January 7, 2008
This is for the newbies coming in February…First off, welcome to the Peace Corps! Now, off to business.
Packing. Girls, pack skirts that hit the knee or longer. But, also pack 2-3 pairs of pants that you like and are comfy. This can include jeans (though they're a bitch to wash.) You can wear them when you're hanging out with friends, in Kampala, or if you get placed in a town. Tank tops are okay for hanging out and the like, too. For the guys, you're a bunch of lucky bastards. Pack nice khakis and shirts. Polos will do. How much clothes you do or don't bring is truly up to you. If you're like my friend Caitlin, you'll bring your entire wardrobe with you. If you're like me, you'll bring practically nothing, just enough to get by. (There're plenty of good clothing markets to add to your wardrobe when the time comes.) But, definitely bring enough so that you can kind of change your wardrobe up and not be the smelly trainee/volunteer. No one likes a smelly trainee/volunteer.
Here are the essentials for all:
day pack (for lugging to training every day and mini-trips)
small duffel (empty) to fill after training (you'll get tons of books and a med kit)
2-3 sets of sheets and pillow cases
TSA locks
wallet of some sort
headlamp (2 in case you're unclucky enough to drop yours down a latrine)
sleeping bag
quick dry/pack towel (anything quick dry is good!)
Nalgene or the like
adapter
3 mos. worth of hygiene products (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
rain jacket
sweater
good walking/hiking shoes (look into Chacos-we get a discount)
(we also get a discount on Tevas!) (some EMS stores give a humanitarian discount, too…definitely the one in Philly for some last min. shopping)
iPod and laptop (if you don't mind if they don't make it back after 2 years)
jump drive
camera
Leatherman/Swiss Army/Gerber/etc.
books (and dvds if your laptop has a dvd player)
hand sanitizer
favourite portable entertainment (playing cards, scrabble, Frisbee, Sudoku, etc.)
good supply of favourite snack foods and/or granola bars
drink packets (Gatorade, Crystal Light, etc.)
Ziploc bags (various sizes)
batteries (rechargeable are the best, until you get placed where there is no electricity)
Non-essentials:
gift for Homestay family (can be bought in-country)
pens/pencils (if you're picky)
post-its
1-2 padded envelopes (for mailing gifts home)
markers/crayons/colouring pencils
pictures (good ice-breaker for Homestay)
map (US and world) (also helpful during Homestay)
measuring cups/spoons
good peeler
blank cds (for burning pictures to send home)
travel guide (though, plenty of other volunteers will inevitably bring one, and you can just borrow theirs!)
On top of all these things (I probably forgot some stuff, sorry), bring whatever you think you can't live without for 2 years. Remember… Uganda will be your home for the next 27 mos!!! If you want to bring it, and it'll fit in your luggage, BRING IT!!! Or, bring it as one of your check-ins/carry-ons. The only things you don't need to bring are drugs (unless they're prescription.) Peace Corps provides the best medical you'll ever have in your life. Live it up.
A good idea would be to mail some stuff off to yourself (if doesn't all fit into your check-ins) before you leave. Especially snack foods and reading material. Here's the mailing address:
Your Name, PCT
P.O. Box 29348
Kampala, Uganda
East Africa
Do NOT send it off to the 7007 address!!! It'll get to you, but it'll take a lot longer.
Good luck! Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions (Ms.JenYang@gmail.com). And bring me trail mix. Please.
