General list of things for all types of volunteers

(Strictly suggested items)

  1. A lot of sturdy socks and underwear
  2. Pants (jeans, cotton, khaki), t-shirts (you can always give these away). Also, you won’t need as much as you think you will since you can buy clothes there. Be sure to take at least one good outfit for swearing-in, eating out or business meeting.
  3. Suggestion for clothing – take Under armor or quick dry clothing ESPECIALLY underwear
  4. Tennis shoes (Nike works well) and flip flops (Tevas and Burks really stand up to the pressure) or hiking boots (only if you know you’ll use them.
  5. All in country-shoes SUCK. If you love a pair of shoes, take two, because you will wear them out quickly
  6. You CAN buy flip flops in country
  7. One sweater or sweatshirt (it can get cool)
  8. Swimsuit – Appropriate, perhaps not two pieces for girls
  9. Flashlight (Wind able or uses rechargeable batteries)
  10. HEADLAMP!!!
  11. Camera
  12. Swiss Army knife and/or Leatherman knife
  13. Extra batteries for any electronics, especially AAA or AA
  14. Sturdy backpack/duffel bag for short trips
  15. Sunglasses
  16. Sewing kit
  17. Happy pictures of family/friends (it’s good to adorn your walls with and they’re great ice-breakers with HCNs)
  18. A small scrap book or a Shutterfly book are great ideas for things to show your family
  19. Short wave radio
  20. ONLY if you will use it – you can buy them in country
  21. MP3 Player or iPod
  22. Guitar/harmonica/watercolors/Frisbee/hackeysack (any hobby you ever wanted to start/learn)
  23. Camping gear (compressible sleeping bag, compression sack, sleeping pad, travel or neck pillow, tent if you’re really into it and your tent is lightweight)
  24. If you really are into tenting take them – other wise save space in your bag!
  25. Quick dry towel (REI or other outdoors type store) or shammi
  26. Stationery and PENS – good pens are hard to find out of country!!!
  27. Coloring books, colors (The kids love this!!!)
  28. Caps, hats, bandanas
  29. Favorite books (paperback. don’t take too many as there will be plenty of other ones to trade for once you get there)
  30. Consider getting a NOOK – these are AWESOME.
  31. Solar or regular battery charger
  32. Power converter (make sure the wattage rating’s not too high or low for basic things)
  33. Variety of Ziploc baggie sizes
  34. Pack stuff in these baggies so that you aren’t just taking boxes of them…this also helps save you space
  35. Koolaid or Gatorade or Crystal Lite packs – you will love these when all you drink is sulfur flavored water!
  36. Favorite recipes (on cards, not the whole book)
  37. FLASH DRIVE WITH:
  38. Copies of papers relevant to work you expect to be doing, if you’re so inclined.
  39. Copies of all of your MI forms
  40. Copies of your resume and unofficial transcripts
  41. Address book with info for your friends, family, and school contacts
  42. Nalgene-type water bottle with carabineer
  43. Travel alarm clock
  44. Journal
  45. Small gifts for your host families
  46. Duck tape, works on almost everything!
  47. Extra US money: BRAND NEW BILLS only $50 and $100 are accepted
  48. 3M Hooks for walls