The following is a packing list I put together with a few other Peace Corps friends. I figured I should put it on the blog for future Peace Corps Zambia volunteers who might not have received it from their program. Cheers!
Intro
This list is a compilation of several
lists and edits from volunteers (special thanks to Julie Potyraj, Jordan
Blekking, Hannah Lippe, and Evy Adamson). Packing lists are difficult to put
together because everyone is different and requires different items. This list
tries to address this problem by making the first part of the list general and
necessary for the majority of people, and the last part divided into
personality types. If you read the personality description and think “that’s
me” then you probably want to bring everything on the list. If you say to
yourself “I’m not sure what they are referring to, or that's NOT me,” then you
should probably consider purchasing or finding the only first half of the list.
Enjoy and don't get too stressed about it!
General
Tips
Getting things in Zambia
This
packing list is mostly reduced to buying things that you either can't find in
country or are much more expensive to buy here. Even though you will be close
to Lusaka for the beginning of your service, it will probably be two or three
weeks before you will be taken there to do any serious shopping. And at that time you will be making trainee allowance,
which does not leave much extra for spending money. Bring the essentials and you can
get some of the extra stuff after the first few weeks. Most clothing can be
found in country at second-hand
stands in the market or in stores in Lusaka, except for quick dry items and nice
outdoor gear.
If you
are really particular about how you look when you go out, then you should bring
some nice clothes specifically for that, even though you might be able to find
some in country. This is one of
the biggest problems for girl volunteers! None of us bring enough “going out”
or “looking good” clothes because we think we are going to living in the
village all the time. Cute clothes that fit you nicely are a rare find in
Zambia. Girls should be encouraged to bring some “going out” clothes that cover
the necessary body parts. Because chances are, every girl will have at least a
few days when they want to look good!
Advice from a wise volunteer
Though you are
coming in to a new (and much less developed) country and may think that you
will be “roughing it” all the time, you may still want comforts from America!
Zambia will become your life, and your normal life, and anything that you think
will make you really happy, you should bring! Examples of this are, stuffed
animals, a scented candle, a pink wig, a board game, or a silly hat. Don’t be
afraid to bring a few things that aren’t on this list, but you think will make
you happy. You are making a home in Zambia, so bring a few things that make you
feel at home!
Packing for different programs
Each program has different
requirements for their trainees in terms of what to bring. In general, LIFE
(Linking Income, Food, and Environment) and RAP (Rural Aquaculture Promotion)
intakes will need more outdoorsy gear, while CHIP (Community Health Improvement
Project) and RED (Rural Education Development) will need to bring more
professional clothing.
Can I have it mailed here?
You can have
things sent here but they will take at least two months to arrive. Many
volunteers write Christian sayings and bible verses on the outside to deter
people from taking the contents of the package.
What size of clothing to bring?
You will probably change sizes and
might need to bring some smaller extra pairs of clothing if you are a guy and
some slightly larger clothes if you are a lady. Weight for ladies balances out eventually, but it's nice to have at least
one pair of pants that are little bigger.
What if you have too
much stuff?
Packing for two years can be stressful, but adequate
preparation is important. If you have too much stuff, you need to ask yourself
if you can't get it in country or if it's really worth bringing? If you answer
yes then you might be able to coerce one of your fellow volunteers to cram it
in their bag with extra space, pay the money to have it brought on the plane,
or have it shipped.
Discounts
Many companies offer discounts to Peace Corps volunteers
for everything from shoes to coffee. Check out the Peace Corps Wiki page for a
complete list and instructions. They often require some kind of documentation
to get the discount and can take a while, so get started early. http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Volunteer_discounts
I'm running out of
money and can't buy everything I need!
This is a big list and you might feel
like you are going to burn through all your savings to get to Zambia and won't
have anything left over. You don't need everything on this list and need to
prioritize for yourself. You can also sometimes buy or borrow cheap gear from
volunteers in country. If you are looking for deals on outdoor gear, check your
local Craigslist’s and be sure to mention to people that you are a Peace Corps
volunteer and will be serving your country overseas (this normally helps with
the bargaining process).
