Relationship is at the core of who we are at Rehema Home. By being part of this trip, all that we do will be an expression of relationship. Be ready to become part of the Rehema Home family!
What will I do?
In February 2025 we will be travelling to both of our homes in Kenya. Relationship truly is at the heart of why we are going. There are many ways to express this relationship?
Spending time with the children of Rehema Home will likely be a highlight for both you and them. They love having visitors. We will have to work around the kid’s school schedule, but there will be time to play games, help with crafts or sponsorship projects, and to chat with the older kids.
There are also some maintenance needs at both homes. By taking some tools, expertise and muscles with us, we can help provide some TLC to the property. This may include projects as big as rebuilding a roof or fortifying a wall or as simple as painting a sign or glazing some windows.
We may have a few people with a medical background who could provide basic care for the children and the staff of Rehema Home.
How much does it cost?
The cost of this trip will be between $2,400-$2,600.
Trip Costs Include Roundtrip airfare from JFK Airport in New York City, in-country housing accommodations, in-country transportation, meals (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner) and one tourist excursion. Your costs also include a large percentage to help fund the projects we will be doing.
Trip Costs Do NOT Include Airfare or ground transport to/from your home base to JFK, passport expenses, visa expenses, immunizations, medications, baggage fees*, souvenirs, personal spending money, one nice meal at a restaurant, laundry services, or travel insurance.
*Please note if you’ve been asked to transport baggage from your home to JFK on behalf of Rehema Home those expenses will be covered.
How do I pay for my trip?
Some working professionals prefer to pay for their trip out-of-pocket. However, for those who are choosing to fundraise for their trip, there are many creative ways to do so. Some will speak at their church, others will send out a support letter and others will get creative with events. If you’d like to raise support from individuals, Rehema Home US can set up a personalized donation link that will allow you to raise support and track who has given to you. If there is any shortfall you will be responsible to get that money to Rehema Home US. Please communicate with the US Office as soon as you know what path you will be taking.
Who makes my travel arrangements?
Rehema Home will make all of your travel arrangements beginning at our central meeting hub: John F. Kennedy airport, which includes flights and some in-country transportation. Kenya Airways offers a direct flight from New York to Nairobi. The outgoing flight departs around 1:45pm EST and takes about 13.5 hours before landing in Nairobi. Each person will be required to secure their own transport to JFK and should be in the airport no later than 10:00am on the day of departure. Travel plans to JFK will need to be communicated to the trip leader at least 7 days prior to our departure.
The return flight from Nairobi to JFK will also be scheduled by Rehema Home. The direct return flight departs around 11:30pm local time and lands at JFK around 7am EST the following morning. You will want to schedule any connecting flights for a MINIMUM of 4 hours later. It sometimes takes awhile to get through customs, to collect any luggage and to check luggage for your connecting flight.
Travel insurance is recommended for each person and can be obtained online. It is ideal to protect any nonrefundable tickets and emergency medical costs while in Kenya. Please visit this site for some recommended travel insurance.
What types of documentation will I need?
You will need a valid passport. If you do not have one, cannot find it, or need to renew it, schedule an appointment to get one as soon as possible. Application forms are available online or at the local Post Office. The process can take as long as six weeks. If you already have a passport, make sure that you have at least four blank visa pages and check the expiration date to make sure that it does not expire within six months of the travel date.
The Kenyan government requires that you obtain a Visa to enter the country. You will need to apply for a visa prior to arriving in Kenya. The visa application can be found at the following website: http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html Please note you will need your passport with you for the application process. This can be completed 3 months ahead of time until 1 week ahead of time.
Your visa application may also require a travel invitation letter. This will be provided by Rehema Home US.
Please note that this fee is each individual’s responsibility and is not included in the trip cost. It typically costs around $35.
Where will I stay?
During the time we are staying in Nairobi, we will stay at a nearby guest house. When we travel to Bukura, we will stay at an apartment on site. All accommodations will be clean and comfortable, though different from your expectations of what you’d find in the US.
Access to electricity, running water and internet at both locations is likely, though not guaranteed. Hot water may or may not be available.
