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LETTER FROM THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Hello!

We are excited that you have chosen to serve with Wine To Water as an international volunteer! This is going to be a great experience with much learning and adventure around every corner. If you’re reading this Guidebook, you have probably already jumped through our application hoops and requirements, so congratulations! Now, it’s time to select your service project and start preparing for your journey!

Wine To Water service trips offer a wide range of experience levels so you can get your feet wet (or dive right in!). For first-time service volunteers, we recommend serving in the Dominican Republic, where you will have first-hand experience building and distributing water filters to locals in need. Those of you eager for a more daring adventure may prefer a trip to Uganda, experiencing the African safari, or Colombia, working in remote jungle communities alongside the Amazon River.

We must emphasize that Wine To Water service trips are NOT a vacation. We expect you to come ready to serve, get your hands dirty, and work hard for the duration of the trip. Your tasks will include community development and water projects, and you will be working directly with our partners on the ground throughout your service experience. All volunteers should keep in mind that they are not superheroes flying into these villages to save lives. By working alongside locals and maintaining partnerships, we are able to provide sustainable clean water and educational resources.

As an international traveler there is a lot to consider before boarding your flight. The first thing to keep in mind is that you are about to enter into a completely different culture than what you’re used to. Different doesn’t mean bad or wrong, it simply means different. You will experience a different language, different foods, different environments and different customs from the locals. While traveling, we ask that you keep in mind that you are a visitor into their country and have the mindset of a student. It’s key to be very flexible on a volunteer trip and have a positive attitude as you experience new things. Many times the hosts and nationals will do things differently than Westerners and it’s important to submit to their leadership, even if you do not fully understand the reasoning behind it.

This Guidebook has a step-by-step list of tasks to complete before your trip. It is your responsibility to complete all of these tasks and to familiarize yourself with the tips, tricks, and policies in this Guidebook before you will be able take part in this unique service opportunity. Please read all of the information in this Guidebook, along with all other materials provided to you, very carefully.

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We are so excited to have you on board as a volunteer for an international service trip with Wine To Water. Your trip is going to be a fun, action-packed, and humbling adventure. We hope that this Guidebook is helpful in preparing you for your trip and answering questions before you depart. Please email Lisa Merritt with any questions at lisa@winetowater.org.

Thank you for being willing to serve, for getting out of your comfort zone, for raising money to provide clean water around the world, and for caring enough to come help us. We are so glad you’ve decided to join us! Welcome to the Wine To Water Volunteer Team!

Lisa Merritt

Volunteer Coordinator 770.851.4132

lisa@winetowater.org

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STEPS TO TAKE AS AN INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER: 1. Apply at winetowater.org/volunteer-application 2. Once accepted, decide on the country in which you would like to

volunteer. a. (e.g. Cambodia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, or Uganda, etc.)

3. Decide on the best dates for your desired country. 4. Register at winetowater.org/volunteer-registration 5. Start raising money and awareness for the trip! There are two ways to

donate towards your trip: a. Donate online: You will receive an email after registration indicating

how you and your supporters can make online donations. Online donations are preferred.

b. Donate by check: Please make all checks payable to Wine to Water and personally collect them before sending them into us. When you have the full amount raised, write "Volunteer in YOUR COUNTRY - YOUR NAME" on the memo line of each check and mail it to: Wine to Water - Volunteer Programs / PO Box 2567 / Boone, NC 28607.

6. Obtain all necessary travel documents (passports and visas). a. Many times the airlines will not allow you to travel if your passport only

has 6 months before expiration. b. Apply for a visa if it is required for your trip.

7. Obtain all necessary travel immunizations and vaccines for specified area. a. These are listed in the Information Books, but we encourage you to

check with your doctor or Governmental Travel Department for required AND recommended medicines.

8. Have your entire payment to WTW no later than 60 days prior to your departure date.

a. This means any time between when you have been accepted and the 60-day mark.

b. All major credit cards are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMX)

c. You may send a check to the main WTW office, but cards are preferred. Checks must be in our office by the 60-day mark.