General
Packing List
General Clothing
·
Rain
gear
·
Good
rain jacket or two OK jackets
·
Rain
pants- Some
volunteers like to use ponchos instead and think that these are a waste of
time. If you think you will be doing some long distance biking during the rainy
season then you should probably bring some.
·
Kit for
fixing holes in rain gear and tent - Duct tape works some of the time.
·
Fleece
or light jacket - It
does get cold.
·
Long
sleeved shirts of choice (2 or 3)- Flannel is
the best, has a longer shelf life when being hand washed.
·
Sweater- A simple cardigan for the ladies goes a long way when you
are cold but need to look professional.
·
Sweat
pants/shirt for warmth, running, sleeping - Long johns are nice to have too and
are a little lighter weight.
·
Good-quality
T-shirts (3-4)- A few
quick dry shirts are really nice to have.
·
Underwear
and socks (2 year supply)
·
Men- Underwear can be purchased in
country, so don’t worry about bringing too much. Quick dry can be handy for
traveling and washing on the go.
·
Ladies- Bring enough underwear, and then get it sent. The
underwear here is not something most ladies want to wear.
·
Long
socks for wearing boots (3 or 4)
·
Dress
socks for business meetings (2 or 3).
·
Regular
ankle socks (6
or 7)
·
Bathing
suit
·
Shorts
for athletics or in your house (2-3)- These can be bicycle shorts, but no short running
shorts.
·
Jeans,
zip-off, or other comfortable pants (2-3)- For ladies, jeans aren’t always easy to find, even in
America, so bring at least two pairs!
·
Pairs of
dressy, easy-care, trousers (khaki is good) and dressy shirts (2 or 3) - Try to get ones in a darker
color to keep them looking clean. Ladies
may prefer skirts or dresses to dress pants.
·
Hat - Baseball or safari-type to
shade you from the sun.
·
Quick
dry towel - The
debate over quick dry items can get very heated at times. Quick dry items come
in handy when traveling and during rainy season, when drying things can be
difficult. If you can't afford it or can't find it, then don't worry about it.
·
Ladies
·
Lots of
bras- Sports
bras are nice to have. Bring at least two regular bras for trainings, meetings,
and going out.
·
Black spandex
leggings- You can wear them under shorts, chitenges, dresses, and
skirts. Or just by themselves to sleep in. Comfortable, practical, easy to
pack, and culturally appropriate.
·
Small purse big
enough to put money and a cell phone in. You will need this when in Lusaka or going out at night.
Dressy
·
Note:
Some programs, CHIP and RED, require far more professional dress, whereas LIFE
and RAP can get away with only one nice outfit. This doesn't include nice
clothing for going out in. Everyone needs at least one nice outfit for meeting
government officials or to attend important meetings or functions.
·
Men-
·
Jacket and tie
·
Nice
Pants (2)
·
Button
up long sleeve shirt (2)
·
Women- No sleeveless, low cut, or
revealing outfits.
·
Shirts
with collars and short sleeves,
·
Dresses
(1-2)
·
Skirts
of cotton/polyester (2-3) - Must
come to at or below the knee.
Shoes
Note:
Volunteers with large feet may have a hard time finding shoes that fit in
Zambia.
·
Good
pair of sandals -
Chacos are always a favorite for their ease of washing and traction in the
rain. You can buy cheap sandals here for moving around the house and leisurely
walks.
·
Pair of
boots - It
gets real muddy here and some rain boots or big hiking boots can make a big
difference. Boots are crucial for LIFE and RAP to have in field visits and
outdoor excursions because of their ankle support and protection against biting
things. CHIP and RED may not need to bring them if they don't think they will
be doing a lot of outdoor treks.
·
Pair of
sneakers/low-top hiking shoes
·
Pair of
nice shoes- Male
volunteers suggest bucs or loafers. Female volunteers suggest nice
sandals/flats.
Personal
Hygiene and Toiletry Items
·
Case for
toiletries- Great
for travelling, preferably one that can be hung up and has a mirror in it.
Mirrors are a rarity at most guest houses and bathrooms in country.
·
Sunscreen- Peace Corps provides sunscreen, but normally 30 or 40 SPF,
if you want a higher or lower SPF than that, bring your own!
