PC Malawi 2012!

In 2010, I received my Peace Corps Malawi invitation just in time for Christmas, 6 months before my flight. In March we will be getting a new batch of Environment and Health volunteers, and the Education sector will follow in June! Since this time last year I was obsessively stalking blogs, I figured I would throw a little advice of my own up onto the worldwide web for those of you in the same boat. From what I remember there are some good Enviro and Health packing lists on Peace Corps Journals, and I know there is a project underway to post a packing list on the Peace Corps Malawi website; I wanted to emphasize that Ed volunteers have some different requirements.

So! First things first: Luggage. The weight limit is not a joke. I was able to fit my stuff into one large suitcase and a rucksack, one carry-on suitcase and a school-sized backpack (you’re allowed one carry-on and one “personal item”). It was a push and I had to throw out a lot of stuff at the end, so I advise you to pack yourself a few packages with the immediate non-essentials. You will want a good travel pack; transport will require you to carry your stuff far and long. Remember, you pack it, you carry it.

As for what to put in your bags, this is difficult because there are a lot of unknowns. Will you be in a hot or cold region? What resources will your school, health center, etc have? There is no way to know. I can give you a heads up on possibilities, and you can find a balance. If you don’t bring something, you’ll find a way around it. That being said, I can tell you that the March group will be coming into rainy season in a very wet area, and the June group will be dry but very cold during training.

Things You Will Need or Want in PC Malawi:

Camping Supplies:
I wished I had brought a more compact tent and sleeping bag, but do enjoy the extra room I have in my two man tent, so don’t feel you have to go buy a huge stock of expensive backpacking equipment. What you have will work, and not all of it is essential. Things have a way of working out here:
Tent (nonessential but if you don’t mind camping you can save money all over the country, plus those in the hot regions sleep in them when their houses are too hot.)
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat (also nonessential, I do fine without.)
Flashlights/Headlamps and batteries (batteries can be bought in country but they are not as good. You definitely want a trusty headlamp.)
Water bottles (I use both my liter-sized Nalgenes constantly)
Leatherman
Hammock (obviously optional)
Bandanas
Peace Corps will supply you with a mosquito net, so don’t worry about that.

Electronics:
Every bit of Peace Corps literature says not to bring a computer or other electronics because they will break. They probably WILL break. So don’t bring your expensive MacBook, but do bring a computer if you think you’ll use it. I have a netbook and it is perfect. You want something lightweight and sadly, expendable. Insure EVERYTHING you bring. Peace Corps will send you paperwork for a company to use.Obviously none of this is essential but keep in mind if you use it at home you will probably want it here.Here is what I brought and I am happy with all of it:
Netbook and adapter/converter
TB external hard drive (used for documents, photos, movies, music, etc (there’s a lot of media in country, too)
iPod and extra ear buds
Small set of speakers (I love my littleiHome ones because they charge off my computer)
Digital camera, lots of memory cards, a sturdy case
Extra flash drives
Kindle eReader
Solio solar charger for small electronics
Note: some people have brought iPhones or blackberries. I did not, but they seem happy they did for the internet capacity. I understand you can try to get an unlocked one in the states or pay for one to be done here. Wireless cards called “dongles” are available in country. Peace Corps will provide you with a phone to use in-country and they receive skype calls from home just fine.

Clothing:
Teachers need business casual dress clothes. I took this too lightly; no matter how nicely we volunteers try to dress we are still always the worst dressed of the staff. Male teachers at my school often wear 3 piece suits and it’s easily 100 degrees in my village right now. That being said, collared shirts, closed toed shoes, and, for the ladies, skirts below the knee will work fine.

Girls, the trousers situation is site-specific for the most part. I live in a very progressive place compared to most of Malawi and I can wear pants, but some villages are much more conservative. Still, you won’t show your knees unless you’re at the beach. Don’t worry too much about clothing, because you will be able to find things in the markets here AFTER the first two months of training. Also, I hate to say this, but keep in mind that girls tend to gain weight, while the majority of men lose it. Girls, avoid bringing anything too tight for this reason, and guys, make sure you’ve got a few extra notches to go on your belt. Sorry!

Keep in mind that items that are dry-fit, quick-dry, and lightweight are helpful for line-drying and rainy season, but again, don’t run out and buy super duper awesome camping clothes…aim for comfort. Also, education trainees, I can’t emphasize this enough: Dedza is cold in June and July. You’re likely to use warm socks and caps. I’ve hardly touched a sweater since then but was miserable without cold weather clothes during training.

Boys, things are easier for you (you will be fine in collared shirts, slacks, and closed toe shoes. Bring a tie for special occasions and a belt and you’re all set) so this is mainly geared toward the ladies:

Quality raincoat
Warm coat
Basic t-shirts and tank tops (as cold as I was in training, I am even hotter at site)
Leggings (good for cold weather, biking in skirts, and getting used to hiding your knees)
Long underwear
Casual pants for travel and lounging (school and village will mainly be skirts, especially at first)
Skirts/dresses that reach below the knee
Collared shirts (I do like Northface and Columbia type shirts…they wash well, don’t show as much sweat, and don’t require ironing)
Slip if your skirts/dresses are lacking liners
Lounge pants/pajama pants
Hoodie/sweater/warm shirt
Lightweight shorts (I wear them to sleep in my very hot village)
Swim suit (2 piece is okay)
Lots of undies, bras, sport bras
Socks (both warm and lightweight)
Hats
Warm cap/gloves
Cardio pants if you run, play soccer, etc.

