You are limited to one piece of luggage plus a "carry-on" which must fit under your seat. For your checked luggage, a soft-sided bag or framed back-pack that can either be wheeled and/or carried on your back is your best choice. Large hard-sided suitcases are very heavy and cumbersome and are not recommended. A small backpack or book bag is best to use for your carry-on bag. In Kenya it can double as a pack for day trips. Use duct-tape to fasten down any loose buckles or straps.
During our time in Kenya please remember that you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage. Here’s a packing tip: Pack everything you think you will need, then carry your bag around the block. If you find your bag too difficult to carry you will need to remove some extra items. In years past most students regretted taking as much as they did. Your best bet is to only pack the items recommended on the list below. Keep the total weight of your bag to no more than 70 lbs. (less if possible!)---this is the weight limit for international flights. The dimensions can be no more than 62" (combined height, width, and depth). One carry-on is allowed---no more than 22 lbs.
The following list was compiled by previous G.P. participants and is fairly thorough. You shouldn’t need much else, unless you have special medical needs. If there is anything else you think you want, it would probably be best to not pack it—instead, buy it in Nairobi. The only thing that has been difficult to purchase in Kenya in the past is contact solution. Everything else is generally plentiful including toiletries, medications and clothes. For the clothing checklist the message from previous participants is "Believe it!"
Misc. Items
--immunization record
-- passport and visa (we’ll distribute these in Chicago)
--driver’s license (for identification at the airport)
--small Bible, small notebook, journal, pens and pencils
--G.P. Manual (we will be referring to it and adding pages throughout the summer)
--small flashlight with extra batteries and bulbs
--small sewing kit
--contact solution, extra contacts and your prescription
--wet-naps or something similar
--kleenex packets
--8-10 zip-lock bags in various sizes for packing and storage
--two non-plush bath towels (bring old ones if you can)
--pictures of yourself, your family, your pets, your home, your campus and your hometown/area [postcards] to show and extras to give away
--small travel alarm clock with extra batteries
--small camera (zoom is great for wildlife photos), 8-10 rolls of film (bring all of your film with you because it’s very expensive in Nairobi) and extra batteries
--inexpensive watch (nothing flashy!)
--large plastic or cloth bag for laundry
--money belt or other type of easily concealed passport/money holder
--small water bottle
--2-3 flat twin sheets and a pillowcase (you may consider giving these away at the end of
the summer); clothes stuffed into the pillow case may be your pillow for part of the summer
--addresses and emails of family, friends, donors, etc… --Instant foods to cook an American meal for your host family: e.g. flavoring/spice packets (taco seasoning, spaghetti sauce mix, etc…), mac & cheese, other small easy-to-cook meals; bring recipes
Some Extras and Ideas (optional):
--Extra pair of glasses (DO bring your prescription)
--inflatable neck pillow (for the plane)
--ear plugs
--clothespins for hanging laundry
--stickers, balloons, small hand puppets and bubbles for having fun with kids
--small solar calculator (for quickly determining the price of things in shillings)
--Swiss Army or "buck" knife (packed in your checked luggage)
--cassette recorder/player---for recording the sounds of Africa and to listen to the Swahili language tapes we’ll be bringing along!
--things to do during unscheduled time: a book, deck of cards, etc.
--fanny pack for carrying a water bottle, t.p. etc…(you may want to use
your day pack instead)
--"Power" type snack bars
--stuff to trade in the market (used/new athletic or university t-shirts, click pens, baseball caps with sports or university logos, small electronic gizmos [e.g. calculator, watch])
--small pair of binoculars
Toiletries
--moisturizer and/or small tube of hand lotion
--brush/comb
--deodorant
--talcum powder
--nail clipper
--chapstick
--toothbrush/toothpaste
--razor, blades and shaving cream
--shampoo (put in a zip-lock before packing!)
--soap
--personal items
--small bottle of anti-bacterial gel
Personal Health Kit
--DEET insect repellent (30% is ok)
--benadryl anti-itch cream (or generic equivalent)
--benadryl tablets (for allergic reactions)
--small tube of sunscreen
--anti-diarrheal tablets (Pepto-Bismol, lomotil, immodium or generic equiv.)
--laxatives (change in diet can affect your system in either direction!)
--anti-emetic tablets (if you are prone to motion sickness)
--antacid tablets
--tylenol and/or advil (or generic equivalents)
--cold medicine (in tablet form)
--cough drops
--antibiotic cream (Neosporin or equiv.)
--bandaids
--prescription and/or non-prescription medications that you take on a regular basis
Note: If you are coming with others from your school we want to encourage you to buy these supplies together and share them to reduce costs. For those coming on your own—you might arrange with others coming alone to do the same.
