April 3 (Sat) - Arrival in Bangkok; Team dinner at location TBD -- those who are in town should meet at the Suk 11 Hostel at ~6:30pm; hotel room provided (http://www.suk11.com/2008/index.html)
April 5 (Mon) - WORK DAY; AM visit to a completed Habitat house; Welcome dinner with local staff ~6:30pm
April 6 (Tue) - WORK DAY
April 7 (Wed) - WORK DAY
April 8 (Thu) - AM Visit to Sarnelli House (home for HIV-infected and abandoned children, http://www.sarnelli.org/pages/sarnelli.htm?sp=en); Lunch at Meakong River; free time upon return
April 9 (Fri) - WORK DAY
April 10 (Sat) - WORK DAY
April 11 (Sun) - Free Day - We have been invited to join our Udon Thani Habitat host, Tasani, for his church services from 8-9 am and then afterwards his church begins their preparations for the Songkran festival. While this is certainly not a "required" event I hope everyone decides to join in what should be a unique experience. I have no idea what religion/church he is, but that's just part of the adventure. In the afternoon, we are planning to go to the Udon Thani City Museum, but there will also likely be additional free time.
April 12 (Mon) - WORK DAY in AM; 1pm House Dedication; 6:30pm Farewell party with homeowners and local Habitat staff
April 13 (Tue) - Songkran Festival begins! Tasani is arranging for us to do some additional sightseeing in Udon Thani on this day.
April 16 (Fri) - Songkran in Bangkok; see April 14; team farewell dinner at Cabbages and Condoms (http://www.pda.or.th/restaurant/restaurant.asp)
April 17 (Sat) - Departure from Bangkok
Clothes: Keep in mind that humidity in Thailand is high almost all the time, so pack light cotton and airy clothes.
The following list is a guide to use when packing your suitcase
Men Work site: Jeans, shorts, T shirts, sturdy work boots or shoes. Casual: Tidy shorts and T shirts Evening: Tidy but light & casual (open neck) Church: Long trousers, long sleeve collar shirt Footwear: Runners, flip flops, sandals | Women Work site: Jeans, shorts (below the knees), T shirts, sturdy work boots or shoes. Casual: Long skirt or trousers, T shirts Evening: Tidy but light & casual Church: Long skirt and long sleeve blouse Footwear: Runners, flip flops, sandals |
General
Note: It is important to seek medical travel advice from your local Doctor or Medical Travel Center before leaving regarding the prevention and treatment of country specific diseases and illnesses such as Malaria. |
Valuables - Please don’t bring valuables especially jewelry as the security of such items can not be assured. Travel Light – It is wise to keep your baggage to a minimum and light. If you find that you have difficulty carrying your bags by yourself then you probably have packed too much! Tools – If you would like to bring with you any second hand (or new) tools that can be donated to the affiliate once you have left then please know that they will be greatly appreciated. Please don’t pack them in your hand carry back as airport security will take them from you. Any thing of this nature needs to be checked in to the aircraft hold with or inside your suitcase. The power supply in Thailand is 220 volts. Gloves – It would be really appreciate of volunteers bring their own gloves. Otherwise, volunteers can buy cotton gloves at worksite.J.B. and Sus say: 1) You don't need to bring a hard hat 2) Sandals/flip-flops are fine but NOT for the work site (bring closed-toe, sturdy shoes -- sneakers are fine -- work boots/hiking boots might be best) 3) We will have a very comprehensive basic medical kit that will be available both at the hostel/hotel and at the work site. Everyone does not need to bring one of their own, but certainly bring whatever medications you anticipate individually needing 4) Take his advice to travel light and don't bring non-essential valuables 5) That being said, hopefully several of you will be bringing cameras so we can have lots of nice photos to post to the blog --------------------------------------- How Can I Be Safe At The Work Site? (OK no one asked us this question but Habitat Thailand wanted us to give you the following information): Construction Safety Safety at our work sites is important for all of us. Safety is an attitude of care and concern for yourself, and for others who are working with you. The way to be safe is to think and act safe. We ask all volunteers to take to heart and observe safe work practices throughout the build. Here are some reminders: Dress with safety in mind: Clothes should fit comfortably but should not be baggy (long sleeves should be buttoned). Steel toe work boots are preferred but sneakers with solid soles are fine. Volunteers should wear only closed-toe shoes (no sandals). Please leave jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.) at home. Hard-hats are required when overhead work is being done and eye protection is required when operating power tools. Each volunteer should bring two pairs of work gloves. Before working…Survey! Before working in any area, please survey the space around you. Look around your feet and overhead for obstacles and potential hazards. Organize the workspace within your reach. Be especially careful when carrying long objects, such as rebar and lumber, so that you do not hit other people. Watch for excavations, openings, edges of slabs and slippery spots. Power tools: If you are assigned to operate power tools, know the correct procedures. This will ensure your safety. Before operating, inspect the cords, electrical outlets, blades. If a blades or part has to be replaced, disconnect first from the power source. Support the stock properly and never reach under material while it’s being cut. Protect your eyes with safety glasses when operating power tools. We also advise use of