What will I eat?
In Nairobi, breakfast and dinner will be served at the guest house. We will have an opportunity to grocery shop, where you can purchase foods you prefer. You'll be expected to pack your own lunch and bring it with you. In Bukura, the kitchen staff will prepare your breakfast and dinner; we will likely prepare our own lunches there as well.
All team members are expected to try new foods. Culturally, it is not acceptable to refuse food when offered. All food will be prepared under hygienic conditions.
Team members should bring water bottles to fill up during their stay, as it is not safe to drink the water from the tap. Safe bottled water will be available to the team for the duration of your stay in Kenya.
How will I communicate with my loved ones?
As mentioned before, you likely will have access to internet while in Kenya. There are times that access might be spotty. You are encouraged to immerse yourself in local culture and customs while in Kenya. You also are encouraged to cut yourself off from the usual distractions (think Netflix and doom-scrolling). However, if you would like to have access to your phone and internet for things like blogging, there are international phone plans that will work in Kenya. You will need to consult your mobile carrier.
What immunizations & medications do I need?
Plan to visit your doctor or local Passport Health office at least six weeks before traveling to inquire about immunizations and medications. Several vaccines do not produce immunity until two weeks after they are given, so it is important not to wait until just before your trip. Your doctor will likely recommend malaria prophylaxis and a typhoid vaccine. If you are asked what areas of Kenya you will be travelling to, you can answer Nairobi and the Kakamega region.
Due to liability reasons, Rehema Home cannot be your immunization recommender. For more specific information on immunizations and medications required and recommended in the country of Kenya, feel free to check out the following resource: www.cdc.gov
What should I wear?
To be respectful of local customs, Rehema Home requires that visitors dress modestly. Women should wear modest dresses, long skirts, pants, or capris. Shorts are acceptable to wear with a minimum of a 7-inch seam. Jeans are acceptable. Tight-fitting tops or bare midriffs are not appropriate.
Temperatures range in the 70s and 80s during the day and are cooler at night, dipping to around 60. There is a short rainy season from November to December, and a longer one usually from March to May, though February is typically dry. As such, when the temperature drops in the evenings, you may want a jacket or sweatshirt.
Graphic shirts or hoodies are acceptable as long as there are no vulgur words or offensive images.
How much money should I bring & how do I exchange it?
Please bring enough cash to cover eating out, excursions, any other additional costs discussed, and money for souvenirs. The best way to exchange money is by bringing US dollars. Please make sure the bills are not torn or marked and printed in 2006 or later. Torn, marked, or old bills will not be accepted by the banks. Larger denomination bills will have a better exchange rate. Do not bring traveler’s checks.
If you are planning to use a credit or debit card while traveling, contact your bank prior to departure to let them know which countries your card will be used in. Visa is accepted at more locations than Mastercard; credit card fees may likely apply.
Contact your bank and ask if they offer foreign currency exchange. If not, you will have the opportunity to exchange money when you arrive in Kenya. Before departure, money can be exchanged back into US dollars, however, you will lose value in the exchange, so don’t exchange more than you will need.
What should I bring?
Label all bags on the outside with your name, address, and phone number.
Pack your carry-on bag with necessities, including a change of clothes and medications, in case luggage is delayed. Many prefer to carry all of their items in a carry-on.
Passport
Copy of passport (it is recommended to keep this in a separate location from the original in case of theft)
Pack modest, comfortable clothing for the duration of your stay. Laundry available at both locations for a small additional cost.
Light jacket or windbreaker
Comfortable shoes for walking
Flip-flops for the shower
Reusable water bottle (Nalgene or similar)
Towels and washcloths
Bed sheets
Personal care items (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)
Personal spending money
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Prescription medications
Hat/sunglasses
Snacks
Camera
Flashlight
Plastic bags for dirty clothes
A voltage converter, or devices that are adapted for international use (Kenya uses 220-volt electric current, not 110-volts like North America. A voltage converter allows you to use your electronics that run on 110-volts without ruining them. Some items, particularly devices like tablets and phones can be plugged into either 110V or 220V so you will need to read the fine print on your electronic items to be sure.)