or bring any action against Hands on Africa or the Host because of the negligence of Hands on Africa or the Host.You will not sue or bring any action against Hands on Africa or the Host because of the negligence or intentional acts of anyone else.If anyone, e.g. you, a family member, spouse, etc., sues or brings any action against Hands on Africa or the Host because of the negligence of Hands on Africa or the Host, or because of the negligence or intentional acts or anyone else, you or your estate shall indemnify and hold harmless Hands on Africa and the Host from for all claims, judgments and costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees. This does not include intentional acts, gross misconduct or gross negligence caused by Hands on Africa.

YOU AGREE TO FOLLOW RULES AND LAWS

Hands on Africa requires that all volunteers arrive at the designated site by the scheduled Service Program arrival date.You will be the guest of the local people and the Host.You agree to follow all applicable rules, policies and guidelines of Hands on Africa and the Host, as well as the laws of the local country.If you do not follow all rules, laws, policies and guidelines, Hands on Africa’s team leader has the authority to ask you to leave the community.If you are asked to leave, you agree to leave the community immediately at your own cost.

You agree that this Agreement is to be construed broadly to provide a release, indemnification and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.In signing this Agreement, you acknowledge (1) that you have read this entire document, (2) that you understand its terms, (3) that you are at least 1ighteen (18) years of age, (4) that by signing it, you are giving up substantial legal rights you might otherwise have, and (5) that you have signed it knowingly and voluntarily.If any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable or too broad to be enforced to its full extent, then that provision and the remaining provisions will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law.

By clicking submit you agree that you have read and understood the Service Program Volunteer Agreement and agree to the terms therein.

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For more information contact Michelle at michelle@handsonafrica.com

If you would like to see the calender for the dates of our upcoming trips click here.