safety glasses when nailing. Maintain good “Housekeeping”: A clean job site is essential to work site safety. Please keep trash in dumpster and scrap lumber where it belongs. If nails are protruding from scrap lumber, bend them down or remove them with a hammer. Keep track of your tools. If you see something that does not belong, pick it up and set aside in a safe spot. Remember, return all tools, ladders, etc. to the proper place at the end of a workday. Roofs and ladders: Exercise caution when using ladders. Do not use the top two steps. Have a partner hold and steady the ladder. Only one person at a time on a ladder. Watch for temporary overhead power lines. When working on the roof move slowly and carefully. Use a toe board when necessary. Be careful with tools and other objects so they don’t fall off. Falling is a major cause of injury on the work site. Lifting and carrying: When lifting, stand close to the load, bend your knees, grasp firmly and then lift by straightening your legs. Keep your body vertical. Get help with heavy or long loads. Don’t lift beyond your strength. Select the correct tool for your work: Carry only those that you need. Think and concentrate on your task: If you are uncertain about how to do a task, or how to use a tool, ask your House Leader. First aid: First aid kits will be located on the work site at strategic locations. Know where the first aid kit for your house team is located. Tell your House Leader immediately in the event of an injury. Also, know the location of the nearest hospital or medical center. Speak up if something looks unsafe: So it can be immediately corrected. Further construction safety tips and instructions: Will be given by House Leader as they apply to specific tasks. Review these notes before coming to the work site. If you are unsure about something, ASK! Exercise caution and common sense. Please keep safety in mind and we will all have a smooth and rewarding week of building and completing the product of your week’s work: a new Habitat home for a Thai family. Drink enough water to avoid dehydration: Also take a rest before you become overtired. Sleep well to give your body and mind “energy” to work!!! What to bring · Extra t-shirts, hand towel · A small bag for personal effects · Two pairs of gloves. · Bring construction tools to use and donate. (aluminum pails, trowel, paint brush, hammer, tape measure) Anything you bring will save costs and ultimately help needy families. At the site, please take note… · Arrive promptly. Orientation will be given at the site and will start at 08.30 a.m. Work starts at 09.00 a.m. and ends at 04.30 p.m. (work time can be changed) · Make sure to stretch and limber up before and after work. · We encourage volunteers as much as possible to have lunch together. · Wear sturdy shoes with closed toes. We do not recommend sandals or open-toed shoes because of the danger of dropping heavy things on feet. · Wear loose and comfortable clothing: t-shirts or long-sleeved shirts (for protection against insects and sunburn) and long, durable pants. Shorts are permitted but not recommended. Abrasions, cuts and scratches are most common injuries at a build. · Wear a cap or hat. · Bring a pair of good work gloves to save your hands from blisters. · Sun block is advised for those with sensitive skin. ------------------------------------------- Should We Be Concerned About Recent Demonstrations In Bangkok? As some of you already know, there were large political demonstrations in Bangkok over the weekend. The coordinators of Habitat Thailand were in contact with us before the protests, and they felt at the time that the demonstrations were not a threat to our trip. They will continue to monitor the situation. As a matter of official policy, Habitat is unlikely to let us go on our trip if the U.S. State Department issues a travel warning advises Americans not to travel to Thailand. It is very unlikely this would happen -- but all we can do at this point is keep our fingers crossed that demonstrations continue to be peaceful or that they cease completely. You can check travel alerts here (none for Thailand right now): http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1766.html You can read Thailand's State Department page here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1040.html -------------------------------- What Should We Say At Customs? For the purposes of customs, you are considered a tourist but you should feel free to accurately indicate the purpose of and length of your stay. --------------------------------- How Much Money Should I Bring / Carry Around? This is a tough one. If you're planning on a tight budget for the trip (particularly if you're not drinking alcohol) -- then you really shouldn't need that much money once you're inside the "Habitat window" (April 3 -17). I would think that people could easily get away with average spending $5 per day during that time (expecting that several of the days, particularly the building days, you will spend nothing out of pocket), although if you have a few drinks at dinner and buy a lot of souvenirs it could certainly be more than that. ATMs will be available in Bangkok as well as Udon Thani, although frequent use will become expensive with various fees/charges. You will be able to use major credit cards in both cities as well. If you want to bring cash to exchange at the airport that is fine as well, but be careful carrying around a lot of cash (take precautions -- split the amount into several places, use a money belt, carry cash/cards in a front pocket, etc). ------------------------------- OK, I think that's all for now. Let us know what other questions you have. |
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