Post Build Excursions

15OCT10

Pick up from Baron Heliopolis Hotel for 14 persons at around 08:30 and start a full day tour to visit the great Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx , Sakkara Step Pyramids and Dahshur Pyramid Return to hotel around 5:30 PM.

The full day tour includes entrance fees, set menu lunch , private English speaking guide   and transportation by our deluxe air-conditioned vehicle

16OCT10

12:00 NOON  Pick up at Hotel Baron

Day tour to the Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili Bazaar , back to hotel around 4:30 PM

The day tour includes entrance fees, set menu lunch , private English speaking guide   and transportation by our deluxe air-conditioned vehicle

17OCT10

Day free with your own arrangements

18OCT10

6:30 AM Pick up from Baron Heliopolis Hotel for 13 persons

Transfer to Cairo airport for domestic flight to Luxor for one-way transfer

CAI/LXR            MS351  07:45 AM-08:55 AM

Meet and assist at Luxor airport upon arrival from cairo then transfer to M/S Movenpick Royal Lilly.

Boarding, lunch on board, in the afternoon visit the East Bank” Karnak & Luxor Temples” , dinner on board and overnight in Luxor.

19OCT10

Breakfast on board, visit the West Bank” the Valley of the Kings & Queens , the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El Dier El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon”

Sail to Edfu , lunch on board , afternoon tea , dinner on board and overnight in Edfu

20OCT10

Breakfast on board, visit Hours Temple in Edfu , sail to Kom Ombo , lunch on board , visit the temple shared by two Gods Sobek & Haeroirs in Kom Ombo

Afternoon tea during sailing to Aswan, dinner on board and overnight in Aswan

21OCT10

Breakfast on board then visit the High Dam, the temple of Philae and the unfinished Obelisk , lunch on board , in the afternoon sail on the Nile by felucca around Kitchener’s Island , afternoon tea , dinner on board and overnight in Aswan

22OCT10

Depart from the boat in Aswan at about 4:00AM. Breakfast box to take with.

Drive through spectacular desert scenery to Lake Nasser.

Abu Simbel is situated 280km south of Aswan.

The two temples of Abu Simbel are the most magnificent temples in the world. The first Temple was built by the Ramses II, the other for his wife Queen Nefertari.

The temple was dedicated to the deified Pharaoh, King Ramses II,  known also as the great builder and the gods Amun-Re, Re-Herakhte and Ptah. In a fit of precision and architectural egotism, Ramses II  had the entire temple carefully angled and oriented in order that the sun’s rays would align twice a year on his date of his ascension to the throne (21 February) and on his birthday (21 October) and illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. This incredible natural phenomenon provides for a most spectacular sight, which has come to be referred to as the Sun Festival of King Ramses II. Crowds pack in to the temple before sunrise and watch the shafts of light slowly creeping through the rock hewn inner Hypostyle Hall (replete with further statues of the king) and through to the Sanctuary. Significantly, the sun illuminates statues of Amun-Re, Re-Herakhte and Ramses the god, whilst the statute of Ptah - the god of darkness - remains in the shadows.

Famously, the temple was re-located in a multi-million dollar operation in 1972, further up from the shoreline of Lake Nasser, which had threatened to erode the foundations of this monolithic temple complex. For this reason, the sun now strikes a day later than Ramses had originally planned, though the event this morning itself is no less stunning. After the event, there will also be plenty of time to explore the Sun Temple of King Ramses II and also the Temple of Hathor and take plenty of pictures. 

Arrive Aswan Approximately 12:00 PM

Desert Tour/camel excursion including transportation to St. Simeon’s Monastery by motor boat.  Visit Nubian Museum ending with tour at Aswan Souk.

Time TBD:  

Depart for Aswan airport for domestic flight to Cairo.

ASW/CAI          MS386  5:55 PM -7:20 PM  Arrive Cairo

 

Meet and assist upon arrival at Cairo airport.  

