Packing List for Volunteering in Kenya

Packing to go away on a volunteering project can seem a bit confusing, you can never quite predict what will happen and what you might need so I have tried to narrow it down for you and give you some good ideas to make sure that you are prepared for any situation. Disclaimer: I'm not known for packing light but I've tried my best here!

The Essentials

• Passport

• Flight Tickets and Documents

• Visa, if purchased in advance - for UK citizens a visa can be purchased at the airport on arrival.

• Money - I wouldn't bring all the money that you plan to spend in cash unless you will have no access to a cash point for the duration of the trip but a little bit of pre-changed money will be useful to avoid any stress on arrival.

• Money Belt - When travelling I would always consider wearing valuables in a discreet money belt underneath clothing.

• Photocopies of important documents - in case of emergencies or losses and pack this in a separate place to your passport.

• Water purification tablets - buying bottle water is costly and also has negative effects on our environment so make sure you have a plentiful supply of purification tablets.

• High quality mosquito repellent

• Malaria tablets - you will need an adequate supply of atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine (dependent on which your pharmacist or medical professional recommends for your personal needs).

• First aid kit - bring a first aid kit stocked will a few of all the basic necessities such as plasters, bandages, scissors, tweezers and antiseptic cream.

• Medication - don't forget your medication, this might include any prescriptions but in addition I would recommend some painkillers, vitamin suppliments (in case of a limited diet), diarrhoea stoppers like immodium (for any emergencies), antihistamine for relief from allergies or insect bites, and re-hydration salts.

• Suncream - Especially if you are visiting a rural region of Kenya, it is unlikely that you will be able to buy suncream. Make sure that you are well stocked with high protection SPF to prevent yourself from getting burned.

• Re-usable Water Bottle

Clothing

The type of clothing that you pack will greatly depend on the area that you are visiting, the season and the type of work that you are carrying out but this list serves as a general list for guidance. I have used the minimum number of items needed but depending on how often you can wash clothes, this might vary. In general I would stay clear of white because it stains very easily and black/dark colours because it absorbs heat. I would also say to always pack an outfit that makes you feel good/a bit dressed up because you never know what you might get up to in your free time. I didn't do this on my first volunteer trip and I quickly regretted it.

• Waterproof coat - generally this is a good idea to take on all travels but if you are travelling only to a dry area in the dry season then it goes without saying, you won't need one. Do your research first.

• 2 pairs of long loose trousers - these might be workwear style if doing physical activities or smarter trousers if working in a school for example, just ensure that they are fit for the purpose and will keep you cool in hot weather.

• 1 or 2 dresses or skirts that are below the knee - it's always a good idea to pack something that you feel nice in for any free time that you might have or special occasions, just make sure it is not too revealing.

• 4 tops - loose fitting t-shirts are a good idea, style depending on type of work and activities that you will be doing. I would also suggest one "nice" top for occasions/free time.

• Underwear - cotton is nice and cool.

• 2 pairs of nightwear - in some areas it gets cool/cold at night so plan accordingly.

• Warm Layer - it's not always warm in Kenya, make sure you do your research and pack something warm.

• Swimwear - it's not necessarily going to be used but I would say to pack some swimwear just in case. I am typically a bikini girl but I would pack a costume or tankini for volunteering trips because it is never harmful to be a bit more conservative.

• Shoes - 1 pair of flip flops for washing/bathing in (it's likely you will be getting washed outside), 1 pair of comfortable working shoes like trainers, 1 pair of comfortable open shoes (but be prepared to get dusty!)

• 1 Bag - Take a suitable day bag that you can use for work and any free time. Ideally it should be able to fit all of your daily essentials into it plus some water. I recommend a small backpack.

• Socks

• 1 Towel - I tend to take 2 microfibre towels because they are quick drying and take up little room in my luggage.

• 1 non-transparent sarong/cover up - I would wear these after bathing. It is a common practice to get washed outside, put a large cover up on and then get changed in the house.

