People of Peru Project - Trip planning information

A list of suggested items and packing ideas:

MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE A VALID PASSPORT. A copy of this document is not sufficient. Check the expiration date. There should be at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip before it expires. Some countries will not allow entrance unless there is a 6 month buffer. Leave one copy at home. Forward another copy to me along with your other paper work.

AIRPORT FEES. Each airport charges an exit fee when leaving to go to any other destination. The fee is minimal when leaving Lima to go to Iquitos and vise versa but they charge approximately 25.00 to leave Lima on the way back to the United States. The total for your fees will be around $36.00 per person. Please keep that in mind when planning your budget.
IMMUNIZATIONS. Check with your doctor or go to your local health department to get these shots. For the trip to Peru, you will need:
1. Hepatitis A & B
2. Yellow fever
3. Tetanus (required to be current) Childhood immunizations should be up-to-date.
4. A preventative measure against Malaria -- Doxycycline (recommended). This is a protection from malaria and helps to bolster your immune system against the typical digestive disorders that can affect you while traveling.
Complete and return the enclosed Health History Form/Consent to Treat & Travel.
Please don't wait until the last minute to do this -- if you do, it will be a headache for all of us.
Your parent's signature must be notarized if you are under 18.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance would be a good thing to invest in. Although we do not provide insurance through our organization, we can give suggestions on where you might look if you do not currently have travel insurance. Check to make sure that it covers the following: medical, hospitalization, evacuation, lost luggage, lost passport & trip cancellation, etc. Travel insurance usually does not cover any preexisting health conditions.
CLOTHING:
Jeans, light weight pants or shorts and t-shirts/tank tops are appropriate for the work day. A light water resistant windbreaker is good for a rainy evening. If you are going to Cuzco you will definitely need warm clothes.
Church: The Christian community is very conservative in their worship dress. For the ladies, skirts and blouses are appropriate for worship services. Guys should bring long slacks and a short sleeve dress shirt. The boys and men consider it a privilege to wear a tie to church. You can wear one while you're there and then give it as a gift to a new friend when you leave.
There are churches in Iquitos of every mainstream denomination and we will arrange the schedule so that your group can have a meaningful worship experience with a Peruvian flavor.
Suggestion: Buy some clothing at the Goodwill and leave it with the people in Peru or use it to trade for souvenirs. They'll be thrilled and you will have more room in your suitcase for your souvenirs. If you bring clothes or shoes specifically to give away that are not the ones you are wearing, please bring smaller sizes. These are small people. Most shoes for example, need to be smaller than a size seven women's or size 10 and smaller for a man. They can not use winter clothes, large sizes or shoes the size of gunboats. ;-)
When you see how the average person in Iquitos dresses and how many days in a row they wear the same clothing, you will understand why it is not necessary to have a different outfit every day. We will have more earthly possessions in our suitcases then most of these people own. We want to be neat, clean and modest as we work with the People of Peru.
Leave Jewelry at home: This is an item that is seen as an extravagance and draws attention to the difference in our financial situation, and the people we are there to serve. No dangling ear rings, studs are fine. No facial piercing of any kind. ( Don't miss an opportunity to serve because an extra hole in your face is more important. Sometimes sacrifice is necessary in order to serve.) Piercing is viewed as extreme in the Peruvian culture. While People of Peru Project is not passing judgment on you, we have the right to be viewed as non-extreme. These are the rules for our staff and long term volunteers and they apply to the short term volunteers as well.
Inexpensive sunglasses, bandannas, T-shirts, watches, etc., make great gifts or can be used for trade.
Swimming suit (large enough to cover all strategic areas)
COMFORTABLE SHOES (forget fashion), running shoes or light weight hiking shoes and sandals, or shower thongs. Keens or Teva's are great. The models that provide comfort, fresh air and protected toes are perfect.
LAUNDRY: There are cheap and easy laundry services available. (you pay) or you could wash by hand like my daughters Martha and Candy, and half a million other people in Iquitos.
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS:
Contact wearers: Along with your contacts bring a pair of glasses, if possible. There is a log of dust on the roads. Toiletries (brush, comb, shampoo, soap, toothbrush & paste, deodorant, etc.) Towel & washcloth.
Adequate supply of personal medications. Waterless hand cleaner (a must)
One roll of toilet tissue, insect repellent, sunblock
Don't Panic..if you forget any of the above except contacts hand sanitizer and special medication we can buy any or all of this stuff in town.
Spending money: (click this link for complete money information)
OTHER ITEMS:
Sleeping pad (foam or the small self-inflatable type) and light weight blanket. This will make your night in the airport much more tolerable. At the headquarters there are beds, mattresses and sheets. In the jungle you will need the sleeping pad so there are two times you will be glad you have it. Most outdoor stores carry the fleece sleeping bag liners (around $12). This is all you will ever need for warmth and most of the time not even that. If you have a small travel pillow, you may want to bring it.