 Transfer those staying overnight to Baron Heliopolis Hotel

One Week Check List for PACKING

HOW MUCH CAN I TAKE?

Let’s start with that question because the rest of this will make a lot more sense, such as suggesting “wear your heaviest shoes on the airplane”. The domestic airline from Cairo to Luxor, Aswan to Cairo will be the limiting factor. You can check 20kgs (44) and your carry-on can weight 5kgs (11). They don’t weigh YOU, however….thus the reason to wear your heavy clothes/boots!

You may have a higher weight allowance on your flights to/from the US, but do keep in mind the weight restrictions for Egypt. (check your airline for specifics on weight as well as number of bags allowed).

Depending on your weight allowances once you leave Cairo, you may be able to pack souvenirs that you purchased. If you think you might do that, consider bringing a simple roll-up type duffle with you in your luggage to use as your second piece going home.

WHAT KIND OF LUGGAGE SHOULD I USE?

In general, when traveling internationally, we find that soft-sided luggage works best on public transport and vans. Soft luggage crams more easily in to trucks and buses, as well as smaller overhead compartments on airplanes. Soft luggage/duffels can still have wheels. Check out your Salvation Army or Goodwill for used luggage if you don’t want to buy something new just for this trip. Often the sports/outdoor stores have heavy-duty cloth duffels for under $25.

HOW SAFE WILL MY LUGGAGE BE?

Travelers are encouraged to secure their luggage with locks, keeping in mind TSA (Transportation Security Administration) restrictions concerning personal locks. Whether you use TSA approved locks or not is up to you. Avoid placing electronics, jewelry, cameras or other valuables in checked luggage.

KEEP IN MIND TO:

KEEP IT APPROPRIATE! Please re-read the introduction. We are told to dress “conservatively”.

KEEP FLEXIBLE! Plan for all kinds of weather, and all of it in one day! Wear layers, knowing you will be taking them on and off throughout the day and evening.

KEEP SAFE! Wear what is necessary to protect yourself from the sun: hat, bandana, etc. and use sunscreen.

KEEP IT MINIMAL! To keep within your weight allowance, consider bringing only 1-2 changes of work clothes for the whole time you are in the village. Laundry will be available at our accommodations for a reasonable fee. Don’t count on laundry opportunities while you are traveling or during the cruise - wash out at night, or bring enough to change - or just don’t change!

SPECIFIC ITEMS FOR THE WORKSITE:

* Sturdy closed-toe shoes (tennis shoes are OK)

* Pants as previously described

* Blouses, shirts as previously described

* Work gloves that can handle cement

* Hat or bandanna - sunburn is a reality and a danger. Some people prefer a broad-rimmed hat, such as a straw hat, to protect the neck.

* Day pack/small bag - It will be very helpful if you have a small, simple day pack or bag to put your valuables - camera, documents, etc. - when you are at the worksite and while on the R & R. We cannot guarantee security for these items if they are left in the accommodations, however, there may be a safe.  You may want to wear a passport carrier around your waist or neck for documents, cash, etc, but put them in a zip-lock bag to keep them from soaking up your sweat at the worksite!

OTHER CLOTHING YOU WILL NEED when not at the worksite:

* Comfortable/casual walking shoes for travel & R & R - tennis shoes or sandals

* Pants/shorts/Long skirts as described above

* Shirts/blouses as described aboves

* Socks

* Underwear

* Sleepwear

OTHER ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:

* Flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor

* Passport

* Spending money - for whatever you need for traveling.

* Sunscreen or lotion

* More patience

* TP Kit (zip-lock bag with hand sanitizer & toilet paper for a couple of trips to the latrine)

* 1-2 rolls of TP of your own - to refill your TP kit

* Toiletries

* Alarm clock

* Throw in an extra dose of “sense of humor”

* An extra dose of “flexibility”

* Extra zip-lock bags - to put your own personal trash in to carry out
* Snacks such as power, Odwalla, Luna bars, nuts, trail mix, etc.
that you might want to bring from home.

