Project Objectives

Iglesia Evangelica Asuncion is dedicated to building a new building. They have already created plans for what they hope will eventually be a four-story building that includes a parking lot, sanctuary, classrooms, and an office and living space for the pastor. Their first step is to build new concrete walls up around the outside of their current building. Once this is complete, they will deconstruct the tin structure and add a more permanent roof. This will then be used as the sanctuary until they are able to raise funds for a second story. When the second story is complete, they will be able to use the bottom floor for parking and the top floor as the sanctuary. Eventually they would then add the top two floors. The building of the mains walls for the first floor will cost $55,000 but the church has already raised enough money to buy supplies for the footings. Teams from Cochrane would be able to continue staying at Pastor Victor's house while working on projects with Iglesia Evangelica Asuncion alongside brothers and sisters from Jesus Viene. 

Trip Dates

The trip is scheduled for approx. 10 days between February 12-26, 2025.

Travel and Project Itinerary

The project-specific activities and travel itinerary will be finalized later once the team members are confirmed.

Food and Lodging

The team will be staying at Pastor Victor’s house. Pastor Victor’s wife will be doing the cooking along with a couple of women from the church. Meals will be a mix of Guatemalan food and North American food (or their take on North American food).

Weather

Guatemala’s climate varies according to altitude. The coastal regions and the northeast are hot throughout the year. San Raymundo has an average temperature of 18°C sometimes rising to 27°C during the heat of the day. Generally, nights are clear all year round. November to May is dry season in Guatemala.

Financial Information

The trip cost is approximately $2000-2300. This is subject to final bookings.

In the event of a trip cancellation (by an individual), HFL asks the individual to donate an amount equal to the costs incurred to HFL on behalf of the individual cancelling. Due to charity tax law, HFL is unable to reimburse back funds that have been donated. 

The cost includes

• Flights
• Airport fees
• Food, lodging and transportation within the country
• Insurance

The cost does not include

• Souvenirs
• Meals while traveling outside the country
• Immunizations (approx. $100 - $200) - see below

Note: All project related expenses in country are not included in your trip cost but are raised independently by the church/group.

Application Deadline

Please have your application submitted by October 9, 2024.

A single, color image of page 2/3 of your valid passport will be required for the application. A passport is considered valid if the expiry date is later than 6 months after your return date to Canada. If your passport is valid, please send a copy promptly and if not, please begin the renewal process immediately. 

Health 

HFL requires that all travelers visit either their personal physician or a travel health clinic 4-8 weeks before departure. We strongly recommend you receive the following immunizations:

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
• Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (e.g. health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 who did not receive the series as infants.
• Tetanus, often associated with rust, especially rusty nails, but this is somewhat misleading. C. tetani is an anaerobic bacterium; it will thrive in an environment that lacks oxygen. Rust itself does not cause tetanus or contain more C. tetani bacteria. Objects that accumulate rust are often found in the outdoors or places that contain more bacteria, any bacteria-infected object can transmit tetanus.

We also recommend taking antimalarial medications when travelling to a country where Malaria is prevalent.

Most travelers have experiences with traveller’s diarrhea. There are many different kinds of microbes which can cause diarrhea that can be picked up in developing countries. The source is contaminated food and water. The best way to prevent travelers’ diarrhea is to continually wash your hands. There is a medication that combats traveler’s diarrhea, called Dukoral. Please talk to your doctor about how this could apply to you.

Immunization costs will vary depending on where you have them done and how many you need. Hepatitis A costs approximately $65, Hepatitis B costs approximately $42, Typhoid costs approximately $45, and Malaria pills are about $5/day.