9. Check with the Volunteer Coordinator before making your flight arrangements, but once you have received this information, please submit your flight information here: winetowater.org/flight-information

10. Look over all resources given by this Guidebook, as well as the additional resources (i.e. Info Book, Websites, and travel advice).

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Lisa at:

lisa@winetowater.org | o: 828.355.9655 | c: 770.851.4132 *Email if you are interested in the donations list or creating a children’s program*

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STEPS TO TAKE AS A GROUP LEADER OF VOLUNTEERS:

1. Decide on the country in which you would like to volunteer a. (e.g. Uganda, Cambodia, Colombia, or Dominican Rep.)

2. Decide on the best dates for your desired country. 3. Confirm dates and location with Volunteer Coordinator. 4. Once your group is complete, each person must register at

winetowater.org/volunteer-registration. 5. Start raising money and awareness for the trip! There are two ways to

donate towards your trip: a. Donate online: You will receive an email after registration indicating

how you and your supporters can make online donations. Online donations are preferred.

b. Donate by check: Please make all checks payable to Wine to Water and personally collect them before sending them into us. When you have the full amount raised, write "Volunteer in YOUR COUNTRY - YOUR NAME" on the memo line of each check and mail it to: Wine to Water - Volunteer Programs / PO Box 2567 / Boone, NC 28607.

6. Obtain all necessary travel documents (passports and visas). a. Many times the airlines will not allow you to travel if your passport only

has 6 months before expiration. b. Apply for a visa if it is required for your trip.

7. Obtain all necessary travel immunizations and vaccines for specified area. a. These are listed in the Information Books, but we encourage you to

check with your doctor or Governmental Travel Department for required AND recommended medicines.

8. Have your entire payment to WTW no later than 60 days prior to your departure date.

a. This means any time between when you have been accepted and the 60-day mark.

b. All major credit cards are accepted (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMX)

c. You may send a check to the main WTW office, but cards are preferred. Checks must be in our office by the 60-day mark.

9. Check with the Volunteer Coordinator before making your flight arrangements, but once you have received this information, please submit your flight information here: winetowater.org/flight-information

10. Look over all resources given by this Guidebook, as well as the additional resources (i.e. Info Book, Websites, and travel advice).

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Lisa at:

lisa@winetowater.org | o: 828.355.9655 | c: 770.851.4132 *Email if you are interested in the donations list or creating a children’s program*

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PACKING LIST

Things to have on the plane:

• Passport/Visa • Copy of your passport/Visa in another location • Site contact information: name, phone number, and address. • Personal medications • Camera (optional) • Form of entertainment (e.g. book, music, mind games)

Things (suggested) to have in your suitcase: • Work clothes (pants are recommended due to mosquitos) • Work gloves • Shorts • Church outfit (cover the shoulders, cover the knees, closed-toe shoes) • Warm jacket • Toiletries • Bible • Notebook • Reusable water bottle • Closed-toe work shoes (tennis shoes are fine) • Sunscreen • Beach towel • Hat • Rain coat • You do not need to bring bedding or towels, those will all be provided for

you in most locations, but check the Information Book for site-specific info.

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RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOLUNTEERS There are 5 main responsibilities for all participants:

1. Be respectful a. We are very blessed to be given the opportunity to travel and work

with this organization and country. b. Not only does this apply to the people you are travelling with, but to

the people in the country. Be culturally sensitive. Be respectful towards the way they live their lives. Listen more, talk less.

2. Be flexible a. When dealing with international trips, it is hard to have every detail

planned out. Be ready for the unexpected, because plans will change!

b. Be spontaneous! Live in the moment and be excited! 3. Educate yourself

a. About Wine To Water b. About the Partnering Organization c. About the water crisis in the world d. About the country

4. Get outside of your comfort zone a. Be adventurous and open-minded to trying new things b. Don’t be afraid to experiment c. Take a chance to do something different

5. Have fun a. Everything that we will be doing on this trip will be work mixed with

fun. Service work is one of the best ways to meet people, form a community, and share laughs.

b. Remember to smile and have fun! The experience is everything you make it to be!

