Mission Teams to Sierra Leone - Why We Travel
Each year, Helping Children Worldwide sends mission teams from the US to support the hardworking and dedicated staff of the Child Reintegration Centre and Mercy Hospital in Bo, Sierra Leone. A mission trip is a wonderful opportunity to serve alongside the people who help vulnerable children and families, and is an opportunity to learn how you can advance God’s kingdom in Sierra Leone while you are there and when you return. Before you apply, take a look at these reasons to evaluate why you want to go.
Requirements
Team members must be 18 years or older at time of travel, and must have a valid passport. Team Members are required to attend at least 3 United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team training sessions prior to departure. Additionally, each team member must raise a minimum of $3500* in order to go; all donations to HCW are tax deductible. Fundraising deadlines will be determined at the first team training session. If deadlines and requirements are not met, you may transfer your application to another trip.
*$3500 is the amount for travelers originating from Dulles Airport in Virginia. If you are traveling from outside the DC area, you need to factor in the cost of travel to Dulles where the team will meet for departure for Sierra Leone.
*$3500 is the amount for travelers originating from Dulles Airport in Virginia. If you are traveling from outside the DC area, you need to factor in the cost of travel to Dulles where the team will meet for departure for Sierra Leone.
DEPLOYING TEAMS TO TRAVEL TO SIERRA LEONE ON MISSION IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS THAT HELPING CHILDREN WORLDWIDE MEETS ITS MISSION TO STRENGTHEN AND EMPOWER FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. WE TAKE THE WORK OF MISSION TEAM MEMBERS SERIOUSLY, AND INSIST ON ADEQUATE PREPARATION AND DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT TO MAKE YOUR MISSION TRANSFORMATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL AND WORTHWHILE.
The deadline to sign up for a mission trip is generally four to five months before departure. This lead time allows time for you to attend United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team training, raise funds for your trip, and complete necessary preparations. Trainings are conducted via Zoom and recorded for those who may have internet issues, live attendance is encouraged, in order to have all your questions answered. If you are unable to attend a live session, you will be required to watch the video and answer questions to confirm your understanding of the information. Teams are prepared and managed by team leaders, mission staff and directly accountable to HCW mission leadership. The total estimated training time for each trip is between 4 and 10 hours, depending on your experience level, plus an additional 1 to 4 hours for your workgroup discussions or workgroup preparations.
The deadline to sign up for a mission trip is generally four to five months before departure. This lead time allows time for you to attend United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team training, raise funds for your trip, and complete necessary preparations. Trainings are conducted via Zoom and recorded for those who may have internet issues, live attendance is encouraged, in order to have all your questions answered. If you are unable to attend a live session, you will be required to watch the video and answer questions to confirm your understanding of the information. Teams are prepared and managed by team leaders, mission staff and directly accountable to HCW mission leadership. The total estimated training time for each trip is between 4 and 10 hours, depending on your experience level, plus an additional 1 to 4 hours for your workgroup discussions or workgroup preparations.
Deadlines and Dates*
*dates might shift slightly due to flight availability and project activities
Application Process
Step 1. To obtain information about potential travel to Sierra Leone for HCW, email mission@helpingchildrenworldwide.org or register to attend one of the interest meetings.
Step 2. Submit an Application on our online Mission Team platform, Managed Missions. Both returning and new missioners should create an account and submit an application.
PLEASE NOTE: All the information, including tasks, due dates, and team meetings will be reported on Managed Missions, so please make sure your account is verified and up to date. All of your documents will be stored securely on that site and this will make your mission trip preparation easier.
You must finalize your application process, with all the necessary documentation, and attend and complete no less than 80% of all mission training via Zoom, and meet all fundraising requirements to support the mission team activity in order to qualify to travel.
Step 2. Submit an Application on our online Mission Team platform, Managed Missions. Both returning and new missioners should create an account and submit an application.
PLEASE NOTE: All the information, including tasks, due dates, and team meetings will be reported on Managed Missions, so please make sure your account is verified and up to date. All of your documents will be stored securely on that site and this will make your mission trip preparation easier.
You must finalize your application process, with all the necessary documentation, and attend and complete no less than 80% of all mission training via Zoom, and meet all fundraising requirements to support the mission team activity in order to qualify to travel.
Mission Team Application
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Managed Missions Registration is required to complete the application process. After you have created a Managed Missions account and profile, and we will connect you to the correct team to finish the application process.
Applying for a Team using Managed Missions:
1. Click the link above to go to Managed Missions
2. Select "I don't have a Managed Mission Login"
3. Enter your email address and click "Send Email"
4. Check your email and click the link that says "Set my Password" to create an account and password
5. On the Managed Missions website, create a password.
6. Fill in your information on the application.
Once your application has been submitted, you will be contacted regarding next steps. If you have any questions or issues with completing your application, please email mission@helpingchildrenworldwide.org
2. Select "I don't have a Managed Mission Login"
3. Enter your email address and click "Send Email"
4. Check your email and click the link that says "Set my Password" to create an account and password
5. On the Managed Missions website, create a password.
6. Fill in your information on the application.
Once your application has been submitted, you will be contacted regarding next steps. If you have any questions or issues with completing your application, please email mission@helpingchildrenworldwide.org
Virtual Mission
HCW is looking at alternate ways that people can stay connected to the staff at the CRC and Mercy Hospital. If you are interested in learning more about virtual mission opportunities, please contact Yasmine Vaughan at mission@helpingchildrenworldwide.org.
Interested in serving but unable to travel? Consider joining a virtual mission team to support the work on the ground before, during and after a team travels to Bo! Opportunities include the case manager & social work workgroup (supporting both Mercy and the CRC), the medical systems improvement team, the data analysis workgroup, and the leadership strengthening and empowerment workgroup, or subgroups on financial systems, inventory systems, IT systems, infrastructure (facilities, utilities, local and international transport).Please email Yasmine Vaughan at Mission@helpingchildrenworldwide.org to learn more about these opportunities.
DONATE TO SUPPORT A MISSION TEAM:
If you are donating to a trip:
- Click on the team they are participating in above
- Scroll until you find their name, then click on their name.
- Enter the amount you would like to donate and click NEXT
- Fill in your contact information and click NEXT
- Click NEXT and fill in your payment information
- You will receive a tax receipt in your email shortly after payment
