Packing List

Here is what I packed for Uganda, I didn't really have a packing list when I transfered over to Ecuador... well this is  more like what I planned on packing. Nothing ever goes according to plan, and if it did, then what would be the fun? If this list looks familiar, it's because I stole most of it from another Peace Corps Uganda Volunteer, and I think she got it from someone else... so don't feel bad about stealing this from me. Continue the Tradition!!!

I'll come back later and edit what was super helpful, and what was a waaaaaaste of packing.

Edit, about three months in and I've put what was helpful/ not-helpful. Look for the RED

NEW EDIT: I've not almost been here a year, so I should probably go through the packing list onnnnne more time and see if I have anything to add. =)  Look for the PURPLE!

Clothing
  • Skirts (5)
  • 5 Button up shirts for work
  • 8 cotton shirts
  • 2 longsleeve shirts, thin
  • 5 tank tops
  • 2 capris for sports
  • Leggings (3), because I like leggings - Still haven't worn these leggings, it's just to dang hot, instead I wear bike shorts under skirts
  • A dress or two
  • 1 pair of slacks-  I brought one pair of slacks and one pair of jeans, and really wish I had at least a third pair of bottoms. Maybe a light weight olive khaki capris or something along those lines?
  • PJ pants – protect from mosquitoes, I should have brought a second pair. Wearing the same pants every  night...  they get worn out quickly. And the SW of Uganda is cooooold.
  • PJ tops
  • Lounging Basketball shorts- These are good, inside my site house it is American soil. aka, No Skirt Zone.
  • 35 pairs of underwear- 3 months in and still haven't touched one whole gallon bag, but still a good thing. I'll have new underwear ready for next year! I'm still glad I brought a lot of underwear. A few pair have holes are getting ready to get tossed, and I'll finally open the second gallon bag for year two.
  • 12 Bras, regular & sports- Hand washing really wears down the sports bras. Make sure they are durable material!
  • Rainjacket- SUPER important. A good water proof rain jacket. Only rains... every day.
  • UF Hoodie
  • Windbreaker/light jacket - I didnt actually pack this, and didn't actually need it. A rain jacket and hoodie cover your jacket needs.
  • Bathing suit 
  • 2 cute scarves because they're cute 
  • Gator hat. Gators gators. -I thought I packed this... but haven't yet seen it in uganda... maybe it didn't make it here? Whoopsie poopsie.
  • Reef flippie floppies,- I'm on my second pair, I had my parents ship me the pair I'm currently on. Ugandan roads tear shoes uppppp
  • Tennis shoes - Again, The treads on my shoes are terrible now, the roads here and all the walking really wear them out
  • Flats, sandals that are nice- both my nice sandals are broken. Africa roads are tough. America sandals are not. But you still need at least one nice pair for important functions.
  • Chacos- Never got around to buying and packing these... but I kinda wish I had. I hear they are durable and the perfect problem to combat my "The roads are harsh" complaint. 
  • 3pairs socks. BLACK - black socks look cleaner for much longer

Toiletries - enough to get me through training
  • Shampoo/conditioner- accidentally brought two shampoos and no conditioner... double check those labels ladies!
  • Body wash, face wash - The water here makes your face break out, so pack face wash wipes/pads if you can
  • washcloth- These get used and tired quickly, but they are also easy to buy in country
  • Razor/blades
  • Lotion- Easy to find here, don't pack too much.
  • SPF chapstick, 4 sticks
  • Vicks nasal vapor rub
  • Toothbrushes/paste/flosser - there is floss (and a bunch of great stuff) in the medical kit, which you get the first week.
  • Retainers
  • Deodorant 3 sticks
  • Haircutting scissors- These have been super helpful, I've cut around 7 peoples hair. Maybe google search cutting your own hair, or ask your stylist for tips if you don't want butcher yourself.
  • Comb
  • Hairbands, bobby pins, head bands
  • Mirror & tweezers to keep my eyebrows in check
  • TAMPONS- cardboard applicator, not plastic. you have to burn your trash here.
  • Make up
  • Q-Tips
  • Nail polish!
  • Nail clippers & file
  • Tupperware of fun jewelry
  • earplugs - you will be so glad you brought these. And on a completely unrelated note... if you are a future volunteer, good luck at homestay!


