One of the most stressful parts of planning for this trip is trying to figure out how to pack 80lbs for 27 months. I have consulted with other RPCVs blogs as well as the Peace Corps Handbook – and then I tried to figure out how that all fit for my tastes and this is what I have come up with. Please, feel free to comment with brand recommendations or any other feedback.
Luggage/Bags:
- Osprey Waypoint 80 medium men’s pack (because I have a long enough torso for a women’s large and a small enough waist for a women’s small, so the proportions on the men’s pack fits me best. haha)
- Osprey UL Raincover (lightweight backpack cover)
- carry on suitcase on wheels
- Regular backpack for day trips – a day pack comes with the osprey built in
- Sea to Summit compression dry sack, medium (good for boat trips and can be used as a pillow)
- pelican case for camera (1010 with foam) and ipod (i1010)
(The above altogether not totaling 80 lbs. And 107 inches perimeter)
Craft Kit:
- Pencils and colored pencils
- nice pens
- markers for coloring and permanent markers
- glue stick and scotch tape
- stamp/stickers (this is optional, maybe to be sent in care package if you run out of space)
- Scissors
Office/School Supplies and Gifts:
- Stationary and materials to send letters (nice paper, envelopes, clear packing tape)
- U.S. postage stamps (a few of the self-stick kind) to send mail back with travelers
- Personal pictures/small photo album (all laminated)
- Picture book of the U.S.A/Calendar (these make nice gifts for host families)
- A songbook with folk and popular songs
- 1-2 good books that you would want to read and share with other PCVs (though there are a lot of books in the dorm that you can borrow)
- Good Small/Pocket Dictionary
- At least one file folder or plastic accordion folder
- Small pack of thumbtacks
- Several paperclips
- At least one world map and one U.S. map
- Blow-up globe
- Small day planner and/or calendar
- Calculator (basic, solar-powered)
- Index Cards (for learning the language, flashcards)
- Some journals/notebooks (2-3)
- 1 deck of plastic cards, Uno, and travel game to play with small children, villagers, students
- A small gift from America for my host family or others (at least 12): a few small children’s books, 6 bottles of fingernail polish, 2 hair clips (the louder the better), America calendar, hacky sacks, but a lot can be bought in the capital or on training island for this purpose, so don’t worry about it too much.
- Tough plastic mailer envelopes for sending gifts home (both small and large size you can find at office supply stores). Get the ones with the thin bubble wrap lining. (Just bring a few of both sizes and have a bunch sent later in care packages)
Electronics:
- Hand-crank AM/FM/Shortwave radio and built-in LED flashlight
- 60G iPod with usb charger
- Brunton SolarPort 4.4 Watt Foldable Solar Charger with battery charger
- Camping speakers
- headphones
- Camera with car charger
- Extra 2G memory card
- 2 disposable underwater cameras (*** ask for these in care packages, as well)
- several Good rechargeable AA and AAA batteries
- Silica Gel for packing camera, batteries, and ipod in (and other electrical devices) Found in bulk at craft stores, used for drying flowers. Zippable cloth bag(s) to store them in.
- 1 waterproof watch with an alarm, 1 sports watch for back-up
- A hand-crank LED flashlight (no batteries, no replacement bulbs)
- A head lamp (for keeping hands free if riding a bike or going to the toilet at night)
- 1 DVD that I like…for Peace Corps Dorm collection (new releases are best)
Other supplies/tools/NECESSITIES:
- marine epoxy
- 2 pillow cases and 2 full sheets
- Therm-a-Rest ProLite 4
- Duct tape (attach roll to outside of luggage) (have another one of these sent later in care package, too)
- five-gallon collapsible water jug
- multi tool and good knife
- A few small and medium-sized combination locks and 1 small padlock (for locking your bags and two medium/regular size Masterlocks for your house)
- TSA approved lock for checked bags
- Many large Zip-lock bags (gallons and gallon 1/2’s…even 2 gallons!) …all of my stuff is packed in them +extras (you can’t ever have enough of these, especially the big ones…good idea to have every care package item packed in them, as well)
- Compass
- Small sewing kit for colored fabrics and whites, with regular and thick/sturdy thread, and a few strong needles
- Several sets of Earplugs (for sleeping and keeping water out of the ears when bathing and swimming. one RPCV reported having a constant ear infection for the first 3 months)
- travel pillow
- 1 klean kanteen bottle (these are stainless steel so won’t make your water taste different, won’t corrode, and you can boil water in these!)
- Sea to Summit pocket shower
- 2 32 oz. Nalgene water bottles make sure they are bpa free!!
- fish recipes
- Travel Hammock
- A few clothespins (can buy in country, but will need those first few days)
- Several rubberbands
- Several safety pins
- A few small bungee cords (for carrying things on bikes, etc.)
- bear mace
- Small thermometer for measuring outside temperature (optional)
- Good digital thermometer for measuring your own temperature (IMPORTANT! Not provided by PCMO!)
