We'd like to take this opportunity to wish you a hearty welcome to Tenwek! We are happy you are going to join us. Going to a foreign land with different people, different customs, and different ideas can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many unknowns and so many things to remember. For this reason, we've prepared a few essential facts and tips that will help you.

DRESS CODE: Temperature can vary considerably during the day, becoming quite cool at night, so you should bring a sweater and a warm jacket. Women may want to bring flannel nightclothes. Bring a white lab coat and scrubs for use when at the hospital. Include a light raincoat and/or umbrella as there is rain year round. Sturdy shoes and/or tennis shoes are best for the rough terrain. Overall, Kenyan attitudes toward acceptable dress are probably much more modest than what you are accustomed to. Masculine dress on adult women, in particular, is not approved of. As missionaries, you are expected to respect local standards, so here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

WOMEN: Sundresses, sleeveless dresses, sleeveless tops, tank tops, skirts above the knee, slacks or jeans, and shorts are not allowed in public (outside of your abode). Surgical scrub pants can be worn if you are working in surgery. A lab coat should be worn over them outside the surgery rooms. Slacks or shorts can be worn on the Masai trip, again with a cover (skirt or something) until you are away from Tenwek. In Nairobi, American dress is acceptable within the limits of modesty and Christian standards. If you are a sports enthusiast, you may want to bring shorts or sweat pants to wear for indoor aerobic classes (you may have to organize them). If you jog outdoors, however, you must do so in skirts or long culottes. Bring a swimsuit in case you want to swim on the Masai trip - or on other outings. Skirts and blouses, or dresses are suitable for work but must cover the knees well. You will want one or two dressy outfits for church. We also recommend that you keep jewelry and make-up, especially eye shadow, lipstick, and nail polish, at a minimum and avoid large or long, dangling earrings.

MEN: Shorts are not allowed at the hospital and are discouraged elsewhere (except for jogging, then they should be mid-thigh in length). Short sleeve casual shirts, slacks or jeans, one nicer outfit for Sundays (shirt and tie are preferable for church and a jacket if you plan to do any speaking engagements) and sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring a swimsuit in case you want to swim on the Masai trip - or on other outings.

MONEY: We suggest that you exchange $150 per person at Nairobi Airport when you arrive. You can do this while you are waiting for the luggage to come as the banks have windows on that side as well as on the outside when you have exited the customs area. Damaging Kenyan currency in any way is a serious offense. You can exchange any leftover Kenyan currency at the airport when leaving. If you run short of Kenyan cash, you can exchange some at Tenwek as well using personal checks on a US bank. Do bring your check book with you. Your bill at the hospital, including your Masai trip, can be paid with a personal check. The rate for room and board in $14 per single; $25 per couple. This covers the cost of housing, food, utilities (electricity, water, cooking gas), and general upkeep.

CODE OF CONDUCT: From the time you arrive in Kenya until the time you leave, you will be seen as a representative of Tenwek Hospital and World Gospel Mission. As a result, you are expected to behave according to a code of conduct in keeping with your position as a missionary. Therefore, the following are not permitted at any time during your stay in Kenya: swearing, using profane language, or taking the Lord's name in vain; drinking alcoholic beverages; smoking or taking addictive drugs. People all over Kenya know Tenwek and see you as a missionary wherever you are. Failure to follow these policies will force us to ask you to leave. It is best not to discuss or even mention the fact that in some cultures Christians drink alcoholic drinks with meals or socially, as in the African point of view, if you 'drink', you are not a Christian. You will do more harm than good if you allow yourself to get into conversations/debates about this. Dating as we know it in the Western world is not common among the up-country people. Therefore, visitors should not plan on dating while on the field. Affection or any physical contact, even holding of hands, is never done in public between opposite sexes whether they are married or single couples. If you come with your spouse, we know this will be a difficult adjustment, but bear with us. We know it is not easy. Unmarried couples should not be in houses or apartments alone, go for walks alone, go on trips alone, or be seen alone frequently in public. This is because the Kenyan people, both Christian and non-Christian, consider this conduct very wrong. We cannot allow any conduct that will hinder the Christian ministry of the mission. One other thing you will have to adjust to is seeing men holding hands as they walk. This is a common sign of friendship and respect between two men.