Snacks: Trail mix and dried fruit for traveling (pack it in your carry-on. The children love granola bars. There are days when the meals get spread out a bit, so a take along snack is never a bad idea. You can buy many different types of snack food in Iquitos...chips, cookies, crackers etc..don't worry!
Camera and film or digital memory cards:
Electric converter for recharging batteries: camera, hair appliances, etc. Peru is on a 220 voltage electrical current. Many electrical items have 110 volt and 220 volt capabilities, check them out or ask someone that knows. This will save you from buying a converter. ( Both of my camera chargers are dual current and plug directly into the outlet in Peru). We have plenty of converters, if you just need to recharge your camera. You can download pictures and have them burned on a CD in Iquitos. Don't forget your cord for your camera if you want to do this.
A journal to record your adventures and a picture of your family to show your new friends. (Be careful that your picture shows only your family and not a background of opulence or wealth.)
Depending on the nature of the trip and what materials or supplies are needed for our activities, there may be items supplied by People of Peru Project, that each group member will need to pack in their extra suitcase. A box or trunk may be assigned to you, as we are allowed to take two checked bags each. Your group leader will distribute these supplies to you, well in advance of the trip so that you can incorporate them into your packing strategy. I suggest that you pack your camera, medications, glasses or contacts and other items that cannot be replaced, in your carry-on bag.
Good luck with the packing
A couple things not to bring: Please do not bring mp3 players or other gaming or video devices for use while you are here. This is a major distraction to our volunteer groups and even more-so to the kids in Peru. We are here TO INTERACT not to isolate ourselves between headphones or flaunt expensive devices to a population that cannot afford basic necessities. If you use these items to pass the time during travel, that is fine but when you arrive these items need to be out of sight and out of use.
We are an Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug free organization. As in any culture, there are individuals in Peru who have turned to substance abuse as an escape from the realities of life, and the responsibilities of their families, and in no way do we want to confuse or dilute our position on this topic. People of Peru Project is a high profile organization in the city of Iquitos. The local people know who we are and who our volunteers are. As a host organization, we reserve the right to keep the theme of our health and social services message consistent. Thank you for your cooperation.


Main Menu Home Donate Now Latest News WHO IS HERE NOW Trip Planning Trip Dates Needs Previous Groups Volunteer Blog One Sole/Soul a Day Animals Videos Map Iquitos, Peru Stories Special Thanks Contact Us About Us Meet the Staff	A list of suggested items and packing ideas: MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE A VALID PASSPORT. A copy of this document is not sufficient. Check the expiration date. There should be at least 6 months beyond the end of the trip before it expires. Some countries will not allow entrance unless there is a 6 month buffer. Leave one copy at home. Forward another copy to me along with your other paper work. AIRPORT FEES. Each airport charges an exit fee when leaving to go to any other destination. The fee is minimal when leaving Lima to go to Iquitos and vise versa but they charge approximately 25.00 to leave Lima on the way back to the United States. The total for your fees will be around $36.00 per person. Please keep that in mind when planning your budget. IMMUNIZATIONS. Check with your doctor or go to your local health department to get these shots. For the trip to Peru, you will need: 1. Hepatitis A & B 2. Yellow fever 3. Tetanus (required to be current) Childhood immunizations should be up-to-date. 4. A preventative measure against Malaria -- Doxycycline (recommended). This is a protection from malaria and helps to bolster your immune system against the typical digestive disorders that can affect you while traveling. Complete and return the enclosed Health History Form/Consent to Treat & Travel. Please don't wait until the last minute to do this -- if you do, it will be a headache for all of us. Your parent's signature must be notarized if you are under 18. TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel insurance would be a good thing to invest in. Although we do not provide insurance through our organization, we can give suggestions on where you might look if you do not currently have travel insurance. Check to make sure that it covers the following: medical, hospitalization, evacuation, lost luggage, lost passport & trip cancellation, etc. Travel insurance usually does not cover any preexisting health conditions. CLOTHING: Jeans, light weight pants or shorts and t-shirts/tank tops are appropriate for the work day. A light water resistant windbreaker is good for a rainy evening. If you are going to Cuzco you will definitely need warm clothes. Church: The Christian community is very conservative in their worship dress. For the ladies, skirts and blouses are appropriate for worship services. Guys should bring long slacks and a short sleeve dress shirt. The boys and men consider it a privilege to wear a tie to church. You can wear one while you're there and then give it as a gift to a new friend when you leave. There are churches in Iquitos of every mainstream denomination and we will arrange the schedule so that your group can have a meaningful worship experience with a Peruvian flavor. Suggestion: Buy some clothing at the Goodwill and leave it with the people in Peru or use it to trade for