- Harmonica
Kitchen items:
- a very good can opener (***good gift for host family, as well)
- a couple of spatulas and good knives (fish fillet and all-purpose – can be found on the island)
- small, thin cutting board
- measuring spoons
- Spices (particularly for fish): cumin (can sometimes be found in country), chili powder, lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, basil and other italian seasoning)…
- Some tea bags (herbal and green)
- tupperware
Garden seeds:
- Celery
- Green onion
- Tomato
- Cucumber
- Cabbage
- Squash/pumpkin/zucchini
- Sunflowers
- Radishes
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Chives
- Bell peppers/hot peppers
- Soybeans
- Cherry tomatoes
Personal Hygiene and Toiletry Items:
- deodorant (2) (good care package item to be sent later)
- Burt’s Bees baby bee shampoo and wash – biodegradable
- 1 bottle deep hair conditioner
- 1 travel bottle moisturizing lotion
- nail clippers
- Q-Tips
- metal tweezers (since we only have plastic ones in our medical kits)
- a good hairbrush/comb
- headbands, hair clips, one or two hair ties
- carmex
- good toothbrushes and 1 tube of toothpaste and floss (good to have both sent later in care packages ***and toothbrushes make great gifts!!!)
- a 3 month’s supply of tampons (some to be sent later)
- a razor with a few extra blades – most PCV Women give up on shaving altogether
- Toiletry/shower bag. One you can hang definitely comes in handy.
- small mirror
- Sleeping aid (tablets)
- Eco select pre-moistened all purpose biodegradable wipes
- Hand sanitizer (no water needed…Bath & Body Works has great scented ones, good care package item)
- 1 bottle of sunblock spf45 – Bullfrog brand is absolutely waterproof (unlike the ones in our med kits)
- also one bottle of Aveeno spf70 face sunblock and/or Banana Boat Ultra Defense spf 80 because I’m so very very white. (send more in care packages)
- small bottle of insect repellant
- Seven-day pill holder (optional)
- A bottle of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron tablets and B complex (have more sent later in care packages)
- 1 light-weight towel/shammy (and 1 to be sent later)
- several small washcloths and 3 small plastic scrubby thingies
- 1 tube of Rhuli gel for insect bites, rashes, and sunburns
- epi pens
- 3 month supply of prescription meds
Clothes (for Women):
- 10 pairs of cotton or high performance underwear (some female Volunteers find cotton boxers cooler)
- 3 bras and 2 sports bras (you’ll want bras sent later, as well)
- 2 good, sturdy rain panchos
- A swimsuit for traveling (optional)
- 3 lightweight Cotton Shirts. Button downs and nice shirts. The lighter the cloth the better. White won’t stay white long. (short sleeves or sleeveless, but NOT low-cut and NOT tight!) (Shoulders should be covered and no spaghetti straps!)
- 1 long-sleeved shirt/cardigan a good idea during wet season.
- Two or three T-shirts or tank tops for informal wear
- 1 t-shirt and 1 long T-shirt for sleepwear
- 2 loose men’s boxers to wear under skirts and for sleepwear
- Three or four pairs of loose, long, lightweight below-the-knee/mid-calf length shorts (cropped pants/pedal pushers that are loose)
- Three or four nice long, loose, light-weight cotton skirts that aren’t see-through (where you can sit and see nothing above the knee)
- Optional: loose, long pants for evening wear in your house or for vacations; swimsuit (mainly for international vacations).
- Note to women: With clothes, the issue isn’t necessarily seeing skin, it is seeing the shape of the body. In particular, it is not acceptable for people to be able to determine the shape of the legs and crotch area. That is why you have to wear something under any skirt that might be even remotely transparent. Shop accordingly. – From the PC Welcome Book
- 2 Hats for the sun, with brim
- 4 Bandannas
- 2 pairs of sunglasses
Shoes
- One or two pairs of sturdy sports sandals (e.g., Keens or Chacos – Chaco gives PC volunteers 50% off); keep in mind that you’ll be putting shoes on and taking them off constantly and many Volunteers prefer flip-flops or slip-on sandals
- One pair of dive booties/reef shoes
- Two pair of high-quality flip-flops (cheap ones can be purchased in Tarawa)
- Exercise shoes, if you plan to exercise (do not forget your socks if you bring shoes)
- About 4 pairs of socks (for when you have fungus, sores or blisters on your feet)
- Snorkle and mask (A MUST!) (***have extra swim goggles sent for host families…they like them for deep sea fishing); fins; note that there are currently no SCUBA facilities in the country, so there’s no need to bring any SCUBA gear
Important Documents to Bring:
- immunization records
- laminated address book
- PC volunteer handbook
- Some US dollars
- A credit card and a check-card for vacation and emergencies (order new before I leave)
Note: This is a VERY comprehensive list. Many of these things I will not be able to bring and I would like to have sent to me later or can buy in Kiribati. Also, a lot of these things do not take up a lot of space – for example, to pack a box of 2 gallon ziploc bags, I will use them to put all of my things in and reuse them in country – I can fill my nalgenes with small items, etc. The list looks much more overwhelming than it is.
