A life-changing visitor experience begins here.
As the group leader, it is your responsibility to make sure your team is prepared physically and emotionally for a visit to serve with us in Kenya. Use these meeting plans, talking points, and action steps to get your team from the ideas phase to wheels up, en route to Nairobi. If you have any questions about group leadership and preparation or need additional support in helping make your trip planning phase a success, please contact our Executive Director, Brad Voss. |
GROUP MEETINGS
If you are leading a team of visitors (from a church or school, for example), you'll want to have a few group meetings before the trip happens. This is a great way to get to know one another, unify in mission and vision for your trip, and discuss details such as flight information and packing lists.
Here is a suggested timeline of meetings and topics:
Here is a suggested timeline of meetings and topics:
- Meeting #1 (6 months out)
Informational meeting. Anyone interested in the trip is invited. Show a video about MITS, describe your experience with MITS and paint a picture of what a visit to Kenya might look like. Complete the online application to visit MITS (if you haven't already).
- Meeting #2 (5 months out)
More information, Q&A. Talk through your team's vision for the trip. What do you want to accomplish? What unique skills and talents does your team bring to the table? This is also a great time to talk about why you're doing this trip. This article from When Helping Hurts might be a good discussion piece. Suggested reading from the Visitor's Manual: What to Expect During Your Stay with MITS (Opening Thoughts). Make sure everyone on your team has a valid passport. If they do not, now is a good time to apply for one.
- Meeting #3 (4 months out)
If your trip dates have been approved by our team, now is a good time to buy plane tickets. Double check that Irene Akinyi (our visitor coordinator) is aware of your travel dates. Assign homework for your team to read our entire Visitor's Manual, located on our Visitor Resources page. Tell your team to come to the next meeting with any questions that may have come up while they read the manual.
- Meeting #4 (3 months out)
Remind everyone on your team to complete the MITS Visitor Waiver and background check. These documents will be emailed to you once you have completed the Mission Trip Application. Additionally, make sure everyone on your team has purchased travel insurance (a requirement for visiting MITS). Talk through supplies and logistical questions pertaining to your team's project (if you have one).
- Meeting #5 (2 months out)
Make sure everyone on your team has paid the MITS visitor fee and completed the MITS waiver (more information on those on our Visitor Resources page). Make sure everyone (or you, the group leader) has a copy of his/her passport. Talk through travel day questions: flights, airline luggage regulations, visa application.
- Meeting #6 (1 month out)
Go over the Kenya Visitor Packing List. Make sure everyone has applied for their visa (instructions are on our Visitor Resources page). Answer questions about appropriate attire. Plan your transportation to the airport before you depart. Make sure you email Christian Yoder (our visitor coordinator) your exact arrival time and flight information.