What
kind of teams visit ICMC?
Short one to two week teams include opportunities for visiting your
sponsored child, catching a vision for the work in India, teaching at
the Timothy School, and doing projects with or for the children. Three
to six month teams can teach English as a second language, help in the
office, organize events (sports, dance, art, Bible clubs) for the
children, consult on a project (clinic, farming etc). Individuals
traveling through India on business or in need of an overnight stay are
also welcome at the guesthouse.
How
long does it take to get to Salem, India?
It takes two days of
airline travel time to get to Chennai, India, usually ranging from 19 to
24 hours total flying time. Once in Chennai, it is a fascinating
six-hour train ride to the city of Salem. Once in Salem, Pastor Jay will
meet you with a bus or van to take you and/or your team on a ½ hour
drive through the city to the outskirts where the House of Peace is
located.
How
should I dress?
Men wear cool, cotton
clothes such as khaki pants and cotton shirts. They wear dark pants and
light-colored, solid dress shirts. Men don’t wear shorts. Boys can wear
shorts and t-shirts.
The women in Salem will
all be wearing long, loose dresses/sari’s. Bring long skirts and loose,
modest tops or dresses to wear when in India. You can also buy
beautiful, comfortable Garden Dresses (choudedar) when you arrive and
wear them.
How Many Can Visit at One Time?
ICMC can accommodate
twenty people comfortably in Salem. However, smaller teams under ten are
suggested.
Where
would I stay?
The House of Peace is
located on the quiet outskirts of the 3 million-big town of Salem. It is
a five-story building overlooking a simple village with paths for
streets and a cow or two below your window. The third floor houses five
bedrooms of differing sizes and a large open room where you will eat.
The outdoor stairs wind to the fourth floor with five bedrooms that open
to a huge, open terrace overlooking the sleepy town. The comfortable
rooms have tile flooring, springboard single beds (however many you
need), fans, windows with screens, in-room bathrooms with American
toilets and sinks, and hot water through a heater.
The outdoor stairs
again wind to a fifth floor that has a hallway and two rooms which can
be used as conference rooms. A metal staircase leads to the roof with a
breathtaking view of the city and mountains.
The second floor is Dr
Jay’s family’s apartment and the simple office for ICMC.
Can I
call home?
You can call the USA
from a pay phone booth down the street from the House of Peace for about
15 cents a minute. There is sporadic internet access from a computer at
the House of Peace, but no phones or email at the more rural Promised
Land.
What
is the weather like?
It will be hot and
humid most times of the year. November – January are quite comfortable
times to go weather-wise. It gets very hot in March, April, and May. In
July and August, the storms come and cool it off a little, but it’s
still humid.
Is there good drinking water available?
They have mineral,
bottled, sealed water for us to drink. Don’t drink ANY water that is not
sealed. Don’t even brush your teeth with the sink water. It’s fine to
shower and wash your face and hands in the water.
Is it
safe to travel to India?
Traveling anywhere in
the world today has risks. However, India has good relations with
America, Southern India is more accepting of foreigners, and Dr Jay
takes wonderful care of his visitors. We send over five to ten teams
each year and safety has not been an issue.
Before you come, sign up to
Sponsor a Child.