Major FAQ-South Africa

Materials to Bring:

Most items of daily use are available in South Africa at a reasonably inexpensive price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following items:

• Camera
  
• Mobile phone
  
• Mosquito and insect repellents
  
• Sunscreen, SPFs
  
• Work gloves
  
• Books about South Africa
  
• Map of South Africa
  
• Toiletries
  
• First aid kit
  
• Flashlight
  
• Electricity adapter/converter
  
• Sunglasses
  
• Shoes/boots (for work and travel)
  
• Tote bag or backpack
  
• Towel
  
• Swimsuit
  
• Long-sleeve shirt and jacket for cooler areas
  
• Raingear (especially during the rainy season)

Passport and Documents

Volunteers should hold a valid passport and necessary documents while traveling in South Africa. Please carry photocopies of passport and travelers checks while in South Africa, to make replacement easy if they are lost. Leave additional copies at home with a friend or relative. These can be faxed to volunteers in an event of an emergency if documentation goes missing.

Medicine

If volunteers are taking prescription medications, please do not forget to pack enough medicine for the entire trip. Various brands of medicines may not be available in South Africa and may require volunteers to see a South African doctor to obtain a local prescription.

Footwear

Normal leather shoes or tennis shoes, which can be easily cleaned, are appropriate for working in the project placements. Volunteers will want light comfortable footwear for evening walks and other leisure activities.

Clothes

Rule of thumb - bring items which wouldn’t be missed if lost or ruined.

T-shirts, jeans and shorts are common. Bring a bathing suit.

Please note that while it may get quite warm during the day, it may get chilly after dark and volunteers may need a sweater or lightweight jacket in summer, and a heavier jacket in winter..

Medical Kit

It is always useful to carry a small personal medical kit. This should include: Band-Aids (aka plasters), personal medication, fungicidal foot powder/cream, antiseptic cream, mild painkiller (aspirin), tweezers, scissors etc.

Insect Repellent

Do not forget to bring insect repellent and use it often to reduce the possibility of mosquito-borne illness, if volunteers are traveling in the jungle find a repellant with DEET, the more the better.

Other

Please do not forget to pack a flashlight, as some rural villages won't have electricity after dark and volunteers may have to use an outdoor bathroom (at night) at some point. Also pack a camera, film and maybe a personal stereo. Volunteers may wish to bring a diary, pens and pencils and a book to read on the plane. Bring a rain coat during the rainy season.