·
Three
month supply of your prescriptions- Never hurts to bring ibuprofen, pepto, laxatives, non-drowsy allergy
medicine, either.
·
Vitamins
and supplements- If you
are a vitamin or supplement fiend, then you can bring your own specialty
supplements, Emergen C, olive oil extract, etc... Peace Corps will give you
vitamins when you get in the country if you are not particular about it.
·
Men- Unless you have favorite
brands you can’t do without, you should be able to buy what you need in Lusaka
and provincial capitals. These include cosmetics, soap, toothpaste, general
cleaning products and deodorants, hair conditioner, good razors and razor
blades, Q-tips, and hair-care products. Bring only enough to get you
through training to start with.
·
Ladies-
·
MAKEUP! - Almost impossible to find in this country. And when you
do, it’s disgustingly expensive. If you are a makeup wearer, bring eyeliner,
mascara, any facial creams or powders, lipsticks, brushes, EYEBROW TWEEZERS and
nail clippers TO COUNTRY, also, earrings, jewelry, etc., bring things that you
can afford to lose or have stolen. You can buy earrings here, but if it will
make you happy, bring a few pieces of jewelry from home.
·
DEODORANT
AND COSMETICS- Almost
impossible to find in Zambia for a decent price. Ladies deodorant is awful
here, and expensive. BRING FROM HOME!!! Also, any lotions or perfumes, body
splashes (which are really nice to wear at the house or while going out) cannot
be found here. Bring from home if you have a preferred scent!!
·
Razors-These are expensive to buy in country so you should
probably bring some from America.
·
Hair
elastics and Bobby Pins- Can be
hard to find in the country.
·
Diva Cup
·
Three
month supply of tampons and birth control
If You Are Like This.... Then You Should Think About
Buying This.
The
following are items you may wish to have but you will need to prioritize and
choose for yourself. They are organized by personality type and in order of
importance. The first half of each list
should be considered by everyone and the second half should be considered if
you identify with the title of the list.
General
(you are a human)
You
should bring
·
Bed
sheets - Since
bed sizes vary, double-size flat sheets are the best choice. Don’t get
anything that is white. Fitted sheets can be really nice, too and are hard
to find in the country.
·
Large
backpack. Even
if you don't see yourself doing big trips into the bush, these are really
helpful for moving around in country and going on trips in country
·
Camera
with accessories -
Preferably one that is USB chargeable.
·
Combination
lock - Comes
in handy for staying in hostels and locking up your hut.
·
Ear
plugs - Buy a
pack of ear plugs so that you have some spares.
·
Small
sewing kit
·
Good-quality
sunglasses -You can
find crappy ones here if these get lost or break.
·
Flash
light and/or headlamp- Most
volunteers swear by their headlamps even if they're not the outdoorsy type.
·
Pictures
or posters for hut decoration -
Pictures of family are nice and can be hung on a string for decoration.
·
Small solar charging system - Try Solio or Goal Zero for small charging units. You will probably want
to buy at least 10 watts to charge all of your electronic devices without a big
hassle.
·
You can buy a more permanent solar setup for
your site in country if you would like, just bring some extra cash. These run
from $100 to $400. The more permanent setups can run lights in your house and
give you a constant, easily accessible source of electricity.
·
At least eight color photos of you
for IDs - Photo
booth type is okay, for visas, work permits, and ID cards. You can purchase
photos here if necessary. Make sure you dress professionally for them.
·
Journal - Might want to bring nice
pens, too. The ones in country are not the best.
Think
about bringing
·
Wrist
watch - Nice
for timing and alarm functions. Don’t get ones with the cloth bands because
they will get really stinky.
·
Books- Many volunteers prefer
kindles, but there is something about a nice book. The provincial houses have
libraries of books to borrow from. Because of their weight, I wouldn't
recommend bringing too many.
·
Games - Cards, chess, Scrabble, etc.
·
Bandanas (3 or 4)
·
Moth
Balls - Good
for keeping out rats and insects
·
Money
belt
·
Guitar
or musical instrument - Bring
extra strings and picks. Good quality instruments are hard to find in the
country so you are better off just bringing one. Harmonicas and ukuleles are
also volunteer favorites.
·
Koozie - Cold things are a rarity in
this country, so why not prolong their frigidness with a Koozie! They are
lightweight and also help to distinguish your beer from other people's beers so
that you can reduce your exposure to germs. These are my personal favorite - http://www.freakerusa.com/
·
Sports
equipment -
Football, volleyball, baseball glove, basketball, Frisbees, etc. Cleats and
shin guards are a good idea if you think you will be playing a lot of soccer.
·
Travel
alarm clock - Most
people just use their phone or IPod.
·
U.S.
stamps -
Letters may be mailed in the States by people traveling home from post.
·
Maps of
the United States and the world - Good teaching aids and wall-hangings.
·
Hand
sanitizer
·
Solar
shower- Some
people bring these and never use them and others swear by them. I would say if
you can't go without a hot shower, then bring one. Otherwise, don't worry about
it. You can also often find them left behind from older volunteers at the
provincial houses.
Kitchen (You have been
referred to as Emeril or Paula Dean)
You should bring
Note:
you can get a lot of prepackaged things here now (drink mixes, seasonings and
ramen noodles). However, you can’t get calorie
free drink mixes that are any good and taco seasoning is expensive. Bring it if
it will make you happy and you think you might not be able to find it in
country.
·
Spices - You can get most of the
regulars here, but if you are a cooking buff, you should probably bring some
extra that are more obscure.
·
Ziploc
storage bags (gallon size) - Ants
and roaches can eat through them but can be nice for keeping things dry.
·
Sturdy
Tupperware with screw on lid - Great
for transporting lunches and snack. Nalgene makes some solid ones
Think
about bringing
·
Can
opener - You can
buy in town but you might want an awesome one if you are a big cooker. Most
Leatherman come with a can opening tool.
·
Cookbook
- Download
one on your e-reader. Peace Corps will also give you a basic cook book for
Zambia.
·
Brewing
yeast - Some
people get into brewing different kinds of wine here. You can bring little
packets of brewer’s yeast and really enhance your village creations.
·
Sharp knife- Good addition if you love cooking and are particular
about those things.
Tech (You
are a level 30 wizard on World of War Craft)
Note:
make sure whatever electronics you bring are both 120V and 240V compatible.
Most new electronics are, but you might want to check the plug on older items
if you are not sure. Look at the following article for more information on the
plug type and electricity supply in Zambia
You
should bring
·
Conversion
plug for Zambia - Look
at the article above for details on the plug type. Might want to get a
conversion plug with a voltage adapter if you have electronics that will need
it.
·
Music - Bring as much as possible.
You will be happy you did when you are alone at your site.
·
Podcasts,
e-books, and movies (please
download legally) - There is internet here but it is too slow to do any major
downloading. Radio lab, This American Life, The Moth, Freakonomics, and Fresh
Air are Peace Corps favorites.
·
Computer
- Bring
one with as much battery life as possible or an old one you don’t care about.
You can also bring an extra battery to stretch it out. Many people have
computers in there huts for work or to watch movies in their leisure time.
·
Mini-speakers
- USB
chargeable. Some people use battery powered speakers because they can be easier
to take when travelling and plugs are hard to find.
·
Shortwave
radio (3–7 band) - Nice
for hearing international news on the BBC and VOA (Voice of America).
·
Kindle
or e reader - Buy a
case for it to keep it concealed and protected. They sell some e readers with
large screens that can be nice for reading PDFs.
·
IPod
touch, IPhone, or android - Helps
with computing capacity and can hold different language learning software.
Useful also for downloading messages when there is access to internet and then
reading and replying to them later.
·
Unlocking
IPhones - There is someone in Lusaka who can unlock IPhones, but you are better off
getting it done while still in America.
·
Headphones
(2 pairs) - Bring
extra because you are sure to lose or break at least one.
·
Extra
memory cards and flash drives - Great for sharing files and backing small things up
·
Batteries - You can buy them here, but
they are expensive. Rechargeable ones are a good buy
·
Unit for
recharging batteries
Think
about bringing
·
Programs
and things to download before coming - Download as much as you can in America. Speeds here
are so slow and will drive you crazy waiting for them to finish.
·
Calibre - Download this to add books or
PDFs to your e-reader without the internet.
