TRAVEL TO SUDAN ADVICE

Tips When Traveling to Sudan

Hello--Many of you are planning to go to Sudan without proper information or preparation. If you don't mind, I would like to give you some advice and things to think about before you go.

First, become a citizen so you at least have some protection by the government and you don’t have to worry about travel documents expiring.

It is a good idea to visit the U.S. State Department's website and get information about travel warnings to Sudan. Please remember it is a terrorist country and dangerous. There is cholera there in the villages, and the water is not good. You need to take some tablets to cure the water problems. Most of you have been treated for parasites by the Center for Disease control, and they will not be doing that again. Parasites can be life threatening--so you need to take precautions. One of our young men has already come back with one.

Additionally, you need to get a series of shots, starting two months or more before you leave. The shots are for flu, yellow fever, typhoid, Hepatitis and meningitis. Contact the Maricopa County Department of Public Health Foreign Travel Consultation at 1645 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix 85006. 602-506-6068. The shots are for your protection and to insure you do not bring back diseases to our country.

You need prescriptions for diarrhea and malaria. The water and food can give you diarrhea. In that case, you will need to take cipro.

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE YOUR MEDICATIONS TO YOUR RELATIVES. ONE YOUNG MAN GAVE HIS MALERIA TABLETS TO RELATIVES. WHEN HE RETURNED, HE GOT MALERIA AND ALMOST DIED. IT INVADED ALL OF HIS ORGANS, AND HIS SPEEN HAD TO BE REMOVED. HIS HOSPITAL BILL WAS $150,000. YOUR MALERIA TABLETS COULD ACTUALLY HARM YOUR RELATIVES.

Some people who have traveled to Sudan have told me that they were often hungry as there is not much food and they were in danger at times. Malaria medicine has to be started before you leave and continue after you come home. We are having one Lost Boy tested as he may have come back with malaria. The shots and the medicine are expensive so you need to plan for that.

Be aware also that since it is a terrorist country, our government does not have to let you back into the country if our security rules change while you are there or we are attacked.

If you have questions or need help, please do call.

When you go to the Sudan, please make sure that your job is going to be available when you return. Also, if you can possibly do it, pay your medical insurance in advance so you do not lose your benefits. If you have a car, make sure that you check with your insurance agent to find out what coverage you need to maintain in case you car is hit in the parking lot or stolen.

Additionally, check to see about cell phone coverage. I doubt that you can use it in Sudan--you can put it on hold for a minimum charge, and no one can call you. You can have it deducted from your credit card or checking account. If you drop the coverage, and your contract is not up, you will have a $200.00 charge to pay. You can also do easy pay to keep the current coverage. That way your bill is kept current. If you don’t pay, they will cancel you and your will have the same charge. You can arrange for international service, but it is expensive.

BUY A NONREFUNABLE TICKET. IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT, BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE. THAT WAY YOU WILL BE COVERED FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT LOST LUGGAGE AND TICKET REPLACEMENT, AND CHANGES. ALSO TRY TO GO BRITISH AIRWAYS. YOU ONLY STOP ONCE IN LONDON, AND YOU GO STRAIGHT TO UGANDA.

If you are a citizen, you have the protection of the U.S. Government should you get into difficulty.

You can purchase travel insurance through the airline when you go to Africa. It will cover ticket changes, cancellations, medical, hotels and all kinds of things.

Additionally, you are now used to American food and your immune system has changed, leaving you subject to African diseases.
Please seek advice before you plan your trip--either from me or someone who has knowledge about traveling to Africa. I know you have a dream of going--but the dream is not enough. You have to have knowledge with it.

Make copies of your documents and also copies of your airline ticket. Tape them inside the lid of your luggage. That way if your luggage is lost, they will be able to
Know where it is to go.

I really recommend that you become a citizen before you go so that you at least have some protection of the United States Government.

I HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS.

Blessings, Mama Reita