Team Packing List
Team leaders:
1) Emergency contact information for each team member as well as a copy of their passport and their medical liability release form (includes information of any current medical conditions or allergies).
2) Immunizations as recommended by county health department. Check current recommendations.
3) Please have a basic first aid kit with you at all times – starting at the point of US departure. Your first aid kit should include an epipen in case of bee sting (we do have bees in Haiti).
4) Ensure everyone has plane tickets, accident insurance and passports!
Essentials:
1) Non breakable water bottle.Sawyer water bottles have filters built right into the bottle. I can order those at a discount rate, if interested. I highly suggest team members arrive in PaP with full water bottles for the trip to Mizak.
2) Bug spray
3) Sunscreen
4) Handsanitizer(a large bottle that can refill the handsize and also a generous supply of handiwipes)
5) Personal supplies: toothbrush / paste, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc. Towels provided. (not washcloths)
6) Shower shoes (ie: flip flops)
7) Other shoes: 1 closed toe (ie: sneakers) for hiking; dress shoes for church and special events; comfortable sandals for all other occasions.
8) Raincoat
9) Jacket, sweatshirt or sweater for evenings and mornings.
10) Flashlight and extra batteries
11) Any personal prescriptions, pain relievers, bug bite / sunburn treatment
12) CIPRO – antibiotic from your physician
13) Messenger bag or backpack to carry your supplies when you are traveling by motorcycle
14) Plenty of personal snacks: peanut butter, granola, energy bars (Remember, it is hot! Choose items that won’t melt.)
**Other clothing comments at bottom of list.**
Recommendations:
1) Camera with extra batteries
2) Drink powders, such as Propel, are good (I prefer protein powders)
3) Plastic sacks for personal garbage & dirty laundry
4) Motion sickness preventative for drive to Mizak, if you tend to get car sick
5) Ear plugs or Tylenol PM if you are a light sleeper
6) Pillow. One may be provided, but they are not a standard pillow. Sheets WILL be provided; you may want an additional small throw (like an airline blanket). Fall / winter can be chilly at night.
7) Toilet paper is provided at the guest house. However, you may want to carry a small roll for times when we are not at the guest house. Also Kleenex.
8) Bible, journal, pens, paper, devotional materials
9) Sunglasses
10) Laptop…maybe.Connection is limited.
11) Mosquito netting (Some prefer, some don’t. Can be hung from bunk bed posts.)
12) Battery operated fan
13) $150 - $200 spending cash for lunch snacks and artisans purchases
Estimated pricing list of artisan objects
Paintings $40- $150
Purses $15 - $50
Clothing $25 - $60
Jewelry $5 - $25
14) Headlamp (vs flashlight for walking and reading)
15) ‘Work’ gear: appropriate clothing, footgear, gloves and protective glasses (in case you jump into assist on construction)
16) Small, handheld mirror
17) Debit or credit card for airport. (Not in Haiti)
18) Cell phone and charger. (Won’t work in Haiti but you’ll want to call home as soon as you cross through Customs! )
Clothing comments:
1) Modest, but not ‘Victorian.’ Shirts can be sleeveless, but not camisoles.
2) Longer shorts for men and womenor capris. A pair of jeans or khakis.
3) Women, skirts are nice because they allow “air-flow!” (And are handy ‘where toilets are not available’.) However, I personally do not feel comfortable on the back of a motorcycle in a skirt; I wear capris.
4) Haitians appreciate good fashion. Do not feel you need to either dress for ‘the safari,’ nor from Goodwill. Whatever you wear in Michigan in the summer will likely be appropriate. There is a lot of red dirt and sweating, so you may want to wear t-shirts or other casual wear that can take the abuse on days the agenda calls for going out.
5) Swimsuits. Please MODEST.
6) Haitians dress their best for church, going “to town,” other special gatherings. Bring a set of dress clothes and shoes.
7) DO NOT PLAN TO LEAVE CLOTHES BEHIND!