1. How to Access My Account
2. Financial and Money Details
3. Trip Logistics
4. Travel
How do I access my Online Profile?
- Go to www.heartforafrica.org.
- Click on “Account Log-in” (in top right corner).
- Enter you Username
- Enter your Password
How do I donate funds for a participant?
There are two ways to make a donation on behalf of a volunteer. You can do this from the volunteer’s fund raising page. The volunteer will need to provide the specific web address for their Heart for Africa Fund Raising page.
You may also make a donation following the steps below.
- Go to www.heartforafrica.org.
- Click on “Donations” at the top of the page.
- Click on “Trip Donations”.
- Fill in information.
- Fill in Participant number belonging to the person to whom you wish to donate.
- Click “Submit Trip Payment” at bottom when finished.
- All tax receipt letters are mailed in January (just prior to tax time) for the previous year’s donations.
How much money do I need to raise?
The cost varies depending on city of departure and service projects during trip. Please refer to the specific trip description page on the website for more information.
How do I raise the funds?
There are may unique ways to raise funds for your trip. Mailing support letters, selling HOW? Jewelry (www.howjewelry.com), garage sales, hosting dinner parties, etc. Our staff is here to help guide you with advice and best practices of others. A sample fundraising letter and other great fundraising ideas can be found on the Fundraising page. Please feel free to use this as a guide in writing your letter to family and friends.
Where should the donations be sent and to whom should checks be made out?
Your supporters can donate funds for your trip three ways:
- Telephone: They may call Heart for Africa Customer Service at (800) 901-7585 to complete a credit card donation.
- Mail: They may mail checks made out to Heart for Africa to the address below. They should include your participant number on the check to ensure it is applied to your account. Heart for Africa P.O. Box 573 Alpharetta, GA 30009
- Online: They may make a donation using most major credit cards at the Heart for Africa Trip Donations page on our website at www.heartforafrica.org.
If I can't go, can I (and my supporters) get a refund?
Heart for Africa is a 501(c)3 charity and because of this, we cannot refund donations. Please keep in mind that the funds you raise must be solicited and donated with the understanding that Heart for Africa has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds. In order for the funds donated to allow a tax deduction, they are not yours, or contingent upon your ultimate participation, but Heart for Africa's funds to be used to further its charitable purposes.
How soon will my donated funds be processed?
If you call in a donation, the card will be charged immediately. If a donation is made online, the card will be charged within three business days. If a donation is sent via mail, allow at least 10 business days for processing.
What does a Heart for Africa trip look like?
After arriving at your destination, you will work at one of our church partners or Project Canaan. The work will include light construction, gardening, painting, and possibly working with children in a day camp environment. The group will attend a church in the community on Sunday. There is also time set aside for shopping at local outdoor crafts markets.
What kind of shopping will I be able to do?
Shopping in Africa is always a big event…and not just for the ladies. You will visit the Candle Factory as well as one of the local “African markets” where you will have the opportunity to purchase handmade items. If time permits, you will also have the opportunity to shop at the Glass Factory.
Where will I stay?
We make sure our teams stay in comfortable, safe accommodations so you are able to rest and get refreshed each evening after serving all day. All of our trips to Swaziland stay at the Lugogo Sun, www.suninternational.com.
What do the people think about us coming?
Many of the people you will be working with have been waiting for your arrival for months. They are excited and amazed that you would come all the way from America to help them!
Will I get sick from the food or water?
The food prepared by our hotel is safe. We send a packed lunch with you each day. Bottled water will be provided. Of course, we can not ensure that you will not contract a food-borne illness while serving in Africa. We recommend that you bring over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine with you. You may also talk to your physician about a prescription antibiotic.
Do I need to bring any money?
Do not bring Traveler’s Checks, they will not be accepted at most locations. We suggest that you bring $300-$500 spending money for extra snacks, gifts, crafts and souvenirs as well as items for the church you are working with in the community if you so desire. Regarding tipping, there is no need to tip the wait staff, maids, etc., at the hotel. But you will have an opportunity to leave a tip for all hotel staff before you leave Swaziland.
Is there a contract I must sign with Heart for Africa?
Yes, you can access the contract through your personal account at Heart for Africa on the website. Once you sign up for a trip, you will need to complete the contract online.
Do I need a passport?
Yes! Please go to http://travel.state.gov/ for more information regarding passports. Your passport must have at least 4 blank pages and be valid six months past your departure date from the country you are visiting. Please make copies of your passport to leave at home with family and/or friends as a reference in the event you misplace your passport during your trip.
Do I need a visa?
No, a Visa is not required for travel to Swaziland if you are a United States Citizen.
How long does it take to get to Africa?
Heart for Africa trips to Swaziland arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa. The average flight to Johannesburg, South Africa is 18-20 hours from the east coast of the US.
My child that is under 18 years old is going to Africa, but without me. Is there anything I need to do to help ensure he/she can clear customs?Your child must travel with a legal guardian. To ensure streamlined travel for your child while traveling through immigrations during their upcoming international flight, it is very important to provide both the child and their guardian with a letter crafted by you, their legal parent/guardian.
This letter should be written for the minor unless both legal parents/guardians are traveling with the minor. If one parent is traveling with the child, a letter should be written and signed by the non-traveling parent. If neither parent is traveling with the child a letter should be written and signed by both non-traveling parents.