·
VLC
Video Player –
Helpful to play different formats of video you are likely to find here
·
Handbrake- Allows for a computer to
change the format of a video so that it can be watched on an IPod. This is
really nice for travelling and when power is an issue.
·
External
hard drive - Good
for bringing more music and swapping digital things with folks.
Outdoors
(you wear a friendship bracelet and know what Outward Bound is)
You
should bring
·
Large
backpack - A
solid, large backpack is always a good travel item because of the amount of
time that you will be spending moving about the country. If you are a
backpacker, then it is extra important because you can actually take it out in
the woods. Look for the ones with the removable top for extra functionality.
·
Sleeping
bag - It does
get cold in Zambia and in the surrounding countries, so you will probably want
a fairly warm bag. However, in the hot season a big sleeping bag is cumbersome
to carry around and too hot.
·
Sleep
sack- This is
a nice travel item that basically two sheets sewn together (You can make this
if you are short on cash). They are great for hostels or places where you don’t
trust the sheets.
·
Sleeping
pad or yoga mat - Can
be bought in Lusaka but can be expensive.
·
Two good
water bottles - Wrap
them in duct tape to cut down on your packing space and increase the utility of
your water bottle.
·
Small
backpack/bag - Good
for bringing things to meetings and smaller trips.
·
Headlamp
- Get
one with a long battery life. Worth the
investment for buying a nice one, Petzls are great, and last!
·
Leatherman
or Swiss army knife
Think
about bringing
·
Bicycle
saddlebags - Get the
kind that can be attached to a rack on the back and not the one that attaches
to the seat. These are awesome for keeping bike tools with you and hauling
things around.
·
Tent - Important item to bring even if
you are not outdoorsy. When staying at other people’s houses it can be really
nice to have another sleeping spot. Some
people buy just popup bug tents for staying with people, too.
·
Carabineer - Often comes in handy for
putting hammocks up or hanging things.
·
Light
weight hammock
·
Camel
back canteen
·
Nice
work gloves - These
are great for reducing blistering and keeping your hands cleaner when you are
working with some funky dirt.
·
Binoculars
·
Rope - Good for hanging things up
around the hut when you first arrive, though once you get to town you can buy
just about any kind of rope you can imagine.
·
Fishing
equipment
·
Bicycle
handlebar extensions - Only buy
if you are a huge biker and know that you want them.
Organizational
and Professional (you’re a dork and like synergizing things)
You
should bring
·
Daily
planner - Can be
found in Lusaka but you should probably just bring one if you think you will
need it.
·
Accordion
folder - Helps
to keep together the thousands of things they give you in training.
Think about bringing
·
List of
addresses from America
·
Hanging
shelving units - Great
for organizing clothes and shoes for the first couple of months
·
Photocopies
of your important documents and forms of ID
·
List of
passwords to important accounts
Just for
Fun and Small Gifts (what I am going to do with that extra space in my pack?)
Note:
Host family gifts and gifts for villagers can be nice, but keep them very small
and don't give them right away. It sets up some unrealistic expectations about
what you can give them.
·
Wildlife
guides on Zambia -
Wildlife guides are awesome for spotting dangerous and beautiful animals around
your site. Guides to Zambia are plentiful and can be found in great numbers to
borrow at the provincial houses.
·
Pop
rocks or altoids - Kids
love and are also terrified by them.
·
Bottle
of good bourbon
·
Stickers
·
Those
things that expand in water and turn into dinosaurs
·
Other
people’s extra things - Email
the group to see if anyone needs some extra space if you find yourself with an
empty pack.
·
Vegetable
peelers -Nice
gift for villagers
·
Glow Sticks - Great for Peace Corps parties or village nights.
Reading List (good books to read before or during your
service)
·
Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo
·
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared
Diamond
·
AIDS, Sexuality, and Gender in Southern Africa by
Baylies and Bujra
·
Living Poor: A peace Corps Chronicle by
Moritz Thomsen
·
Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanly and
Livingstone by Martin Dugard
·
Poor Economics by Banerjee and Duflo
·
End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs
·
When the World Calls: The Inside Story of the Peace Corps
and Its First Fifty Years by
Stanley Meisler