TWI for the Children
TRIP SUGGESTIONS  

"Preparing for YOUR Trip to the Balkans"

 

 

 Luggage

 

 

  • You are allowed one carry-on and two pieces of luggage to be checked.

  • TWI requires each volunteer to take 2 pieces of luggage containing  equipment to take to Bosnia. These bags will be checked. If the 2 bags cannot be taken, the volunteer will be asked to pay $200.00 to cover the cost of shipping the bags.

 

  • Each team member takes a small bag to carry their clothes and personal items for the entire trip. This bag will be taken on the aircraft with you. 

 

 

  • The carry-on bag must measure: 22 inches; width - 16 inches; height - 8 inches.  It can weigh no more than 18 pounds. You are also allowed a purse or briefcase that can fit in the overhead or under the seat.

 

  • Checked luggage must weigh less than 50 pounds.

Money

 

 

 

 

Bosnia is primarily a 'cash only' country.  There are  ATM machines and credit cards are used, but not like in other countries.  You purchase your local currency in Sarajevo when you arrive.

 

You can purchase things in Bosnia using Euro's, but will receive your change in KM.

 

In Croatia you can use credit cards and Euro's. The currency in Croatia is the Kuna.

 

In Montenegro and Kosovo, use Euro's.

 

In Serbia, use Dinar or Euro's.

 

You will need:

  • Cash for souvenirs.
  • Cash for meals (TWI does not pay for meals away from orphanages)
    • $25 will buy a good meal. Your breakfast is usually bread, jam and coffee. Lunch is a sandwich or pizza or fruit.

 

Currency in Bosnia is the K - Mark (KM).  It is used only in Bosnia and should be exchanged when you leave that country. 

 

 

We advise exchanging dollars for Euro's at your departure airport. 

 

Exchange dollars for KM in Bosnia at a bank.

 

Exchange Dollars or Euro's for Kuna in Croatia.

 

 

 

 

Personal Items

 

 

 

Consider Taking

  • Wash Cloth and Towel (light-weight)
  • Safety wallet
  • Flashlight
  • Camera and extra film
  • Alarm clock
  • Watch
  • Personal Items: deodorant, bar soap, shampoo, hand towel, aspirin, medicine, sun-screen, Pepto-Bismol, band aids, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, toilet paper, razor, shaving cream, sewing kit, feminine products, tissues.
  • Liquid soap to wash clothes
  • Bottled water.
  • Fold-up shopping bag for extra stuff.
  • Address book.
  • Cassette/CD player (battery or converter)
  • Travel log.
  • Reading material

 

 

  • If you forget anything, you can purchase most of these products in any of the Balkan countries to be visited.

 

  • Bottled water can be purchased in the Balkans.

 

 

 

Clothing

 

 

 

For Orphanage Project

  • Dress, Skirt or Slacks (no Jeans)
  • T-shirts
  • Shoes: tennis shoes and socks (rubber sole required for gym floors)
  • Sun Glasses
  • Sun hat

For Camps 4Kids Project:

  • Medium length Shorts or Jeans
  • T-shirts
  • Shoes: tennis shoes and socks (rubber sole required for gym floors)
  • Sun Glasses
  • Sun hat

Non-Work Time

Girls:

  • Skirt and blouse
  • Dress
  • Slacks (not jeans for walking in town)
  • Walking shoes
  • Light-weight sweater for evenings

Men:

  • Slacks
  • Shirt
  • Walking shoes
  • Bathing suit
  • Sweater or jacket

 

 

Bosnia and Kosovo are predominately  Muslim countries and therefore as guests, we  must dress appropriately.  Girls must be careful not to offend our hosts with revealing T-shirts, 'short'-shorts, etc.  We want to blend into the community.

 

 

 

Food Items

 

 

 

If you  like to snack,  you can buy most things to snack-on in the  towns, but you may want to have on-hand:

 

  • Bottled water (most bottled water is "with gas" but you can buy natural water.
  • Pouch drinks like "Capri Sun".
  • Crackers, candy, gum, etc.
  • Cokes can be purchased everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

Gifts

 

It is nice to give a small gift to the local people with whom you work and live.  Take lotion, hankies, etc. to be left with these people.  

A tip for the TWI driver is always appreciated.

 

 

Telephone

 

 

 

 

Please do not call home from the apartments with whom you stay or from the orphanages.  The family and the orphanage must pay for the call and it is quite expensive for them.

 

Call your family from the post office in the town or purchase a phone card from local hotels or the Holiday Inn in Sarajevo. 

 

Emergency:

Your trip coordinator will provide you with a contact telephone  number for your family.  If they call this number, ask them to  speak slowly and say distinctly who they are and whom they wish to contact.  They should also state the nature of the emergency.

 

Remember that the time difference on the East Coast is 6- hours earlier than in the Balkans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Preparation for the Trip

 

 

 

 

Exercise:

  • Begin to exercise as soon as possible. You will be  doing a lot of physical activity.  Prepare as soon as possible by walking, and taking additional exercise.

 

Passport:

  • Check your passport to ensure that it is current and has at least 6-months remaining when you are scheduled to return.

  • You can apply for a passport at the U. S. Passport Agency, or at the Post Office. Your Post Office carries the necessary forms.  If you need a passport within a week, you must contact the Passport Agency in Washington, DC (800-688-9889)

Click Here for additional tips on applying for and caring for your passport while on the trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insurance

 

 

We advise that all travelers purchase travel-related insurance that will cover medical cost or need for medical evacuation.  Your team leader will advise you on how to obtain this travel insurance. 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE!

TWI does not pay for medical emergencies or evacuation to the United States.

 

 

Immunization

 

 

 

Visit your health care professional  prior to your departure. Ask your doctor what immunizations are required for your trip and be sure to inform your health provider of the type community with whom you will be working (children from small villages and questionable water supplies.)

 

Get your booster shots!

 

Check and update immunizations for:

  • Measles,
  • mumps,
  • rubella,
  • varicella,
  • meningococcal,
  • polio,
  • DPT
  • Tetanus
  • Diphtheria
  • Pneumococcal hepatitis B and hepatitis A

 

Staying healthy in-country

 

 

 

 

Keep your hands as clean as possible. 

  • Wash hands often and with the cleanest water available. Always before meals and after using the restroom.  Use wet wipes or a sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
  • Keep hands away from your eyes, mouth, nose and ears.
  • When buying sodas, wipe off the top before drinking.
  • It is helpful to take one Pepto Bismol tablet before meals

 

Drink Bottled Water.

·       Although the water in the Balkans is stated to be safe to drink, we advise to always drink bottled water!

 

Don't eat food from street vendors. This includes ice cream vendors.

 

 

Watch the Food you Eat.

·       Safe foods are things that are steaming hot, dry foods such as bread; high acid foods -citrus; and high sugar preparations like jelly and syrups.

·       Bottled, commercially prepared beverages such as soft drinks and beer, bottled carbonated water, hot drinks are generally safe.

·       Be careful of food at room temperature or moist.  This includes cooked foods that have been allowed to cool, leafy green vegetables and fruits that cannot be peeled.  Avoid spicy sauces left on the table.

 

Dehydration:

  • You will be working in a very hot environment.  To avoid dehydration, you must drink plenty of water and liquids.  You must drink at least a bottle of water each morning and a bottle each afternoon.  

 

 

  • Drink lots of water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Updated: 05/19/10