Greg with a family in Thika, Kenya

In the last post I said that toys for children was definitely something you should bring to Africa because they are in such scarce supply. The point of gifts is not merely a matter of maximizing the utility of the receiver - rather it is, as we have all experienced during the holiday season, to expose the receiver to something they might not otherwise be able to enjoy. Gifts are a personal reflection of those that give.

I read a story recently where a former head of the IRC went to see a refugee camp in Burundi. He brought a soccer ball for the kids to play with, but was stupefied to find the children vanquished with starvation and a lack of resources, which rendered his gift of a soccer ball useless. He subsequently returned to the U.S. and raised $300,000 in week to improve the situation.

Even in this case, I am sure he does not regret bringing a soccer ball to Burundi. The soccer ball was the object through which he was able to see his naive perspective and the great need for further resources. Those resources don’t fit in suitcase like a soccer ball. It was the vital resource of money that helped enable the building of wells, buildings, and bring in food. It helps save lives. And after a child has the food, water, and shelter they are going to want to play football.

So what should you bring to Kenya or another part of Africa? Here’s what I suggest.

• A Visa credit card/check card - Africa has ATMs. I found some poor advice in (new) travel books that suggest carrying your trips needs all in cash
• $300+ cash
• DEET Mosquito replant - Also it kills jiggers so rub a bit on your feet just to be safe.
• Simple medicine kit: thermometer, fever reducer (acetaminophen / ibrophen),  Pepto-bismuth (unlike other stomach aids this kills the bacteria of contaminated food), sugar packets + salt (mix with water to rehydrate in cases of diarrhea), Malaria meds (I like malarone and use it not to prevent malaria but to treat it if needed, but how you use it should be your preference), bandaids + neosporin
• Hand sanitizer - you’ll shake a lot of hands, so this can help prevent a cold
• Toilet paper - don’t get caught without it.
• A quick drying camping towel - this is invaluable for how quickly it dries and how much space you save over a regular towel.
• A LED lantern + batteries - you’ll likely find many times when power is out, or the village simply doesn’t have electricity.
• A LED pen-light - Keep it in your pocket to help you see at night
• Travel book with maps of the cities and towns.
• An umbrella
• Swiss Army/Utility knife
• A sheet or hostel sheetcase - you don’t need a sleeping bag
• Travel insurance - it’s extremely cheap, why not.

And a few things you won’t need:

• A tent - unless you really want to go camping independently, at most campgrounds you can rent a tent so there is little need to bring one. If plan to travel freely and think you might need to camp on so someone’s property with their permission, will likely result in them inviting you in to stay with them.
• Hordes of cash, there are ATMs
• To change your cellphone plan over to a international plan - you can buy and Sim card, air time, and a new cell phone if needed pretty cheaply once you’re there.
• Soap - you can bring your own soap but I would recommend buying some antibacterial soap from a grocery store, given the water and shower water is likely insufficiently treated.
• Mosquito net - every hotel has one, and they are difficult to install yourself
• Iodine tablets for water -It would be very rare that you need this. You are likely used to bottled water in America and naturally bring sufficient bottled water while you’re out and about. Plus, Iodine tablets are difficult to use, it takes an hour or so.
• If you’re staying at a cheap hotel (less than $10/night) or hostel, you might want to pick up some bug spray to fumigate.

With all that you should have plenty of room for a few toys, along with your other belongings.