Safety in Kolhapur, India What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
At our first ministry site (hospital) we basically had 2-3 body guards at all times…we probably didnt necessarily need them but the men took very good care to make sure we were alway accompanied. It came from a good heart but it might have been a little much.
And at the orphanage we rarely left the premises but the dad seemed to think that even at night if we were to leave our doors open on the third story for ventilation that he must then sleep right outside our door on a cot. again, all from a good heart but maybe not necessary.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Kolhapur, India Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
My team worked with two ministries while we were in Kolhapur. First we were with Mary Wanless Hospital where we did a lot of intercession and prayer for them because they were in a time of transition of leadership. We also led the prayer meeting every morning and planned a few afternoons of activities for the staff children. Dr. Bimal was our host and he was awesome about creating a schedule for us and communicating with us. He also made sure we had time to do some tourism around the city. He had one WR team before us a few years ago and loved having them which translated in the way he treated us.
Our second ministry site was Karunalay-an orphanage for children who have HIV. We lived on site and spent our time just playing and getting to know the kids. They were long days because you never left the ministry site, but overall it was really fun. We experienced more of a language barrier here as the pastor and his wife who run the orphanage don’t speak much English. Their two children spoke better English so we mostly communicated through them.
I would recommend both of these ministry sites to other WR teams-however I would suggest placing one team at each site for the entire month instead of splitting our month at the two.
Lodging
Lodging in Kolhapur, India Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
At both sites my team stayed on site. The hospital has a guest house that has a ton of rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom with a western toilet. There was a courtyard in the center which is a great place to hang a hammock!
We lived on site at the orphanage as well but had separate living quarters than the kids. It was a little more cramped here but it worked well. They also have western toilets.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Kolhapur, India What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
buy our own meals collectively which was fantastic. After those first initial days we were invited to the staffs homes pretty much every night for dinner and most days lunch and breakfast were also prepared for us and brought to the hospital as well. You will eat a lot of curry, chapati, rice, and chicken (the whole chicken). Start saying no to second helpings early because they will force feed you.
Orphanage: A lot of the same foods but you will not be force fed, you can eat as much or as little as you’d like.
You will have plenty of chai tea!!! and its delicious!!! put some sugar in if they haven’t done it for you already and grab some of those cookies laid out too, it is so good! It saved me when I wasn’t a fan of the rest of the food haha
Transportation
Transportation in Kolhapur, India What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
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Medical
Medical in Kolhapur, India Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
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Communication
Communication in Kolhapur, India Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
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Financial
Financial in Kolhapur, India Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
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Translators
Translators in Kolhapur, India List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
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Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Kolhapur, India What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
People’s Opinions
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Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Kolhapur, India Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
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Tips
People’s Opinions
While working with either of these ministries I would just suggest that the teams make sure they guard their off days. Since we were split between both ministries with about 10 days at each one, they had a hard time seeing why we needed an off day since we weren’t there that long. We ended up giving up a day we had planned off to stay with the kids and realized that we had really needed that day to rest. The pastor at the orphanage also kept the children home from school a couple of times which cut into our team time and down time. We ended up leaving Kolhapur a day early so we could spend an extra day in Bangalore to rest. So guard your off days!
Additional Info
Additional Info in Kolhapur, India Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?