I have heard that we may have to pay
a departure tax ($30 US) when leaving Jamaica. Is this
true?
A:
Most of the time all taxes associated with
your travel are included in the price of your airline
ticket. Check with your airline or travel agent to make
sure this is the case for the ticket you purchased.
Q:
Is it true that crime
is a big problem in Jamaica? Is it safe to bring a missions
group?
A:
There have been a few incidents of crime
against tourists that were well publicized. Overall, most
parts of Jamaica are no more dangerous for visitors than
big cities in the United States. When traveling to foreign
countries, it is always a good idea to be aware of your
surroundings and be ‘street smart’.
Q:
Do groups that come to do construction
projects inadvertently take away jobs from the local economy?
A:
Missions groups that are involved with
construction projects usually come to help a church
or community organization that does not have the resources
to 1) pay for labor 2) cover the cost of materials.
Because of lack of finances, it usually takes many
years to complete a building. The labor is usually donated
by church members when they can make time. Individuals
that need home repairs or additions would make do with
less than ideal situations because cost is prohibitive.
When a construction group comes to help a church, or
repair a house it is usually a great blessing to that
community.
There are some jobs, such as cement work, that requires
skills and knowledge of Jamaican construction practices.
A group may opt to donate the money it would cost to
hire a mason for a project like this.