TRANSPORTATION: If you ask someone to drive you somewhere, you will be expected to pay for the trip. All the vehicles on the compound belong to World Gospel Mission or the hospital and can only be driven by missionaries or certain designated national drivers. Everyone who uses the vehicles (missionaries included) pay a mileage rate to pay for gas and upkeep on the vehicle. If someone asks you if you want to go somewhere on a trip with them, they may expect you to help with the travel expenses. To avoid misunderstandings, find out how much the trip will cost before you go. Trips to and from Nairobi are arranged for you by the visiting staff coordinator in the most economical manner possible at that particular time. Those coming under World Medical Mission are usually flown from Nairobi via MAF or AIM AIR. Flights are about $270 (price in 2000) and are divided among the passengers if several are using the flight. If a special trip is required and you are the only passenger, then you are responsible for the total cost. A round trip by road to Nairobi costs approximately $120 for mileage alone. Going to Kericho by local public transport is possible but there is not set time schedule for that type of vehicle so you have to be flexible - and allow more time that you think it will take. Tenwek is still a bit isolated, though the roads are better than they used to be. It is impossible to see Kenya on your 1 day off per week, so any vacations or trips lasting more than a day must be taken before or after your scheduled time at Tenwek. We trust your reason for coming to Tenwek is to serve the people and help the missionaries, not for a vacation. For anyone staying a month or longer, we try to arrange a trip to a game park. Those going are responsible for the costs involved. Approximate cost of this trip as of July 1999 is $150 to $180 per person. This includes transport, three game drives, and an overnight stay and three meals in a very nice lodge.

ELECTRICITY: Voltage at Tenwek is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC. Bring one converter and adapter plugs for use in Nairobi and enroute to and from Tenwek. Each home and the Guesthouse at Tenwek has a transformer to convert 220 to 110 volts. At Tenwek we have indicated by the type of wall plugs which is 220 V. and 110V. 3 prong round = 110V, 3 prong rectangular = 220V. Electric clocks lose time because of the 50 cycle current, therefore, you should bring a wind-up or battery operated alarm clock and extra batteries.

MAIL: Stamps, aerograms and postcards are available from the Tenwek Post Person. Mail comes in Monday through Friday and is sorted and put into the post boxes in the Mail Room. Outgoing mail should be put in the mail box in the Mail Room. All mail should be sent air mail. Postal rates to the U.S. are: Aerograms - 30/= plus 4/= for the aerogram; Postcards - 35/= for small size, 59/= for large size; Letters per 20 grams - 59/=. Rates are less for Europe. We suggest that U.S. visitors bring U.S. stamps with them if they want to send letters with other visitors returning to the U.S. before them to be mailed there.Your mailing address at Tenwek will be: YOUR NAME, Tenwek Hospital, P. O. Box 39, Bomet, Kenya, East Africa. Mail takes ten to fourteen days to get from the USA to Tenwek. It takes varying times to get to the USA depending on where the letters were mailed (from Tenwek, 14 days; Kericho 7-10 days; Nairobi 5-7 days). Your e-mail address will be tenwekguests@maf.org. E-mail is now available for use on the guesthouse computer so that the all of the visitors share the same account. For sake of ease you may want to have people put your name in the subject when writing you an email.

TELEPHONE CALLS: The telephone number at Tenwek is 0361-30086. If you cannot get through to that number, call 0361-30088, or 0361-20397. People calling from the US should be aware that we are eight hours ahead of EST (7 hours Eastern Daylight Time). The country code for Kenya is 254. So to dial Tenwek from the States dial 011-254-361-30086. Actually it is difficult to get through so e-mail if you have access to it is a better option. Other useful phone numbers to have on arrival are: 037-42099 - Terry Duncan, World Gospel Mission Field Director, 723233 - Mayfield Guesthouse, 602300 - AIM AIR (mission air service) 891217 - Michael & Kay Johnson, WGM missionary in Nairobi. All telephone calls at Tenwek are to be made from the 'phone booth' or at the hospital switchboard. Keep a record of your phone calls as well as filling out the appropriate form at the phone booth. Call from Tenwek to the US cost about $4.00 a minute. Calling Tenwek from the USA at the low rate time costs about $1.00 a minute.

GUESTHOUSE: Visitors in the Guesthouse should note the suggestions posted on the bulletin board. Any problems, questions, or suggestions should be addressed to the Guesthouse Hostess.

MEALS: When you arrive, your first noon meals will be provided for you in missionaries' homes. Single visitors will usually continue to eat around in different homes at noon but be responsible for preparing their own breakfasts and suppers. Married couples normally prepare their own meals. This will be discussed after your arrival/ All guests are requested to be at their hostess's home a few minutes before the time of the meal (usually 1 PM for lunch and 6:30 PM for supper). Please alert the Visiting Staff Coordinator and the Station Hostess, if you are going to be away from the station. If you are going to miss a meal due to your trip, notify the hostess as far in advance as possible.