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VOLUNTEER BENEFITS Logged hours: If you are looking to gain some volunteer hours, spending time with the Wine to Water volunteer program is a great way to do it! We ask that you gather all required forms for logging hours and notify us of the details before departure (i.e. organization for which you need to complete logged hours). This includes gaining approval of the trip, organization, and volunteer activities that you will be participating in. Possible Academic Credit: If this program has the ability to help you gain class credit, we are happy to help! That being said, it is your responsibility to look over all requirements and pre-requisites before departure. Internship hours: Does volunteering on a service trip with a non-profit qualify me to get internship credit?? WE THINK SO! As long as our program meets the requirements for your institution, we think that a hands-on experience is the best kind of internship.

** IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BRING ANY INFO/DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR LOGGING HOURS, ACADEMIC CREDIT, OR INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS**

Other: There are many additional benefits that an individual or group can receive from a program of this nature. The opportunity to travel the world and be immersed into a new culture opens numerous amounts of doors. Here is a small list of things an experience like this can give you: - Global networking - Broadened Worldview - Increased sense of responsibility - Actual hands-on experience - Developing your people skills - Learning how to be flexible to change - Enriching your education in culture and skills - And many more!

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RULES AND POLICIES Paying for the trip: A $250 non-refundable deposit should be received at the time of registration. The remaining balance of your trip total must be at the WTW office, no later than 60 days prior to the departure of your trip. If we do not have the full payment, you will lose your reservation for that trip.

**WTW will not advance funds to cover expenses. Cancelations: If you need to cancel for any reason, let us know ASAP! After registration, if you cancel:

• 60-days or more before departure: you may be able receive a full-refund, minus the $250 non-refundable deposit.

• 59-30 days before departure: you may receive a refund up to 50% of the total cost of your trip.

• 30 days or later before departure: we will not be able to reimburse any portion of the payment. We apologize in advance for any inconveniences.

• Refunds are not guaranteed, but if you need to cancel, you may use those funds towards a future trip or a project within Wine to Water.

Wine to Water aims to have a minimum of 10 volunteers registered for each trip. If this number is not reached, the Volunteer Coordinator will contact you before flight arrangements are made and offer up different possibilities for you. In the event that Wine to Water must cancel a trip, the Volunteer can apply all funds towards another trip to any other location & date or be fully refunded for their trip. Alcohol policy: Wine To Water does not advocate underage consumption of alcohol. That being said, if you are of age, drinking will be permitted. We do ask that if you choose to drink, you be culturally sensitive and limit your intake. Age requirement:

• Individual: If you are traveling as an individual, you must be 18 years of age or older.

• Group: Anyone age 12 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian or whatever your group leader decides.

**Verify the age requirements for your country in the Information Book** Travel Documents and Immunizations: All participants are responsible for applying and receiving all necessary travel documents and medications for their trip. Please check the website, Information Books, and other resources given in this Guidebook for obtaining proper document and immunization. Contraband: The list below refers to all things prohibited on this trip:

-­‐ Weapons of any kind (e.g. knives, guns, etc.) -­‐ Any illegal drugs, including marijuana or drugs without a prescription -­‐ Profanity or sexual comments/relationships exchanged with anyone

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Information Books: § Cambodia: winetowater.org/volunteer-cambodia § Colombia: winetowater.org/volunteer-colombia § Dominican Republic: winetowater.org/volunteer-dominican-republic § Uganda: winetowater.org/volunteer-uganda

• Extra websites to help with travel preparation: • For flightsà kayak.com AND mts.travel.com • For immunizations à cdc.gov • For travel documents à traveldocs.com • For government travel info. à step.state.gov/step • For weather à internationalweather.net • Other advice à tripadvisor.com

• Becoming a volunteer: • To apply as an individual: winetowater.org/volunteer-application • If accepted, you will need to register: winetowater.org/volunteer-

registration