OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

PATH TO LEARNING “SUCCESSFUL INNOVATIONS IN RURAL MICROFINANCE IN AFRICA, ASIA, LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

September 27, 2007

1. COSTS COVERED BY THE PATH

The Path covers all transportation, accommodation, food, materials and insurance costs needed by Participants.

Participants only need to cover costs incurred from their country of origin to the starting point of the Path (Lima, Peru), and return from the Path’s finishing point (Quito, Ecuador or Lima, Peru) to their country of origin. In addition, they must provide an allowance for costs incurred for personal extras.

2. IDENTITY CARDS, EXIT PERMITS AND VISAS

A. Identity Document:

We ask you to take with you on the Path two (2) photocopies of your passport. For practical reasons, we recommend that you take a small document case.

B. Exit document: An important requirement is to verify with the pertinent authorities ( judicial, police, or others) that there is no legal impediment for you to leave the country.

C. Visa:

1. Entry into Peru

Citizens of Bolivia and Columbia need only carry their identity cards to enter Peru.

The following citizens need to apply for a visa for entry into Peru:

Africa: Kenya, Mozambique and Malí

Asia: China, India, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka

Latin America and the Caribbean: El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Haití

The Visa application should be made to the Peruvian consulate in your country, or if there is none, at the closest one available. Peruvian consulates outside of the country: Click

This application is urgent and must be made as soon as possible. We are available if you need help with this application.

2. Entry into Bolivia

PROCASUR is currently facilitating the processing of visas for entry into Bolivia, and they will be given to participants at the beginning of the Path in Lima.

Only Peruvians and Columbians do not require them.

3. Entering Ecuador

PROCASUR is currently facilitating the processing of visas for entry into Ecuador, and they will be given to participants at the beginning of the Path in Lima.

Only Peruvians and Columbians do not require them. .

3. THE PATH’S START AND FINISH

A. Start

The Path’s formal inauguration is in Lima, Peru on Sunday October 28, 2007.

Those arriving from outside of Peru should arrive at least one day previously, on Saturday, October 27 or on Friday, October 26. In this way they can rest following their trip.

Hotel in Lima

Accomodation will be provided in the Hotel Ariosto, located in Agenda La Paz 769, Miraflores, Lima, Peru. Telephones: (51-1) 444.14.14; Fax: (51-1) 444.39.55.

Accomodation, food and transportation from the Airport to the hotel will be covered by the Path.

Co-ordinate with PROCASUR your arrival, for your reception at the airport and transportation to the hotel.

B. FINISH

The Path finishes in Quito, Ecuador, on the night of November 14.

If possible, buy a return ticket from Quito for November 15.

If not, the organization will cover the cost of your return to Lima, on November 15. In that case, we recommend that you book your return for November 16.

Co-ordinate your return with PROCASUR in order to reserve transportation, accommodation, and food.

4. HEALTH

Vaccinations. Neither vaccinations nor any other kind of medical preparation are necessary for participation in the Path

Medication. Each passenger should carry with him or her a small kit containing any medications normally taken and which may be difficult to obtain during the Path. The co-ordinating team will have a first aid kit for emergencies.

Travel Insurance. Travel insurance has been acquired for each Participant in case of medical emergencies.

Special conditions. Please tell us if you have any special personal condition, such as health, dietary, or exposure to climate and elevation.

This information should be communicated to the Path’s Co-ordinator, writing to Ariel Halpern, (ahalpern@procasur.org;bbudinich@procasur.org)

5. LUGGAGE

We suggest that your luggage does not exceed fifteen kilos (15 k.) In addition, we recommend that you bring a small backpack for field trips.

6. CLIMATE AND CLOTHING

During our trip we will visit both cold and warm climates. You should be prepared for everything!

A. Peru

1. In Lima: Temperatures vary between 15º and 25º C, with sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

2. In Huancayo: Temperatures vary between 4º and 7º C, with rainy, sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

3. In Piura: Temperatures vary between 15º and 35º C, with sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

4. In Puno: Temperatures vary between -2º and 15º C, with rainy, sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

B. Bolivia

1. In La Paz: Temperatures vary between 2º and 20º C, with sunny and partIally cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

2. In Santa Cruz: Temperatures vary between 12º and 32º C, with occasional rain, and sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

3. In Cochabamba: Temperatures vary between 2º and 23º C, with sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

C. Ecuador.

1. In Quito: Temperatures vary between 8º and 24º C, with rainy, sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

2. In Cuenca: Temperatures vary between 10º and 22º C, with rainy, sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

3. In Paute: Temperatures vary between 10º and 22º C, with rainy, sunny and partially cloudy days. Detailed information may be found in: Click

Regarding these climates, we suggest that you take with you the following:

1. Footwear. Two pairs of shoes or running shoes.

2. Clothing. We recommend comfortable clothing for the workshops (short or long-sleeved shirts, jeans, etc.) and for field trips, sports clothing. Warm clothes and windbreaker.

3. Protection. It is highly recommendable to take a sunhat and sunglasses. It is extremely important to take sunblock.

7. COMUNICATIONS DURING THE PATH

PROCASUR’s co-ordinators will travel with cellular phones in case of emergencies. Contact can be made with them at the following numbers:

8. TRAVEL INSURANCE

The Path to Learning includes a travel insurance policy. To bring this policy into effect, you must write to the Path’s co-ordination, (ahalpern@procasur.org; bbudinich@procasur.org ), indicating:

• Name of a contact person in case of an emergency.
• Your relationship with this person (husband, wife, work colleague, etc.)
• Telephone number of this person.

8. MONEY

The Path will include all meals, transportation, accommodation, and necessary materials. We recommend that you take a sum of money to be used for expenditures other than those indicated above.

9. COMMUNICATION WITH PROCASUR

The information in this site will be permanently updated. In addition, you may direct your questions to us by participating in the Operational Information Forum, (http://www.forosmf.net/ruta/index.php?board=7.0), to which you will receive a reply from our co-ordinators.

This information will also be available in the Virtual Learning Community (http://www.pathstolearning.page.tl/ )

Contact Us

Call us at: (56-2) 341 6367. Cellular for emergencies in Chile (56 9) 9 538 92 52

Write us at: ahalpern@procasur.org (cc to) bbudinich@procasur.org)

Fax us at: (56-2)-341 0271.

Cordially,

Co-ordination

Path to Learning

PROCASUR