RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
FOR VOLUNTEERS, LAY PROFESSIONALS AND ASSOCIATES
Security
The most important country briefing resource is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Many insurance companies will remove cover if you remain in a country where the FCO has advised that you should leave because of security issues. So if you have any questions about the security situation in the country in which you are living and its impact on your safety, then consult the FCO website.
Travel Arrangements
For Christians Abroad volunteers, CAB makes arrangements for your travel and visa requirements directly with Key Travel, for which we are agents. Being an agent means that we have an account, and this facilitates securing travel without immediate payment when events move fast. It also means that we can act on your behalf if changes have to made, and you notify us by e-mail or telephone from wherever you are in the world. Occasionally we can obtain charity rate air fares for certain routes and airlines. In this way we can provide you with more flexibility if you need to change your travel dates, or if you need an increased baggage allowance because you are taking extra items that you have purchased for your project. Although we are agents, we do not benefit from any commission from air fares, visa charges or any other service costs. If you are supporting a project approved by Christians Abroad by paying for your own travel arrangements, and if you are a tax payer, you may be able to Gift Aid your payments to Christians Abroad, who will set aside the tax recovered for project development and financial support for those who would not normally be able to afford a placement.
If you are an Associate Volunteer, you can still ask us to purchase your travel arrangements for you through Key Travel or you may choose to use their service directly. If you purchase your ticket directly, however, we cannot act as your agent.
Gift Aiding contributions to your support.
CTBI Christians Abroad has partnered with Stewardship so that churches and friends of Christians Abroad Volunteers, Lay Professionals and Associates can make Gift Aided donations for their support. For information click on the logo to the left of this text and page.
Preparation
Christians Abroad offers a library of booklets, which form the basis of a distance learning programme for short-term volunteers (placements up to six months). Normally, Christians Abroad Volunteers work with a consultant to identify areas of concern which would benefit from this distance learning programme. A programme of preparation is then agreed, and this usually comprises reading time, some note-taking and a telephone/Skype conversation.
Resource booklets available include the following:
Country Briefing
Cross Cultural Adaptation
Giving and Receiving Feedback
Health and Safety
Mission and Development
Motivation and Making a Difference
World Faiths
Preparation for Longer Term Volunteers or Professional Development Workers is a bespoke programme which normally includes some residential training.
Health Care
Health checks are an essential part of preparation for any service overseas. If you are unwell or medically unfit for service internationally, everyone concerned (Christians Abroad and possibly a project partner) needs to be aware of this during the selection and preparation process. Christians Abroad Volunteers will not be able to travel to their placements without clearance from their NHS doctor. In these circumstances, if payments have been made, such funds will normally be recovered from Christians Abroad or your insurance policy. It is important to note that travel insurance should be purchased before air tickets and visas are purchased, and such travel arrangements should only be made when you know, after checking, that you are medically fit for service. Christians Abroad Volunteers all complete diagnostic checks by questionnaire through InterHealth, and you must also visit your local doctor. InterHealth will also advise you about any inoculations and vaccinations that are necessary, and these must be complied with for your insurance to be valid and for you to be considered fit for travel.
Insurance
The Travel Insurance section on this website is comprehensive, and if you are Christians Abroad Volunteer you will use this site to insure yourself against accident, illness, use of hospital and ambulance, travel delay, baggage and repatriation costs (in the very unlikely event of your death). Please note above: 'It is important to note that travel insurance should be purchased before air tickets and visas are purchased, and such travel arrangements should only be made when you know, after checking, that you are medically fit for service. Christians Abroad Volunteers all complete diagnostic checks by questionnaire through InterHealth, and you must also visit your local doctor. InterHealth will also advise you about any inoculations and vaccinations that are necessary, and these must be complied with for your insurance to be valid and for you to be considered fit for travel.'
Other Resources
OSCAR, this UK information resource for World Mission can provide you with access to books that you might find helpful on mission and development issues. In the Service section, it also lists courses and events for those returning from overseas service seeking a retreat. From time to time, Christians Abroad also organises such events and you will find these listed on the Home Page of this website.
Spiritual Support
A very useful online resource for biblical reflection is WordLive, which is available through the Scripture Union. This has daily bible readings, reflection, sometimes songs and music, and prayers which are useful for meditation, particularly for a daily discipline or in a situation where you find yourself isolated from Christian worship.
Travel Sundries
InterHealth also provides a TravelShop where you can purchase anything from a mosquito net to water sterilisation tablets should you know that you will be in a place where there is not a clean water supply, or for emergencies such as when there is no Coca-Cola on sale.
Skype
This Skype link will enable you to set up Skype on your laptop, or on a computer that you can use with the owner's permission. Using Skype, you can talk to and see your nearest and dearest via a video call. You can also use it to communicate directly with Christians Abroad Consultants. (Note: if your laptop or computer does not have a built in camera, you may need to purchase a small, inexpensive video-cam before you depart the UK.)
Mentoring, Counselling, Advice and Information
World Service Enquiry was a service arm of Christians Abroad which is now an independent agency. Christians Abroad strongly recommends WSE as an excellent resource for advice and information, counselling and mentoring in relation to service re international development and mission. If you are looking for a new appointment or struggling with decisions about your next career move, contact WSE.
