(Part 2) Best products from r/peacecorps

Definitely bring a powerbank and universal surge protector. I have the ones below.

I also brought a solar panel (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012YZXMZS), but I have reliable enough electricity at my site that I gave it to another volunteer who doesn't. It is a life saver for her.

As for language, don't worry about it. Luganda is the largest language group, but you could very easily be placed in a region that speaks another language. Swahili would be good to learn, but again that depends on where you get placed in Uganda.

The language program here is pretty good. Everyone in my cohort passed the requirement. I'm sure that you will too :)

If you have any other questions feel free to DM me.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RVUIXOC (surge protector)
https://www.amazon.com/MAXOAK-50000mAh-Portable-Charger-External/dp/B00YP823NA (powerbank)

Not yet a PCV, but as a fellow uke-enthusiast, this sounds awesome!

Perhaps you can use age limits to control how many kids can join. Like, 10 years old and up (IDK what ages you have in your classes, but just as an example) can join the club. You may want to also be a bit strict about attendance. That way kids can't just join for the instrument and then quit 2 weeks later and you never get their uke back. Maybe they have to attend for a certain number of weeks before they can take their instrument home and/or if they miss a certain number of meetings, they are bumped out? It sounds kind of harsh, but you have to protect the instruments and make sure that the kids who are there want to be there and are willing to do the work. I would also definitely have them sign some sort of contract/pledge detailing how to take care of the instrument before they are allowed to take them home.

Oh, and teaching them TAB, instead of how to read music, may be a bit simpler. You can get chord posters for pretty cheap and then the whole group can see the fingering.

I wear jeans everyday at school and peel them off immediately after school. I wear sheer shirts, Peace Corps Colombia polos (you can buy during training), etc for school. At home, tank tops and shorts or exercising clothes - have a few "going out" outfits because you should look semi nice when you go out. Girls here wear really tight clothes, fancy bras (they can show off under sheer shirts) etc that will push your idea of what is "appropriate" - but then it will get so hot you'll put a sheer top on w/o an undershirt and integrate lol.

I have a super small chest so I live in cotton sports bras. Other PCVs brought their normal bras.

Shoes - I think almost all the girls bought the Adriana Flat Crocs or similar Crocs. They're comfy, dry fast, and go with most outfits. I live in mine. Running shoes for running, hiking boots for hiking (or when it's super rainy I wear mine to school cuz they're waterproof).

Bring twice as much underwear as you think you'll need. Cotton. I had my mom send me a new pack because the washing spinner thing had destroyed my underwear.

Edit: some girls wear dresses/skirts daily. Not me.

Colombians love to look nice so costume jewelry and makeup (I don't wear makeup in the states and here it's like my face is melting off)

These Guys

Get two of them and you can hook them together, or swap them out when needed. I'm not sure what your power situation will be in Mozambique but a solar charger with a USB connection would be good. (They charge via USB). They last a pretty long time, I was happy with mine, just don't play them too loud for too long or you may blow them out. But, good little speakers.
I feel like I got them for cheaper than they are listed, check around.

You have GOT to rad this book! It's funny and really interesting and talks quite a bit about their government and customs, but in an entertaining way. His other book about Kiribati is great, too and I highly recommend it.

Ditto to everything /u/sphinx3peat said—you'll end up wearing mostly clothes you bought here anyway. Although if you're a guy with big feet, it may benefit you to bring a few pairs of shoes (a pair of running shoes, sneakers, and dress shoes), because sizes larger than 10-11 can be hard to come by.

As an ag/health volunteer, chances are you won't have electricity. I got a lot of mileage out of an Eton Rugged Rukus bluetooth speaker with a built-in solar panel.

You've probably already seen it, but here's our unofficial "Official" Peace Corps Madagascar Packing List. It was made by a current volunteer and is pretty comprehensive.

I recently took my month of home leave, and the things I was most adamant about bringing back were good Q-tips (the ones here are too bendy) and American deodorant (you can only get the liquid roll-on kind here).

I'm currently working through King Leopold's Ghost. It's interesting and well-written, but it is pretty darn dense. I haven't read Stuffed and Starved except in excerpts in a class but it's on my list to bring during service. Guns, Germs, and Steel is also on my list. Very popular and while there is some controversy around it I think it could prove to at least be a very entertaining read.

There's a great book by a hearing impaired PCV who served in Africa - it's call "The Unheard" by Josh Swiller. I really recommend the read for any PCV.

As I recall, he was actually happier speaking in Swahili than English. He had used cochlear implants from when he was a teenager, but because he hadn't heard English from when he was a kid he was never able to speak "normally." But when he was speaking Swahili, everyone just thought he had a foreign accent and loved that he was learning the language.

Additionally, there are lots of programs that work with hearing-impaired or special needs kids.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Unheard-Memoir-Deafness-Africa/dp/0805082107

My advice would be whatever you bring to peace corps don't expect to bring it back.
Lots of people use their iphones as a camera. I brought a nicer camera and was happy I did. I also used it as a teaching tool to teach my youth how to use a camera and let them take photos. So I guess think what you want to do with it and go from there.

