Get Andrew Bailey Back To Canada!!!

Brianne Raddatz is organizing this fundraiser.

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As you all know, COVID-19 is massively impacting the world around us. Over the past week here in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of an emergency countrywide. He implemented visa restrictions on all American, British and European visa holders. He has requested all foreigners to complete a 14 day quarantine PLUS an additional seven days if you went to a “high-risk” country in the month of March. (I flew through Nairobi and was in Thailand for a missions event at the beginning of the month so I fit that criteria).

After reaching out to my health insurance provider, my doctor here in South Africa, the Canadian Embassy in Pretoria, Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa as well as seeking guidance from South African friends, I have received confirmation that “it is time to get back to Canada while you still can.” I am in process of flying back to Canada this week as soon as I can. The average ticket is about $6,000 into Ottawa from Johannesburg and during my research I saw prices as high as $9,000. I currently have a ticket on hold flying from Joburg to Ottawa which is about $1,500 CAD (an amazing price right now despite the circumstances).

As you know, many missionaries or global workers have the choice to stay in their countries or return back to Canada as soon as they can. There are many reasons why I have been encouraged and guided to return to Canada (specifically from South Africa). We have already seen one of our local hospitals in the neighboring community shut down due to the exposure of the coronavirus and won’t be operational for a few weeks. Working in the communities that I do, hygiene is already a huge issue. With no proper toilets, running water, and raw sewage within Msholozi on top of what we are facing with COVID-19. Our concern is for the health of our students, staff and volunteers. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called a suspension on all schools, after school programs, large gatherings and religious meetings until at least after Easter. This suspension looks like it will be extended. This means that on top of myself having to do 21 days of quarantine, all ministry related activity within the community, our education center and staff meetings have been suspended for at least a month. It has been very difficult to work from home due to the lack of internet signal, the expense of domestic and international calls during the past few days as well as the proposal of continuous load-sheading (daily government controlled power outages). We also understand that banking, ATM withdrawals and access to money here is South Africa may get suspended or very limited.

I have made the decision to return back to Canada for a few weeks after my call with the Canadian Embassy and Global Affairs Ottawa. After discussion with them regarding international insurance, COVID-19 protocol, medical testing, the call for all Canadians to return home by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as safety concerns we see in the foreseeable future, I am notifying both the ACCI and Sawubona Project team in Ottawa about my short term absence from my volunteer placement. This weekend we saw Canadians evacuated out of Morocco by the Canadian government. I don’t want to have to wait until I am forced out of the country. It is better safe than sorry!!

I will continue to work with our African facilitators, volunteers and students from Canada (the benefit of technology!) There is still a lot of work for me to keep busy with and I look forward to having more time to focus on online studies, data entry, book keeping, completing office logistics and updating supporters while having access to efficient internet, electricity and a reliable phone line.

Please Note: If you are a monthly donor of Andrew’s Mission or a regular sponsor to our programs, please continue to give! This is only a temporarily move until I get authorization from the Canadian government that it is safe to return. We are anticipating community ministry, outreach and our education center to be back in full operation as soon as the South African government lifts the state of emergency.

Right now, the major need is funds for me to return to Canada. Upon returning to Ontario, I will complete the required medical observation, testing and self-quarantine time. Please note that this is not a home assignment, vacation or fundraising trip but rather following protocol that was given to me on the Canadian federal level.

If you would like to receive a tax receipt towards your donation, please donate online to my ACCI page at: