Southern Cross Humanitarian: Expeditions

Expeditions

Several times per year Southern Cross Humanitarian takes groups to Peru, Ecuador and Colombia to perform humanitarian service. For most, meeting your fellow expedition members, immersing yourself in the culture, serving those in need and working with the children becomes a life-changing experience. Working beside the Latin American poor touches the hearts of those who give and those who receive. Our background gives us the expertise to carry out the logistics of our expeditions in a safe and professional way as well as providing a unique and personal glimpse into the heart and soul of the Latin American world. It is not uncommon for us to have repeat participants. We invite you to come along and join us in 2008.

Humanitarian efforts with Southern Cross focus on street children and newborn needs in three areas: 1. Health and Hygiene; 2. Literacy and Education; 3. Food and Water. We will often build Drop-in centers, dorms for our children, clinics, kitchens or bathrooms for elementary schools, or help local villagers by providing hygiene kits, basic hygiene training, newborn kits and newborn training. Click here to learn more about how you can help with our humanitarian efforts. Expedition projects are based on who signs up and their particular skills. Medical and dental projects may be added to existing construction expeditions as medical personnel sign on, in addition to the specially designed dental expedition each summer. Keep in mind that while construction or medical skills are valuable, the most important skills are hard work and having a good attitude. If you sign up, you will be going to a developing nation that often lacks the quality of services you expect at home. Things go wrong and must be taken with patience, maturity, and understanding.

To participate in one of our expeditions: 1. Download the Application below for the trip you want to go on; 2. Fill out and sign pages 3 & 4 and send it in with your full deposit; 3. We will contact you via email regarding preparations, packing, donations, and international airfare.

Here is our calendar for 2008. The following expeditions are open to the public:

Date	Place	Expedition Leader & Project	Excursion
June 14-24, 2008	Cusco, Peru	Van Evans. The Sunflower Home, Tupac Drop-in Center, Dental. FULL	Machu Picchu
July 5-13, 2008	Cartegena, Colombia	Van Evans, Turbaco and Cartagena Drop-in Centers	Islas del Rosario
July 9-19, 2008	Cusco, Peru	CANCELLED	Machu Picchu
Aug 6-16, 2008	Cusco, Peru	Van Evans. The Sunflower Home, Anta Home	Machu Picchu
Sept 9-21, 2008	Otavalo, Ecuador	CANCELLED	Galapagos Islands
December 26- Jan 4, 2009	Cusco, Peru	Laura Mabbott	Machu Picchu

Colombia
Cost: $1675
Download the 2008 Project Overview, Itinerary, and Application PDF file by clicking here.
Includes 1 day Caribbean Island excursion to Islas del Rosario (Cocoliso Island resort). See application for details on what is included/excluded.
Does NOT include international airfare (i.e. U.S. city to Cartagena round trip). See the Colombia expedition page

Ecuador
Cost: $2300
Download the 2008 Project Overview, Itinerary, and Application PDF file by clicking here.
Includes 3-5 day Galapagos Islands excursion. See application for details on what is included/excluded.
Does NOT include international airfare (i.e. U.S. city to Quito round trip). See the Ecuador expedition page

Peru
Cost: $1850
Download the 2008 Project Overview, Itineraries, and Application PDF file by clicking here.
Includes 1 day Machu Picchu and 1 day Lake Titicaca excursion. See application for details on what is included/excluded.
Does NOT include international airfare (i.e. U.S. city to Lima round trip).

On some expeditions, particular skills or trades are in demand, but usually everyone over 14 years of age is invited. Those 8-14 years old are invited provided both parents are on the expedition. Participants should be in good physical condition, and may wish to learn a little Spanish. Advance reading on street children is also recommended. Participants must have a current U.S. Passport. Passports take several weeks to several months to process, so apply right away. No advance visa is required, unless you are not a citizen of the United States. All Humanitarian Expeditions are tax deductible trips to help the indigent children of Latin America. See your tax advisor for any restrictions that may apply to you. Group Limit will vary for each country. Last year's expeditions filled rapidly so make your plans soon. Click here to make your reservations or call ASAP if you have questions: 801-278-7102 or 800-669-5191.

"I wanted to say thank you one more time. Myself, Joanie, Alex and Taylor were changed for life. All of us felt this was the most soul touching adventure we have ever had. Your planning, supervision and organization of 30 people in Peru was spectacular... This trip has given me a great passion for the work you are doing..." - Joseph D. July 2004 Expedition

"We had an absolutely amazing experience. ...It was a life changing experience for my teenage kids, and a wonderfully heart warming, humbling and even a back breaking experience for me and Jenni." - Chuck K. December 2007 Expedition

"The experience of the expedition was one that I will never forget. It was hard to go home to all that I have after seeing so many people in need. I'm truly blessed, and the trip was a priceless reminder of that." - Juliana C. December 2007 Expedition