Cuba

NC Baptist Men's office has been involved in a Partnership with the Eastern Baptist Convention of Cuba for several years. Volunteer teams from North Carolina will have the opportunity to engage in a number of construction project. Men, women and older students have a great opportunity worship, work with and get to know our Cuban Baptist brotherts and sisters.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the partnership is construction of Cuban Baptist elderly home in Santiago, Baptist camp construction and construction at the Cuban Baptist Convention office. Teams will have an opportunity to visit with and get to know Cuban Baptists as well as worship in Cuban Baptist churches. Team members are encouraged to share their faith with people that they meet.

Trip Cost

The basic price of the trip is $1450 per person. This includes round-trip airfare, your visa, insurance, in-country transportation, lodging, meals, orientation materials, and T-shirt. You will need to take an additional $25 cash with you for airport exit tax, plus some extra money. (Price does not include materials that will be needed for ministry, i.e., VBS materials, building materials, etc. See below). According to U.S. law, you are not allowed to buy anything except books or maps that you can bring back to the U.S. from Cuba.

Material Cost

Each team must provide the cost of materials for most projects. The cost for building materials for each team is $2,000. This amount must be received in our office 60 days prior to your departure date.

Teams

Teams should be comprised of no more than 14 members, and no less than 7 members. Having a Spanish translator on each team will be very helpful. Teams should have at least two members who are strong in construction and/or block laying skills. All construction teams will be involved mostly in block laying. Applicants must be at least 16 years old to participate.

Paticipation

Those wishing to participate should do the following:

Complete the volunteer application form and return it to the NC Baptist Men's Office, along with the deposit of $400 per person, at least 90 days prior to your anticipated departure date. The final payment of $1000 per person is due no later than 60 days prior to the date of your departure. If you are a member of a team, please send your application to the team leader in time for him or her to have them in to our office 90 days prior to your trip. (Once tickets are purchased, they are non-refundable and non-transferable).
Have a valid passport. Your passport must NOT expire within 6 months of your departure date. If you do not have a valid passport you will need to get one immediately. It usually takes 3-4 weeks to process a new passport. You must also have a visa for Cuba and our office will handle this. It usually takes two months to get this visa.
Submit any necessary funds for materials to our office 70 days prior to your departure date.

Health

Team members must be in good physical health. Anyone with a chronic medical condition should not volunteer for these projects. Many areas of work will be quite hot and dusty. Volunteers will need to make sure the following shots are up to date: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus. Tell who ever administers your shots that you will be traveling to Cuba. (They may suggest other shots. This is up to you.)

Travel

All travel will be arranged by NC Baptist Men's Office. All trips will be seven days in duration. No deviations from dates listed may be made. All volunteers must depart from Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh/Durham, Asheville, or Atlanta. (Travel may be possible from other cities, but may involve an additional cost.)

Living and Working Conditions

Those participating in this effort must be flexible and willing to work as a member of the team. Travel, living, and working conditions may be difficult at times. The work may be strenuous and the climate will be hot. Once applications and deposits have been received, team members will be sent an orientation manual, which will answer many questions about the trip.

Other

Smoking, chewing tobacco, and drinking alcoholic beverages is highly offensive to Cuban Christians. Team members must refrain from these activities while in Cuba.have been recieved and are available. Please pray about taking a team to minister in the most needed of places. Click here to request that a list be sent to you via e-mail when it is ready.

Key:

Project has been Reserved

Project Name	Project Type	Start	End	Location

CU12-02	Construction	2/3/2012	2/11/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-03	Construction	2/23/2012	3/2/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-06	Construction	4/5/2012	4/13/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-07	Construction	4/26/2012	5/4/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-08	Construction	5/24/2012	6/1/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-09	Construction	6/14/2012	6/22/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-10	Construction	6/21/2012	6/29/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-11	Construction	8/16/2012	8/24/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-12	Construction	9/6/2012	9/14/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-13	Construction	9/27/2012	10/5/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-14	Construction	10/18/2012	10/26/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba
CU12-15	Construction	11/8/2012	11/16/2012	Santiago de Cuba, Santiago Cuba