BAGGAGE

Please be sure your check-in bag and your carry-on bag have a luggage tag with your full name and address.  UWP will mark your bag with colored tape for easy identification in the baggage claim area.  The weight of your check-in bag will also be written directly on your luggage with a paint marker.  This is done to deter theft during airport baggage transport.  Please purchase a TSA-approved lock for your check-in bag to be used during airport baggage transport and at the hotel in Uganda.  It is advised that you inventory (by list or photograph) the contents of your baggage and keep it in your carry-on bag.  Pack ALL prescription medication (in their original containers) in your carry-on bag.

SPENDING MONEY

Your trip fee includes airfare, 3 meals a day, bottled water, hotel accommodations, in-country transportation, travel insurance and outreach supplies/programs. Please be aware that it does not cover additional costs such as purchasing minutes to make outgoing calls from Uganda, personal shopping, discretionary giving, etc.

The local currency is the Ugandan Shilling (UGX). At the time of writing this document $1 USD was equal to 2,465.00 UGX. For the latest exchange rate in your currency, visit http://www.xe.com/ucc/full.shtml.  We will arrange a one-time currency exchange upon arrival in Uganda.  You will need to have your spending money in 50 or 100-dollar bills, 2003 or newer with no tears or markings on the bill.

The amount of spending money you bring is up to you, but for 14 days you’ll probably find $100-$200 US sufficient. Our team members buy most of their souvenirs from the street boys in Kivulu slum or during our shopping day in Jinja.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Your trip fee includes travel insurance through Talent Trust Consultants which is a subdivision of Aetna.  They have excellent coverage designed specifically for outreach trips.  The policy includes medical coverage, trip interruption, loss or damage to baggage and other personal items, etc.  Details regarding the policy will be emailed to each team member.

WATER FILTRATION

We will be drinking mostly bottled water during our trip.  Ugandan Water Project has a water filtration system with us that can be used by all of our team members to filter water into their own personal bottles. It is NOT necessary to purchase a personal water filtration system but if you would like to, look for one that filters particles up to .2 microns or smaller. http://www.sawyerproducts.com/products.htm and www.katadyn.com have reliable water filtration products. Previous travelers have purchased and been satisfied with the Sawyer Inline Water Filter (with 34 oz bottle) from Wal-Mart for approximately $35.

WHAT TO WEAR

Women: Most of the local women wear skirts below the knee. Women traveling to Uganda will want to wear long opaque skirts, Capri’s, pants or shorts that are knee length or longer.  Skirts tend to be cooler in the heat, but please be sure to pack a few work outfits as well.  Please no form fitting or low cut t-shirts. T-shirts are fine but avoid shirts with slogans or offensive images.  Words are used differently in other cultures and this can often cause offense.  Please make sure tank top straps are at least 1 inch or wider with no visible bra straps.  During personal time we ask that all dress remain modest.

Men: Men traveling to Uganda will want to wear pants/jeans or shorts that are knee length or longer.   T-shirts are fine but avoid shirts with slogans or offensive images.  Words are used differently in other cultures and this can often cause offense.  Please include a dress casual outfit (khakis and collared shirt) for some gatherings. During personal time we ask that all dress remain modest.

Shoes: Comfortable and sturdy shoes are a must!  Avoid open-toed shoes, as you will be walking on rough roads and paths in the villages/slum that can be littered with waste.

Personal adornment:  Please keep personal adornment accessories (ex. jewelry) conservative.  It is fine to wear a wedding band, however it is recommended for security purposes to leave the bling behind.

PACKING LIST

Pack only what you think you will need.  You will probably use less than what you think.  It is possible to hand wash personal items at the hotel.  Be prepared for variances in temperature and humidity.  Loose clothing is cool in warm temperatures.  Previous travelers have brought clothes that can be given to the local people upon departure (ex: 14 new white t-shirts).

