1. How to Access My Account
2. Financial and Money Details
3. Trip Logistics
4. Travel
Accessing Your Online Account:
- Click on "Account Log-in" in top right corner
- Enter you Username and Password
- You can check the status of your account funds as well as complete your Heart for Africa online profile and fund raising page.
When Donating Funds on behalf of a trip participant:
From the Donate tab:
- Click on "Donations" at the top of the page
- Click on "Trip Donations"
- Fill in the Participant number belonging to the person whom you are making the donation on behalf of
- Click "Submit Trip Payment" at bottom when finished
- All tax receipt letters are mailed in January (just prior to tax time) for the previous year’s donations
From the Fund Raising Page:
- If you or someone you know has a personal fund raising page, simply access the unique URL for that page and click the donation button on the page to complete the online donation.
How much money do I need to raise?
The cost varies depending on city of departure and service projects during trip. Please refer to the specific trip descriptions or the financial policy page on the website for more information.
How do I raise the funds?
There are may unique ways to raise funds for your trip. Mailing support letters, selling HOW? Jewelry (www.howjewelry.com), garage sales, hosting dinner parties, etc. Our staff is here to help guide you with advice and best practices of others. A sample fundraising letter and other great fundraising ideas can be found on the Fundraising page. Please feel free to use this as a guide in writing your letter to family and friends.
Where should the donations be sent and to whom should checks be made out?
Your supporters can donate funds for your trip three ways:
- Telephone: They may call Heart for Africa Customer Service at (800) 901-7585 to complete a credit card donation.
- Mail: They may mail checks made out to Heart for Africa to the address below. They should include your participant number on the check to ensure it is applied to your account. Heart for Africa P.O. Box 573 Alpharetta, GA 30009
- Online: They may make a donation using most major credit cards at the Heart for Africa Trip Donations page on our website at www.heartforafrica.org.
If I can't go, can I (and my supporters) get a refund?
Heart for Africa is a 501(c)3 charity and because of this, we cannot refund donations. Please keep in mind that the funds you raise must be solicited and donated with the understanding that Heart for Africa has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. In order for the funds donated to allow a tax deduction, they are not yours, or contingent upon your ultimate participation, but Heart for Africa's funds to be used to further its charitable purposes.
How soon will my donated funds be processed?
If you call in a donation, the card will be charged immediately. If a donation is made online, the card will be charged within three business days. If a donation is sent via mail, allow at least 10 business days for processing.
What does a Heart for Africa trip look like?
After arriving at your destination, you will work at one of our partner children’s homes or at one of our church partners. This will vary depending on when you are serving. The work will include light construction, gardening, painting, and possibly working with children in a day camp environment. The group will attend a local church on Sunday. There is also time set aside for shopping at local outdoor crafts markets. Many trips also include a one day safari.
What kind of shopping will I be able to do?
Shopping in Africa is always a big event…and not just for the ladies. You will be visit one of the local "African markets" where you will have the opportunity to purchase handmade items.
Where will I stay?
We make sure our teams stay in comfortable, safe accommodations so you are able to rest and get refreshed each evening after serving all day. Most of our trips to Swaziland stay at the Lugogo Sun. The hotels for Kenya vary depending on where you are serving. All of the hotels in Kenya offer clean and safe environments with quality food.
What do the people think about us coming?
Many of the people you will be working with have been waiting for your arrival for months. They are excited and amazed that you would come all the way from America to help them!
Will I get sick from the food or water?
The food prepared by our hotels is safe. We send a packed lunch with you each day. Bottled water will be provided. Of course, we can not ensure that you will not contract a food-borne illness while serving in Africa. We recommend that you bring over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine with you. You may also talk to your physician about a prescription antibiotic.
Do I need to bring any money?
Do not bring Traveler’s Checks, they will not be accepted at most locations. We suggest that you bring $300-$500 spending money for extra snacks, gifts, crafts, and souvenirs. Regarding tipping, there is no need to tip the wait staff, maids, etc., at the hotel. But you will have an opportunity to leave a tip for all hotel staff before you leave. We do ask that you follow Heart for Africa guidelines when leaving tips (given to you by the trip leader).
Is there a contract I must sign with Heart for Africa?
The final step in completing your online profile is accepting the Heart for Africa Contract. If you have not yet completed this step, please log-in to your account, read the contract completely, and click accept.
