Information about countries
- https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
- http://informit.mit.edu/epr/3.0travel.html
International Development Groups (in MIT)
- International Development Consulting
- http://www.mit-idc.org/globalpartners/development.html
International Travel Information and Requirements
Gives country profile, passport/ visa requirements, immunization requirements, etc. (all information needed to travel)
- http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html
- Go to site of embassy of country traveling to for additional information
- Passport: $100, 4 weeks for new passport
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html
Passport acceptance agencies: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/
Passport Card (not applicable to us, but possibly useful information I'm throwing out here)
Only for Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry
Much cheaper than passport
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html
Health Information (& Mauritania Immunization Requirements)
This CDC Website has all the basic information we need---> http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationMauritania.aspx
I'll highlight a few of the biggest points although I encourage everybody to read the entire website:
1. Immunizations. Everyone needs to go to their doctor and figure out exactly what vaccines you need:
a. yellow fever
b. hepatitis A
c. hepatitis B
d. typhoid
e. polio
f. rabies
2. *Malaria.*We'll need to get anti-malarial medication and remind each other EVERY SINGLE DAY to eat it. This is our biggest health risk. Some symptoms fyi:
- fever
- chills
- sweats
- headache
- body aches
- nausea and vomiting
- fatigue
3. Medicine To Bring.
- your own prescription medication
- anti-diarrhea medication (VERY IMPORTANT)
- anti-malarial medication (VERY IMPORTANT)
- Iodine tablets and portable water filters to purify water (VERY IMPORTANT)
- Antibacterial hand wipes or alcohol-based hand sanitizer (VERY IMPORTANT)
- sunscreen and sunblock and a hat
4. Bug/Mosquito Bites. Because mosquito/bug bites are so scary and carry so many diseases, CDC also recommends that we:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat to wear outside (I figure since we're going to have to wear very modest clothing, this shouldn't be a problem)
- Use Insect spray containing pyrethroid insecticide
- Sleep under bed nets treated with permethrin. See Insecticide Treated Bed Netson the CDC malaria site.
Travel within Mauritania
Over estimate prices since they tend to fluctuate here... so I'm giving you numbers that are more than likely higher than what you actually pay (i'm adding 500um to each price). Sometimes they charge you for baggage - it's hard to say.
The current rate is $1 = 260um (this has been fluctuating quite a bit recently - last week when I checked it was 270um to the $1).
- From Nouakchott to Boghe = 3500um (um = ouguiyas) = $13
- From Boghe to Bababe = 1000um =$4
- From Kaedi to Bababe = 1000um
- From Boghe to Kaedi = 1500um = $6
I would plan round trip Nouakchott and then a handful of trips between the 3 sites.
Also for food - budget about 3000um per day, which would include buying bottled water (you can also use water tablets to treat your water if you choose to drink from well water).
Typical meals:
Breakfast:
bread = 100um
butter/jam/cheese = 50um (per 100um bread)
coffee = 50um
coffee with milk = 100um
Lunch:
restaurant meal = 300-500um (rice with different sauces - meat, fish, and/or veggies)
Dinner:
(bean or meat) Sandwich = 200um
1/4 Chicken = 1200um
couscous = 400um
1.5 L filtered water bottle = 200um
snacks (cookies, milk, etc) = 100um-300um per snack
little hard candies = 5um/piece
If you eat with host families, I would recommend bringing vegetables with you to improve the nutritional value of the plate - perhaps you as a group won't be allowed to at first, but the volunteer with you will probably help subsidize this, so you might want to give money to the volunteers...
If you want to rent, it may be 10,000um - 20,000um per month for all of you, depending on the room(s) & whether or not you choose to stay with a family... you will be more than welcome to stay with volunteers in these areas. That decision will come later of course.
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