This is what I bought http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-E-PL1-Interchangeable-Digital-Black/dp/B0035LBRJO/ref=pd_cp_p_2

It took great photos and videos

Heyo! A big part of my service has been doing video projects for promotion of events, NGOs, and other PCV projects. I've just got a handheld Canon camcorder.

Get yourself a wireless lapel mic kit, an extra battery, a camera bag, an SD card for increased memory, and a tripod before you head out. You can opt to spend big money of these things, but I reccomend starting economically and growing your kit over the years.

My PC computer is pretty low end, so I run VideoPad for all the editing.

This is the exact make and model I use. It's economical, but if you use it right, you can get primo professional results. Good luck!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-VIXIA-R800-Camcorder-Black/dp/B01N7OAH3I

I received this trx system before I left and it really was great. Super compact and easy to use in a house or even wrapped around a tree. Kind of pricey but my experience with it was great. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002YIA6SM

Do they want you to take readings in a doctors office or at home? I have honestly been preparing for this though. I started taking these pills that are 100% natural that are supposed to reduce BP. I hope they are working. They are hawthorn berry capsules. Nature's Way Premium Herbal... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002PU5N0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I also read that beet juice 2 hours before a reading can lower BP too. Maybe try those? Please keep me updated on what happens. Hopefully your experience will help prepare me!

Hey so basically you need to look for several things in a laptop. First you have Microsoft Office or you can purchase later. The next is you want an extremely good antivirus I would suggest Malwarebytes, this is the software BestBuy and Staples uses first to remove the majority of viruses https://www.malwarebytes.com/premium/ . Next you want at least an i3 processor to be able to easily run the reporting software you have to download. The last thing is looking for extended battery life. This mainly is because you never know if your site will have power or how easy it is to charge you laptop. Then make sure you save all receipts including software and get insurance.

A couple decent computers I found
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJJG4PD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T2_D5VCzbPJ5A0VK

https://www.staples.com/product_2720613

I am actually doing some research today on the best ultrabook/ laptop to take with me. But if you have some suggestions as to what you want I can help you out if I find something good. I like Dell but I think they are overpriced for what they are. The best deal I have found so far is this.

I developed my practice partly through trial and error, but mostly through the techniques described in Pema Chodron books. The one I found most useful was in Comfortable with Uncertainty.

Buddhist inspired but non-denominational teachings with guidance on meditation. I highly, highly recommend it.

I do not qualify but it is a great place. I have friends from Moldova. Checkout the Moldova chapter in http://www.amazon.com/The-Geography-Bliss-Grumps-Happiest/dp/044669889X

My plan is to load a large USB solid state drive with some movies / tv shows I haven't watched, and all of my music collection. I'm more into music so there's no worries about holing myself away from socializing by binge watching movies on my solar-charged laptop. But I am considering buying something like this... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019G2B61E/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1NJVWUCTQMPN5

Maybe a bad idea, but hear me out. It would be a way to share my music with people at my site. Playing music off my USB external hard drive, and local CDs I might buy in cities.

Dimensions are 12.6 x 5.2 x 8.5" (320 x 133 x 215 mm), so I'm not sure. Also do you think it could get damaged if I put it in my massive duffel bag as my checked luggage, padded with clothes of course.

I also plan to bring a guitar (classical or steel string I've yet to decide, leaning towards the nylon because I feel like it would hold up better with the climate?). I want to buy a kora while I'm there and learn it, play it at my site, socialize w/ people and kids and show them how to do it, as well as guitar.

thoughts?

If you are serious about a solar charger you are going to want some quality deep cycle batteries. Batteries in your country are probably going to be crappy chinese ones.

I believe there is a type you can fly on a plane with that are completely sealed. You would want at least 2. You could probably bring those and some other items needed and buy the solar panels in country. This would take quite a lot of tinkering but in my opinion would be dope if you are really invested in it.

It would be easier and cheaper to buy a small generator in country, or find someone in your village who has one and build a line into your house (I did this), or bring your computer to a charging station (I did this too). But the solar idea would be cool too.

These lights are game changers for people without electricity. I would buy at least 2 (I had 3 at one point and it was beyond epic).

https://www.amazon.com/Greenlight-Planet-Portable-Lantern-Charger/dp/B00CAAXWQ2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493932343&sr=8-2&keywords=solar+king


Flying into the country could be your 1 big chance to bring this stuff in, so if you are serious about solar look into flying with deep cycle batteries and see what kind of system you could realistically bring. Keep in mind you will definitely be able to find all parts in the capital, but American stuff will be higher quality.

I've been using this one in country, and I really like it.

https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaPad-Laptop-Z3735F-Windows/dp/B0167W1VAM

It only has a 32GB SSD, so it does not have a lot of memory but I have a hard drive and some thumb drives for that. You can also expand it with a micro SD card if you want. It's small enough and light weight enough to carry discretely, but the battery is good enough to watch television or movies for around 5 to 6 hours straight.