The following details should be included in the letter:
- Name of the parent or legal guardian preparing the letter
- Legal name of minor as it appears on their passport
- Name(s) of temporary guardian(s)
- Dates your minor will be under the care of the temporary guardian (trip dates)
- Name of organization your minor is accompanying (Heart for Africa)
- Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) signature
- Letter must be notarized
Please make copies of this letter. The temporary guardian should carry the original, the minor should carry a copy, and the parent/legal guardian should keep a copy as well. We also ask that you send an email to trips@heartforafrica.org to notify Heart for Africa who will be acting as guardian for your child. Please click here to download a generic guardianship letter.
How many bags can I pack?
Baggage requirements vary by airline and intra-Africa flights. The current standards for South African Airways and Delta Airlines is 50 lbs. per checked bag. You are limited to TWO checked bags for SAA and ONE bag for Delta. If you are traveling by air within multiple countries during your time in Africa, you are limited to one checked bag. Please refer to your booked airline website or your tickets for complete information regarding baggage limitations. Click here to download a Recommended Packing List.
Can I use my frequent flyer miles to pay for my flight?
To use your own Frequent Flyer miles, you would need to arrange your own flights. It would be vital that your flight arrangements coincide with Heart for Africa flights. (Please see answer below "Can I arrive early or stay later?" for clear understanding of your responsibilities if you arrange your own flights.)
Can I earn Frequent Flyer miles on my Heart for Africa flights?
To log frequent flyer miles you will need to submit your Frequent Flyer Number in the appropriate section of your online profile account.
Effective for new bookings made on or after September 1st, 2012 for Delta, these
unpublished fare tickets will earn miles based on a percentage of
distance flown, rather than full mileage credit. These special fare
tickets are typically sold by specialty agents or by a third party.
Examples include:
Group fares
Student fares
Consolidator fares
Flights included as part of a cruise package
Discounted tour packages
Please
note that this change impacts a small portion of all tickets issued and
you will continue to earn full miles as you do today for published
fares and tickets purchased directly through us. These include tickets
bought via delta.com and Delta Vacations®, as well as for government,
military, and corporate sales.
You may visit delta.com for more details and specific mileage levels.
Can I arrive early or stay later?
Yes, but you will need to make your own travel arrangements and you are required to confirm them with Heart For Africa by emailing trips@heartforafrica.org. You will also be responsible for meeting the group at the airport or hotel in Africa. If you arrange your own air travel, Heart for Africa will not be responsible for connecting you with the group, this will be your responsibility.
What if I want to bring donated items to leave in Africa?
Clothing and small gifts are always appreciated. Please do not bring candy or toys. Some great gift ideas would be: Socks, new underwear, warm clothes, fleece, coats, sweaters, pens, pencils, Bibles, shoes. Remember to bring all sizes of clothing from infants to teenagers.
Where can I exchange currency?
We recommend that you exchange currency at a local bank or at the airport prior to departing for your trip. Note that it can take up to a week for the funds to come in once you place the order. Check the website www.travelex.com for more information on locations. It is a good idea to request money in small denominations as this will be beneficial when you are bartering in the marketplace where they typically won’t have change for large bills. Bills need to be smaller than 200R due to counterfeit issues in Swaziland.
You should exchange your currency for “South African Rand.” South African Rand can be used in both South Africa and Swaziland. The Swaziland currency “Emalangeni” will only be accepted in Swaziland. You will most likely receive change in this currency while in Swaziland, so plan to spend it before you leave. You cannot exchange Emalangeni for United States currency.
While we don’t recommend exchanging your currency at the airport in Africa, if you do choose to do this, be sure that each bill is dated 2006 or newer. Bills dated older than 2006 will not be accepted in Africa.
Do I need shots?
Check with your doctor, health department, or visit www.cdc.gov to see what shots are recommended for Swaziland.
SPECIFICS
What should I pack?
Packing for eleven days in Africa can be intimidating. To help guide you through this, Heart for Africa has developed a recommended packing list that is included with this travel guide. Please use this list to help you as you prepare for your trip.
What is the weather like in Africa?
The weather may vary dramatically depending on your destination and time of year. We recommend that you check weather.com. If you are traveling during the summer months in North America, it will be winter in Africa with the temperature being chilly in the mornings and in the evenings, and mild throughout the day. We suggest you bring a jacket/fleece. Regardless of the season, you should still pack sunscreen.
Can I use/charge my electronic devices?
To use electronic devices you will need the appropriate plug adapter for Swaziland. You may also need a power converter. To view a photo of the adapter, go to www.google.com and search for Swaziland Adapter. You may also find a photo on the Heart for Africa website under Trips / Preparation Information.
Check the manufacturer's label to determine the type of input your equipment can handle. You may find a label that states the device is certified for input at AC 100V-240V. This means that the device is manufactured to be used over a wide range of voltage levels. If this is the case, then you will only need a power adapter. Fortunately, many digital cameras and video cameras today come with power supplies that can be used in almost any part of the world. Check the manufacturer's label to determine the type of input your equipment can handle. These can be purchased online from stores like Amazon.com or from traditional technology stores such as Fry's Electronics. Just be sure that the adapter you purchase supports the country you are traveling to.
CLICK HERE to find out more information.
Who will be my roommate?
We will do our best to honor all roommate requests. Heart for Africa does have a policy of no male/female roommates unless you are married or family members. Please complete your roommate request on your online current trip profile.
Does Heart for Africa require that I have traveler's insurance?
No, this is your personal choice. Should you acquire traveler’s insurance please note it will be at your expense.
How do I communicate back home?
We encourage you to be fully present in Swaziland and disconnect, but we do realize you might need to communicate back home. The Royal Swazi Sun located behind the Lugogo Sun does have a business center where wireless internet access is available to you for a fee.