DRIBUTTS TRIP 101

Download Trip 101 Form Here

10 things to know before you commit to a trip

1. Know why we go:

Cover bottoms and change lives

Dributts is on a mission to provide families in the poorest parts of the world the tools they need to control disease caused by fecal matter. When you join our team you take on this mission to help change lives through sanitation.

2. Risks involved with International diaper drops:

Here is the simple truth … there are risks involved with going on an international trip. There are also risks in driving down the road in your car. Preparation and safety is the key to it all. All the places we go and stay are deemed safe and we make sure safety is our first priority. However, we are working in many third world countries that are extremely poor and have many diseases.

Wash your hands: Simply washing your hands and having hand sanitizer available for use at all times will cut down on the risk substantially. Hand wipes may be tools of choice to get the actual dirt off of your hands.

Don’t eat or drink that: Make sure you only eat and drink what the trip leader has approved. “No Thank You” is ok to say.

Don’t Touch: If something looks wrong, don’t touch. Use common sense and if a child is covered with a rash you don’t pick him up. If someone has an open wound, stay away from contact. Simple common sense eliminates 90% of all worry.

Take Vitamins: The week before you go begin taking vitamin C and Vitamin B complex for your immune system and energy.

See Your Doc: Although contracting something from these countries while on a trip is very rare, there is some risk involved. Educate yourself before you go and listen to the trip leader about any precautions needed. Talk to your doctor about any shots you may need before you go on the trip. All shots and precautionary medication is your responsibility before you go on the trip.

3. Make sure you are in good health:

Make sure you can physically handle the trip. Do you struggle climbing stairs? Do you have major back issues that limit the time you can stand? Do you have severe asthma? If so, an international trip may not be for you. An international trip can be very physically demanding and we ask that you can do the following before you go on the trip.

1. You can walk 1 mile without stopping to rest

2. You can climb a flight of stairs with no issues

3. You can lift at least 20lbs (on the trips we will all have to do our part in carrying needed equipment)

If you have had any major surgeries or chronic health issues, please get cleared by your doctor before you go on our trip.

4. Respect the culture: Be a bridge builder, not burner.

~When you go to another country, you must respect their rules and culture. Our goal is NOT to be experts or leaders, but to be servants. We are going as a team to serve the people in the country we go to. It is important to read over the culture study. Please understand that what may be common place for us will not be for them, we will be in THEIR home country and in many of THEIR homes, they need to be our priority. There will be many moments that FEEL uncomfortable to you. You will want to pull out your snacks and eat or you may walk in their home and you simply can’t believe what you see. Do NOT stare or make them feel inferior. IF you don’t have enough for everyone to eat, WAIT until you are back in the sleeping quarters. If you are hungry, chances are many more around you have gone even longer without a meal. They do all they can with what they have to welcome you into their homes and villages. Choose to embrace the situation, don’t complain. Culture shock is real, you will be face to face with it; now is the time to wrap your mind around the fact that most homes don’t have a bathroom, you will see skin issues/infections, and many more hard situations that you will need to contain your “reaction”. If you have questions BE SENSITIVE to their feelings. Take time to observe and save your questions for later in the week, you may learn by being a part of the action. Where we go, is NOT the U.S. You may not get what you want when you want it or how you want it… embrace the journey and be a part of the action. Take opportunities to build bridges and relationships for future teams and opportunities for Dributts to continue to serve there. Be quick to listen and learn rather than speak or question. On our first day of training we may go over a few more possible situations, feel free to ask more questions during this time.

~When speaking through a translator make sure to speak in short clear sentences. Do not use slang or words that they may not use in their everyday vocabulary. Keep it basic. (Ex: When describing how you feel: Say “I am excited.” Rather than “I am so overwhelmed I have butterflies!” They will think you literally own butterflies and not understand what in the world that has to do with how you FEEL.) When someone asks about you, stop every couple sentences and wait for the translator to speak and look at you to continue speaking. They will need time to think about what you said and find the correct words in their vocabulary to use. If you speak too fast they will get lost and feel embarrassed. Choose to empower them by making it a winning battle for them and thank them for what they do. They are our BRIDGE into the community!

~Please abide by the rules that are put in place by you team leader and dress code given in your team packet. You will be corrected on the field if issues arise. Here are some basic culture guidelines:

1. No short shorts … 4 inches above the knees.

2. No spaghetti strap shirts or tank tops.

3. Ask the person before you take their photo

4. No nontraditional piercings on women/ No piercings for men

5. No expensive jewelry or watches

6. Be aware of your surroundings while eating candy or snacks

5. Financial Commitment:

When you sign up with your deposit for a trip, we are counting on you to go on that trip. We ask that you strongly consider and know for sure before holding your spot.

