Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below are the most commonly asked questions and will be very helpful to anyone going or considering going to Zambia with us. These and more questions will be answered at the Team Meetings held before leaving for camp. Click on each question for the answer.

GENERAL MISSION TRIP INFORMATION

  1. In addition to receiving an Information Booklet, each individual or family will be assigned a Mission Trip Advisor (MTA). Your advisor is a Camp LIFE Alumni who is volunteering with the ministry to encourage you and answer any questions you may have regarding the trip.

    2. We will conduct informational Team Meetings in February, March and April, which will be held in Austin, Houston and Dallas. There will also be a conference call each month after the Team Meeting for those who do not live in these areas.

    You will receive numerous emails with information and updates. Please check your email often and reply back or take any action that is recommended in the email.

    Finally, you are welcome to contact us at any time with any other questions you may have.

  • Yes, you will need a passport. Applications for a passport can be obtained from most U.S. Post Office locations or online at: http://travel.state.gov/passport. You need to allow 6 – 8 weeks to get a passport, so don’t delay! We need a copy of your passport either mailed or scanned and e-mailed to our office no later than mid-April. In the case of an emergency, you can always get a passport in a few days time, however you will have to pay an expedite fee. Your passport must have two blank pages. Your passport must not expire within 6 months of your scheduled travel time. The name on your passport MUST match the name we submit for your plane ticket. So, please make sure we have your correct passport name. Obtaining your passport is your responsibility and none of the funds raised on your behalf can be applied to the cost. See the financial section for more information on this issue.

  • Yes, if you do not already have one and if you will be 16 years or older on the date of your arrival. It will cost you $135 cash upon entry into Zambia and is good for three years. This is not covered in the price of your trip since you must pay it in cash as you enter Zambia. Camp LIFE Alumni who have been to Zambia within the past three years and received a three-year visa should not need to get a new visa. If this applies to you, double-check your passport to make sure. These rules do change as the Zambian government wishes but we will give you updated information at the team meetings.

    • Camp LIFE participants include families (even with young children), college students, single adults, married couples, parents and grandparents.
    • Children need to be at least 5 years old by the time of departure, though we have made exceptions in certain cases.
    • Family Legacy’s policy regarding minor children (under the age of 18) attending without a parent is that they must come with a biological relative (older sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.). Exceptions to this policy may be made only under special circumstances following a written request by the parent, the child, and the person who will act as the child’s guardian.

  • Zambia is seven hours ahead of U.S. Central Standard time. At 3:00 p.m. CST, it is 10:00 p.m. in Zambia.

    • There are two internet cafés that you can use on the weekends.
    • Please check with your local provider prior to your trip to see if your phone will work in Zambia. Cell phone calls to the US are very expensive, though text messages can be relatively cheap.
    • In case of a true emergency, internet and a phone are available in our housing village.

  • The weather during June and July is ideal with 70 – 75 degree temperatures and bright sunny days. Temperatures in the mornings and evenings are in the 50’s, so sweatshirts, light jackets and/or long-sleeve shirts are advised. Late June to early July is generally the coolest time of the summer.

    • A detailed packing list will be distributed to each participant at the April team meeting, however you will spend most of your time in jeans/pants, t-shirts and tennis shoes.
    • You will receive an order form to select the Camp LIFE Team t-shirts you want to buy for Monday – Thursday of Camp LIFE. We recommend buying at least four different shirts for one week of camp.
    • You will receive a white Camp LIFE t-shirt to wear on Friday after you arrive in Zambia.
    • In the evenings you will want to dress comfortably (jeans, sweats, etc).
    • On Sundays, ladies wear a dress or skirt below the knee and men wear khakis/slacks and a nice shirt.

    • You need $135 cash to pay for your visa when you arrive, but you won’t have to pay for anything else in Zambia except souvenirs and minutes at the Internet Café. The internet cost is approximately 4 cents per minute.
    • You will have to pay for your food in London and on any other layovers you may have. $150 should be enough, but it depends on how much you like to spend.
    • Credit Cards can be used in some places but not Traveler’s Checks. Please call your credit card company in advance to inform them of the dates you will be in Africa.