* Laundry bag (mesh, or old pillowcase) - please put your name on the outside of the bag/pillowcase

* More and more patience

* Prescription medications, contact lens supplies (could be very dusty) and any other personal needs.

* Flashlight or book reading lamp, extra batteries

* Waterless antibacterial wash when water is not available (towlettes not recommended because of disposal problem)

* Electrical adapters and converters, depending on what you are bringing (see note at bottom for more info)

* What the heck - a little more won’t hurt - add even more flexibility, patience, sense of humor

Tools you could bring if you can: (keep in mind weight and that they have to be in checked baggage). It is not required that you bring tools. However, it is appreciated if you do. It is also greatly appreciated if you choose to leave the tools behind. But you can bring along your own to take back with you as well. Do not bring tools that require electricity!

OPTIONAL (consider value, weight, and security):

* Binoculars

* Back support - the work is all manual

* Extra prescription glasses

* Poncho or lightweight rain jacket

* Journal, paper, pencil or pen

* Book

* Games to play with children - frisbees, jump ropes, finger puppets (do not give these to children directly - even simple gifts are not allowed. The kids can use them with you, but they must give them back when you are done playing with the kids each time. Then we will give them to the school to use for all the children when we leave)

* Laundry powder- in case you want to wash something out at night on your own - but we suggest just using your shampoo or other multi-purpose soap

* A few photos of family and home to share with team and host (remember, pictures of who we are, not what we have - like boats, houses, cars, etc)

* Camera, batteries, extra memory

* Sunglasses

* Pocketknife

* Ear plugs

NOT ALLOWED

* Illegal drugs

* Firearms, firecrackers

* Bad sense of humor

* Inflexibility

* Short tempers

TIPS AND HINTS ON HOW TO PACK IT:

* Read again the info at the top as to the kind of luggage to use.

* Your carry-on should have a little of everything, to get you through several days of waiting for your luggage to catch up with you. You wouldn’t be the first team member that this has happened to.

* For those of you having a tough time with the baggage limit, remember that they don’t weigh YOU! Wear as much weight as you can on the airplane to keep your bags lighter - wear your heaviest shoes, and possibly several layers of clothes. You can take some of those layers off and cram them in your carry-on after you go through the inspection of your carry-on.

* Make sure you can padlock your bag to help insure against theft enroute. Do not put items in unlocked outside pockets. (a simple duffle, with no outside pockets works best). Use a combination padlock instead of a key. Leave the expensive stuff you don’t need (like jewelry) at home - there will be little to no opportunity to wear it anyway. Other valuables (cameras, binocs, etc) should be in your hand-carry.

* Pack leaky items (shampoo, lotions) in zip lock bags - and tighten the cap right before you put them in. Pack most of that in your checked baggage. Read up on the current allowances for liquids in your carry-on.

* Be sure your bag(s) are well labeled with your name and contact info (maybe a friend or family) - it doesn’t do any good for them to try and contact you at home about a found bag since you won’t be at home!

* Simplify your toiletries - if shampoo will work as your body soap, and even laundering your clothes, that will cut down on number of bottles.

* Dr Bonner’s soap - you can wash EVERYTHING, including your teeth, body, hair, laundry, dishes, your roommate …whatever! It’s biodegradable, “green”, plus the bottle is fun to read! Get it in “trial size” and there will be enough for you and a friend. One team member recommends “mint” as it leaves behind a nice tingle, and is the best flavor for tooth-brushing. I think it tastes pretty bad no matter what, so I go for “lavender”. REI (outdoor equipment store) and natural food stores carry it.

* A former team member recommended adding some mouth wash (she likes mint for this too) to a spray bottle of water, and using that to “spritz yourself” - it feels tingly, makes you smell better, doesn’t attract mosquitoes like perfumed sprays do, and actually kills some germs!