Each individual can make payments and complete trip price as early as they choose, but at the latest

Two months out: trip must be 50% paid with flight purchased.

One month out: trip must be 75% paid.

One week out: trip must be 100% paid.

A) Deposits and personal payments can be made at: http://www.dributts.com/takeatrip/ (At the very bottom)

B) Trip support from other donors for your trip can be made at: http://www.dributts.com/tripsupport

All deposits and payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

**Dributts team will fly on direct flight Delta to PAP on day of travel from the Atlanta airport. Everyone is welcome to find the best deal for them, but as soon as travel for set 1st day of trip is set send your itinerary to trip coordinator Natali Heath.

6. How to Give on the Diaper Drop:

When you go on a trip you give your love and commitment to mission of the team. You will be emotionally moved by the people you meet and sometimes have the urge to give away everything you have. This is a great thought; however you can hurt the mission if you give carelessly and without your leader’s permission. Giving things like money, jewelry or clothes can cause jealousy and fighting within the people you are helping. It can also develop an unhealthy expectation on American teams every time they come. So, all we ask is that you talk to your team leader before giving anything away on the field or even discussing it with them.

7. Don’t make any promises:

You will meet people that will change your life forever. You will connect with them and naturally want to see them again or even help them in their life. However, we should never promise that we are coming back or that we can help them with an issue they are dealing with. Again, if you do not fulfill this promise this looks bad on our organization and hurts our overall mission.

We always want use language like “try to come back“ or “hope to see you soon” and “I will be praying for you”. Also, you can connect with many of the people you meet on social media. NEVER give out your phone number or address.

9. Teamwork makes the dream work:

Remember you are going on a trip with others. Everything we do is a team effort and is impossible on your own. So please make sure you go with a “WE” mentality. In Western culture, we have a tendency to listen to instructions and plans then interpret them as they relate to us personally; rather than how they pertain to the entire group as a whole. From the moment we start the journey until we land back state-side this is all about “US” and not “YOU”.

You may be much smarter and better equipped than the team leader, but when you join a Dributts team you commit to respecting the team leadership. The leader has been specifically trained on the culture and built relationships with the people you will be going to serve already and they have the wisdom needed to best bridge relationships. They have information and a perspective that you can’t see or may not know. For one week, trust them to know what’s to be done. Feel free to ask them questions, but in the end know what they say must be how it’s done and respect the decision. We wouldn’t be able to make this trip happen if it weren’t for people like you and we desire to empower you and each person on the trip to have the greatest experience. That is one of the team leader’s goals, but never at the expense of the people in-country we are serving.

10. Limit your baggage (most airlines no longer do free bags)

Specific to teams exiting from Atlanta.

When we go on trips we have to bring our supplies with us. So we ask that you pack all of your items in 1 backpack and 1 carry-on. This will allow us to use the one checked bag for supplies (more available bags, the more diapers we can take). We will leave room in the checked bag to put your liquids and anything else that will not fit in your carry-on. Your trip leader will go over all the specifics of the size and weight of your bags.

Overview of a Basic Packing List

Must Have Items:

- Passport

- Personal Medications

- Drivers License (for those driving)

- Appropriate clothing for the week (details below)

- Sheets, pillows and blankets will be provided in most locations but not all

- Towels (2) large – not thick bath, (5) wash cloths

- Trash bags (for your dirty laundry)

- Water Bottle w/covered spout

- Hygiene and Bath Products

- Deodorant/ Powder (Monkey Butt)

- Toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.

- Flip flops for shower

- 2 pair of shoes (1 for church/ and tennis shoes)

- Insect repellant (High Deet works really well)

- Waterproof Sunscreen Lotion

- Hat and sunglasses

- Battery operated fan

- 1 small backpack to keep your everyday items (optional)

- 3 small bottles of Hand Sanitizer (for your personal use)

- Baby Wipes or similar(several pkgs of non-scented)—A must

- 1 large bag of Candy (hard candy) to give away to children (large bag, no chocolate, unless it is tootsie rolls)

- Kleenex (personal size)

- SNACKS(personal – anything that you want to eat in the privacy of the group)

- Breakfast Cereal/Bars

~battery operated hand held fan

- Sunscreen

Dress Code:

MEN

- Enough clothes/ Under garments for 6 hot and muddy days

- Light-weight pants. Jeans are ok … just HOT!!

- Men’s Shorts to the knee

- Light weight and colored shirts… Quick Dry Shirts are great.

