Reflection: Packing List for Mali

Since another group of new volunteers will be coming in at the end of January, we thought it would be helpful to post a packing list for incoming volunteers.

Packing List: Its so hard to provide a general list because as you’ll find out, the things you have access to will greatly vary based on your placement. The other reason its difficult is that for the 1st 9 weeks, you live and eat all your meals with a host family, so you might not use a lot of your supplies until after swearing-in. However, when you get to that point, you’ll be SO happy you brought them.

Cooking Supplies: This is only if you plan to cook for yourself after swearing-in. Many volunteers eat all their meals with their host families. Can opener, cutting board, vegetable peeler, spatula, nicer medium sized knife, good saute pan. Everything else you can get here.

Clothes: You’ll get a lot of clothes made here so don’t bring too many. Girls-everything must go below the knee. 2-3 pants, 2-3 skirts, 5 solid color cotton Target t-shirts, 2 dressier tops,  lots of underwear and bras, shower flip-flops, nicer sandals, a pair of hiking boots, raincoat for rainy season, 1 light jacket/sweatshirt for cold season, pajamas appropriate for sleeping in more public places, bathing suit, towel. Shirts, pants, and skirts should not be super tight-fitting. Guys – 2-3 pants, 2-3 collared shirts, and a week’s worth of t-shirts and boxers. This is mainly to get you through training. Afterward, you can get soccer jerseys and fabric pants for dirt cheap. As for shorts, men only wear them when playing sports, so go easy.

Food: Granola bars, dried fruit, instant oatmeal, fruit snacks, and beef jerky will get you through the 9 weeks of training when you are adjusting to the food. We stuffed our bags with this stuff and it was SO worth it!

Toiletries: A 3 month supply of toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, sunscreen,etc. These are NOT supplied by Peace Corps, but are somewhat obtainable in Bamako and other larger cities after the 9 weeks of training.

Medicines: Peace Corps will give you a medical kit with tylenol, ibprofen, antacid, cough suppressant, antihistamine, bug repellant, mosquito net etc. on about day 2-3 after arriving in country. So bring enough for the first few days when things are still a bit overwhelming.

Camping Supplies: headlamp, REI bughut, Stainless steel water bottle, pocketknife (leatherman), light sheet, padlock for trunk

Electronics: Computer/Netbook, iPod, Portable &Rechargeable iPod Speakers, rechargeable batteries  (used batteries here end up on the ground), headphones, USB drive or external harddrive (for shared media), European plug adapter.

Books: Every regional house has a decent library, but all titles can’t be guaranteed. If you really want to read it, bring it. Otherwise, just bring enough for the first 9-weeks and then borrow for the regional houses afterward.

Note: Keep in mind that Amazon delivers to Mali (shipping for my last package was $15) and you can always request your family send you things later. Mail takes between 2-4 weeks. So if you get here and really regret not bringing something you can always have it sent. Peace Corps also provided things like buckets, brooms, lanterns, mat, mattress, bed, sheet,  and wool blanket for the first 9 weeks of training, so I would assume they are going to do this again for the next stage but things are constantly changing so I can’t guarantee it will be there.

Foods Available in Mali:  This was one topic I couldn’t find ANY info on before I came. However, after being here for 5 months, its still hard to put together a list because things change so quickly and are so dependent on region. One week, your market may be full of guava and orange vendors and the next week you cant find anything but sweet potatoes. Nevertheless, I’ve put these into rough categories to help you get an idea.

Very available: Onions, garlic, powdered milk, tomato paste, pasta, rice,  sugar, tea, instant coffee, dried fish, sweet potatoes, beans, okra/okra powder, millet, peanuts, corn, local leaves for sauces, hot pepper

Somewhat available: Eggs, bread, tomatoes, flour, Coca-Cola, peanut butter, fresh milk, bananas, oil for frying

Only in bigger cities:  butter, pasteurized milk, cans of tuna (all expensive), olive oil,basil, Nutella, popcorn, hot sauce, canned veggies,  potatoes, Pringles, Snickers, cold sodas, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vache-qui-rit “cheese” which requires no refrigeration

Not available/Things we miss: Real cheese, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Good apples, Chocolate chips, American bacon (though there are Christians that eat pork here and there), some spices (Oregano, Curry, Cinnamon, Paprika), Tortilla chips/most chips, American Junk food, granola bars, sliced bread, American condiments (Ranch, honey mustard, etc), Cereal & cold milk, a personal refrigerator

Seasonal Fruits and Veggies are available depending on region (in Sikasso we get a lot more than other regions) : Lettuce, green peppers, squash, oranges, guava, watermelon, green beans, zucchini, eggplant, mangos, papaya, carrots, hibiscus, avocado.

We hope this is helpful, let us know if you have any questions!

~Joye and James