We all have questions...fortunately, there's a couple of great people to help answer them! I've compiled my answers for you =) So thanks to:
Josh Mask
Jacque
Jennifer Harkins
S
and others!
Q1: Do I need more Passport photos?
-Jennifer: So far I have only used 2, but it never hurts to have extra so I would bring 3-5.
-S: Bring at least 8 passport size pics. You'll need them for Peace Corps stuff and for opening a post office box in town.
Q2: Do I need a water purifier/filter?
-Jennifer: You don't need a water filter. Peace Corps Medical (PCMO) can give you one if you want or some people use a thing called water guard. It’s kind of like bleach and it kills things in your water. I personally just boil all my water.
-Josh M.: Peace corps will provide you with water purification stuff and a solar charger for a lamp (it also charges cellphones) so I wouldn't worry about that. Most people in my group have electricity at site, albeit only for a few hours a day.
-Jacque: I brought a steripen with me, and I've used it a few times, so it's definitely handy. Medical gives all of the volunteers this stuff called waterguard for purifying your water too (I haven't tried it yet, but I heard it tastes kind of funky). But like at homestay and during training the staff and your family will boil water for you, so it's all good.
-Cormac M.: dont bring a router and dont bring anything for water purification. you really dont need them.
Q3: How much money should I bring?
-Jacque: I brought $300 and my debit card. USD are pretty much useless here unless you can make it to Kampala or a big city to exchange it (exchange rates are better in kampala) but I've used my debit card a few times now.
-Cormac M.: $200-300... I think I brought 250 and it was fine
-Josh M.: And save up money (be sure your ATM card is VISA), because you'll wanna travel and see things.
-S: Bringing cash is fine, but make sure it's in 50s or 100s AFTER 2004.You'll get a MUCH better exchange rate here. You will need to bring about 50$ for a cellphone if you don’t’ unlock yours before you get to Uganda. Peace Corps requires you to purchase a cell phone, but doesn’t give you the money for it.
Q4: Can I ship animals back? I've heard a lot of volunteers have pets.
-Jennifer: You can ship dogs back. I think they just need to have all their
shots and everything before you ship them back. Right after I got here there was a girl leaving taking two dogs home, in fact. As far as having a pet, for some people, it is a nice companion, but for many, it is just a hindrance when you want to travel. I thought I really wanted to get one, but now I don't think I will.
-Josh M.: Not sure about pets, but I think this one volunteer paid around $300-400 to ship her dog back.
-Jacque: Yeah quite a few volunteers in my group already have pets! It's pretty common, you just have to feel out your community because in some rural areas people do not think dogs should be pets, and they will throw rocks at them and such. Most of the volunteers that adopt animals over here, take them back home with them. I don't think it costs that much, 50-100$ so it's definitely worth it if you're used to having a pet.
Q5: How hot is it really?
-Jennifer: The weather really depends on where you are. I am in the southwest and it is much cooler here than in the north. I hear that the north can be very hot and dry, but here in the southwest (although it does get hot) it is much cooler. It seems kind of crazy because this is
the region that is on the equator. The Ugandans think it is very cold here and even colder in Kabale (near the Rwandan border), but I try to explain to them that it snows where I come from and they still think it’s colder here. I would say at night, it can get down into the 50s
(in this region). I have one good hoody and one lighter jacket and I'm fine. I also have a rain jacket, which has been really helpful. It can also get really hot, but shorts are almost never appropriate. Overall, I really enjoy the weather, because it is like eternal
summer.
-Jacque: i honestly can't even tell you what the temperature is... it's freaking hot. it's not so bad like in the buganda region, but up here in the north, holy man it's hooot! it's not humid really, just dry...and hot. haha.
Q6: The bugs? and Mosquitos?
-Jennifer: The bugs aren't that bad. PCMO gives you bug repellent (which I have never used) and a mosquito net. The mosquitoes are only really out after dark anyway. On the other hand, I do have my fair share of ants and the occasional roach or two. Most of my bug problems are at night, but really, it isn't that bad.
