Pre-trip Training

We want your trip to be healthy and happy

www.fullercenter.org/global-builders

1. Understanding your trip

How it all fits together

Volunteers

Volunteers carry this work. It rides on our shoulders.

It’s not carried by government. Or corporations. Or a large staff.

It’s people. Like you and I.

All of our Covenant Partner host sites rely heavily on volunteer leadership, and many of them are entirely volunteer-run.

You’ve given a lot – but so have they.

So remember to be kind and appreciative to your hosts. They, too, may be volunteering today.

Partnership

Partnership. It’s a profound word. It denotes equality. It gives an image of two people working together as equals, facing the world as a team.

It’s how the Fuller Center operates.

What’s the goal?

Our visionAt least decent homes for all.Peace between peoples.A healthy community for every child.

Why send teams?

To help provide better homes. That’s obvious.

More subtle: To give you a chance to experience and serve.

Get a small taste of how others live.Do something that matters.Participate in the Kingdom of God.

What’s all this God-stuff?

We’re a Christian organization.Unashamed.Moving on faith.That’s who we are.

But anyone can help.Volunteers of any religion or no religion.All given equal chance to receive housing help.And we won’t pressure you or try to make you feel

bad.

Because that’s how we think God wants us to treat others.

Final note…ExpectationsWe come to serve those in need…

…and discover they have just what we’ve been needing

We come to help……and discover that they are helping us learn so much

We come to help “those people”…and find ourselves learning each others’ names and

becoming friends

We come to share the love of God…and find them sharing it right back

We come to change the world…and find ourselves being changed.

2. Be prepared

More than just a motto for Boy Scouts

Which is more dangerous?It’s hard for us to comprehend risks. Which is more dangerous, flying to a week spent in a developing country or driving 1,000 miles to a weeklong camp or conference in the United States? It’s hard to say. To be sure, there are greater health and safety risks in a developing country, but consider the safety risks of the travel. By some estimates, it is 190 times more likely to die by auto accident than on an airline. Here’s a visual:

Automobiles Commercial airline0

50

100

150

200

Risk of death 190x greater per mile traveled in an Automobile than Plane

Source (based on NTSB statistics)

Causes of unnatural American deaths abroad, 2012 (non-military)

Source: U.S. State Department

Vehicle Accident - All

Homicide

Suicide

Other accident

Drowning

Air accident Maritime Accident Drug-related Terrorist action Disaster

Causes of unnatural American deaths abroad, 2012 (non-military)

Less than a quarter from violent crime. This is what most of us worry about.

Three-quarters are from accidents and self-inflicted injuries.

Vehicle Accident - All

Homicide

Suicide

Other accident

Drowning

Air accident

Maritime Accident

Drug-related Terrorist action Disaster

Source: U.S. State Department

How we can help…and how we can’t

The keys to managing risk are (1) to decide which of life’s risks are worth taking and (2) learning how to minimize the ones you decide to take.

That’s where this course comes in. It covers tips for preparation as well as for during your trip so that you can increase the likelihood of having a totally healthy and happy experience.

We can’t tell you which risks in life are worth taking. That’s something you need to decide based on your values and current life situation.

What we can do is to try to help you learn how to minimize the inherent risks of international travel.

Comparing causes of American deaths (2011 / 2012)

Sources: U.S. State Department, NHTSA, CDC

U.S. Automobile deaths All reported American unnatural deaths

abroad (non-military)

Suicide (in the U.S.) Flu and Pneumonia (in the U.S.)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

33,561

833

38,285

53,667A perspective on risk

Most likely risks

• Traveler’s diarrhea from food and water• Heat-stroke and dehydration • Delayed or lost luggage from the airline• Flight delays• Alcohol-related incidents• Inclement weather (hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes)• Mosquito-borne illness• Non-violent crime like theft by pick-pockets or of luggage

Most serious risks

• Vehicle accidents• Armed robbery• Kidnapping• Murder• Terrorism• Lodging break-in• Serious illnesses, particularly if you have not followed the vaccination recommendations

Why we’re telling you all this

• This training can help you stay safe on your trip– but only if you take it to heart and put it into

practice during your trip.• We want you to know that no matter how you

prepare the threat of travel injury or illness is real– but that all of life has risks

Solutions

1. Prevention– Always the best possible solution– Prevention is within your control– Good prevention lowers the risk of incident

significantly, although risk always remains– Good prevention prepares you for how to deal

with a crisis, should one occur

2. Dealing with crisis– Know your resources– Remain calm, and think through your plan

Be Prepared: Team Leader• You should possess

emergency contact information for:– All team members#– Project director*– Local law

enforcement/emergency services*

– U.S. Embassy/Consulate*– FCH contact list*

• You should also have the following:– Each team members

insurance card#– List of any team

members allergies and medical conditions#

– Seven Corners contact information*

Key* Located in the country handbook# Emailed to you by Fuller Center

This is from a guidebook.

