From the Samaritan's Purse package -
The main Samaritan's Purse Haiti outreach is headquartered at the Global Outreach compound. The 66 acre Global Outreach is located 15 miles north of Port au Prince, compound contains dormitories, kitchen-dining hall and conference centre. The address is Global Outreach haiti, Route National 1, KM 25, Titanyen, Haiti.
Be prepared to live simply! The following are helpful guidelines and suggestions as you pack.
1. Sleeping conditions: Dormitory sleeping, pillows, mattresses, sheets and blankets are provided. Can bring your own pillow and sheets of you wish.
2. Laundry service is available and continues to improve each day. All volunteer laundry is washed together (men and women). Can take a couple days to get clothing back. Please mark your clothing well!
3. No hot water. Showers are basic and cold. Bring shower shoes. Some bathrooms are advanced; others are latrines.
4. If bringing valuables bring a secure suitcase or lock to secure valuables
5. We do have cooks and the food is great. You will be surprised that the food is just like we eat at home. Be prepared for Haitian beans and rice at lunch; which is wonderful. Fresh delicious fruit is available every day. Bottled water is available. No need to bring water bottle.
6. Facilities are adequate, work is satisfying, the team is wonderful, and the benefits are out of this world!
Basic packing list -
Passport
Photocopy of professional licence, medical insurance, emergency contact info
Samaritan's Purse t-shirts if you have one
Ladies - tank tops are acceptable in the compound area
Pants - scrubs or lightweight pants are great. capris, skirts, lightweight dresses
are acceptable and ideal around hot Haiti. Modest shorts can be worn on the compound.
Sturdy sneakers or boots, depending on assigned role.
Flip flops for compound.
PJ's that can be worn in a large dormitory.
Shower shoes
Snack and energy bars
Personal vitamins, medicines, special food needs
Malaria medications - Cholorquine is med of choice. Highly recommended.
lightweight clothing and or scrubs
Raincoat and pants
Flashlight and batteries
No jewellery - only wristwatch
Toiletries
Towel and washcloth
Toilet paper (ok.... how many does one take????)
Hand sanitizer and hand wipes
Strong anti-mosquito liquid/bug spray DEET is best
Bible, notepad, and pen
Sunscreen (100% is prefereable)
Sunglasses or goggles that provide good eye coverage. These are necessary due to heat, wind, and air pollution such as concrete dust, dirt, smoke, and particles that can cause severe irritation, inflammation, and infection of the eyes and eyelids for which regular eye drops may be of little help. OTC eye wash solution should be available at the compound.
Hat - bring your own hat. Highly recommended
Cash for any personal purchases, some places take USD (limited opportunities)
Optional:
A tent, if you don't prefer dormitory sleeping arrangements
Personal camera, memory cards, batteries
Personal laptop, flash drive, etc
Swim suit (there is a pool at the base)
Cell phone - Blackberry or Iphone if you have one
GPS - if you have one, very few street signs
So that is what is recommended, I thought including it on the blog would give an idea of what it may be like.
My sister Noelle, who has travelled on missions extensively, also recommended:
Silk sleeping bag liner - mosquitos and other creepy crawlies can't land on silk...
So - alot to get ready. Am glad I have the time this week to prepare.