To greatly reduce bulk in your bag, take items out of the box they came in and pack in zip-lock bags. Remember to keep all instructions for taking medications!
Clothing
In Kenya you will need easy care dress clothes. Comfortable shoes are crucial!!! Previous G.P. participants have said that it is best to bring worn clothes and shoes (that are in good condition) and then give them away or barter them for Kenyan goods at the end of the summer. This will allow room in your suitcase to carry home the gifts you’ve collected along the way. Whatever you bring, make sure that it is durable. Don’t bring anything that would worry you if it were ruined through hard wear and harsh detergent. Remember that the climate will vary depending on your placement—anywhere from hot desert (90+ degrees) to cool, rainy highlands ( 50-70+ degrees). Spring/fall type of clothing that you can layer when you need more warmth will be best.
Men (Note: adult men do not wear shorts in Kenya!)
--belt
--1 pair of nice jeans (for Nairobi and Mombasa)
--2-3 pair of dark pants (don’t show the dirt as much!)
--4-5 lightweight short-sleeve dress shirts (button-front shirts are more commonly worn in Kenya rather than pull-overs)
--1 long-sleeve dress shirt
--7 pair of underwear
--7 pair of colored socks (lightweight)
--1-2 ties (for church)
--1 pair durable and comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes are fine—dark color is best)
--1 pair of dress shoes (for church)
--1 pair Teva-like sandal (or other type of inexpensive shower sandal)
--2 lightweight sweaters or sweatshirts
--1 lightweight rain poncho with a hood (disposable ones pack well!)
--1 pair lightweight pajamas
--1 pair of sweats/longjohns (it can get cold at night in Kenya!)
--1 modest swim suit (for Mombasa)
--1-2 pair of shorts (for Mombasa)
--2 t-shirts (for Mombasa)
--sunglasses [optional](for Mombasa)
Women (Note: Women in Kenya normally do not wear pants or shorts, they dress neatly--and Christian women [except some in Nairobi] typically do not wear much make-up or jewelry. Also, do not bring a blow-dryer or curling iron. When electricity is available, it is usually a British current and not compatible with American appliances. Besides—you may blow a fuse!)
--4-5 spring weight dresses (nothing sleeveless), jumpers or skirts (below the knee)
--2-3 nice tops/t-shirts (nothing sleeveless) to go with skirts and/or jumpers
--2 lightweight sweaters or sweatshirts
--1 lightweight rain poncho with a hood (disposable ones pack well)
--5 pair lightweight colored socks
--1 pair comfortable and durable walking shoes (tennis shoes are fine---dark color is best)
--1 pair Teva-like sandal (or other type of inexpensive shower sandal)
--1 pair of flat or low-healed comfortable dress shoe or sandal (e.g. Birkenstock-type)
--7 pair of underwear
--2 bras
--1 pair of lightweight pajamas (modesty is important!)
--1 pair of sweats or long-johns (some areas in Kenya are quite cold at night)
--1 lightweight bathrobe
--1 pair of dress pants or nice jeans (for Nairobi and Mombasa)
--1 modest one-piece bathing suit (for Mombasa)
--2 t-shirts (for Mombasa)
--1-2 pair of shorts (for Mombasa)
--sunglasses [optional] (for Mombasa)
Additional Notes
1) Christians in Kenya, particularly in rural areas, do not normally wear much jewelry. During our time in Kenya it is important that we honor their culture through our appearance in general and limit the amount and type of jewelry worn during our ministry assignments. Guys should limit themselves to a simple watch—a ring is ok if you’re married/engaged. Girls can wear a watch and small inexpensive earrings (posts or small hoops).
2) Come prepared to do your washing by hand (most likely in cold water). We will be buying detergent when we arrive in Nairobi so please don’t bring your own.
3) NURSING TEAM—Please pack the following:
--1 lightweight stethoscope
--1-3 boxes disposable latex gloves in your size (remove from boxes and put in zip-lock bags for packing)
--1 white jacket-type scrub top to wear over your clothes during shifts
4) IMPORTANT—Kenya is generally a conservative culture. We, again, want to honor their culture by not needlessly offending our hosts through our appearance. THEREFORE PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING:
--NO WEIRD HAIR CONFIGURATIONS OR COLORS
--MEN: NO BEARDS (mustaches are ok); HAIR MUST BE SHORT
--NO MULTIPLE EARRINGS, FACIAL OR TONGUE RINGS/STUDS
--TATOOS NEED TO BE COVERED
--HATS ARE GENERALLY NOT WORN IN KENYA