014 How much does it cost to go on the World Race?

Personal Expenses Cost:

$9,087 Total Cost

$8,201 Raised so far

$886 Left to Raise

I am able to receive personal donations through:
Paypal: [email protected]
Venmo: RachelAnnPreston
By check to my parent’s home: 6724 Highland Drive, Everett, WA 98203 

 

 

My tent is only 3 pounds! I may sleep in it for only one month or 10 of the 11 months!

The cost will go up each year. Routes leaving January 2020 are set at $19,900. 

“The funds you raise cover all practical costs for your Race, including meals, lodging, air, land, and sea travel, medical insurance, and ministry costs. This also covers administrative costs, set-up, coaching, leadership development, debriefs, Training Camp, and Project Searchlight (a week long debrief and conference one month after you return).” 

$20,000+ is a large amount but incredibly reasonable for a year of living and traveling! 

Other Trip Expenses: Approximately $13,000 above the World Race advertised cost

Personal Living Expenses while on the mission field: $2,200 recommended, $200 per month

• Extra food, food needed specifically for allergies or dietary restrictions (I’m allergic to dairy and eggs. The team budget goes for team food), midday coffee or treats. I’ve heard the budget is $5 per person for food daily.
• Purchasing Country Specific SIM cards or data to use for WiFi calling
• Visiting Internet Cafes 
• Toiletries 
• Clothing needed for specific countries or ministry work — Purchasing winter clothing in Nepal
• Replacing Lost, Stolen, or Worn out gear  
• Purchasing gifts for hosts and teammates
• Tours in the countries
• Over the counter medications for stomach bugs, etc.
• Pre-payment when Visiting the Hospital

Vaccinations and Malaria Medication: $2,287.12 
It took 6 weeks to receive all shots. 

• Yellow Fever $165
• Rabies — 3 Shot Series $1,200 ($400 per shot)
• Japanese Encephalitis — 2 Shot Series $700 ($350 per shot)
• Polio Booster $60 — Indonesia recently (2019) had an outbreak of polio and it was recommended to get a polio booster
• Malaria Meds — ~$100 My insurance covers much of the cost for Malaria meds. While Malaria pills can be purchased in these countries, my doctor recommended purchasing a year’s supply from the US to verify the efficacy of the medication. Other racers are needing to pay $400+ for a year’s supply of Malaria meds if their insurance does not help cover the cost.
• Z-Pack (Azithromycin) This requires a prescription but is a wonderful overall antibiotic $10 with my insurance.

Because my insurance does not cover vaccinations for international travel I looked for the nearest location and best cost. I chose a local pharmacy called Kusler’s Compounding Pharmacy in Snohomish. For large hospitals and smaller pharmacies there is often a $30-$40 additional cost to administer each immunization.  

Dawn at Kusler’s was so awesome. She had Bugs Bunny Band Aids!

Gear and Supplies: $3,000+ a longer post on gear will be coming. I have not gone backpacking before and so much gear was needed! I also am purchasing the lightest gear I can find. The lighter the gear the more expensive the cost.  

Airfare: $1,600 to cover 4 flights

• Flight to Atlanta, Georgia for launch and training camp.
• Flight home after the World Race is completed. I’ll fly home from Indonesia to a major US city with my team. Then we will need to each have our own ticket to our home state. 
• Flight to Atlanta for Project Searchlight (the after WR reintegration conference).
• Flight back home from Atlanta after Project Searchlight.

June 2019 World Racers have Launch and Training Camp combined. Future Racers who do not have Training Camp and Launch combined will need to purchase two additional flights to Atlanta just for Training Camp.

Counseling: A lot of $$$ but worth it. The World Race requires many racers to go through counseling before leaving for the World Race. Some racers were asked to complete 3-5 sessions. Others were asked to meet with a counselor twice a month until Launch (9 months, 18 sessions). I chose a private Christian counselor 🙂 While I am not fundraising for the costs of counseling, future racers need to be aware that this is an additional expense to go!   

Additional Medical Insurance for Extreme Sports: ??? Not sure yet, but probably $500-$2,000 for a rider on the policy. 
This additional insurance helps if I have an accident while going on an adventure. Jumping waterfalls, bungee jumping, volcano boarding, etc. is not covered by the normal insurance policy. I would love to say YES to these adventures and know I will be taken care of medically.  

Medical Costs: Often hospitals will require pre-payment before service is performed. 

• How would you cover a $20,000+ international hospital bill before insurance reimburses for the expenses?
• I am set with Easily Accessible Cash, Credit Cards, and Generous Family / Community Members who are willing to help if there is an expensive emergency.
• I worked bunches, saved as much as possible, and my retirement account went hungry this year to have enough set aside for a quick medical emergency. 
• Flights home also fall under personal expenses. If a racer needs to return quickly to the states, the flight home and back to the field is a personal expense. 

So, again!, where am I at with Fundraising? 

World Race Cost:

$19,200 Total Cost

$17,043 Raised so far

$2,157 Left to Raise by September 30, 2019

If you would like to give towards the World Race cost, there is an ORANGE Donate button on www.rachelannpreston.theworldrace.org Secure online donations or information for sending in checks can be found with the ORANGE donate button. Donations made to the World Race are tax-deductible! 

The next 11 blogs are written specifically for Elementary Readers! I worked together with Squad Mates to research fun details about the countries we will be visiting!