This list was compiled from my own traveling experiences, the PC Malawi packing list suggestions, and past and present PC volunteers. Items which I bought specifically for this trip (ie things I likely won't return to the States with or things which, if broken or stolen, will not break my heart/wallet) are indicated by bold red font.
Camping gear (outdoors and such):
- Tent (MSR Hubba 1P)
- Sleeping bag (a really old one from the 90's which I won't mind leaving behind)
- Headlamp (Black Diamond Spot)
- Water Bottles (2L and 1.5)
- Leatherman
- Sleeping pad (Thermarest Xtherm)
- Travel pillow
- Various sizes of stuff sacks
Electronics (high on the hog)
- Laptop (ASUS Transformer T100)
- I already had a computer, but the Transformer is small (10.1 in) and easier to transport. It also has 11 hours of battery life and runs FULL Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Office (making it more useful than most tablets). It was a pretty reasonable price to boot!
- Adapter (outlets in Malawi are the same used in Ireland and Great Britain)
- Jump drives
- External hard drive (the Transformer only has 32 GB memory)
- iPod
- Headphones
- Cameras
- Nikon D5100 DSLR
- Cannon Powershot ELPH 330 (a cheap point and shoot which can fly under the radar)
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 (a polaroid camera for sharing photos with locals)
- SD cards (for a total of 96 GB of memory)
- Camera cleaning kit
- Shortwave radio (Grundig G8 Traveller II)
- Watch (I just wanted something with alarms and water resistant)
- If you are considering buying a solar charger, WAIT until you arrive in Malawi. It will save your wallet.
Clothes (mo options = mo bettah!)
- Belts (I've been told men typically lose weight while women gain... We'll see)
- Zip-offs (not stylish, but functional!)
- Shorts (1-2 pair)
- Pants (1-2 pair)
- T-shirts (4 quick-dry, 5 cotton)
- Wool socks (4 pair)
- socks (7 pair)
- Underwear (9 quick-dry)
- Long underwear
- Sweatshirt/Fleece
- A few other pull-overs for layering
- Rain jacket
- Hats (baseball and winter)
- Bandannas
- Swim suit
- Shoes (expensive, but worth the moola) :
- Chacos
- Hiking boots
- Keen hiking shoes
- Dress clothes (a few formal clothes are culturally important and required by the PC)
- Dress shirts (2 short-sleeve, 1-2 long-sleeve)
- Pants (1 pair of slacks)
- Shoes (1 pair of nice shoes)
- Dress socks (2-3 pair)
- NOTE: It is very easy to get clothes in Malawi (that's where most of our good-will clothing ends up) so don't worry about taking too much! Clothing needs will also vary by sector, but generally speaking it's best to bring durable clothing and a few dressier outfits for special occasions. Women should note that skirts should cover the knees when sitting and pants are generally not worn (particularly in rural areas).
Randoms (creature comforts Bro!)
- Books (LOTS)
- Though I'm taking several books, the country office has a great library which volunteers can use. There is also lots of swapping among volunteers of both paper and e-books.
- Zip-locks (various sizes)
- Pens/pencils
- Journals
- Sewing kit
- Sunglasses
- Lonely Planet and Bradt travel guides (if you just get one, I'd recommend Bradt)
- Map of Malawi
- Travel umbrella
- Book of US "Forever" stamps (for sending letters home with travelers)
- Travel alarm clock
- Packtowl (quick-dry bath towel)
- Chapstick
- Extra passport photos (for visa applications to other countries)
- Travel money (up to $700 can be stored in a safe at PC HQ in Lilongwe. New, mint $100s are required for visa applications)
- Debit card
- Harmonica (I can't play, but hoping to learn)
- Passport pouch (doubles as money belt)
- Deck of cards
- LCR (dice game)
- Granola/power bars
- Notebook
Gifts (for those along the way)
- Colored pencils
- Crayons
- Notebooks/folders
- Postcards from my hometown (gotta rep the 'burg!)
- Gift for my host family (either a hand-crank flashlight or a leatherman)
Hygiene (So I can go in public places)
- Dental floss
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- DO for the BO!
- Razor
- Sunscreen
- Nail clippers
- NOTE: Don't worry about this part - nearly everything you need can be bought in Malawi
Medical (for dem little bugs)
- Life Straw (a straw that filters water. WHAT?!)
- Iodine tablets (for water purification)
- Something for an upset stomach
- Various other non-prescription meds
- NOTE: Again, don't worry too much about this. The PC provides volunteers with medical kits.