souvenirs. They'll be thrilled and you will have more room in your suitcase for your souvenirs. If you bring clothes or shoes specifically to give away that are not the ones you are wearing, please bring smaller sizes. These are small people. Most shoes for example, need to be smaller than a size seven women's or size 10 and smaller for a man. They can not use winter clothes, large sizes or shoes the size of gunboats. ;-) When you see how the average person in Iquitos dresses and how many days in a row they wear the same clothing, you will understand why it is not necessary to have a different outfit every day. We will have more earthly possessions in our suitcases then most of these people own. We want to be neat, clean and modest as we work with the People of Peru. Leave Jewelry at home: This is an item that is seen as an extravagance and draws attention to the difference in our financial situation, and the people we are there to serve. No dangling ear rings, studs are fine. No facial piercing of any kind. ( Don't miss an opportunity to serve because an extra hole in your face is more important. Sometimes sacrifice is necessary in order to serve.) Piercing is viewed as extreme in the Peruvian culture. While People of Peru Project is not passing judgment on you, we have the right to be viewed as non-extreme. These are the rules for our staff and long term volunteers and they apply to the short term volunteers as well. Inexpensive sunglasses, bandannas, T-shirts, watches, etc., make great gifts or can be used for trade. Swimming suit (large enough to cover all strategic areas) COMFORTABLE SHOES (forget fashion), running shoes or light weight hiking shoes and sandals, or shower thongs. Keens or Teva's are great. The models that provide comfort, fresh air and protected toes are perfect. LAUNDRY: There are cheap and easy laundry services available. (you pay) or you could wash by hand like my daughters Martha and Candy, and half a million other people in Iquitos. PERSONAL CARE ITEMS: Contact wearers: Along with your contacts bring a pair of glasses, if possible. There is a log of dust on the roads. Toiletries (brush, comb, shampoo, soap, toothbrush & paste, deodorant, etc.) Towel & washcloth. Adequate supply of personal medications. Waterless hand cleaner (a must) One roll of toilet tissue, insect repellent, sunblock Don't Panic..if you forget any of the above except contacts hand sanitizer and special medication we can buy any or all of this stuff in town. Spending money: (click this link for complete money information) OTHER ITEMS: Sleeping pad (foam or the small self-inflatable type) and light weight blanket. This will make your night in the airport much more tolerable. At the headquarters there are beds, mattresses and sheets. In the jungle you will need the sleeping pad so there are two times you will be glad you have it. Most outdoor stores carry the fleece sleeping bag liners (around $12). This is all you will ever need for warmth and most of the time not even that. If you have a small travel pillow, you may want to bring it. Snacks: Trail mix and dried fruit for traveling (pack it in your carry-on. The children love granola bars. There are days when the meals get spread out a bit, so a take along snack is never a bad idea. You can buy many different types of snack food in Iquitos...chips, cookies, crackers etc..don't worry! Camera and film or digital memory cards: Electric converter for recharging batteries: camera, hair appliances, etc. Peru is on a 220 voltage electrical current. Many electrical items have 110 volt and 220 volt capabilities, check them out or ask someone that knows. This will save you from buying a converter. ( Both of my camera chargers are dual current and plug directly into the outlet in Peru). We have plenty of converters, if you just need to recharge your camera. You can download pictures and have them burned on a CD in Iquitos. Don't forget your cord for your camera if you want to do this. A journal to record your adventures and a picture of your family to show your new friends. (Be careful that your picture shows only your family and not a background of opulence or wealth.) Depending on the nature of the trip and what materials or supplies are needed for our activities, there may be items supplied by People of Peru Project, that each group member will need to pack in their extra suitcase. A box or trunk may be assigned to you, as we are allowed to take two checked bags each. Your group leader will distribute these supplies to you, well in advance of the trip so that you can incorporate them into your packing strategy. I suggest that you pack your camera, medications, glasses or contacts and other items that cannot be replaced, in your carry-on bag. Good luck with the packing A couple things not to bring: Please do not bring mp3 players or other gaming or video devices for use while you are here. This is a major distraction to our volunteer groups and even more-so to the kids in Peru. We are here TO INTERACT not to isolate ourselves between headphones or flaunt expensive devices to a population that cannot afford basic necessities. If you use these items to pass the time during travel, that is fine but when you arrive these items need to be out of sight and out of use. We are an Alcohol, Tobacco and Drug free organization. As in any culture, there are individuals in Peru who have turned to substance abuse as an escape from the realities of life, and the responsibilities of their families, and in no way do we want to confuse or dilute our position on this topic. People of Peru Project is a high profile organization in the city of Iquitos. The local people know who we are and who our volunteers are. As a host organization, we reserve the right to keep the theme of our health and social services message consistent. Thank you for your cooperation.
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