Safety in Vizianagaram, 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
We spent a few weeks in the area. It is a smaller town and the area seemed pretty safe. However, our host was a little leary about us not having a driver and walking around, but the standard buddy system should be ok. During our 2.5 weeks there we had no issues. Just note as far as your host safety, westerners rarely (if ever) come out that way so make sure your host knows if you go to a hotel or dine in a hotel because they will notify the police you are there. So, avoid hotels if possible if you have not been registered by your host with the police, but other than that you’ll be fine.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Vizianagaram, 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
Being at Alpha Church with Sion and his family was amazing. We spent the weeks doing street or Church plant evangelism every night. Also, Sion is over mountain ministry where he does outreach to villages that require hiking to get to. The hikes are pretty challenging so be SURE you are up for it before you go because it is a 2 hour ride to get to the trailhead, meaning once you are there it is no turning back. But, the villages are great and Pastors Jiven and Prasad are wonderful.
Be prepared to preach at every place you go and give a testimony and sing worship songs (definitely have at least 2 or 3 action songs for all the village children who will come to see you as well.)
Lastly, the place we stayed was an orphanage of 24 children. My advice is get to know them because they are a real blast. Everyday we were there at 4:30 until dark, expect to play games!
(our team was M5:5 but it was not an option to select)
Lodging
Lodging in Vizianagaram, 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
We stayed at Alpha Church. Lodging is tough in that you’ll have no wifi, but the showers are good with a western (I’ll let you figure out what that means but it’s good). Our host did not charge us for staying, but transportation gets pricey so we moved what we saved in lodging to transportation. Since we were a UH squad that was ok, but check with AIM beforehand. The water level in the shower is also not the most so with a team, be frugal or plan out two or three people showering at different times of day. The power also goes out a lot but it adds character.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Vizianagaram, 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
The hosts cooked all of our food. It was actually pretty good but get used to eating a lot of rice and veg curry. There is a little shop to buy snacks and drinks within a 400 yard walk though but ok it with the host before leaving. The cost of food was covered by our budget.
Transportation
Transportation in Vizianagaram, 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
Transportation is a challenge because the host wanted us to have a driver every time we went anywhere so you won’t have a lot of freedom there. We arrived in Hyderabad and took the bus (14 hours) to Vizan and the train (17 hours) when we left. The train is the better option and super cheap but be sure and book your tickets in advance on a sleeper so your team can all occupy an area. If the train is booked, just do the bus, it isn’t bad but get noise canceling headphones because the movie they played was pretty loud.
Medical
Medical in Vizianagaram, India Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
Medical is very close, within a mile.
Communication
Communication in Vizianagaram, India Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
We had 0 wifi except for when our host flipped on his hot spot. I was not a leader so I cannot speak to the phones other than our did not work! The tricky part is since we had drivers we were not able to walk to a wifi cafe so go ahead an tell your loved ones ahead of time it may be a while before they hear from you.
Financial
Financial in Vizianagaram, India Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
People’s Opinions
The drivers were always willing to drop by an ATM but they can have pretty high withdrawal fees (between 2 and 10 dollar).
Translators
Translators in Vizianagaram, India List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
Translating was interesting at times. There were three pastors, Sion spoke great English, Prasad was about 90 percent, and Jiven about 60 40, but it all worked out well.
Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Vizianagaram, 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
We had a great off day going to the beach. Our host took us and it was a neat town and you can walk out pretty far in the Ocean (Bay of Bengal) so if you have the chance push for that. But like before, avoid hotels unless you are registered and have a good story covering why you are a tourist in that area.
Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Vizianagaram, India Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
People’s Opinions
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Tips
People’s Opinions
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Additional Info
Additional Info in Vizianagaram, India Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?