Packing list for Malawi

From Peace Corps Wiki

This list has been compiled by Volunteers serving in Malawi and is 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! You can always have things sent to you later. You obviously cannot bring everything we mention, so consider those items that make the most sense to you personally and professionally. As you decide what to bring, keep in mind that you have an 80pound weight restriction on baggage. And remember, you can get almost everything you need in Malawi.

The three key qualities for clothing in Malawi are dark colors, many pockets, and easy to wash and care for. Overall, dress conservatively. Remember that it does get cold so bring warm clothes. Rainy season means just that—you will get wet and splattered with mud. We recommend quick-drying, breathable clothes.

General Clothing

• One set long underwear
• Lightweight, all-weather jacket
• Hooded sweatshirt or fleece
• Knit hat and gloves
• Sleeveless dresses and shirts (note that Volunteer teachers cannot wear these in the classroom)
• Swimsuit (one piece); very sturdy
• Bandannas or handkerchiefs
• Sun hat (baseball cap or straw hat)
• Good-quality raincoat
• Heavy-duty poncho and quality umbrella
• Durable, easy-to-wash pants
• Shorts and other clothes like drawstring pajama pants for lounging around (doctor’s scrubs are ideal)
• Women can and do wear trousers for traveling and in the cities
• Teachers need dresses/skirts that go below the knee (no slits above the knee, and not tight-fitting)
• Cotton slips (waist to knee and waist to ankle)
• Men do not need full suit, just a tie and a button-down shirt for special occasions
• Very durable, practical clothes (not nice, dressy clothes)
• Some nicer clothes for in town (dancing, restaurants)
• Lots of underwear, bras, socks
• Heavy-duty sports bra
• Belt
• Money belt
• shorts (longer, knee-length shorts for women) for biking
• Sturdy work gloves (if you garden)

Overall advice: do not bring a lot. Just three to four outfits for staging and beginning of training.You can find just about everything in the markets.

Shoes

Durable shoes are an essential investment

• Teva or Chaco sandals
• Sneakers and/or hiking boots (two pairs) (Boots are handy for rainy season)
• Shoes (close-toed and good to stand in all day; for Volunteer teachers)
• House shoes (slippers); you can get flip-flops in Malawi
• Dress shoes

Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items

• Favorite brand of tampon
• Face lotions
• Deodorant
• Shampoo (just a 2-in-1 to get through training)
• A few toothbrushes
• Toothpaste (just one for training)
• Hand sanitizer
• Multivitamins (low-concentration vitamins available in-country)
• Razor and extra blades
• Sunscreen (just one to get started)
• Manicure set
• Hair-cutting scissors
• Prescription drugs (three-month supply)

Kitchen

• Heavy-duty non-stick frying pan
• Good knives
• Vegetable peeler
• Thermos
• French press (if you appreciate good coffee)
• Kitchen towels
• Ziploc bags (surplus)
• Plastic containers (e.g., Tupperware)
• Mess kit cooking set
• Set of silverware
• Send foodstuff to yourself before leaving: tea, dried spices, kool-aid packets, cheese powder packets, power bars, granola bars, soup mixes, gravy mixes, chocolate, etc.

Miscellaneous

• Sturdy water bottle (e.g., Nalgene)
• Lightweight, travel, waterproof tent w/ground cloth
• Leatherman/Swiss Army knife
• Compact sleeping bag for cold weather
• Indiglo watch
• Bungee cords or backpack straps
• Chair that folds out into sleeping mat (e.g., Crazy Creek or LL Bean)
• Flashlight or headlamp with extra bulbs
• Shortwave radio
• Solar-powered rechargeable batteries with recharger
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Good envelopes
• Elmer’s glue
• Good dictionary
• U.S. stamps (so you can send letters home with travelers)
• Lonely Planet Guide to Malawi
• Camera (35mm point-and-shoot)
• Field guide for flora and fauna of sub-Saharan Africa
• Seeds for herbs and vegetables
• Battery-powered alarm clock
• Double size, flat sheets and a couple of towels
• Sewing kit
• Sunglasses
• Personal money (you can keep it in the safe at the Peace Corps office)
• Games (Scrabble, cards, chess, Frisbee, etc.)
• Walkman and variety of tapes (Discman uses much more battery power)
• Musical instrument (harmonica, guitar, etc.)
• A few novels (to swap after reading)
• Hobby materials like sketching pads and pencils
• Day pack
• Luggage (should be tough, lightweight, lockable, and easy to carry)
• Hiking backpacks without frames are practical