Each guide has a page with vital phone numbers to be used in an emergency.

There is also a separate page for insurance information.

Be sure to bring PRINTED copies of these pages with you when you travel.

Prevention overview

• Medical insurance• At the airport• Clean water• Safe food• Heat and dehydration• Insect-borne diseases• Vaccinations• Rabies• Vehicle accidents• Worksite• Situational awareness

• Avoid attention• Give wisely• Careful who you trust• Leave behind valuables• Duplicate documents• At the lodging• Social media• Resources and warnings• Tips for women• Learn• Other preparation tips

Prevention overviewToday, we’ll highlight 8 of them.

The rest are at: www.fullercenter.org/global-builders/training

• Medical insurance• At the airport• Clean water• Safe food• Heat and dehydration• Insect-borne diseases• Vaccinations• Rabies• Vehicle accidents• Worksite• Situational awareness

• Avoid attention• Give wisely• Careful who you trust• Leave behind valuables• Duplicate documents• At the lodging• Social media• Resources and warnings• Tips for women• Learn• Other preparation tips

Prevention: Medical Insurance

• Most U.S. health insurance policies do not cover international expenses!

• The plan we purchase for your team includes*– Medical expenses– 24-hour Assist services– Medical referral and case monitoring– Other things like loss of checked baggage, but does not include stolen

items, trip cancellation, etc. Feel free to purchase supplemental insurance.

• The team leader receives insurance cards for the whole team about two weeks before the trip. Print and bring them with you.

*See the Guidebook for the full benefit guide, and request the Certificate of Insurance for full details. The Fuller Center does not make any representations regarding coverage provided through Seven Corners.

Prevention: Clean Water

• Only drink water provided by your Fuller Center hosts OR bottled water with the seal unbroken– Do not trust the bags of water sold on streets– Only use the clean water for brushing your teeth

• Avoid ice in your drink, as it may have been made from unpurified water

Prevention: Safe food

• Locals can eat food that you can’t. • Don’t order medium-rare• For fresh produce remember the slogan “Boil it, cook it,

peel it, or forget it.”– Avoid raw carrots, strawberries, grapes, and anything else that

has not been boiled, cooked, or peeled!– Be very careful with salads, which may have been washed with

contaminated water• Avoid food sold by street vendors.• The hotter in temperature your food is when it is served, the

less likely it will get you sick. (You can let it cool before eating it, of course.)

• Wash your hand whenever possible

Prevention: Insect-borne diseases

• Insects like mosquitoes and ticks spread dangerous diseases like Dengue fever, Chikungunya, and Malaria.

• Be sure to pack long-sleeved pants and shirts, even if you are going to a warm climate, and wear them when needed

• Socks and closed-toes shoes protect your feet• Many places provide mosquito nets. Don’t be afraid to use

them. – Sleeping totally within a light sheet can help as a lesser

substitute if needed.– You may bring your own mosquito net with you if you’d like.

• Use mosquito-repellent on skin and any thin clothing– Use water-resistant (for sweat) and re-apply

Prevention: Duplicate documents

• If something gets lost, stolen, or soaking wet, be sure you have extra copies of your:– Passport– Travel medical insurance– Itinerary– Driver’s license or other ID– Back of your credit cards (phone number to report lost/stolen card)– Contact information for those you would contact in an emergency,

especially as found in the Guidebook provided by the Fuller Center• Consider emailing copies to yourself ahead of time so that you

can always retrieve it…but carry things on paper, too -- don’t rely on having instant web access.

• Leave copies of these items at home with someone you trust

Prevention: At the lodging

• Test your locks– Shut and lock your doors when you are in,

especially at night. Do not leave the door open “for a breeze.”

• Don’t leave your valuables visible or on a table where they could be easily snatched

• Do not invite those you meet into the place where your team is staying (your official Fuller Center country hosts are OK, of course)

Prevention: Situational awareness

• Situational awareness is the single biggest safety piece of advice given by safety professionals.