Some volunteers mail themselves various items before they arrive (so the package arrives during training). Such packages will typically contain various kitchen utensils (pots/pans, knives, etc.) or food (granola bars, powdered drink mixes, box mixes, ketchup/spice packets, candy, etc.). I chose not to do this, figuring I can pick up items once I arrive. Though the quality will likely not be as good, it is a much cheaper option than mailing a package. As for food, I am looking forward to seeing what Malawi has to offer! In a month or so I may begin to regret this decision, but I'm sure I can talk my family or friends into sending me a few non-perishable goodies.
Ok, this is the last note. I promise. Several companies offer pro-deals to PC volunteers, which can make buying clothing and equipment MUCH more affordable when preparing to depart. The discount will obviously vary depending on the company, but I would highly recommend checking with companies to see if they offer this deal. I was able to get discounts from Chacos, Keen, and Cascade Designs (the parent company of Thermarest, MSR, and Packtowel). Check out their websites for the application. See below for a list of companies and their discounts.
From Peace
Corps Wiki
Camping and
Travel Gear
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
Outdoor gear
|
Marmot offers a Professional Courtesy Program to Peace
Corps Volunteers. Discount may vary by product but is substantial.
Selection is limited compared to regular online site (some products may be
"out of stock," but you can request them).
|
Apply for the program here, you should hear
back within a couple business days.
|
|
Outdoor gear
|
Coleman offers a discounted pricing program for non-profit
groups. Discount varies by product. must order for delivery in the states
|
Email their customer service department here and ask if they
provide discounts to Peace Corps volunteers.
|
|
Outdoor Gear
|
approximately 30%
|
Email friends@cascadedesigns.com with your acceptance
letter. They will email back with information to register. Peace Corps are
allowed to use a home address as the registered shipping address, since they
only ship items to the United States.
|
|
Travel Gear
|
30-50%
|
Ask to join the Pro-Deal go to proshop.eaglecreek.com to
apply for discount
|
|
Hammocks, Rain tarps, Stuff sacks
|
10%
|
Email Customer Service
|
|
Camping Hammocks
|
50%. Must order at least ten at a time (talk to other PCVs
to put together bulk order). They will ship internationally.
40% If order
individually
|
Email Customer Service. This is a small company and they
were really excited about this pro-deal. 2/19/11 just emailed and they
confirmed 50% discount. No mention of a requirement to purchase 10 at a time.
|
|
Messenger bags, backpacks, and laptop bags
|
You get the "prodeal" 50% discount when you sign
up.
|
sign up here(I tried this
and never got a response. I sent many emails and only part were returned.
This did not work for me April 2011. Update: The pro deal website didn't work
for me either, so I emailed the Customer Support. I got a quick friendly
response from CS and they gave me a code for a single use as their pro deal
website was down (April 12, 2011).
|
|
All the Best Outdoor Gear!
|
Variable depending on product (average 20%-30%)
|
Email: mcorey@backcountry.com and provide verification
(acceptance letter, follow up email from recruiting officer, or PC ID)if
emails are not sent to above email response may be delayed. Note emails
responses are sent Mon.-Fri. You will receive a friendly quick response.
(4/2011)
|
|
Sunglasses
|
50% off retail price.
|
Find the sunglasses you want on their website. Then email
cmcain@comcast.net to request the Smith Outdoor Professional Pro Program
order forms.]
|
|
Eastern Mountain Sports
|
Outdoor Gear, Clothing
|
20% off retail price.
|
In stores only: ask for the "humanitarian
discount." You will get 20% off your entire purchase.
|
Clothing
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
Outdoor clothing
|
Marmot offers a Professional Courtesy Program to Peace
Corps Volunteers. Discount may vary by product but is substantial.
Selection is limited compared to regular online site (some products may be
"out of stock," but you can request them).
|
Apply for the program here, you should hear
back within a couple business days.
|
|
Outdoor Clothing
|
The North Face offers a Pro Pricing Program to Peace Corps
Volunteers. Discount may vary by product but is substantial. Selection
is limited compared to regular online site (some products may be "out of
stock," but you can request them).
|
Apply for the program here, you should
hear back within a couple business days. **5/11/11: The program is not
accepting new applicants. The Pro program is apparently under review for
possible termination.
|
|
Outdoor Clothing
|
50%-60%
|
apply online at http://www.exofficio.com/pro
**7/20/11: Received a 10% discount, not 50%-60%.
|
|
Macabi Skirts
|
$50 per skirt instead of $80
|
e-mail your acceptance letter
|
|
Outdoor gear/clothes
|
10% off regular prices, 5% off sale prices
Excludes Arc'Teryx, Bugaboo,Burton, Merrell, Nixon,Suunto,
The North Face and Western Mountainering products
|
Use Coupon Code "LTM" (discount did work on
4/26/2011)
|
|
All the Best Outdoor Gear!