  • Yes. Zambia was colonized by the British and peacefully gained its independence in 1964. It is currently a multi-party democracy with free and open elections. Christianity is the official religion and Zambians are some of the friendliest people in Africa. There are not, nor have there been any tribal wars or racial tensions within the country. Americans are very well-liked; however, it is not advisable to be in certain parts of the city after dark just like many other major cities worldwide. The teams will only be out working between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. During the weekends, Americans will be in groups and will also have a Zambian escort.

    • A list of needed donation items is included in the Camp LIFE Q&A book.
    • You should bring a small inexpensive gift to give your Zambian partner at the end of the week such as a new bible, Christian book, jewelry, a new shirt, etc.
    • If you wish to donate money, please follow our policy by donating it to Family Legacy. It creates problems if a Zambian receives money from an American and others do not. We also don’t want the Zambians to “go around” the ministry and come straight to the Americans for money, etc. If it becomes a problem, it could cost the employee their job or volunteer the potential of a job. So please consider what is best long-term for them.

  • Yes, a family who came with us adopted an orphan in 2005. The adoption process is very complicated, but it can be done.

  • Yes, you will be able to Susan or Rebecca in our office at (972) 620-2020. You should also be able to contact your MTA.

  • It is hard to give exact numbers as all costs fluctuate, but we provide a general breakdown of the costs here.

  • The Housing Village is a perfect place for a jog, however, your days will be very full and you will get a lot of exercise during camp.

  • The funds received cannot be refunded due to IRS laws, but they will be carried forward one year if you decide to participate in Camp LIFE the following summer. If your airline tickets have been purchased and subsequently cancellation fees are incurred, those fees will be deducted from the funds you have raised.

    TRAVEL INFORMATION

      • Family Legacy works with a travel agency to make flight arrangements to and from Africa.
      • Flights are booked as soon as possible after applications are processed. You will receive a tentative itinerary by email from our office shortly after you apply for Camp LIFE and will be asked to review, approve, sign and return the flight contract to our office.
      • Your tickets will be purchased after you have raised 75% of your trip cost. Once purchased, you will receive your official itinerary from FLMI by email. Print it out and DO NOT LOSE IT.
      • Shortly before your trip, you need to verify your itinerary from the airline website using the record locator you received from FLMI. Please see the British Airways website (www.britishairways.com) or South African Airlines (www.flysaa.com).
      • If you prefer to use air mileage credits for your flights, you need to contact the airline directly to make those arrangements. Your Camp LIFE cost will be reduced accordingly. Please note that it is difficult to get flights to and from Zambia using miles. Please contact our office if you are interested in this option.
      • Family Legacy will make hotel reservations and transportation arrangements for those who have an overnight layover in London on their return flight from Zambia. This expense is included in your trip cost.

    2. You will be responsible for the $100 change fee charged by our travel agent and for any additional airfare costs or change fees incurred from the airlines.

      • More than likely, you will travel to Zambia with other Camp LIFE team members. If you want to travel with a specific friend, you can specify that on your application. We try to book friends together; however, it is not always possible.
      • Occasionally, Americans have to fly one leg of the trip alone, although we try to avoid this situation.
      • You will probably fly overnight directly to London on British Airways, which is approximately a 9-hour flight. You will have an 8 – 10 hour layover in London and then take either an overnight British Airways flight directly to Lusaka or an overnight South African Airlines flight to Johannesburg, South Africa (both flights are approximately 10-hour flights).
      • Those on the South African route have a short layover in Johannesburg and then a two hour flight on SAA to Lusaka. Do not be concerned if you are booked on the South African flights. SAA is an excellent airline which we use frequently.

