Packing!

Post by Kevin

*Note: please bear with me, or just skip this post- this is gonna be a long one!

This is the slightly edited/consolidated version of the Men's and Women's packing lists that we received from Peace Corps. It has been edited by current PC Sierra Leone volunteers, which is super helpful since we know that some real-life experience went into it.  Since this is just the suggested list, there will be a list to follow with what we actually are bringing.  We are both trying to desperately keep everything to one 50lb bag each.  We do have the option of adding a 50lb bag, but we'd have to tote it around until we get to our site.  That is a last resort...

Men's Packing List:

• Pair of jeans (1) and pairs of slack type pants (2-3 - Dickies are suggested as well as technical type pants from the likes of REI or EMS)
• Dress shirts (3-4)
• T-shirts (4 - think small as hand washing with no dryers will surely stretch them)
• Pair of casual and athletic shorts
• Board shorts (the beaches are lovely)
• Hoodie
• Belt (not leather-- it will mold)
• Rain jacket
• Teva sandals
• Tennis shoes
• Dress shoes
• Underwear (3-4 - exefficio or the like are great)
• Socks (not many)
• Bowties

Women's Packing List:

• Diva cup (Readers: If you're a guy, don't ask. If you're a girl and you don't know what this is, google it at your own risk.)
• Bras (6) 
• Durable underwear (15-20) 
• 1 pair of jeans 
• 2 skirts (the skirt must cover your knees when seated) 
• 2 Shirts/Blouses/Tops for work and PC functions – these tops should cover the shoulders or, at a minimum, cover completely to the shoulder. While teaching during the Training, you will only be allowed to wear tops that cover your shoulders. 
• 2 professional outfits – can be pants or skirts with a shirt/blouse or a dress 
• 1 sweater/ cardigan 
• Clothes for outside of work 
• Bathing suit (2 piece is fine) 
• Socks

• Shoes (comfy sandals that are appropriate for teaching)

• Rain jacket

Men & Women + Bonus items

• Quick dry towel
• Toiletries: 
• Make-up
• Nail clippers 
• Hair brush 
• Toothbrushes
• Soap and toothbrush holders
• Sewing kit
• Sleeping pad
• Full-size sheet
• Bandanas
• Sunglasses
• Ziploc bags and Tupperware
• Nice kitchenware such as a knife, can opener, vegetable peeler
• “Must have” cooking spices
• Headlamp
• Water bottles (save space and fill with sharpies/pens, etc)
• Duct tape
• Backpack (We will both be bringing multi-day packs as well as one 24L Daypack)
• Radio (ours runs on a rechargeable battery with a solar panel and a hand crank. It's awesome.)
• iPod, headphones, and small speakers (Local radios will play mp3s on USB memory sticks or Mini SD memory cards)
• Netbook (bring case for dust/environment)
• Solar charger for iPod and phone (cell phone is provided by PC)
• Calculator
  
• Small alarm clock
• Books that you have to have (at least one good textbook for teaching)
• Photos from home to show your new friends/family
• Leatherman/Swiss army knife/Multi-tool
• Camera, extra batteries, and memory cards (film is available in country)
• Hobby supplies (Deck of cards, instrument, thread, soccer ball, Frisbee, seeds for a garden, art supplies, etc. Just know you will have plenty of time on your hands)
• Calendar
• Umbrella (you will be arriving at the start of the rainy season)
• American stamps (Only to send letters home with people)
• Letter-writing materials
• Journals
• Pens & Pencils (can’t find good ones here)
• Markers (Sharpies. All others available here)
• Dollar store stuff for gifts/parties (glow sticks, mardigras beads, etc.)
• Cash money ($100-300 in twenties or above and new, crisp bills)