Packing list for Ghana
From Peace Corps Wiki
(Added items to packing checklist like kitchen supplies, toiletry items, financial items, etc.) |
(Added Peace Corps Discounts Link) |
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'''Cooking ware''' | '''Cooking ware''' | ||
| - | ''You can easily buy most kitchen supplies here — dishes, pots, glasses, and utensils. But if you | + | ''You can easily buy most kitchen supplies here — dishes, pots, glasses, and utensils. But if you are particular about your kitchen supplies (as the quality of these might not live up to the standards you are accustomed to in America), then there are a few items we highly recommend bringing:'' |
*A good-quality small Teflon fry pan | *A good-quality small Teflon fry pan | ||
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'''Other''' | '''Other''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''One of the perks of being a Peace Corps volunteer is that it makes you eligible for many discounts offered by companies selling footwear, clothing, outdoor gear, electronics, and more. Please visit [http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Volunteer_discounts this page] for more information.'' | ||
'''''DO NOT BRING A BIKE HELMET!''' They can be bought after training and COSing volunteers donate them or sell them for cheap. Save that space for something important.'' | '''''DO NOT BRING A BIKE HELMET!''' They can be bought after training and COSing volunteers donate them or sell them for cheap. Save that space for something important.'' | ||
| - | ''Peace Corps will provide all volunteers with a first aid kit that contains band aids, anti-diarrhea tablets, sun screen, insect repellent, benadryl, etc. (For complete contents of first aid kit see | + | ''Peace Corps will provide all volunteers with a first aid kit that contains band aids, anti-diarrhea tablets, sun screen, insect repellent, benadryl, etc. (For complete contents of first aid kit see [http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Health_care_and_safety_in_Ghana#First_Aid_Kit_Contents click here]) Furthermore, medicine like Tylenol and aspirin is provided for PCVs upon request for free or can be purchased at local pharmacies for a nominal expense.'' |
===The Traveler=== | ===The Traveler=== | ||
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===The Settler=== | ===The Settler=== | ||
| - | A '''Settler''' is a person who packs with the purpose of establishing permanent residence in Ghana. They are people who pack ''everything'' and exceed the one luggage weight limit at the airport . . . for both | + | A '''Settler''' is a person who packs with the purpose of establishing permanent residence in Ghana. They are people who pack ''everything'' and exceed the one luggage weight limit at the airport . . . for both check-in bags. They pack with the intention of purchasing only disposable items in Ghana. The list below is of ''luxury'' items that one could bring if you budget for a small boy to help you carry your bags. |
'''Clothing''' | '''Clothing''' | ||
Revision as of 12:56, 9 March 2011
| Packing List for Ghana | ||
 | These lists has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Ghana based on their experience. Use it as an informal guide in making your own list, bearing in mind that experience is individual. There is no perfect list! |  See also: For information see Welcomebooks |
The packing list below has been compiled by PCVs in Ghana and is based on their experiences. As a consequence of varying PCV preferences, the list has been separated into three categories to differentiate the importance and availability of each item. This list is not all encompassing but it is a good starting place.
Contents |
The Backpacker
A Backpacker can be described as a person who only packs the essentials that can be ergonomically placed inside one or two backpacks with a week-long trip in mind. They pack with the intentions of buying more according to the environment of their destination. Therefore, the list below are the items PCVs feel are the most important and cannot be easily found in Ghana.
Clothing
You are forewarned that you will have to HAND WASH all of your clothes or pay someone to which is hard on clothes. Cotton clothes are the most durable, practical and comfortable. FYI, you can buy back the clothes you donated in the past to Goodwill and Salvation Army here for cheap in the markets.
Furthermore, tailors are everywhere in Ghana. And even though they are not all created equal, you can have almost anything made because labor and material is cheap. Ghanaians really appreciate seeing PCVs wearing Ghanaian-tailored clothes, be it traditional or modern. In addition, the cloth that is bought here is strong enough to endure hand-washing, and it is also breathable.
- cotton underwear
- 2 pairs of khaki pants (men)
- 2 lightweight knee-length skirts (women)
- 1 pair of knee-length short pants or capris
- t-shirts
- (See donated clothes comment above.)
- 1 long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt or fleece
- You will get cold at least one night, trust me!
- 1 business casual outfit and shoes
- Because you will attend a dinner at the Ambassadors early in training.
- sandals
- A nice and durable pair.
- running shoes
- For the Prefontaines.
- workout/exercise outfit or clothes
- Quality gear is hard to find.
- conservative swimsuit (women) or board shorts (men)
- Beaches are nice and low-key.
- a hat for the sun
- a lightweight waterproof jacket
Toiletries
- toothpaste, toothbrush and floss
- Pack enough to last at least through the 10-week training.
- deodorant
- It is primarily found in the major cities so bring enough to last through the 10-week training.
- camping towel
- nail clippers
- Q-tips
- personal medicine (Arrange to take a three-month supply of all medications, including birth control pills, you are presently taking)
- prescription glasses (if applicable) - If you wear eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you — your current pair and a spare. If a either pair breaks, gets stolen, etc., the Peace Corps will replace it only once, using the information your doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during your examination.
Accessories
- sunglasses
- a backpack for a four- to seven-day trip
- locks for backpacks, suitcases, etc.
- sturdy water bottle
- multi-tool/knife
- Leatherman's Skeletool is great but remember to not to pack it in your carry-on.
- pics of family and friends (including the 4-legged ones)
- books
- Even though there is a well-developed collection of books at all of the offices and an unofficial system of exchanging the most popular books, you may want to bring a couple of your top choices to last through the 10-week training.
- head lamp and/or small flashlight
- batteries
- Quality batteries, like Duracell, are only found in Accra.
- Ipod/MP3 Player
- It is required!