      • Yes! There is an express train from Heathrow Airport that gets to the city within 20 minutes.
      • London is quite expensive so you will need to budget at least $100 – $300 depending on what you plan to do while you are there.
      • You also need to plan carefully so that you return to the airport 2-3 hours prior to your departure.
      • If you chose not to go into London, there are plenty of shops and restaurants within the airport to keep you occupied.
      • You may also reserve a hotel room at the airport for the day if you want to rest, however that will be at your own expense.

    5. Because we purchase “missionary class” airline tickets, often frequent flyer credit is reduced or not available. You will be responsible for discussing your credit with the airlines as Family Legacy does not take care of that.

      • Each person is allowed two 50 lb. bags, one carry-on item and one personal item. As these restrictions can change at any time, please check the airlines website for updated information prior to travel.
      • Weigh each bag carefully on a scale on a hard surface to get an accurate weight. Each bag should weigh 48 lbs. to be safe. If you are over 50 lbs. you will have to remove items from your bag.

    FOOD AND ACCOMMODATIONS

    1. We live inside the gated community of Mulungushi Village, which is a 24 hour gated & guarded housing neighborhood in Lusaka. The Village is extremely safe and is composed of 88 houses that each have 4 bedrooms and 2 ½ or 3 ½ bathrooms. The houses are furnished and have a full kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave and toaster. People who live there permanently are upper-class citizens of Lusaka, including members of the Zambian parliament and private business owners. 8 – 10 Americans will be living in each house and room assignments will be made by FLMI staff prior to your arrival. No male/female roommates are allowed unless you are married or are members of the same family.

      • Breakfast: We provide milk, juice, tea, coffee, sugar and bread for toast. You will need to bring any other items you want for breakfast. There is a grocery store you can visit on Sunday; however the prices are very high. One box of cereal costs approximately $9.
      • Weekday Lunch: During the week at Camp LIFE lunch consists of two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a bottle of water. Apples are also available.
      • Weekend Lunch: We will provide you with money to buy lunch at one of the shopping centers in Lusaka.
      • Dinner: We eat as a group at the Mulungushi dining room. Some items served include beef tips, baked chicken, potatoes, rice and vegetables. Tuesdays and Saturdays are PIZZA NIGHT!
      • Snacks: Please bring any snacks that you might want with you to Zambia.

    CAMP LIFE INFORMATION

      • PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Search the Bible for verses about orphans and get the following two books that we highly recommend to help you understand the Heart of God for orphans: “Too Small to Ignore” By Wesley Stafford, “Fields of the Fatherless” by Tom Davis.
      • Each year there is a theme for Camp LIFE and you will be told the theme during the team meetings. You will also be given specific Bible verses related to the theme that you can study and memorize before coming to Camp LIFE.

      • Each American will have a Zambian partner and together you will minister to a group of approximately 12-15 children throughout the week.
      • You will meet your partner on Sunday afternoon during the team meeting with our Zambian staff and volunteers. Your partner can translate if your children don’t speak English, but he/she will be much more than just a translator. He/She will become your friend, your prayer partner, and will give you insight regarding Zambian culture and the struggles the children face day and night.
      • At the team meetings, you will also have the opportunity to request the age and gender of the children you prefer to work with. Please understand that we cannot meet everyone’s request and ask that you be flexible if you are not given the group you request. We truly believe that the Holy Spirit authors every group, and we submit to HIS leading when assigning the groups to the counselors.
      • Camp LIFE runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 2:00 on Friday. Each day at Camp LIFE there are two general sessions. After each session you will be asked to discuss what was taught to your group of kids. We will provide you with “Small Group Discussion Questions & Helpful Hints” once you arrive in Zambia. In addition, you will have a “Blessing Time” with each child individually. This is your opportunity to hear their prayer requests and then to pray over them. Keep in mind that your Zambian partner will be helping you and co-partnering with you all along the way.

    HEALTH & SAFETY

    1. The U.S. Department of Health does not REQUIRE any immunizations for travel to Zambia, but does RECOMMEND those listed below. We suggest that you discuss these immunizations with your health care professional to determine what you want to receive.