* Hair dryers can be cumbersome. If you can share with others, that will help cut down on your weight and space. (us girls can chat about that on our own).

NOTE: Electrical adapters and converters

Adapters & Converter: Egypt uses 220 volt and adapter plugs are two prong rounded.

Go to:  Tour Egypt/Converter Type  and it will show you exactly what is needed.

A converter is not the same thing as an adapter. The adapter just makes it so that your plug can fit into their socket. Your appliance, such as a hair dryer, must also be able to change voltage from 120 to 220. If your appliance doesn’t have that kind of switch right on it, then you need a converter as well to accommodate the wattage of your appliance. They come in different capacities (wattage). A hair dryer usually takes a pretty big converter so check that out. Converters and adapters can be purchased at a travel store or online (Amazon.com). Target, Joe’s (formerly GI Joe’s) and REI carry them I have been told that Lowe’s does as well. Check department stores that carry luggage.

One Month Check List...

1. Plan to have your mail taken care of whether it's stopped by the post office & held or that someone is picking it up for you.
2. Pay all of your bills that you can so that you don't incur any late charges.  You don't want to pay bills over the internet in Egypt.
3. Hire pet sitter!
4. Make xerox copies of your passport, plane tickets & type up an itinerary to leave with your house sitter, family, work.
5. Put together a packing list including snack food, tea or special item you might want to munch on. Bring sunblock from home. Do not buy it there.
6. Make sure you have a power adapter for charging camera batteries, etc.
7. If you have not made a doctor's appointment, you should do that now being sure to check the government's travel website about any shots you may need.
8. We are only building for four days, so you will not need a lot of work clothes. Just include in your packing cotton socks.
9. If you were fund raising, get your latest list of donors from Kat the week before travel so that you can communicate with people from Egypt via blog or post cards.
10. Fill prescriptions.

One Month To Go...

Malaria & Water:
Many villages in El Minya and from what I've learned, there is no malaria.
You should never drink water out of the tap. Bottled water will be supplied to you.
Keep tabs on your environmental allergies, being sure to bring any prescriptions or over the counter medicine you might need. We will be in an agricultural area, around many farm animals and soil. There is no quick and easy access to medical care.

Regarding food:
What you will find is familiar to greek or lebonese food.  I know two of you are vegans and will have meals available to you. Is there anyone else that I am missing that has food allergies or requests?
Keep in mind that we won't (this especially goes for the vegetarians I am told) have a lot of variety, so if you want to bring raw almonds, snack bars, granola bars, drink packs etc, you should.

Evenings/Security:
At least one night in El Minya, we will take a Faluka boat ride after building and then have dinner out at that restaurant.

HOWEVER, it is important that you remember that we will have security with us at all times while in the hotels. Security detail is  government assigned and must be respected. There will be opportunities to leave the hotel at night to go to nearby internet cafes and such, but we are not allowed to wander on our own. Doing so could get the affiliate into deep trouble.   The consequences about leaving the hotel unsupervised are that you could be detained by the police.  The worst case scenario is for Habitat Egypt Affiliate in the long run and a possible hindrance to future teams.

*Please refer to the security section in the hand book


With that in mind, this is a zero tolerance trip regarding any sort of drug use. If you are caught with drugs or I discover that you are carrying non-prescription drugs, you will be sent home immediately.


Gift Giving:at al
Please remember that there is no gift giving at all. Please do not leave behind "hoodies" or gloves or anything with individual villagers or children.  If you want to bring community gifts or
toys for kids that can be donated for a school, medical supplies or school supplies, please make it  something that can be given to the entire community and be sure to pass onto myself first.

Kids are around all the time, again, do not give anything directly to children. This could cause jealousy and strife between them. If you'd like to honor someone you've met by giving your gloves or a tool to them separately, please go through me or Carolyn Agee, our local coordinator.

