Expeditions - Humanitourism

Be flexible.  Or prepare yourself to be flexible.  Be prepared to let go of your preconceived ideas of how things should be.  Africa has its own rhythm and time frame.  Listen and let go.  That's probably not the answer you were expecting to this question.  But we want to be clear that this experience is unlike anything you will ever have. This is not an American tourism experience of Africa, this is a truly authentic African experience.

What you were probably expecting as an answer to this question is:

Application, $300 non-refundable deposit, payment of expedition fee to FMF, all other pre-travel checklists given to you by our Expedition Director, and attending an online LifeStory Transformation workshop.

Families have come with children as young as 6 years old.  Any children (17 or under) must be accompanied by a parent.  We have had adults up to 70 come on an expedition.  Though the car travel combined with the poor road conditions can be difficult for aging more experienced bodies.

• Reading and playing educational games at 1-2 of our Literacy Centers
• Doing a small project at the Family Restoration Center
• Teaching about basic first aid, hygiene, water, menstrual health, goal setting, music, art, basic finances/budgeting,
• Visiting a local clinic/hospital or school
• Gardening
• Visit a nearby sanctuary or forest

Team members will have the opportunity to eat two traditional Ghana meals on our visit to Asaam and Boabeng-Fiema.  If you are unable to eat Ghanaian food (or have concerns), please bring your own freeze-dried meals for those 2 days.  The other days while in Ghana you will be eating American-type foods you are used to:

Breakfast:  cornflakes, eggs, toast, fresh fruit, hash browns

Lunch:  sandwiches, fresh fruit

Dinner:  rice, veggies, spaghetti, pizza, casseroles, chicken

Filtered water will be provided for drinking, and brushing your teeth.  Do NOT drink the tap water.  The locals can drink it, but American digestive tracts cannot handle it.

Mosquitoes also carry malaria.  They are more prevalent in the rainy season (April-November).  You can bring malaria medicine, and citronella essential oils.  Some members of our teams have not done well with the malaria medicine and have opted for alternative treatments.  Fans at night, diffusers with citronella oil, and mosquito nets are what we also use.  You can also use DEET (3 oz bottles or less).

What about COVID immunization?  Currently, Ghana does not accept your immunization as proof you are covid-free.  See more detailed info on COVID.

This changes frequently. As of March 2021 these are Ghana’s COVID travel requirements:

• If you are immunized against COVID, you will still need to take the following PCR tests:
• You must have a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to your USA departure to show the airlines.
• You must pre-pay for a Ghana PCR test ($150) in the Accra Int’l airport.
• 72 hours prior to your Ghana departure, take another PCR test ($150) to show the airline you are negative. Carry this with you until you land in the USA.
• While in the country and traveling in a car, there are police stops to check if you are wearing masks.

All the links and payments for these will be made available to you when you join an expedition and track your to-do list in your account on this website.

Food, on-ground transportation, project costs, expedition team leaders, entrance fees. The expedition fee depends on the trip you decide to take. Click on each expedition to see the cost. There are other costs that are listed under "What other expenses are not included in my expedition fee?"

Other costs: 

Some companies offer matching donations.  We are registered with Benevity.com.  Ask if your company is registered with Benevity for corporate matching.

Short answer:  Consult your tax advisor.

Long answer:  The fee paid to go on an Expedition is deductible as a charitable contribution following this IRS guidance:

Travel.  Generally, you can claim a charitable contribution deduction for travel expenses necessarily incurred while you are away from home performing services for a charitable organization only if there is no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel.  This applies whether you pay the expenses directly or indirectly.  You are paying the expenses indirectly if you make a payment to the charitable organization and the organization pays for your travel expenses.

The deduction for travel expenses won't be denied simply because you enjoy providing services to the charitable organization.  Even if you enjoy the trip, you can take a charitable contribution deduction for your travel expenses if you are on duty in a genuine and substantial sense throughout the trip.  However, if you have only nominal duties, or if for significant parts of the trip you dont have any duties, you can't deduct your travel expenses.

(2020 Publication 526 page 6)

We try to keep you involved in the charitable work nearly every day, so the trip can be deductible, but again, consult your tax advisor for specific questions and situations.