Get Prepared

Written on 10/27/2018
kevin.dubienski

So you are getting ready to join us at one of our project sites: What next?

1. Immunizations

The best thing to do is to visit your local travel clinic and provide them with the travel locations. However, from experience here is some basic information about Ethiopia and Rwanda.

For both locations be immunized for:

  • Hepatits A and B

  • Typhoid Fever

  • Diphtheria

  • Tetanus and all other basic immunizations

  • Yellow fever – you may be required to receive this.

  • Malaria premedication is MANDATORY in Rwanda

  • Malaria premedication is NOT required at the Ethiopia project sites

2. Packing lists

Basic Clothes:

Rule of 3’s: 3 pants, 3 tops (one of which should be “nice” in the event you are invited to an official function / church or someone of importance within the community invites you to their house. Men should have a dress shirt or golf shirt, and the women to have a longer skirt and blouse.

  • Underwear (3)

  • Sleepwear (PJ’s)
  • Socks
  • Pants (wind pants and/or long pants) - zipper pants are best
  • Shorts (synthetic quick dry if swimming or swim suit as well)
  • Shirts – Short + Long Sleeve Shirts and T’s (synthetic quick dry)
  • Disposable T shirt – due to painting etc. (expect to destroy a shirt or two)    
  • Blouses / maybe a skirt (something nicer?)
  • Sweater (synthetic quick dry), fleece is good – can get cold at night (Ethiopia)
  • Scarf(s) / bandanna (for dust, sweat etc)
  • Scrubs if you have them (2 pairs) – for Health care teams
  • Consider leaving extra clothes for locals – discuss with team leader

Jacket:

  • Compressible down sweater
  • Rain gear – just a light jacket

Shoes:

  • Sandals / flip flops (recommended for showers)
  • Light hikers or trail running shoes
  • Clogs,Crocks or flip flops

Extras:

  • Small notebook / journal
  • Pens
  • Headlamp (extra batteries), or flashlight plus
  • Power adapters
  • Swiss army knife (not in carry-on!)
  • Computer / charger? (optional but remember to back it up before leaving)
  • iPod / iPhone + portable speaker - works 110 and 220 (+ as alarm)
  • Camera and charger cord / SD cards / mini tripod
  • Binoculars optional
  • Umbrella (collapsible)
  • Sun hat / light toque?
  • Sunglasses (and lenses) plus regular glasses / reading glasses - bring backup glasses if possible incase of breakage
  • Water bottle
  • Zip lock bags (ZLB) (dust and water)
  • Small personal photo album with meaningful images to share

Toiletries:

  • Personal tooth brush, tooth paste, floss, razor, liquid soap, shampoo, vitamins
  • Sunscreen, lip balm, moisture cream,
  • mosquito repellant (DEET 30%)  
  • Small travel towel and small wash cloth / small pkg. bacterial wipes / gel.
  • Rx / Meds:: cipro, tylenol, advil, , bandaids,   
  • Any personal meds etc.
  • Note: Medications are optional as Hopethiopia is well equipped with supplies
  • Contact lens cleaner and solutions

Books / Media

  • Pleasure reading
  • Music player
  • Wifi is intermittant at the Volunteer home in Ethiopia. Count on being out of contact for long periods.

3. Travel to Ethiopia and Rwanda

There are a number of ways that one can fly into Ethiopia and Rwanda.

Ethiopia – The main carriers are Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and a few others. Routes from North America and Europe are often via: Toronto, Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles, London, Frankfurt, and Paris etc.

 

Rwanda - the main carriers are Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Brussels airlines, and KLM.  Routes are typically via, Ethiopia, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Nairobi etc.


Get Prepared