MEDICATIONS: Some medicines are available at the hospital pharmacy but you should bring any medicine that you take regularly with you. If you get sick while at Tenwek, register in the outpatient department. They will give you a 'tic sheet' which you take to one of the long term doctors for treatment or a prescription. After you have received your treatment, please pay the pharmacy cashier. Keep the receipt or turn it in at the Visiting Staff Coordinator's Office. Malaria prophylaxis is your own responsibility. We suggest you get Chloroquin before coming and begin it two weeks before your arrival date. You should continue it for six weeks after your return home. You should obtain a course of Fansidar (3 tablets) to carry with you in case you have malaria or flu-like symptoms. It is available here at Tenwek as well. Mosquitoes are not a great problem at Tenwek, but there is Chloroquin- resistant malaria in Kenya. Malaria is most dangerous if not treated promptly. If you think there is a chance you have malaria (headache, fever, vomiting) take your Fansidar immediately. We do not recommend traveler diarrhea prophylaxis (CDC recommendations). We suggest you carry a 3-5 day course of Bactrim with you and begin it if you begin to have watery stools without blood or mucus. You may want to bring some Lomotil tablets as well.

GROCERIES: A grocery trip is made to Kericho (50 miles away) each week. The day varies and is posted in the mail room. You will be given instructions as to what is available and how to order. There are a number of shops at Tenwek where you can buy soap, yarn, bread, tea, sugar, flour, margarine, sodas, gum and other things. There are also tea shops selling chai (tea) and local pastries which are safe to eat. In addition, local people may come to your door selling fresh fruits and vegetables. The price you should pay for these is posted on the guesthouse bulletin board.

HOUSEHELP: Many long term missionaries employ nationals as househelp. Those staying longer than a month may want to hire household help. Please check with the Station Hostess before hiring anyone as there is a set government wage scale that must be observed and prospective workers should be screened. African baby-sitters can be hired as well. Househelp costs between $24 and $40 per month depending on the person's experience.

VISITING IN HOMES: You will probably be invited to a national home while you are here. The Kipsigis are a friendly and loving people, and will impress you with their hospitality. If you are offered water or milk, it is not rude to ask whether it has been boiled, and if it has not, to decline. However, milk has usually been boiled and it, as well as tea and soda, are safe to drink. If you go to a national home, it is acceptable to take a small gift (e.g. tea and sugar, or rice, or sweets). Giving of gifts by visitors has caused many problems with some of our national staff in the past. It has caused jealousy between them and caused some to continually ask visitors for gifts. Something that may be insignificant to you (like a pair of old jeans) can be worth one half a national's monthly salary. Your good intentions may cause problems that last long after you are gone. If there are items you wish to leave, give them to the Guesthouse Hostess and she will see that they are fairly taken care of. Thank you for your help in this matter. SECURITY: There are several night watchmen and some day guards who patrol the compound. You will be given keys to your room or house. Please close the windows and lock the doors whenever you leave the compound and at night.

LIBRARY: The Tenwek community Library is located to the left as you enter the staff gate to the hospital. It is open Tuesday through Saturday - 2:00 PM to 7 PM. The membership fee is 120/=.

SERVICES: The following is a list of services which all are encouraged to attend: Sundays: 9:00 AM - Worship (English) in the Hospital Meeting Room 10:30 AM - Tenwek Church at the bottom of the hill, 5:00 PM - Prayer meting for Tenwek missionary staff and visiting staff, Tuesday/Wednesday: 7:30 PM - Small group meetings, Thursday: 7:30 AM - Staff devotions in the Hospital Meeting Room, Monday/Friday: 10-10:30 AM - Tea & prayer meeting for staff in Hospital Meeting Room.

DEPARTURE/TRAVEL IN KENYA: If leaving Bomet by air, there is a limit of 830 lbs. or 380 kg. for passengers plus their luggage. If you are sharing a flight with others this becomes significant. Guard your passport well. US passports are valuable on the black market. Should you lose yours, contact the American Embassy immediately. Keeping a photocopy of the first two typed pages andcarrying it separately from your passport will help you get a new one more quickly. Do not form friendships on the streets. English speaking youths may tell you of family troubles, death, or even claim to be a Christian and ask for aid to get to the USA for further education or for school fees here. Most important, do not go into buildings and offices (or dark alleys) with strangers who say they will help you with this or that. They may be after your passport - or your money. It is best not to travel alone. Pickpockets and purse snatchers often operate in groups and surround a single person as they are walking, waiting at a light, or even window shopping. Do not give to beggars or cripples on the streets - it is illegal. If they are genuinely needy, there are many charitable organizations from which they can receive help. Often such beggars are professionals (even the children). If is forbidden by Kenyan law to photograph any government official, building, post office, flag, policeman, army member, airport, etc. It is also a law that you must get a national's permission before taking a close-up of him. However, general shots of a scene though there are people in it are fine. Photographs at Tenwek Hospital are usually no problem. there shall be NO picture taking of MAASAI, WEST POKOT, or TURKANA people. Camera should be kept out of sight except when taking pictures of animals in the Maasai game area.

We are delighted that you will join our missionary 'family' for awhile. We look forward to getting to know you. We want to assist you in any way we can. During your time at Tenwek we will learn from each other and become better for the experiences we share. Our prayer is that God will bless you richly during your time here.

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