Clothes:

• Pants/Jeans/capris – preferred for bug protection
• Shorts – knee length or longer
• Skirts – knee length or longer, opaque (not see through)
• Shirts – no slogans or offensive images, no low cut, not form fitting
• Tank tops – 1 inch strap or wider, no spaghetti straps, no visible bra straps
• At least one dress casual outfit – collared shirt and khakis for men, skirt/dress and blouse for women
• Warm pajamas or appropriate sleepwear (evenings can be cool)
• Undergarments
• Shoes – sturdy, comfortable, avoid open-toe (flip flops for hotel are fine)
• Socks
• Hat – for sun protection or a bad hair day
• Lightweight rain jacket, sweatshirt or windbreaker
• IMPORTANT – Pack one change of clothes in your carry-on for our stop in Dubai
• Small towel

Personal Care:

• Bug repellant – at least 29% Deet or Passport Health’s time-release formula
• Permetherin based clothing spray (Wal-Mart camping department) – spray your clothes and let them dry BEFORE you pack them.
• Travel size hand sanitizer – 2-3 bottles (one for check-in and one for carry-on baggage)
• Sunscreen – SPF 30 or higher and water-resistant
• Lip Balm
• Deodorant – please!!!
• Shampoo/Conditioner – travel size for 2 weeks
• Soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Razor and Shaving Cream
• Your favorite anti-diarrhea medicine
• Prescriptions – pack in your carry-on in their original containers
• Malaria Medication
• Cipro or Xifaxin – pack-in carry-on
• OTC Medications/vitamins – pack in carry-on
• Small pack of tissues
• Wet wipes or baby wipes – several packs
• Feminine care products
• Roll of toilet paper in plastic bag (there is no tp in the villages)
• Washcloth – you will get dirty!!!
• Eyeglasses & Contacts
• Handkerchief or bandana
• Eyeglasses or contacts/solution
• Sleeping Aids – ear plugs, blindfold, drugs (especially for air travel)
• Re-sealable plastic bags – various sizes for items that are soiled, smelly, etc.

Travel Gear:

• Electricity power converter and plug adaptor if needed (Wal-mart)
• Money Belt – to be worn under clothes
• TSA-approved luggage lock
• Camera – with extra batteries. memory cards, chargers (don’t skimp on the batteries and memory cards – you will take more photos than you think!)
• Cell Phone and charger – for clock and alarm
• Small flashlight or headlamp
• Small travel alarm clock (unless you use your cell phone)
• Short clothes line with 8-10 clothes pins
• Trial size detergent
• Sunglasses
• Small umbrella – for sun/rain protection and privacy shield
• Small soft duffle bag – packed empty in check-in bag (for overnight in Jinja)
• Water bottle with filter (optional) – we will drink bottled water on our trip

Extras:

• Journal, books and pens
• Photos from home to share with the team and locals
• Energy bars, trail mix, breakfast bars (sometimes meals are late or not appealing)
• Powdered Gatorade – 2 box of packets
• Gum or candy
• Handkerchief or bandana
• Laundry bag or garbage bag for dirty clothes
• Various sized zip-loc bags
• Cash, bank card (optional)

Donations and Supplies

Opportunity Fund:  While in Uganda, specific needs are identified within communities that we visit.  Having cash donations specifically designated for this type of spending are the most helpful as they provide immediate answers to needs in a relational way.  Also, being able to purchase resources directly in country helps to strengthen the Ugandan economy.  Here are some examples of ways these types of donations have been used in the past:  Finishing off housing for teachers at a school, providing mattresses/food in a home for street boys, transportation to clinics to receive health/dental care, agricultural projects for communities, start up funds for small businesses and school/tuition fees.

Financial donations can made on our website or a check can be sent to the address below.  Checks can be made out to: UWP.  Please include in the memo:  Opportunity Fund.

Ugandan Water Project,  2648 Rabbit Run, Bloomfield NY 14469

Volunteer Night: We will have a volunteer supply packing night approximately 10-14 days prior to the trip and donations need to be in by this time.  This is a practical way for your friends/family to get involved in a tangible way.

Donations for local children:  Large quantities of one item are preferable than a buying a little bit of everything on the list. There are many children in the villages we visit and we would like to give the same item out to each child.

• Coloring books and crayons
• School supplies – pens, pencils, sharpeners, notebooks, flashcards
• Temporary tattoos – no graphic or aggressive images
• Glow sticks
• Balloons
• Frisbees
• Soccer balls with pumps
• Whistles and field cones for soccer games

General Donations

• Toothbrushes, floss, trial size toothpaste
• Self care items – trial size soap, nail clippers
• First Aids Supplies – Band aids, triple antibiotic ointment, hydro cortisone cream, gauze pads, medical tape, OTC medications, large bottles of peroxide, digital thermometers with covers, etc.
• Guitar Strings and picks
• Hand tools – saws, hammer, tape measure, 2 ft levels, work gloves, etc.