• Be alert and observant.– You are not in the comforts of home. Remove distractions

like iPods/earbuds.– Keep your eyes watching what is happening around you,

even when you are with a group.• Avoid traveling alone, especially after dark• When traveling with bags, keep them where you can

see them– Keep purses and bags strapped over your shoulder so they

cannot simply be grabbed

Prevention: Situational awareness

• Notify your team leader and country host if you see something that makes you suspicious or uneasy

• Avoid crowds, demonstrations and protests• Beware of common maneuvers intended to distract

you while another picks your pocket or takes your bag– Someone “accidentally” bumps into you– A spilled drink or dropped item– A choreographed dispute between others

• Remember that you are subject to all local laws, regardless of whether they match the laws of your home country.

Awareness Test

Go ahead, go to the next slide and play the video for a fun

Awareness Test

Awareness Test

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4

You made it!

Prevention overview

• Medical insurance• At the airport• Clean water• Safe food• Heat and dehydration• Insect-borne diseases• Vaccinations• Rabies• Vehicle accidents• Worksite• Situational awareness

• Avoid attention• Give wisely• Careful who you trust• Leave behind valuables• Duplicate documents• At the lodging• Social media• Resources and warnings• Tips for women• Learn• Other preparation tips

Now, onto dealing with crises…

Dealing with Crisis: Overview

• Every situation is different. We discuss a few general ones in the slides that follow.

• In the trip confirmation email, the team leader is also sent a Crisis Manual for dealing with crises. Be sure to print it out and bring it with you.

Dealing with Crisis: Know your resources

In case of emergency, you have several layers of support:

• Local medical and police • Country hosts • Seven Corners Insurance • Embassy or consulate • Fuller Center Headquarters • Fellow team members • Hotel facility

• Contact information for these places is usually found in the Guidebook we provide to you.

Dealing with crisis: Health

• Evaluate the situation. Most just require anti-diarrheal pills or time in the shade drinking water.– Some travelers carry Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) for use as an antibiotic.

Requires a prescription. – Diarrhea drains your water, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids and

get electrolytes (bananas, crackers, juices).– If the symptoms persist, medical assistance may be required.

• A more serious injury may require a trip to local medical care. Your country host will know nearby medical facilities; you may also contact our insurance Seven Corners.– Our insurance includes emergency medical

evacuation/repatriation, but only as a last resort. Care starts local and proceeds to regional health care facilities before a return flight to the U.S. would be deemed medically necessary.

Dealing with crisis: Weather

• Developing nations are more susceptible to natural disasters and less capable of responding to them

• In most cases, the best strategy is to “shelter in place,” since you have your best resources there– Public areas can grow chaotic– You may need to delay your return home. Airlines are

usually understanding in such situations.– The Fuller Center is structured as a long-term development

organization, not one equipped for immediate disaster relief.

• During an earthquake, get outside where nothing can fall on you.

Dealing with crisis: Robbery

• In general, go along with what the perpetrator demands

• Your stuff can be replaced; you can’t. – In most cases they want your stuff and would

prefer not to hurt you.– Always be willing to give your stuff. Don’t start a

fight.• Be polite, quiet, and calm – do not escalate.

Dealing with crisis: Abduction, Kidnapping, Terrorism

• We have never had an incident of this type• Know the policies of your government. The U.S. will not pay a

ransom• Humanize yourself; develop rapport over time• Remain inconspicuous; avoid direct eye contact• Beware of discussing contentious issues to which they may see you

as connected (politics, religion, ethnicity, etc.)• Eat the food they provide; avoid alcohol• Avoid using threatening language or movements • Attempt to escape only if you are certain to succeed• Try to develop a personal routine to keep your body physically,

mentally, and emotionally healthy.• It goes without saying, but pray.

Source: U.S. State Department

Did we scare you? Didn’t mean to. Remember this:

Comparing causes of Americandeaths (2011 / 2012)

Sources: U.S. State Department, NHTSA, CDC

U.S. Automobile deaths All reported American unnatural deaths

abroad (non-military)

Suicide (in the U.S.) Flu and Pneumonia (in the U.S.)

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

33,561

833

38,285

53,667A perspective on risk

And remember this!This is why you go…

One thing more…

THANK YOU!It is only because of volunteers like yourself that we can “build a better world” together.

www.fullercenter.org/global-builders