Do I need a passport?
Yes! Please go to http://travel.state.gov/ for more information regarding passports. Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages and be valid six months past your departure date from the country you are visiting. Please make copies of your passport to leave at home with family and/or friends as a reference in the event you misplace your passport during your trip.
Do I need a visa?
For travel to Swaziland, you will not need a visa. If you are traveling to Kenya, you will need a visa. You may obtain this visa through the Kenya Embassy in the US or once you arrive at the Kenya airport in Nairobi. Be sure to review the cost of the Kenya visa before traveling.
How long does it take to get to Africa?
Heart for Africa trips to Swaziland arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa. The average flight to Johannesburg, South Africa is 18-20 hours from the east coast of the US. Our trips to Kenya arrive in Nairobi, Kenya. The average flight to Kenya is also 18-20 hours from the east coast of the US.
My child that is under 18 years old is going to Africa, but without me. Is there anything I need to do to help ensure he/she can clear customs?
To ensure streamlined travel for your child while traveling through customs during their upcoming international flight, it is very important to provide both the child and their guardian with a letter crafted by you, their legal parent/guardian. This letter should be written for the minor unless both legal parents/guardians are traveling with the minor. If one parent is traveling with the child, a letter should be written and signed by the non-traveling parent. If neither parent is traveling with the child a letter should be written and signed by both non-traveling parents. The following details should be included in the letter:
- Name of the parent or legal guardian preparing the letter
- Legal name of minor as it appears on their passport
- Name(s) of temporary guardian(s)
- Dates your minor will be under the care of the temporary guardian (trip dates)
- Name of organization your minor is accompanying (Heart for Africa)
- Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) signature
- Letter must be notarized Please make copies of this letter.
- The temporary guardian should carry the original, the minor should carry a copy, and the parent/legal guardian should keep a copy as well. We also ask that you send an email to trips@heartforafrica.org to notify Heart for Africa who will be acting as guardian for your child.
How many bags can I pack?
Baggage requirements vary by airline and intra-Africa flights. The current standards for South African Airways and Delta Airlines is 50 lbs. per checked bag. You are limited to two checked bags. If you are traveling by air within multiple countries during your time in Africa, you are limited to one checked bag. Please refer to your booked airline website or your tickets for complete information regarding baggage limitations.
Can I use my frequent flyer miles to pay for my flight?
To use your own Frequent Flyer miles, you would need to arrange your own flights. It would be vital that your flight arrangements coincide with Heart for Africa flights. (Please see answer below "Can I arrive early or stay later?" for clear understanding of your responsibilities if you arrange your own flights.)
Can I earn Frequent Flyer miles on my Heart for Africa flights?
To log frequent flyer miles you will need to submit your Frequent Flyer Number in "remarks" on your registration form or in the notes section on your account.
Can I arrive early or stay later?
Yes, but you will need to make your own travel arrangements and you are required to confirm them with Heart For Africa by emailing trips@heartforafrica.org. You will also be responsible for meeting the group at the airport or hotel in Africa. If you arrange your own air travel, Heart for Africa will not be responsible for connecting you with the group, this will be your responsibility.
What if I want to bring donated items to leave in Africa?
Clothing and small gifts are always appreciated. Please do not bring candy or toys. Some great gift ideas would be: Socks, new underwear, warm clothes, fleece, coats, sweaters, pens, pencils, Bibles.
Where can I exchange currency?
We recommend that you exchange currency at a local bank or at the airport prior to departing for your trip. Note that it can take up to a week for the funds to come in once you place the order. Check the website www.travelex.com for more information on locations. It is a good idea to request money in small denominations as this will be beneficial when you are bartering in the marketplace where they typically won’t have change for large bills. You should exchange for "South African Rand." South African Rand can be used in both South Africa and Swaziland. The Swaziland currency "Emalangeni" will only be accepted in Swaziland. You will most likely receive change in this currency while in Swaziland, so plan to spend it before you leave. For Kenya travel, you will exchange for Kenyan Shillings. While we don’t recommend exchanging your currency at the airport in Africa, if you do choose to do this, be sure that each bill is dated 2006 or newer. Bills dated older than 2006 will not be accepted in Africa.
Do I need shots?
Check with your doctor, health department, or visit www.cdc.gov to see what shots are recommended for Swaziland and Kenya.