A Shout-Out to the new Gambia Trainees

Hey!

If I understand the timing correctly, there will be a new group of agro-forestry and health and community development volunteers coming into Gambia to start training mid-November. And if that's the case, that means most of you should be getting your invitation packet to serve here any day now, if you haven't gotten it already. If you're anything like me, you will now be spending quite a bit of time browsing anything you can find to clue you in to this country which you've probably never heard of before, including Peace Corps blogs.

So, congratulations on being accepted into and accepting your position into the Peace Corps. It's not easy or always fun, but definately an amazing experience to look forward to. In so many ways much of the experience you are about to begin is completely unexplainable, so it's a good thing you are headed over here to experience it for yourself!

Since the experience is so unique to each volunteer, and as the surroundings, experiences and culture are very different from probably most things you've encountered before, I won't really go into much detail on how to prepare, because, really, the best thing you can do to prepare is just not overly-stress about the commitment you just made. In fact, the best thing you CAN do through November is just spend time with family and friends, finish out your work, pack up your stuff, and EAT all day, every day. Eat anything you want anytime you want. Go on the "I'm going to Africa" diet, and all your favorite foods, because unless your favorite foods are 1) rice, 2) rice with peanut sauce, 3) coos with peanut sauce, or 4) coos with unrecognizable green sauce, you won't be finding your favorite foods here, and you will definately not be finding a variety. It's not a bad thing. Just be sure to eat to your heart's content before stepping onto the plane.

And I also figured for your benefit I'd share my packing list, along with commentary on my packing list now that I've been here for a year. (Keep in mind, this packing list is for a young, male, single, agro-forestry volunteer.)

CLOTHES
*5 t-shirts (only really need 3 or 4)
*2 polos (only really need 1)
*2 nice, button up shirts (only really need 1)
*1 pair nice pants
*1 pair jeans
*1 pair outdoorish/lightweight pants
*3 pair shorts
*5 pair socks (I never wear my tennis-shoes so don't really need socks)
*5 pair boxers (it's just too hot for some things. way, way to hot)
*3 pair running shorts
*1 pair swimming trunks
*1 rain jacket
*1 tie
*2 pairs Chaco sandals
*1 pair flip-flops
*1 pair tennis-shoes (I only wear sandals and flip-flops, but still not a bad thing to have along)

ELECTRONICS
*cell phone (it's super easy to get one here that will work just fine)
*cell phone charger to fit with Solio (you can get any kind of charger here you need for any kind of phone, and for much less than in the States)
*iPod (music is essential for so much down time)
*small speakers for iPod
*camera
*crank shortwave radio
*crank flashlight
*head lamp
*Solio solar charger (my site doesn't have electricity, so I use this to charge my phone and iPod on a regular basis)(you probably won't have electricity at your site)
*rechargeable batteries (I never really need to use them.)
*solar-powered battery charger (So I never really need to use this.)
*travel alarm (to have a clock in my house)(but time here runs on a different schedule, so it doesn't really matter what time it is)
*watch (with extra battery)

VITAMINS/MEDS
If you take a prescription medication you're supposed to bring a 3-month supply, after that Peace Corps provides it for you.
They are also good about providing your malaria medication, sun-screen, daily multi-vitamins, re-hydration tabs, calcium supplements, and a medical kit full of lots of interesting stuff you will hopefully never need to take. But sometimes Peace Corps runs out of stuff for a while, so it's not a bad idea to have your own supply of sun-screen or vitamins.

OTHER
*2 pairs eye-glasses (Contacts are discouraged for cleanliness reasons. Some people still wear them. I haven't heard of many serious problems, but apparently a person lost an eye a few years back from some kind of infection attributed to his contacts.)
*sun-glasses
*hat
*umbrella
*Swiss Army knife
*Leatherman
*small supply of soap, shampoo, and deodorant to get you through the first few weeks
*toothbrushes and toothpaste
*shaving razors
*pictures from home
*addresses of people back home
*Nalgene bottle
*day pack for travel
*camel-back for travel/biking

MONEY
Once you become a volunteer, your monthly Peace Corps allowance will be plenty to cover your basic needs of food, housing, travel and such. However, your monthly stipend as a trainee is actually quite small, so if you do plan to buy a cell phone and other things immediately when you get here, you will want to plan to bring some extra cash. But, once you swear in you will also get an "adjustment/moving in" allowance, to cover the costs of furnishing your house (ie. bed, mattress, chairs, gas stove, cooking supplies...that sort of thing)

COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS
**I know it's going to be tempting to pack food to bring with you. The problem is, for your first 3 months you are in training, and everything is provided for you. Additionally, your schedule is pretty full and there isn't actually all that much down-time for cooking on your own. I recommend waiting and if you have certain foods you really want, have a family member of friend mail them over.

**I can't stress this enough, it's HOT here. It's hot enough that when it falls down into the 90s it feels fantastic and the 70s are down-right cold. So I recommend packing light-fabric clothing, and just be ok with the fact that you will sweat alot over the next few years.

**And you really can buy anything you may need here. The bigger markets have varities of radios, cell phones, adapters, small speakers, clothing, toiletries, and local food. So if it doesn't fit in your luggage, don't fret about it, you can get it over here.

**Oh, which reminds me, don't worry about packing cooking supplies (ie. pots and pans), since you can easily get that stuff here, as well.

**Spices are another matter. If you have special cooking spices you want to have on hand, you should probably either bring them along or plan to have them shipped.

**Peace Corps told my training group not to worry about paking bed sheets, but that they would be provided for us. That didn't exactly hold true, so I recommend bringing your own set of bed sheets for a double bed.

**And finally, don't bring anything of any real or sentimental value. Your stuff is going to get wet, sandy, moldy, moved around alot and possibly destroyed by termites or rodents. Other than a few things, such as a camera and mp3 player, I would suggest leaving anything expensive back in the States.

Alright, I hope this helps some of you while coming up with your own packing lists and figuring out how to fit the next two years of your life into two suitcases. Again, don't worry about it. You can find anything here, and food, books and those things ship easily.

Enjoy your last few months in the States. Eat alot! And we all look forward to greeting you when you get to Gambia!


(PS: Yes, time does go fast. I feel like I just got settled in, and now it's time for the older group to move out and the new group to come in.)