-Jacque: Okay... honestly, the bugs aren't that bad, especially in the buganda region, which is really surprising. There are a lot of termites especially in the rainy season, and mosquitos (a given) but aside from that I have yet to be totally freaked out by any abnormally large bugs. I'm going to knock on wood now. I think it depends on what region of the country you are in. I'm moving to the North and the last time I was up there I saw some pretty huge spiders, but yeah. There are snakes, but from what I hear it is EXTREMELY rare to see one. luckily you can buy intense bug spray in the country.
Q7: Shipping packages?
-Jennifer: My mom sends everything USPS (U.S. Postal Service). It is a lot more expensive to send it UPS or Fedex and they often times won't deliver to a P.O. Box. She also doesn't usually send me boxes, she sends padded envelopes. I think one large padded envelope may cost her around $15 or $20.
-Jacque: yeah i would suggest getting your packages together and shipping them before you leave, i mailed packages before staging and they haven't made it to me yet! But i would say the average amount of time for a package to reach uganda is more like 3-5 months.
-S: I've gotten about 4 or 5 packages from home since I've been here. They tend to take 3-5 months in average. Make sure your parents (or whoever) really tapes up the ENTIRE package well. They get roughed up a lot in transit and can split open if not taped well.
Q8: How's in country traveling?
-Jacque: I'm not gonna lie, traveling in the country is a little bit of a nightmare, but that's all part of the adventure. Traffic is really bad in and around Kampala so it takes a long time to move through that area. The buses are pretty crappy and dirty, but they get you to your destination, so that's really all that matters. Also it takes a long time to get anywhere in this country.
Q9: Anything else you'd recommend?
-Jennifer: As far as packing goes, I would say don't bring too much stuff. For clothes, bring what makes you happy. Don't bring too many shorts(as I said before). One or two pairs are more than enough and make sure they are on the longer side. When I teach, I can't really wear pants at all, but I wear them all the time when I go to town. Capris are usually good and if jeans are what make you happy, bring them. For women, I've found that a pair of closed-toed shoes is never really necessary. Chacos or Tevas are always appropriate. Don't bring too many shoes. I brought two pairs of sneakers (running-shoes and skater shoes) and although I find occasions to wear both, I don't really need both. You can also get an endless supply of flip flops here. Try to make sure all your skirts and dresses are below your knee especially when you sit down. You can also get dresses and skirts made here. For training, most of this doesn't matter, but when you get to site, it really does. As for other things, you can get things like shampoo and toothpaste everywhere, so don't worry too much past the first few days. Some people like to bring a good kitchen knife...that's not really necessary. Any kitchen supply or utensil you need, you can probably find here. One thing that you may want to bring, that I can't find here are ziploc bags and pot holders. I have not talked to anyone that has been able to find either. I had my family send me both. For books, don't bring too many, because everyone is always swapping books and there is an entire room of books that you can take from in the Peace Corps office. I have a Kindle, which I've found to save a lot of space. I've also found that you can easily swap Kindle books as well (so I wouldn't suggest spending a fortune on buying books for your Kindle). Many people in my training class have Kindles. Overall, just make sure that you don't have more luggage than you can carry, because it makes things challenging. And Peace Corps will end up giving you much more than you can fit in your bags.
-Amanda W: Just wanted to add that you really only need to worry about having enough stuff to last you 3 months and you will definitely be able to find just about anything here. I would recommend trying to fit everything into 1 large hiking backpack and 1 big duffel on wheels and use a small backpack as carry-on. And ladies - skirts just need to hit the knee but don't worry so much about tops being "acceptable".
-Josh M.: Here's a list of things I'm extremely glad I brought:
*Chacos sandals (they're all I wear except when I'm working)
*MSR travel towel
*external hard drive with lots of music and movies (other volunteers will love you)
*guitar (you can buy guitars in Kampala but they're not of any quality)
*leatherman tool
*vacuum sealed bags from walmart, get the kind that you just roll up and push air out. They save space on packing and you'll use them when you travel
*smartphone if you have one (everyone in my training group thought I was crazy for bringing an iPhone but it's been absolutely one of the most useful things i have. Cellphone service is everywhere and mobile Internet is really cheap)
* pictures from home
* prescription sunglasses
* map and travel guide of Uganda (they're really expensive here)
-Jacque: pc provides a solar lamp, and it has another connection to charge a cell phone, but that's it. i lucked out and have power, but if you really like listening to music and all that, i would definitely bring a solar charger! Kindle recommended.