      • Hepatitis A: ($75) if you receive a booster of Hepatitis A six months after your first immunization you will never need it again.
      • Tetanus/Diphtheria: ($45) you need this vaccination if you haven’t received a booster in the last ten years.
      • Adult Polio: ($45) if you have not had an adult polio shot since you turned 18, we recommend you receive this vaccine. After receiving this vaccination once, you will never need it again.
      • TB Skin Test: ($15, possibly twice) if you are certain you do not have Tuberculosis prior to your trip, you only need to receive a TB skin test when you return from Zambia.
      • Meningitis: ($105) Boosters are needed every four years for this vaccination.

      • Typically, the most inexpensive place to get your immunizations is at your local County Health Department. However, your cost is variable depending on your insurance coverage.
      • If you are in the Dallas area, we recommend Dr. Richard Johnston. You can visit his website at: www.travelhealthy.net to schedule an appointment.
      • It is ideal to schedule your appointment at least 4 – 6 weeks prior to your departure.

    3. Technically (according to the CDC), the main water system of Zambia is considered safe to drink, However, we always recommend that you only drink bottled water and we have PLENTY of it on hand for you. We also recommend you to not eat any uncooked/raw vegetables or meat.

    4. With respect to malaria, it is recommended to get a prescription from your doctor for “Malarone” – an anti-malarial drug – as well as taking the precaution of wearing long-sleeves and pants and minimizing your time out after dark (as this is when the malaria mosquito is most active). However, the malaria mosquito is only prevalent during Zambia’s rainy season November through March. The FLMI campaigns take place during Zambia’s dry season, and mosquitoes are very few and far between and even rarely ever seen during the “winter” months that we travel to Zambia. We DO NOT RECOMMEND the anti-malarial medication called LARIAM due to its strong side effects. If your doctor tries to prescribe this to you, PLEASE request Malarone or have the doctor’s office call us for more information.

    5. Your doctor will tell you that you need to take your Malarone every day while in Zambia, two days before you arrive and seven days after you come home. If you forget to take your daily pill, you can always just take it as soon as you remember. The risk for malaria is extremely low and we have never had anyone contract malaria from our American teams in Zambia.

    6. About 5-10% of the children we work with are infected with AIDS. The orphans are not referred to as “AIDS Orphans” necessarily because they have AIDS, but rather they were orphaned because of AIDS taking the lives of their parents.

    7. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, HIV is spread by sexual contact with an infected person, by sharing needles and/or syringes with someone who is infected, or, less commonly, through transfusions of infected blood or blood clotting factors. Contact with saliva, tears, or sweat has never been shown to result in the transmission of HIV. The Center for Disease Control has shown no evidence of HIV transmission through biting insects such as mosquitoes.

      If an orphan hurts themselves in any way, the Zambian co-counselor will escort the child to the Camp Nurse to treat and cover the wound securely. If an American has any cuts or abrasions, they are instructed to bandage them properly and can also visit the nurse if necessary. First aid kits are available for the team at all times.

    8. The two health issues that need extra care in Zambia are if you are severely asthmatic or have an allergy to peanuts. For those with an extreme asthmatic condition, the dust in the city of Lusaka can aggravate this condition, and so therefore we recommend that you bring the appropriate medication with you. For those with an allergy to peanuts, we recommend that you closely monitor your food intake. Prescription antibiotics are always helpful to have on hand should you need them. You should ask your doctor to give you a “stand-by” antibiotic prescription if possible.

    9. Unless there is an American doctor traveling with us as a part of our team for your particular week, the answer to this question is no. However, we do have access to highly respectable European doctors who serve the upper-class citizens and foreigners who live in Zambia. There is good, basic medical care available in Lusaka, but if sophisticated medical needs arise such as surgery, emergency medical evacuation services are accessible to South Africa. Personal travel and medical insurance is available from various third party sources if you desire, but you will have to pursue that independently of FLMI. Please visit: www.travelex.com for travel insurance needs.

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