Home
  • Stuffed Panda, I’m bringing it for a friend… deff not for me.
  • UF Snuggie
  • Sheets! 2 full flat sheets
  • A pillow in a vacuum sealed bag
  • Fast dry travel towel - Best decision of them all. The dry towel continues to be super important, it folds up small when traveling, and there is no beating that fast dry action
  • Can opener & veggie peeler
  • Good knives (2 or 3)
  • Zippy bags - to bring even more, pack everything in zippy bags

Random - this is where I get in trouble
  • zune
  • Headlamp and waterproof flashlight, rechargeable batteries - the waterproof flashlight (which is yellow and has a hook on the end, look for it on Amazon) is a life saver for those outside dark bucket baths. Head lamp equally important. When the sun goes down here, you can't see your hand in front of your face. If you can, buy a USB recharging battery station, when I plugged my recharging station into the wall, it immediately blew. No more batteries for me... =(
  • Dell Laptop, cords, backup cds, case
  • Flash drive & External hard drive full of movies - Bring an external! just do it! If you don't own one yet I recommend the LaCie brand. Especially their rugged ones, you'll know it's the right one by their bright orange protective covering. The external I brought here dropped and broke. But I've dropped my new rugged external countless times and it's still kicking. 
  • 3DS with Zelda Game!!! Ocarina of Time - Stolen off the plane.... so couldn't really tell you how that is going. Have all important electronics in your carry on, and WITH you on the plane at all times.
  • Point & Shoot camera, giant memory card, cord
  • Shortwave radio- didn't bring... don't really need. All the phones here have radios on them.
  • Scotch tape
  • Sleeping bag  - didn't bring. and haven't needed it yet.
  • 2 water bottles, Nalgene, and UFI Probably didn't need to bring two of these... one is doing just fine. As long as you remember to regularly clean it, and try to only put water in it for maximum sanitation.
  • Sewing kit (or at least needles and thread)
  • Plug adapter - easy to find in Uganda. Shopping trip at the end of week one. Put it on your list.
  • Duct tape.  2 rolls - love me some duct tape - At least 8 things in my house are currently being held to gether by duct tape. And countless other things where temporarily fixed by duct tape.
  • Nails, rubber bands, safety pins
  • Combo locks - bring a few extra in case yours disappear off the plane. Like both of mine did. Also for when you walk around town, having a small lock on your backpack helps you relax a little.
  • Ziplock bags
  • Gladware containers- So useful, glad I brought them
  • Knife
  • Pot Holders
  • Rechargeable AAA batteries- Again, watch for a USB recharger.
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Lots of pictures! This is really important too. Maybe not at first, but eventually you'll be glad you did.
  • Deck of cards
  • watch
  • Prescription Sunglasses! - Love mine. use them all the time
  • Kindle with all the books I can afford on it
  • Used copies of my favorite books that aren't on Kindle, because I will swap and share and leave these behind I didn't do this because A. There was no room left in my luggage to pack books, and B. There is no book I can't put on a kindle. heeeeeey pirating.
  • Note cards for making flash cards during training - will make language learning easier.
  • Pens & Sharpies - the pens here suck, if you are particular. Bring extra!
  • Planner for the first year while I wean myself off being in America 
  • spiral bound notebooks, to serve my affinity for list making and journaling - these are easy to come by here. also peace corps gave me like three during training. so don't bother.
  • Some kind of folder or organizer for all the paperwork PC has bestowed upon me - Again, Peace corps will give you a binder and lots of folders. So don't worry.
  • Family gift for adults and children - Didn't bring anything and I'm glad, because some people have two parents, some have no children. Some have one member, others have a 10 person family. It would be too hard to pack a gift and have it work out right. You have been warned!