Visit Us
Travel halfway around the world on a life experience. ICMC welcomes you to visit the children, catch Dr. Jay’s vision for the unreached and unloved, and discover new eyes and perspective for the rest of the world.
ICMC welcomes individuals, tourists, medical and dental teams, survey teams for projects, ESL teachers to teach English for a year or more, sponsors who wish to spend time with the godchildren, pastors and teachers to teach at the Timothy School, and those with a skill or desire to train the children.
Have a question about visiting ICMC? Feel free to contact us.
TRIP FAQ
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.
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, Dr 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.
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.
ICMC can accommodate twenty people comfortably in Salem. However, smaller teams under ten are suggested.
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.
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 email at the more rural Promised Land.
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.
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.
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.
Guidelines for Visitors and Volunteers
Christian ethics and morality must be followed throughout your stay with us since ICMC is a Christian organisation. All our volunteers/visitors are requested to take part in all our Christian activity with open mind.
Rooms / Accommodation: ICMC has comfortable Guest House for westerners to stay which are neat and spacious.
Food and Water: Food cooked for our guests are carefully prepared by Pastor Jay’s staff at the House of Peace and is perfectly safe. Bottled waters are provided throughout your stay with us. Always carry a bottle of water with you during the day. Drink plenty of water in order to avoid dehydration.
Internet: Internet is available for YOUR USE in the Head Office at Salem.
Phone: You can always call home at evening times when you are at Salem. It is quite cheap to call abroad from India. Remember to let someone in your team to know that you are out and always go with one of our staffs at House of Peace Orphanage to help you better with the locals.
What to Pack: You can almost get everything at Salem or anywhere in India from clothing to all your day-to-day needs. You can pack what is necessary to you and the rest you can get it here at a moderate price.
Timings: Things often do not go according to the planned timings. You will need patience and a positive attitude. This is how India works, be laid-back and enjoy your trip.
Go with the Flow: Never drift off on your own- if you want to go out alone, always take an orphanage staff with you.
General Rules: Alcohol must not be consumed. Clothing worn by you should always be respectful towards Indian culture.
We expect every volunteer to be helping out wherever and whenever possible.
In every way children’s wellbeing is our first priority, that is why we exist as an organisation.
Staying at ICMC will certainly change your perspective of everything and how you will live in the west after your visit to ICMC.
You are always welcome to visit ICMC to experience God at work.