Shoes:
Remember you’ll do a lot of walking here. You can buy flip flops in country but not much in the way of quality footwear, so it’s worth the baggage weight.Chacos, Tevas, Merrell, and lots of other companies give PC discounts. Here’s what I brought:
Good walking/hiking shoes (I love my Merrells)
Trail running shoes
Chacos
Comfortable flip flops (which broke and I miss)
Comfortable but appropriate closed-toe shoes for class

Toiletries:
Most things needed can be found in country, but if you’re particularly attached to a certain product you may want to bring or ship backups. You can find Johnson and Johnson shampoos, Pantene Pro-V, bar soap, Vaseline brand lotions, natural loofahs, and baby powder.
Medical will supply you with sunscreen but bringing a high SPF face stick is a good idea. They’ll also supply you with basic medicines, anti-itch cream, and mosquito repellant.
Daily face lotion with SPF
Face wash (I use Noxema, it’s nice and cool here on the lake and helps sunburn, too.)
During homestay I used baby shampoo. It served as shampoo, body wash, and laundry soap when necessary. I did miss conditioner though.
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss (only unwaxed is available here, so bring the good stuff.)
Nail clippers, tweezers, razor and razor refills
Body Glide (an anti-chafe/blister stick for runners…I sweat constantly on the lakeshore so it comes in handy even for being in the classroom. If you think you may want it it can be found in sports shops.)
Extras of your favorite chapstick and deodorant
Ladies, I highly recommend purchasing a Diva cup and getting used to using it before you come to country. In a world without running water, toilets, or travel restroom breaks, I appreciate mine endlessly (and I’m glad I brought 2!)

Kitchen supplies:
You have no way of knowing what will be at your site or what you will need here. I can tell you that a very small portion of PC Malawi actually has electricity/hot plate, and you will most likely be cooking over a fire. Also, the pots, pans, and utensils here aren’t that great of quality. So, you will probably appreciate shipping yourself a quality non-stick pan, a non-melting spatula, and a good knife. One other thing I wished I had had since the beginning, as a coffee lover, was a travel French press and some good ground coffee. Additionally, throw some Ziploc bags in your pack. You’ll use them.

Other Essentials:
Money belt
Wristwatch (one that can handle sweat, sun, and water)
Sunglasses and case
Electronics cleaning cloths (used for computer screen, camera lens, sunglasses)
Small sewing kit
Twin sized bed sheets (you’ll appreciate this American touch at site)
Small makeup kit (I wear more than I thought I might)
A few months worth of current medications
Your required glasses if you wear them; some people also bring contacts even though it’s not recommended
Passport
US dollars (up to 700 can be stored in the safe in Lilongwe; new, top-condition $100 bills are required for visas into other countries)
Personal debit card (Visa)

Extras If You Have Space:
If you’re a suck-up like me, fun sized American candies will get you pretty far with current volunteers
Playing cards, Uno cards, travel games
Books, journals, sketch pads, pens, envelopes
American stamps
Home stay comforts: trail mix, drink mixes (lemonade, hot cocoa, etc), favorite candy
Home stay health supplements (your diet will abruptly change. I wished I had had multivitamins, fiber supplements, and more emergen-c.)
American football, baseball, Frisbee, tennis ball for catch
Crayons/paper for kids to use
Favorite article of clothing, book, or other for times you need an extra boost

Things to Ship Yourself if You Want Them:
Flat rate USPS boxes are great for those things you can’t fit and don’t need immediately in country. Assume it will take 6-8 weeks to arrive in Lilongwe (just in time to move to site):
A good calendar/planner
Seeds and work/gardening gloves
Any kitchen supplies
Paperback books you can trade when done reading
Extra underwear (hand washing is hard on clothes)
Duct tape
Clothes line, string, or wire (it can come in handy)
Seasonings (I recommend taco seasoning and a few spices. You can find some spices here but the allowance doesn’t allow for much luxury.)
Food items which are available but fairly expensive here: ketchup, Nutella, Tabasco, Snickers, Tuna
Food items not available here such as ranch dressing, parmesan cheese, protein bars, beef jerky, trail mix, peanut butter cups, Gatorade mix, herbal tea, Starbucks via.)
Extra batteries

Things I Wish I Had Brought/Shipped But Didn’t:
A wind-up flashlight to give to my host family (though you can get other gifts here)
Hard copies of family photos
Paperback English Dictionary (if you’re a teacher, bring or ship this, regardless of subject)
A good grammar reference book
Short wave radio (but you can buy a simple radio in country)
All those warm weather clothes I mentioned
Pumice stone and nail brush
Malawi guidebook (Bradt is good, as is Lonely Planet)
Guide to the region’s birds and wildlife

Things I Am Glad I Didn’t Bring:
Towel (chitenjes dry quickly and weigh hardly anything. You SHOULD get one on arrival. If you do bring a towel, choose a quick-dry.)
Steripen (I had considered it but it isn’t necessary.)

Things I Brought But Didn’t Need:
Yoga mat (reed mats are easy to find here)

A note on education in Malawi:
Plan to be flexible. In our group we have biology teachers teaching English and math teachers teaching Biology. Your assignment may change based on what your school needs and what you think you can handle. TDFs, although teacher development will be your main focus, plan to teach as well.

The best advice I got coming into country was to just let go of all my expectations. It works; relax, go with the flow, and you’re going to have a great time. Don’t stress about the packing; you’ll be fine with whatever you bring. Don’t stress about the language; you may not be learning Chichewa anyway. Just don’t stress! This country is wonderful; the communities are kind and the current volunteers are awesome. We can’t wait to welcome you. Have a safe trip and we’ll see you in Malawi soon!