- extra headphones
- cell phone
- (See Electronics section below.)
- keep track of extra passport pictures because they can be used for visas if you choose to travel to neighboring countries
- 1 socket/outlet adapter
- (See Electronics section below.)
Cooking ware
You can easily buy most kitchen supplies here — dishes, pots, glasses, and utensils. But if you are particular about your kitchen supplies (as the quality of these might not live up to the standards you are accustomed to in America), then there are a few items we highly recommend bringing:
- A good-quality small Teflon fry pan
- Two dozen Ziploc baggies (freezer bags are best)
- A good-quality small cutting knife
Financial
Although all PCVs receive a per diem during training, a sizable move-in allowance (from which you can buy household items for your house/room and a cell phone), and a regular living allowance, it is always a good idea to bring some extra financial resources in the event of an emergency:
- Cash $100 USD
- Travelers checks: $100 - $200 USD
- ATM card
- Verify the card has the VISA logo and
- Verify the card doesn't expire during your service
Other
One of the perks of being a Peace Corps volunteer is that it makes you eligible for many discounts offered by companies selling footwear, clothing, outdoor gear, electronics, and more. Please visit this page for more information.
DO NOT BRING A BIKE HELMET! They can be bought after training and COSing volunteers donate them or sell them for cheap. Save that space for something important.
Peace Corps will provide all volunteers with a first aid kit that contains band aids, anti-diarrhea tablets, sun screen, insect repellent, benadryl, etc. (For complete contents of first aid kit see click here) Furthermore, medicine like Tylenol and aspirin is provided for PCVs upon request for free or can be purchased at local pharmacies for a nominal expense.
The Traveler
A Traveler is a person who packs with the intentions of a being lightweight but include a few nonessential items. The list below is in addition to The Backpacker list but these comfort or nonessential items can be bought in Ghana if you do not have high standards. That means that the following items are not found everywhere but in most large cities and some market towns, where market towns are typically within an hour or town of most PCVs.
Clothing
- cotton under t-shirts or 'wife beaters'
- bras (women)
- jeans
- socks
- scrub bottoms
- They are great! Yet, they can be made in-country in some fabulous colors.
Toiletries
- disposable razors
- tampons (women)
- PC does provide a limited amount to volunteers.
- shampoo
- lotion
Accessories
- scissors
- 1 adjustable belt
- For weight gain or loss.
- small portable speakers
- laptop or netbook
- (See Electronics section below.)
- external hard drive
- (See Electronics section below.)
- small games or cards
- These are like travel chess boards, Yahtzee, frisbee, American football, soccer ball, etc.
The Settler
A Settler is a person who packs with the purpose of establishing permanent residence in Ghana. They are people who pack everything and exceed the one luggage weight limit at the airport . . . for both check-in bags. They pack with the intention of purchasing only disposable items in Ghana. The list below is of luxury items that one could bring if you budget for a small boy to help you carry your bags.
Clothing
- flip flops or shower shoes
- They are everywhere!
Toiletries
- face wash (specifically for women)
- shower cap
- shower robe
Accessories
- tent or any camping gear
- travel-size pillow
- hammock
- hiking boots
- radio
- alarm clock
- duct tape
- Ziplock bags
- camping cookware
- a nice umbrella
- hand wipes or hand sanitizer
- guitar
- Ones of decent quality can be purchased in country.
- travel-size iron
- food seasonings
Electronics
FYI, if you are a teacher volunteer, you WILL have electricity.
- socket/outlet adapter
- See the following link about electrical plug/outlet and voltage information for Ghana.
- laptop or netbook
- It is absolutely feasible to bring a laptop or netbook because about 1 in 3 PCVs currently possess one or the other. However, have a mindset that whatever you bring you are willing to part with it. That is because their are many hazards for electronics, especially computers, in Ghana: theft (insurance cannot recover files from your stolen computer), hot and humid climate, electrical fluctuation and surges, dust and other critters. Therefore, bring a computer at your own risk!
- external hard drive
- If you have a computer, it is essential to backup your files in case the worst happens. And if you like movies . . .
- mobile/cell phone
- Cheap cell phones (about $30) can be purchased in Ghana but most phones are knock-offs. Check out the links below to decide if you can use your current phone in Ghana or if you want to buy a new one that is compatible with the frequency in both Ghana and the US. Furthermore, there are no cell phone contracts or locked phones here. You simply buy a chip and pay prepaid minutes as you go, and you can switch chips at any time depending on phone rates and cell phone coverage.
- The Travel Insider discusses the different frequency bands around the world.
- Mobile World Live / Ghana discusses the frequency bands specific to the companies in Ghana.
- ipod
- If you have one, bring it. If you don't, buy one because you will have a lot of downtime and you will need a break from reading all the books you read.
- pen drive
- So you will not have to share and transfer files on a regular basis, like reports and pictures.
- radio
- BBC is broadcasted in Ghana.
Care Packages
The staff in Accra pick up packages at least once a week. However, if you do not travel to the main office, you will have to wait for the monthly delivery to the two sub-offices at the first of the month. Typically, it takes about one to three months to receive a package of which you have to pay a small duty fee for.
The address for Peace Corps is below:
- Jane Doe (PCV)
- Peace Corps Ghana
- P.O. Box 5796
- Accra-North
- Ghana, West Africa
Here is the link for information about the United States Parcel Service in Ghana.
Here is the link for information about DHL in Ghana.
Care packages are just not great for birthdays and holidays but also for receiving things that you wanted to bring but did not have room for in your luggage.
Preferred Gifts
- powdered Gatorade
- When you receive it, you will understand why it is absolutely fabulous.
- candy
- coffee or tea packets
- dried food
- magazines
- Virtually nonexistent here and perhaps the best way to keep up with current events because the internet is not always the swiftest.
- books