- Nice shirt and pants for church … Business Casual

- Closed toed shoes

- Bathing Suit … Just in case we need it

Woman

- Enough clothes/ Under garments for 6 hot and muddy days

- Light Weight Capri pants … Quick Dry are great.

- Light Weight pants

- Light weight shorts that are no shorter than the knee (if they are too short you will be asked to change for your own safety)

- Light weight Shirts with sleeves while in the field.

- Light weight tanks that reach the shoulder. (No string tank tops)

- At least one Dress … Knee High or longer

- Bathing Suit … Just in case we need it. One location has a pool.

**Pack all clothes in a trash bag inside your suitcase – your bags may get wet.

**You will want HARD SOLE shoes. There are big thorns and rough terrain that flip slops or even canvas style shoes won’t hold up in.

Typical Schedule on the field:

7 day trip:

Day 1:

- Travel All Day

- Arrive at Guest House

- Transition time to your environment

Day 2

- Team Training in the AM

-Light work day in the afternoon

Day 3-6

- Breakfast 8am

- Morning Devotion 8:30am

- Work Day from 9am-4pm (Diaper drops)

- Dinner 5pm (Sometimes later depending on the country)

- Team time: Highs/Lows. Material prep for the next day 7pm

- Bed Time 10pm

Final Full Day

- Pack 7am

- Breakfast 8am

- Travel All Day

Things You May Want To Know:

1. You will need to send trip coordinator Natali Heath your shirt size. Everyone on the trips will be receiving a Dributts t-shirt.

2. For Haiti: There is a $10 Entrance tax you will need to carry in your carry on bag to get through Haitian customs when you go into the country.

For Honduras: There is a $40 exit tax in Honduras that will need to be carried in your carry on when you leave the country on the last day.

3. Don’t bring anything you don’t want to loose

You need a passport. If you do not have one… Apply ASAP. Cost between $125-$175. à https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html

a. Make sure current passport is more than 6 months out from expiration date. THEY WILL hold you in customs if your numbers aren’t current.

b. Passport Safety: 1 color photo will need to be sent to Dributts before final trip payment is due. IF passport is lost the incurred costs to stay, re-order, or more will be the responsibility of the individual.

5. Wear shoes you are willing to possibly leave on the field

6. Leave all expensive jewelry at home

7. Showers will be cold

8. In warm climates, dri fit material is the best

9. Monkey Butt powder is recommended

10. Best way to take pics is on your phone … unless you are a photographer

11. The foods in most locations is amazing, but only eat what the leader approves.

12. We will have translators on every trip.

13. On most trips $100 spending money is more than enough. Your trip leader will exchange any money needed

14. Gum, Ginger and Pretzels can help with nausea

15. Some places will have wifi, but not all. (imessage and facetime work great for iphone users if wifi is available)

16. Contact your wireless provider to ask about service and rates for the country you will be in

17. Hat, Sunglasses and sunscreen will be your friend. A sunburn can ruin your trip. Most of these trips will be closer to the equator.

18. If you get motion sickness … you must bring medication

19. A waterproof case for your phone may be good idea

20. If you wear glasses or contacts bring backups and solution

21. You may want to bring extra undergarments for really hot days

Specific to 2016 Trips:

July 16-22 Haiti Trip: You will be staying in Lagon, Haiti.

Sept. 10-17 Haiti Trip: You will be staying in Jacmel, Haiti.

Oct. 22-29 Honduras Trip: You will be staying in La Campa, Honduras.

All of these trips will be in main area, but most days we will be traveling throughout the community to reach more people.

Fundraising Ideas

1. Fundraising Letters/ Social Media: This is the #1 way to raise funds on a mission trip. You should be able to raise 70 percent of your funds this way.

a. You need to send out min of 30 letters if possible to family and friends

b. You can use sites like gofundme.com to raise funds

c. Make a Facebook group and invite people to be apart of your journey

d. Use Instagram to push out the need.

e. Use twitter to update and give opportunity to give

f. Email fundraising letter

g. Make a fundraising blog and invite possible givers to follow

2. Yard Sale: This is one of the best ways to raise funds. There are three ways to do this:

a. Collect things around the house and hold your own yard sale

b. Ask friends for donations and run a large yard sale

c. Do a multi-family yard sale with others going on the trip. Choose a very public location.

3. Extra Work/ Save:

a. Ask for extra work

b. Odd Jobs

c. Save any extra money that comes in

d. Tax refund

4. Support Dinner: A support dinner is a great way to raise funds and get people excited about the mission.

a. Invite a minimum of 30 people to your dinner

b. Make a good but affordable dinner

c. Either sell tickets or ask for donations

d. Entertainment is always a plus and you can charge more per person