HANDS: FIND OUT MORE
General
Do you have a group of friends that wants to form a team? What about family, coworkers, or church members? How you fill your team is up to you. Whether you have construction experience or not, we have a place for you.
School
Give your students a cross-cultural learning experience they’ll never forget. Reduced rates, cultural learning, and community engagement projects make this a perfect way to engage students in HANDS.
Open
Are you an individual, couple, or group that needs help forming a full team? Open teams are open to anyone across Canada – a great way to make new friends while travelling across the world.
FAQ's
HOW IS A HANDS TEAM FORMED?
Teams are organized primarily through team leaders and co-leaders. Typically, interested leaders or groups contact EduDeo to discuss possible construction projects and travel dates. The team leader then recruits others to join the team from their church, family, workplace, or community. The HANDS Coordinator stays in constant communication with the team leader throughout the entire process to provide information and assistance wherever possible.
WHAT ROLE DOES EDUDEO PLAY ON A HANDS TEAM?
The EduDeo HANDS Coordinator works with teams through the whole HANDS process – from team formation to post-trip debriefing. We work closely with our partners in-country to take care of all flight booking, accommodations, transportation, and other logistics. We offer your team cross-cultural learning resources, presentations to your support community, fundraising ideas, and so much more. Above all, we’re here to walk alongside every HANDS team with support, encouragement, and a listening ear.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON A HANDS TEAM?
A typical HANDS team is made up of 8-12 participants, but we do our best to accommodate all groups. School teams are generally larger and range from 20-40 participants.
HOW OLD do I HAVE TO BE TO JOIN A HANDS TEAM?
Participants range in age from energetic youth to experienced retirees . Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian . Minors under 18 are required to travel with notarized consent from their parent(s) or legal guardian .
HOW LONG IS A HANDS TRIP?
HANDS trips are typically 7-10 days. This includes travel days, work days, a worship day, and a cultural day. Unique school teams such as International Block or Act Five are 4-6 weeks. Contact our School Relationship Manager for more information about these teams.
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WHERE DO HANDS TEAMS TRAVEL?
Currently, HANDS teams travel to Belize, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Zambia.
DO I NEED TO HAVE ANY CONSTRUCTION SKILLS?
We welcome all levels of skill and ability. HANDS teams are not just about work, but also building relationships with fellow team members and all those you meet in-country. Your team leader will speak to the EduDeo HANDS Coordinator about the level of construction difficulty your team is comfortable with.
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WHAT DOES A TYPICAL HANDS DAY LOOK LIKE?
A typical day on a HANDS trip consists of time spent at the school construction site, meals prepared by the local people, and a devotional/worship time with your team. Your time in-country will also include a cultural day visiting local sites as well as a Sunday worship day at a local church.
CAN I ADD A VACATION TO MY TIME ON A HANDS TEAM?
Participants are not allowed to remain in-country for vacation after their HANDS team is finished. The intent of a HANDS team is to further EduDeo’s ministry, and vacation additions can compromise this purpose. Vacation additions can also negatively affect team unity and create a negative perception of mission teams to EduDeo support communities.
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CAN I SMOKE AND/OR DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE ON A HANDS TEAM?
Smoking (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and/or cannabis products) and consuming alcohol are prohibited while in-country. These practices hold negative connotations within partner countries and reflect poorly on your local hosts. If warranted, a participant may be sent home at their own cost for participating in these activities.
DO I NEED TRAVEL HEALTH INSURANCE TO BE PART OF A HANDS TEAM?
Each participant is required to have international travel health insurance before travelling with a HANDS team.
DO I NEED A VULNERABLE SECTOR POLICE CHECK TO BE PART OF A HANDS TEAM?
Each participant is required to submit a Vulnerable Sector Police Check to EduDeo before travelling with a HANDS team.
ISN'T IT MORE EFFECTIVE TO SEND FUNDS DIRECTLY TO THE PARTNER INSTEAD OF SENDING A TEAM?
There is much debate surrounding the sending of short-term mission teams. EduDeo’s work is driven by our partners’ requests, and we regularly consult and discuss with them about their desire to receive teams. Teams raise a significant amount of funds required for projects – but they also demonstrate Christ’s love within the international family of God. Our partners regularly share their enjoyment of time spent with teams laughing, serving, and growing together as one global community.
Like any non-profit work, international development – and particularly, short-term missions – can be harmful to people and communities when the local context is not considered or consulted. EduDeo is conscientious of this, and takes steps to ensure our HANDS teams are educated about cross-cultural experiences before they travel. For more information on healthy development practices, check out When Helping Hurts and Serving With Eyes Wide Open.