Learning Trips

Once your application has been approved start fundraising as soon as possible. Our team will guide and encourage you along the way. Remember that you are inviting others to participate in what God is doing.

All trip funds must be received 6 weeks prior to your departure.

Once you are at this stage our team will be in touch with you to complete the necessary requirements:

• Vulnerable Persons Protection Policy
• Statement of Faith
• Confidentiality Policy
• Waivers
• Police Record Check

You will need to submit a picture of the photo page of your passport before the flight is purchased.

Flights will not be purchased until World Hope has received enough funds to cover the cost.

After flights are purchased, you are required to have insurance. We suggest Allianz – a comprehensive package which includes flight interruption, cancellation, and medical emergency insurance.

Invite friends, family, and your church to partner with you in prayer.  Keep them updated on your progress as you prepare for your trip, while you are on the ground (as you are able), and afterwards as you process all that you saw and experienced

To prepare for orientation, purchase and read When Helping Hurts Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.

Orientation for your trip will be scheduled and communicated to the Learning Trip team members by World Hope staff. 

Before travelling to a foreign country, it is recommended* that you register with Canada Abroad. Registration of Canadians Abroad is a free service that allows the Government of Canada to notify you in case of an emergency at your destination or a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest. https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration

Understanding that you are travelling to hard places, we recommend that you investigate any travel advice that the Government of Canada has on your destination country and make informed choices about being part of a learning team. We recommend that you do this before you decide to commit to a trip, during your preparation, and before you travel. The Government of Canada’s official source of travel information and advice, the Travel Advice and Advisories help you to make informed decisions and travel safely while you are outside Canada. https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

*What happened during the initial days of the Covid-19 pandemic is a helpful reminder of why this is important.

Debriefing will happen regularly while you are in the country, and there will be a time for the team to come together on Zoom to debrief 4-6 weeks after returning home. You will receive an email with details.

Other books to help you understand poverty and how you can be hope in hard places.

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger – Ronald J. Sider

Walking with the Poor – Bryant L. Myers

The Hole in Our Gospel – Richard Stearns

In the Name of Jesus – Henri Nouwen

• Located on the western coast of Africa.
• Sierra Leone means “Black Lion” for the dark, jagged mountains along the coastline.
• Though English is the official language, Krio is spoken by most of the native population.
• Religious freedom is protected in Sierra Leone; Muslims, Christians, and African religions live peacefully together.
• Sierra Leone is home to 7 million people.
• Until 1787, the country was ruled by tribal chiefs.
• Freetown was founded by former British and American slaves who earned their freedom fighting in the American Revolution.
• From 1808-1961, Sierra Leone was a colony of England.
• Civil war in 1991 (which lasted 11 years) began by the United Revolutionary Front, displaced 2 million people and left many mutilated and with amputations. World Hope International was founded primarily to address this national crisis.
• Currently, a stable government is in power, but Sierra Leone remains one of the poorest countries in the world.

You will receive a letter of invitation from the World Hope Sierra Leone office. Please print 2 copies. Carry one in your carry-on luggage and one with your passport.

You will need to apply for an EVisa and Securipasses. The application process is online and about 6 weeks before travel, you can apply through this portal. Remember, you are a visitor/tourist when travelling with World Hope International Canada.  

https://www.visitsierraleone.org/visa-application-information/

When you receive your eVisa, please print off two copies and carry them with you. One with your passport and the other in a carry-on bag – in case you need it. Your Securipasses are your exit and entrance passes for the airport. Again, we suggest you have 2 copies of each; one with your passport and one tucked away in your carry-on bag.

In Sierra Leone, the Yellow Fever vaccination is required for anyone entering the country. There are people who cannot receive the vaccine and will not be able to join the trip. Other vaccinations may be required or suggested by the healthcare team you meet with.

• Cambodia is located between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam in Southeast Asia
• Cambodia is home to almost 18 million people.
• The official language in Cambodia is Khmer. World Hope works primarily with the Bunong whose official language is Bunong.

A World Hope Team member will inform you of Cambodia specific travel needs as you prepare to go on your learning trip.