If you are planning to volunteer abroad for the first time there are lots of things to think about, including making a packing list.
What you pack really depends on your destination, the time of year and the type of project. For example going to volunteer in Africa in rural areas you’ll need much different clothing and items to volunteering in Argentina which has a cooler climate.
Here are some top tips on what to take with you when you head off on a volunteer trip.
The Essentials:
- Your passport – valid for at least six months beyond return date
- Insurance – comprehensive travel and medical insurance cover
- Immunisation booklet – with details of all the jabs you’ve had
- Passport photos – take about six of these to be used as identification
- Phone
- Student cards – as identification and to get those handy student discounts!
- List of emergency telephone numbers – to cancel/call- insurers, credit/debit cards
- Tickets and itinerary
- Photocopies of important documents
- Different forms of currency – take a mixture of cash, travellers’ cheques, credit and debit cards
- Head torch – LED are best
- Whistle and/or rape alarm
- Daysack – packed with everything you need for the day
- Money belt – to conceal your money with crocodile type clip to secure it. To find out more click here
- Medical pack / first aid kit
- Sun cream- with a high UVA protection
- Condoms
- Mosquito net
- Malaria tablets if going to a country where you need protection
- Water bottle – perhaps with a built-in filter
- Water purification tablets
- Insect repellent
- Long sleeve shirts and long trousers/skirts – to protect against sun/mosquitoes and to visit religious sights
- Sun hat
- Small padlock with security code
- List of useful contact numbers – such as British Consulate, insurance company and credit card 24 hour emergency telephone number
- A good guide book – to give you a good understanding of local culture & religion.
- Driving licence and break-down kit
It’s Also Useful To Pack:
- Sun glasses
- Sleeping liner
- Sleeping bag
- Water proof
- Large plastic bag – to line inside of rucksack (waterproofing)
- Rucksack – but no more than 65L in volume
- Universal adaptor
- Travel plug
- Travel towel
- Travel pillow
- Wet wipes for hygiene
- Duct tape – for fixing tears, hanging mosquito nets etc.
- Travel sewing kit
- Flip flops
- Walking boots
- Fleece
- Camera
What to consider leaving behind:
- Half the clothes you intended to take!
- Attractive items such as jewellery – if you take them don’t be sentimental about losing them
- Expensive MacBook unless you need it for work