You may encounter villagers from kids to adults that will want to know how to get Habitat to build them a house, how to get sponsorship for their kids to go to America, who will want your address or money.  If you do get such requests, you can politely direct them to myself, Sharif or Carolyn.

Please do not give out your address to anyone.

We will be leaving behind any clothes or tools that you want to but these will be given directly to Sharif & Carolyn for distribution.

Flexibility:
It is a huge honor to host a team from the western world, so we will be moving around from house to house so that each family gets some "face time" with the team.  Please be flexible. You will hear me say this more than once!

Tools:
Things that are needed are on the blog, but as a reminder, gloves, hammers and small hand saws would be useful. Please refer to the previous post regarding items in need.

More FUNraising ideas

I totally lifted this great page from my Habitat mentor's site, Travel With A Purpose. It had such great info, and since we're in the dog days of fundraising, I thought you might fire your potential donors up with some of these ideas:

Fundraising is all about getting out the word – raising awareness. Your trip shouldn’t be a secret. Give friends and family the opportunity to be involved in your excitement and to contribute towards helping a family in need.

 

You aren’t asking for money as much as you are helping meet the needs of people….the need of those to give AND the need of those who will be receiving. We often think that the people receiving the house are the ones "in need" - but aren't we all in need at one level or another? I know for myself that the act of just going on the team is filling a need of mine. Working with a homeowner fills a need. And for those who can't go on a team, giving towards those homeowners or a team member fills a need of theirs.
Whether those you ask actually donate towards your trip and the work of Habitat or not, they STILL will know more about what Habitat is doing to help eliminate poverty housing in our world. And that’s cool too.

 

Set an "awareness-raising" goal along with a "fund-raising" goal - see how many people you can make aware of the housing need in this country along with how much money you raise. And no matter what, make it fun-raising as well! 

 

Awareness/Fundraising is a big challenge for some individuals. But once you start you may find, as many previous team members have, that the response is enthusiastic and supportive. Don't limit yourself or your sponsors - there's no harm in going OVER your goal!! 

Ready to start raising? Start reading, and get going!! 

These ideas are ones that other team members in the past have used and willing to share. Pick the ones that suit you the best. And if you come up with something totally different, let me know so that I can share that as well.

Stan & Weezie Duda hosting a Cambodian dinner in their home,

raising $1400 in one evening towards their donations and expenses for their international trip.  The event you host doesn't have to be elaborate - soup and salad, or hamburgers on the grill - whatever would be fun for you and your friends to get together. 

 

TOP fundraising idea. It's the most often used, the most successful, and easiest.
“The Letter” – sent by email and/or snail mail.
I don’t know what else to call it. But it works. Has worked over and over and over again. The response to it always surprises those who use it. Below, there is a sample letter. You will obviously have to make changes to personalize it. But you get the idea. Some folks have made this letter quite humorous, entertaining, and certainly educational. Be creative - use as much of this sample letter as you want, but make sure it has your "voice" so it doesn't sound like some form letter. Just come up with your own style, personality, and then send it off. You will be amazed at how well it works!!

We once had a team member join a team very late… she only had two weeks to raise money and pack! She didn’t have time for the usual “letter”, and just sent out a quick message to everyone in her email address book explaining briefly what she was doing and ended with “I don’t have time to explain any more right now, but you know Habitat, you know me, so send money NOW….I’ll fill you in when I get back!” And, she had her whole $2000 promised or sent within 48 hours!!!
As Millard Fuller, Habitat’s founder, once said, “I’ve tried asking and I’ve tried not asking. Not asking never works. Asking usually does.”
The sample letter has two important points for you to consider about your own letter:

1) awareness/education: it tells a little bit about how HFH works, the team, and how the monies will be used.

