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Africa Teaching Kit List - Kit-List-Africa - Africa and Asia Venture

Africa Teaching Kit List

SUGGESTED CLOTHING FOR YOUR WORK ATTACHMENT

White clothing is difficult to keep clean and is not recommended. It is advisable to take clothing which is made from natural fibres. Remember that during your work attachment you must dress in the way Africa expects, i.e. relatively formally, and not as a tourist! Africa dresses conventionally.

WOMEN

• 3 medium weight cotton skirts (mid calf or longer and not see-through, nor split!)
• 3 blouses with sleeves (long/short)
• 2 T-shirts (not vest type) or polo shirts
• 1 fleece
• 1 sweatshirt
• 1 sweater
• Sensible shoes
• Sports clothing

MEN

• 2 pairs casual trousers (not jeans)
• 3 long sleeved shirts
• 1 short sleeved shirt
• 2 T-shirts (not vest type) or polo shirts
• 1 fleece
• 1 sweatshirt
• 1 sweater
• 1 tie
• Sensible shoes
• Sports clothing

The mountain slopes can be very cold in the early mornings and evenings so an extra fleece might be useful if you are in Tanzania or planning any climbing. For those wishing to climb Mount Kenya or Mount Kilimanjaro, you will need extra clothes such as: gloves, woollen hat, thermal vest and leggings, fleece, thick walking socks, a decent wind/rain proof jacket and water proof over-trousers and walking boots. Your sleeping bag must be rated to -5 deg C. It gets very cold at 17,000 feet and the top is always covered in snow.

LEISURE WEAR

This will be largely up to you, but we suggest you consider the following:

• Medium weight anorak (for the rains)
• Vest tops
• Jeans
• Casual shirts/T shirts
• Light weight cotton trousers
• Swimming kit
• Sandals/Rafters
• Casual footwear including trainers
• Hat

For those going during May to August, additional warm clothing for cooler evenings.

GOOD CHEAP CLOTHING CAN BE BOUGHT IN LOCAL MARKETS SO BE RUTHLESS AND DON'T BRING TOO MUCH.

SUGGESTED ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR WORK ATTACHMENT

It is recommended that you take:

• Any textbooks and notes up to GCSE level you have kept on the subjects you expect to teach.   Simple calculator for those teaching maths.   Take paperback books for your own reading and 'Penguin' classics or ‘cheap' classics for the school are also popular.   Furthermore, photographs of your home and school are useful talking points.

FOR GENERAL USE

Essential

• Debit/Credit card (with VISA sign)
• ISIC Card
• Holdall and rucksack.   (Holdall can be used to store clothing not required during your travel and safari period).
• Small day rucksack
• Body belt large enough to take passport etc.
• Sleeping bag (average weight unless climbing Kilimanjaro or Mt Kenya where you need sleeping bag rated to -5 deg C).   A sleeping bag is absolutely essential
• Sleeping bag sheet liner
• Camera - inexpensive
• Combination locks (2)
• Mobile phone - unlocked to take other SIM CARDS
• Mosquito net (treated)  - ‘pop up' type recommended
• Sewing kit, including scissors
• Sun glasses
• Toiletries - they are available locally so bring only enough for initial requirements.
• Torch
• Travel towel
• Watch - inexpensive

Useful but not essential

• Bed roll
• Binoculars
• Blow-up pillow
• Cards and travel games e.g. backgammon
• Lightweight collapsible shower (as used for sailing or ask Homeway - one per pair, not Botswana)
• Mirror - but easily available locally if required
• Packet sauces and marmite
• Pen knife
• Phrase books:  Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania - Swahili;  Malawi  - Chichewa
• Stick-on hooks
• Travel iron (Botswana only)
• Universal plug
• Walkman/mini disc MP3/Ipod (one per pair and ideally with a mini speakers)
• Water purification system such as 'Aquapure Traveller' (Expensive and not really necessary)

• Documentation:  photocopies of all documents, including passport;  keep one copy at home and take another copy with you.   Also know your blood group.   Take the original receipts for your travellers' cheques.  Don't forget copies of telephone, email and physical addresses for correspondence.

MEDICAL PACK

• Anti-malarial tablets            
• Insect repellent     
• Water purification tablets - iodine not chlorine based            
• Rehydration sachets            
• Multivitamin pills
• Antihistamine pills
• Diareze/Immodium            
• After-sun cream
• Antiseptic spray/cream    
• Cream for bites, stings (e.g. Anthisan)
• Antihistamine pills
• Plasters - for cuts and blisters
• Thermometer
• Paracetamol
• Wet wipes - only a few as they are available locally.
• Homeway Sterile Medical Pack - optional as in our experience all medical centres used by AVs use sterile needles and lancets etc.  
• Recommendation:  it would be helpful if you can find out your blood group before arrival.   This is not essential.   The easiest and cheapest way to do this is to give it and ask for your blood type.

(Note:  Shampoo and toiletries are widely available in Africa although there isn't the choice that is available in UK.   Sanitary towels are easily and cheaply available in East Africa.   Tampax will not be available in the villages but can be found in larger towns.   However, they are more expensive than in the UK so bring at least a month's supply.)

CONCLUSION

We recommend you bring "The Lonely Planet" or "A Rough Guide" book with you.   They are both excellent.   Lonely Planet offers a 10% reduction to AVs.

A lot of the items listed are available in shops in the main towns.   However, you may not have the time to shop for them during the first few days.   Do not take any valuables, such as jewellery.   You will enjoy shopping for the wide range of inexpensive, ethnic jewellery available in all markets.

Finally, virtually all of your predecessors have said that they took too much clothing and equipment, so be ruthless on yourself and try to travel lightly.   Remember you will have to carry your luggage and nearly everything you bring is available in Africa anyway.   

PLEASE NOTE THAT SECURITY REGULATIONS ARE QUITE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT CAN BE CARRIED INSIDE THE AIRCRAFT.  IF IN DOUBT, CHECK ON THE AIRLINE'S WEBSITE BEFORE LEAVING HOME.   YOUR BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE FOR THE FLIGHT IS 20 KGS
AND YOU ARE PERMITTED TO TAKE ONE PIECE OF HAND LUGGAGE.   THE DIMENSIONS OF YOUR HAND LUGGAGE SHOULD NOT EXCEED (INCLUDING WHEELS, HANDLES, POCKETS, ETC) MAX LENGTH 45 CM, WIDTH OF 35 CM AND DEPTH OF 16 CM
(I.E. 17.7" X 13.7" X 6.2")