|
Variable depending on product (average 20%-30%)
|
Email: mcorey@backcountry.com and provide verification
(acceptance letter, follow up email from recruiting officer, or PC ID)if
emails are not sent to above email response may be delayed. Note emails
responses are sent Mon.-Fri.
|
Education
School / University
|
Type
|
Benefits
|
Notes / Procedures
|
Graduate School
|
In-State Tuition for RPCVs
|
||
"more than 60 universities offering 117 different
graduate degrees."
|
|||
"more than 50 universities."
|
Electronics
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
Solar Powered Backpacks
|
35% off
|
Write to sales@voltaicsystems.com for the discount code or
call 877.304.6861 ext. 701
|
|
Scout shortwave radio
|
discount price $25 plus shipping
|
contact Penny Thornton 866-526-2826 (1/11/11 I called and
the Scout has been discontinued and Penny Thornton no longer works there.
They did offer the Eyemax as somewhat comparable and at a small discount)
|
|
shortwave radios
|
20% off
|
Call 1-800-872-2228 (6/17/11 - called and says they only
give discounts to retailers) (7-28-2011 gave me 50% off plus the cost of
shipping)
|
|
Solar powered water bottle caps turn your bottle into a
lantern
|
40%
|
Email orders@sollight.com and ask nicely
|
|
Universal solar power charger
|
15%
|
Use coupon code "SolioCS20"
|
|
Electronics
|
5-6%
|
Use their government pricing program. Need original copy
of your invite
|
|
Electronics
|
10-30% (depends on product)
|
www.dell.com/epp; member ID GS83510340
|
Food and
Drinks
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
Organic Coffee
|
" Rise Up Coffee will send our coffee to any current
PCV's for FREE!!!"
|
"Simply contact us through FB or email
info@drinkorganiccoffee.com ... and wait for your organic coffee to show up
(which, depending on where you are, could take some time!)."
(Owner Tim Cureton, PC Kiribati 98-01) |
Medical
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
Dental (Applicants)
|
"volunteering to provide a dental examination and
x-rays for Peace Corps applicants at no charge" (read more...)
|
"The applicant will bring a Peace Corps dental examination
form to the appointment." (Available here)
|
|
Medical exams and lab tests required by Peace Corps, for
Master's International students
|
"The health care provider will offer PCMI students at
Michigan Tech a 20 percent discount on any balance they owe after insurance
payments for exams and tests required by the Peace Corps, plus an additional
10 percent prompt-pay discount, for a total discount of 30 percent."
|
Personal
Products
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
The Diva Cup, washable menstrual pads
|
10% off any order of $25 or more
|
enter "PEACECORPS11" in promotion code box
The code is updated yearly so change the numbers on the end to match the year you are ordering in. |
Shoes
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
Footwear
|
40% off order of up to $600 (retail value)
|
Must request promo code here
|
|
Footwear
|
50% off
|
chacoprodeal.com
- They also require proof of service which can be faxed to 1-888-746-3329 or
emailed, call the number on the prodeal site to find out where.
|
|
Footwear
|
40% off
|
www.merrellprodeal.com
|
|
Footwear
|
50% off
|
Must request promo code <pro@teva.com>. Proof of
acceptance needed. To request a code for Simple Shoes, be sure to mention
this in your request email. Worked 7/8/11- received code for 50% off up to 4
pairs of shoes.
|
|
All the Best Outdoor Gear! We got lots of shoe too!
|
Variable depending on product (average 20%-30%)
|
Email: mcorey@backcountry.com and provide verification
(acceptance letter, follow up email from recruiting officer, or PC ID)if
emails are not sent to above email response may be delayed. Note emails
responses are sent Mon.-Fri.
|
|
Footwear
|
unsure but there is a discount
|
Travel
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
airline, hotel, train and car reservations
|
"managing travel for U.S. military and government
clients."
|
[PCVs] "can use our SatoVacation Center for personal
travel being paid for on a personal credit card."
Peace Corps account info here
|
Unconfirmed
Discounts
Camping and
Travel Gear
Company
|
Type
|
Discount
|
Notes / Procedures
|
Camping Gear: Packs, Tents, Clothing, Sleeping Gear
|
10%
|
Some said it worked fine, but Campmor told others that PC
would have to order for the discount- individuals couldn't get the discount.
|
|
Camping Stoves, Lanterns, Solar Power, Headlamps,
Binoculars, Scopes, Compasses
|
n/a
|
"They emailed me a form and asked me to fill it out
but the catch is whatever you buy has to be sent the company address and they
review the form and decide if they want to give you a discount or not"
|
No discounts
- LL
Bean
- Target
- prAna
- Crocs
- REI
- Smartwool Socks
- Arc'teryx
- Eastern
Mountain Sports
- Patagonia
- Osprey
- Vibram FiveFingers
- Timberland
- Tiger Direct
- Red Wing Shoes
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