Check with your airline to see the maximum baggage you are permitted to carry. Delta, at the time of this writing, allows 2 bags 50 lbs each and 1 carry-on of 35 lbs. We request that you dedicate at least one of your large bags to carry supplies/donations to Africa. If you are teaching, you will be responsible for making sure your own class supplies are there. Volunteers are asked to each other gather and carry supplies. Below are ideas of what personal items to bring in your personal bag. These are only suggestions and are based on experience and feedback from prior volunteers.

Clothing

• Basics: underwear, socks, etc.
• Skirts @ knee length or longer
• Shorts (not too short) and or light-weight pants
• Tops – sleeveless is OK, light sweater or long sleeve shirt
• something nice for church
• Sturdy sandals or sneakers that are easy to clean.
• Slippers or extra flip flops
• Sunglasses and hat
• Hat and bandanna
• Rain jacket/poncho
• Swimsuit

You might want to spray clothing with permethrin– a 2 week spray for clothes if the mosquitoes worry you.

Toiletries and First Aid:

• Bug Spray (20-30% DEET)
• Sun Screen (min 30 spf )
• Band-Aids
• Antibacterial Ointment
• After-Bite
• Chapstick
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body/All purpose Wash (Dr. Bronners)
• Toothpaste/Toothbrush/dental floss
• Razor and shaving cream
• Deodorant
• Antibacterial Wipes
• Body and Face Wipes
• Pads/Tampons (as needed; bring enough!)
• Mini Toilet Paper Roll
• tweezers
• Vaseline

 

Medications and Remedies

• Anti-Malarial Meds
• Pain Relievers
• Anti-Diarrhea Pills
• Benadryl or Claritin for allergic
• Tums or Other Antacid
• eye drops (it can be dusty!)
• Imodium and cipro for diarrhea
• antibiotic Z pack (as your doctor recommends)
• Vitamins, EmergenC, probiotics (so you keep your system strong against parasites.)
  rescue remedy, etc.
• Homeopathic remedy: Cinchona Officinalis (for stomach and also anti-malaria)
• Homeopathic remedy: Lycopodium Clavatum

Other:

Day Pack

• Pen / notebook /journal
• Books for Reading
• Camera., film/memory card
• video camera
• Recording Device/Mic
• Blank CDs or flash drive
• Batteries
• Gifts for Hosts/New Friends
• Polaroid camera and lots of film if you want to give kids pictures.
• Disposable camera if you want to give them to kids to take home and then bring them back to develop. In that case, be sure to send them a copy of the pictures you later develop