2) the process: it also gives specific information about how they can contribute.
Additional Tips: a If you’re sending letters or cards by regular mail instead of email, it is a good idea to include a self-addressed stamped envelope - that helps make sure they have the correct address and that they send the check to Habitat for Humanity International's GV Department, not the general fund (it takes forever to locate a mis-designated check!) They can also call the office or go online with a credit card donation. People really like personalized letters in the mail. It costs more in time and stamps than an email, but they are very well received, and get results! There is a greater chance for delays in sending in donations by mail or even for them to get lost in the mail, so it would be better if they actually make their donation online or over the phone. But if they would prefer to send a check, make sure that the instructions for coding the check are accurate.
a If you use the GV website (see the post called "Setting up your GV fundraising web page") for sending out an email request, you can use this same letter, and those you send it to can access the online website for donating right from a link that is sent along with your letter. They still get their tax-deductible receipt. You are also notified immediately, by email, that a donation has been made so that you can keep track and write to thank them.
a In addition to or instead of, consider alternative giving for an upcoming graduation, birthday, anniversary or retirement. Put your letter into your announcement, asking for support for this team in lieu of a card or gift. Let colleagues know of your plans after retirement and suggest a monetary donation to Habitat instead of the usual plaque or watch.

Many more ideas after the sample letter!
Sample Letter

January 2008
Dear friend,

Greetings from under an umbrella in Oregon!

What an amazing community I live in, and what beautiful friends and family encircle me. I would like to share something wonderful and exciting that is happening with me.

The upcoming holiday seasons are for giving thanks for our multiple blessings, and to be reminded of the hope that we have for peace in our world. Hope, however, is difficult in the hearts of those who struggle daily with the affects of poverty. Living in leaky, disease-ridden shacks in unsafe environments is not how parents want to raise their children. They, like all of us, want their families to be healthy and free of danger. Part of that is having a simple, decent, affordable home in which to live.

I've been invited to participate in a Habitat for Humanity short-term mission trip this summer. As you may know, Habitat sends mission teams all over the world to help build houses for people in need. And I've been invited to go to Nepal!

All the team members are raising funds for building materials and the expenses to make this all happen. Once we get to Nepal, we will be working side-by-side with future homeowners and others in the village to build brick and/or bamboo housing. Under the "Save and Build" program, families have been saving their money in groups to help each other build their houses.

You can read more about this amazing program and our team at our team's website: http://sites.google.com/site/travelwithapurpose/

There will be 12 people from the US and Canada on this team, including me!! My personal challenge is to raise awareness of the  need in Anchorage, and to raise the funds that will be used to cover the expenses of the trip (insurance, housing, travel, meals, etc) , as well as a minimum donation of $1000 for building materials towards the houses and Habitat for Humanity's housebuilding program.

I am asking for your support in this endeavor. Any amount would be appreciated and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt. You can even charge it to your credit card!! Instructions on how to donate are at the end of this letter.

As always, even if you can’t support the team financially, we ask for support through your prayers and well-wishes.

I will be happy to share stories and pictures with all my supporters when I return so that you can hear about all that we accomplished.Thank you for considering "joining" this team through your "investment" in me and the families in Anchorage.

By the way, for you folks that can make it, I’m hosting a wine & cheese tasting party at my house, Friday night, 7pm. Good music, as always. Your donation for this opportunity will go to the Alaska fund. Give me a call if you can come so that I’ll have plenty to share!

In partnership and with great hope,

Your name
How To Donate: Y Please make out checks to Habitat for Humanity International, put my name, my ID# xxxx-xxxx, & "GV 11033" in the “memo” portion at the bottom, and mail it in the envelope provided to Global Village. Make sure your current address is on the check because that is where your tax-deductible receipt will be sent.
Y Or, you can call the Habitat-Global Village office at 1-800-HABITAT, extension 7530 to give them your credit card information. Make sure you give them the trip event number (GV11033) and my name and ID# xxxx-xxxx.
Y Or, you can donate online. Go to www.habitat.org/gv. Click on the words to the right, "make a donation in support of a Global Village trip". Fill out all the information, including my event number and ID# (above). If you do not receive your tax-deductible receipt in the mail within a few days, let me know.

encl.: self-addressed return envelope *************************************************************************************************************** OTHER FUNDRAISING SUGGESTIONS

Here’s a few more that other folks have used. Check out #1 – it has worked very successfully, and it’s fun. Some of these ideas can be incorporated in your informational letter as a way of raising money and awareness. Also, don't keep all the fundraising fun to yourself - ask family, friends and co-workers to choose one of these ideas as a way to support you - they may especially like #7, #8, #9, #10, or #11.

1) Sell “shares” of love or “shares” of hope. This works well with business or professional folks. They sell the shares for whatever they think will work: $10/share, $1/share, $100/share… whatever appeals to you and your “investors”. Folks can buy however many shares they want. You can even make up a “share certificate” to give to them. Then promise all of these “stockholders” that you will have a stockholders' meeting when you get back and give them a report on their “investment”. This “report” can be delivered at a dinner in your home, and/or can be mailed out. The report might include photos of the houses you worked on, the new homeowner families, things about your trip, how Habitat has brought hope or love into the lives of those involved, etc. Sometimes team members serve an actual dinner or dessert at this meeting that represents where they have been – like sourdough pancakes from Alaska or kiwi fruit from New Zealand, or whatever you like to do to make it fun.

2) Some people like something more tangible. “Sell” items for building the Habitat house, such as $10 for a bag of cement, $25 for window shutters, $50 replaces some worn out hand tools, $100 concrete foundation. One former team member even sold her pains! (“$10 will help me not think about my hammered fingers, $25 will help me smile even with a sore back, $100 will want to make me sing instead of complain about my aching muscles”).

3) Challenges: for example: “Every dollar you donate will be a nail I’ll pound at our local affiliate, or "for every $10, I'll bring a plate of cookies to the office".

4) Sell your "talents" - "when the office raises $250, I'll sing at lunch", "when my basketball team raises $500, I'll host the pizza party", etc.

5) Ask for sponsors in your self-designed “thon” of some sort (I’ll be walking a mile, swimming a lap, etc for every $xx donated)

6) Promise other groups, (your church, Sunday school class, civic organization) a presentation upon your return in exchange for a "hope offering" now. (this is somewhat like selling “hope shares” and having a “stockholders meeting” when you come back)

7) Non-Bake Sale Bake Sale - This one is FUN and EASY to do for those of you who like to bake/prepare a specialty item (breads, pies, tamales, sushi, etc), but don't like bake sales: Tell your friends, neighbors, office workers…put in your church bulletin… that you are going to be baking on a certain day and what you will be making. Set your price, take orders for that item in advance and let them know when they can pick it up (or when you'll deliver). For example: "I'm preparing some of my infamous sushi platters this Saturday (or every Saturday in January) for $25/platter. If you want to enjoy the best ever made while also helping eliminate poverty housing in Mozambique, please place your order with me by Thursday. You can pick it up at my house any time after 5pm, or I'll meet you at the grocery store parking lot at 6pm for an extra $5 delivery charge." And remind them, they can CHARGE IT!! (they go to the website and donate online or do it over the phone at Global Village). By taking orders, you already have your market, you know exactly how much to make, you make only the kind of delicacy you want, and you don't have to stand around at a bake sale table in front of the grocery store! If you want, especially if you are making large quantities, you can deduct your costs from what you bring in and donate the profit. This kind of fund raising is also very enjoyable to do with family & friends who would like to help you do the baking/preparation as well. Hey, do you have a Valentine cookie or candy recipe that you want to sell in advance?

8) Along the same line, there are those that have a "specialty talents" in other areas: offering house repairs for a few Saturday afternoons, cleaning, foot massages, sewing a specialty design, raffling a quilt, etc. Sometimes the project doesn't have to be complete before the trip. IE: sell raffles based on the quilt design, and tell them when it will be done (before Christmas!); or, the house painting you do may not be until you get back, but you could receive payment in advance; or your babysitting, housecleaning, plant care may start now and continue on when you get back - but you get paid for it all in advance. We all have marketable talents, so figure out how to sell yours!

