The Samoan Manifesto

Workcamp 2010 – Apia, Samoa

Important Details for participants and their families


DEPARTURE AND RETURN DETAILS


Flight details:

SYDNEY to APIA
Flight No DJ93 (Pacific Blue)
Departing
Sydney Virgin Blue - T1
2135hrs (9.35pm), Fri 19 Nov 2010		Arriving
Faleolo International Airport, Apia
0600hrs (6.00am), Fri 19 Nov 2010


APIA to SYDNEY
Flight No DJ90 (Pacific Blue)
Departing
Faleolo International Airport, Apia
0800hrs (8.00am), Sun 12 Dec 2010		Arriving
Sydney Virgin Blue - T1
1120hrs (11.20am), Mon 13 Dec 2010


Departure:

On Friday 19 November we will leave College at 6:00pm.

If you are making your own way to the airport, go to International Departures  (Terminal 1 or T1) and meet at the Virgin Blue counters.

We need to check-in together for the sake of the “group weight allowance” and to get seats together.

You must bring your passport and an additional photo ID to the check-in.

Return:

Back in Sydney on Monday 13 December at 11:20am.

We should clear customs and be ready to go by 12:30pm. Family members can check arrival details quoting the flight number (DJ90). For those going back to Warrane, there will be a College vehicle to pick us up.

OUR WHEREABOUTS

Accommodation venue

Moamoa Theological College
Moamoa Road
Apia
Samoa
Tel: +685 21 079
Fax: +685 25 718
**Phone calls from Australia only to be made to this phone if urgent**
Google Map
Person in charge: Father Faleniko

Work site

Mapuifagalele Home for the Aged
Tel  = +685  2 26 36
Fax = +685 20 737
Google Map
Person in charge: Sister Rita

Contacting us while in Samoa

Mobile phone SIM cards cost about $30 Tala. You may want to buy one when we arrive in Samoa. Include this in your own spending budget.

Warrane point of communication during the Workcamp:

Dr. Phillip Elias
Tel 02 9313 0300
Mob 0431 858 328
email

SAFETY & MEDICAL

You should see what the Australian Government has to say about travelling to Samoa, here. 

We have been in contact with the Australian High Commission in Samoa, so they are aware of our visit. However, it would be good to officially register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, you can do so at this link. 

We will take a First Aid kit on the trip and will be taking extreme precaution with the handling of work tools and negotiating our way around work areas. Although unlikely, if there is any emergency that requires a doctor, there is a hospital close by. No work tasks will be undertaken without the necessary training, know-how and equipment. At the same time, all participants are expected to show common sense and personal responsibility at all times.

It is recommended that each participant brings some basic medical supplies (eg. Panadol, Imodium, Antiseptic cream, etc.) Please make sure you bring plenty of Aerogard/Rid insect repellent as the insect presence can be intense.

While our accommodation is safe and our belongings secure, you will need to take caution and be personally responsible for your belongings.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel Insurance is included in the Workcamp cost and by now you should have your insurance cover details. Bring a copy with you and email it to your parents as well.

Full details of the policy are found here.

FULL PAYMENT

By now everyone should have paid the $2,000 in full. If you haven’t, you must speak to Tom or Arthur A.S.A.P. The best method of payment is an electronic transfer into this account:

Account name: Workcamp Account
BSB: 032083
Account number: 216806
Reference: insert your name, please

PERSONAL FUNDRAISING

By now you should be well on the way to achieving the individual $500 fundraising target.

A good part of our work will be funded with this contribution. So, it is important to work hard to achieve it.

MONEY IN SAMOA

Samoan Tala (WST) is the local currency and, roughly, 1 AUD is equivalent to 2 WST.

You may choose to exchange some money before travelling. Look online and find the best time and place to change money.

In the past it has proven a good idea to put money on a travel card account such as Travelex, as you can withdraw in any currency and the rates are competitive.

For expenses, budget for about $200 AUD spending money.

ENTRY VISA AND DEPARTURE TAX

Ensure that you have a valid passport with at least six months validity from the date of return to Australia.  

No visa is required for Australian passport holders.

Airport Departure Tax is $30 Tala - factor this in to spending money.

WEATHER

It will be hot and humid, expect rain. Average temperature at night will be 24C and 29C during the day.  

TRANSPORT AND EXCURSIONS

Apart from plane, most of our travel in Apia will be by bus on bumpy roads.

One day each week and three days before we come back we will explore the beauty of Samoa, at this stage the plan is to go to the island of Upolu.

There will also be excursions some afternoons.

We can try to hire bikes to go exploring, you will need to budget for this separately.

T-SHIRTS

T-Shirts will cost $10 and will be delivered some days before our departure. See Tom McK or Paddy Allan for more information.

THINGS TO BRING - CHECKLIST

Pack light! – it makes things a lot easier and you will only use half the gear you bring!

The maximum weight of checked luggage is 20kg. Ensure that your luggage is less than 20kg - we are expecting a donation of LCD monitors, if we get it, we will take the monitors as part of our luggage! Carry-on allowance is 7kg.

Clothes:
  1. Work clothes, 3 or 4 sets
  2. Clothes for after work
  3. Socks and underwear
  4. One set of respectable clothes for important occasions (collared shirt and either trousers or long shorts).
  5. Jumper / tracksuit / waterproof parka / raincoat
  6. Long pants
  7. Work shoes and another pair of shoes
  8. Old shoes able to be ruined – to use in water holes, rivers etc.
  9. Thongs
  10. Swimmers or board shorts


Personal items:
  1. Bag: avoid cumbersome luggage – try to bring a good backpack/haversack. As well as this, bring a small carry bag for short trips.
  2. Toiletries
  3. Two towels and a tea towel
  4. Sunglasses
  5. Sun hat or cap (broad-rimmed is encouraged)
  6. Sunscreen
  7. Medical supplies, such as: Insect repellant (RID tropical strength is the best), paracetamol, band-aid, Imodioum, sting relief
  8. A small bag of washing powder for clothes
  9. Mosquito net (advisable)
  10. Sleeping bag, small pillow / cushion. We will be given mattresses, so there is no need to bring sleeping mats.
  11. Eating utensils: dinner plate, bowl, cup, mug, knife, fork, spoon (do not pack these in hand luggage)
  12. Water bottle
  13. Torch & Batteries (and back-up batteries)
  14. Plastic bags (for garbage, dirty clothes etc.)
  15. Reading material
  16. Money pouch / wallet / Passport / photocopies of passport, insurance and itinerary
  17. Spending money


Work tools:
  1. Work gloves (1 pair)
  2. Two paint brushes (at least 10cm wide)
  3. Other tools you have collected


Other:
  1. Gifts for two children (a small toy, clothes or the like)
  2. children’s book or colouring-in book (if so, also colour pencils); best if an Aussie book (if possible)
  3. Snorkeling gear (recommended)
  4. Rash vest (recommended)
  5. Pocket knife (if you have one)
  6. You may want to bring a camera as there are plenty of photo opportunities. If you are bringing one, bear in mind the risks involved and the need to be careful.

Posted by Warrane College Workcamp
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