Toiletries

I would always caution about taking too many toiletries overseas because it is likely that you can buy your basic necessities overseas. The locals wash their bodies and their hair so it's not necessary to carry 6 months worth of shampoo and soap. Here is what I would take.

• 1 bar of soap - bars of soap last longer than shower gel, they have less packaging waste and weigh less in your luggage.

• 1 small bottle of conditioning shampoo - I wouldn't waste luggage space with more than a small bottle. You can buy more when you arrive. At home I condition with every wash but due to water shortages in Kenya I only shampoo'd my hair while I was volunteering. A few dry ends aren't the end of the world.

• 1 dry shampoo - water is a luxury, we don't always need to wash our hair.

• Sanitary wear - your choice will probably be more limited.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss - again, toothpaste and brushes can be bought in country.

• Deodorant

• Hand sanitiser - this is VERY important because most public toilets do not have soap.

• Wipes - ideally biodegradable ones. Having said this, I would go easy on the wipes in some cases. I bought a lot before my first trip and barely used them apart from removing some make up because I washed in a bucket of water every day without fail. It's always handy to have some in though.

• Make up or personal products - many packing lists and volunteer programmes tell you not to pack make up but I disagree. If you want to wear some then wear it, it's up to you. Do limit your selection and pack the basics and don't go overboard with the fake lashes, smoky eyes and red lips but a little bit of concealer and mascara aren't going to hurt anyone. Similarly, if you have a beauty product that comforts you such as a particular moisturizer then bring it with you, it will comfort you if you ever miss home.

Electronics

• Camera and/or phone that takes good pictures plus back up batteries - you will want to document your experience as much as you can.

• Phone - Make sure it is unlocked so that you can buy a local SIM. You need to stay connected to people in country to do your work but also at home, I would recommend a smart phone so that you can use it for any internet research that you need. Where I volunteered, there was no WiFi in the area but you could buy mobile data for your Sim card. Just don't be flashing expensive phones around.

• Back up battery pack - you don't know how much electricity you will be able to access so I recommend packing a battery pack that you can use to charge your appliances when you need to.

• Headtorch

• Charges and adapters

• Laptop/Tablet/Kindle - this is certainly not a necessity and in many cases it would be best to leave at home, but it is worth considering. In my previous volunteer work, we were told to leave laptops at home. But in country we needed to produce written documents and the 3 volunteers who had brought laptops were constantly sharing theirs around so do consider it.

Other bits to consider (but not necessarily needed)

• Home comforts - this depends on how long you are volunteering for but if it is a long time then consider some home conforting products that will help you cope with any home sickness, e.g. a type of tea bag, a particular type of chocolate, a type of jam.

• Photo album - we all store photos digitally now but a printed photo album of your family and your way of life can be a lovely thing to share with local people who are interested in your culture. It can also be nice to look at for some comfort and doesn't rely on having electricity.

• Journal/Note Pad - to work from and to document the trip. Although this can be bought in Kenya.

• Music/Books/Digital Films saved to phone or tablet

• Games - small and easy to pack games which require no electricity such as a pack of cards or travel sized games are good for bonding and for having fun while travelling.

• Gifts for your host families, new friends - I would recommend taking a little gift for new friends that you will meet but I would only take cultural products from your country that you cannot access in Kenya. I would never take over things like stationary because you can buy these products in Kenya and if you buy in country gifts they are often cheaper but also benefit the local economy as well.

Things to Leave at Home

• Any unnecessary valuables - leave any expensive jewelry, clothing or electronics at home, only bring the things that you wouldn't mind losing.

• Heels - this should go without saying but they're unpractical and you won't wear them.

• Revealing clothing - it's best in general to be conservatively dressed and this will vary dependent on the area that you are visiting. Do your research on what the area is like that you are visiting but in general, especialy as a woman, I would always air on the side of caution and wear fairly loose fitting clothes which cover the shoulders and are below the knee.

• Too many basic toiletries - you can buy soap, shampoo, toilet roll and clothes soap overseas.

• Basic gifts that you can buy in Kenya - don't buy and travel with basic things as presents for local people because it is better to buy basics in Kenya so that it benefits the local economy.