9) Host a dinner, dessert, or wine & cheese tasting, in your home with your family, friends, co-workers. Tell them you are asking $5, $10, whatever you think is reasonable for your crowd to donate to your trip fund. If you like, you can deduct the costs of your food, and then donate the remainder, or you can donate all of it. If they give you cash, you will then write a check for all the cash your receive and send it in and you will get the receipt. If someone in attendance wants to donate and wants a receipt for themselves, that can be done as well. They just have to write the check to HFHI and you send that it along with other checks you receive as donations (code each check correctly as per the directions). The hosting of these parties can be a weekly or monthly event if you like. People look forward to your parties! Have others in your office or family host the parties at their home as well. Make sure you have handouts available on information about what your team is doing.... something that explains the need. Maps, pictures...it all helps.

10) Host a holiday (Valentine's, Easter) cookie decorating and/or baking party. Tell participants that you are asking for a donation – you set the minimum amount. You can supply all the pre-baked cookies and decorations, or ask them to bring some of their favorites as well. The information in #8 as to what to do with the funds is the same for this situation.

11) Host a garden tea party. Sell your plant starters, bulbs, cuttings. Knowing it's a donation for your team will usually bring a better-than-usual price. They can give cash, or write a check if they want a receipt.

Be creative – be YOU. And share your ideas.

Hotel Information

Links to hotels:

In Cairo:   Hotel Baron Heliopolis

In El Minya:  Hotel Cleopatra

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any more information about this hotel except for this Trip Advisor review in German, but it seems positive!

I also am including this Flickr Link since there are so many great photos of El Minya:
Flickr.com Photos

Recommended books about Egypt

I often find reading literature about the country I am traveling to gives me a greater insight to what I might experience. I reached out to a few peeps and got the following responses.  There are links attached so click away and download some late summer reading to that Kindle!!

From 43places.com:


"Hey! I highly recommend  Whatever Happened to the Egyptians by Dr.Galal Amin.  It gives you a snapshot of Egypt after the 1952 revolution until the present days."

***

"Not sure about travel guides or non-fiction but  The Cairo Trilogy by Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz is one my favourite literary works and give a fascinating insight into modern Egyptian history and culture. It takes a little while (about half the first book) to get into but once you do you will be immersed I guarantee."

***

The Yacoubian Building by Alaa al Aswany
The biggest seller has been the 2002 novel seen as kicking off the new wave. This book depicts an Egypt where the dreams of the poor are constantly shattered, while corruption, social injustices and religious extremism flourish.


*** 


Cairo: The City Victorious by Max Rodenbeck
Every great city deserves a book like this one: a sweeping chronicle by an author whose motives mix passion and bewilderment. Over the course of four and a half millennia, Cairo has eluded all who would try to pin it down, reinventing itself time and again: "It has survived countless invasions, booms and busts, famines, plagues, and calamities."


You may want to check out  43places.com yourself. It is a great place to get tips from adventurous people all over the world.

And from our Egypt coordinator, Carolyn Agee:

Taxi by Khaled Al Khamissi.

"This is a really good picture of modern day Cairo with some socio-political
commentary from an Egyptian's perspective. 


 I would also really recommend a new documentary called Garbage Dreams (which you can get on Netflix), about the Zebellin (garbage collectors in Cairo). 


This is where Habitat's work started in Egypt and gives a great picture of the contrast between modern industry and third world poverty. Unfortunately, I've not found a lot of helpful media about rural Egypt, but this is a great place to start."


Let the rest of the team know what you've picked - maybe we can have a book group discussion.  I've read the first book in  Cairo Trilogy, and indeed it is slow to start but rich in historical detail.