Rob in Malawi :Packing tips for future JFs

Hey folks! So this I’m wrapping up my placement, saying farewell to friends and family, and packing my bags for Canada. I’m hoping to write a little bit about my placement impact later this week, but that’s an issue I’m still reflecting on. For now, though, I thought I’d throw out a quick blog post with some packing advice for future JFs in southern Africa.

A tiny camera. I brought my SLR with me, thinking I’d be able to get much better pictures than with a small point and shoot. Was I ever wrong! As soon as you take a camera out in the village, kids go wild. I was taking a picture of my friend Mango on the weekend, and a swarm of children ran at us from across the village shouting “Jambala! Jambala!” (”Picture! Picture!”). Future JFs should make an effort to bring the smallest, most discrete camera possible. You will attract less attention that way!

NO white clothes. This key piece of advice was definitely not passed on to me before coming to Malawi. I showed up with six pairs of white socks, and have regretted it ever since. When I wash most of my clothes, I can usually do a passable job. The dirt I don’t manage to clean is usually pretty unnoticeable, and my family doesn’t mind. However,whenever I hang my white socks up to dry, I can be sure that someone will take them down and rewash them as soon as I go to work. Future JFs coming to Malawi should know that dark fabrics are your friend!

Clothes that make you feel comfortable. Back in Canada JFs were advised to leave flashy western clothing at home, in order to ease the process of integration once overseas. In Malawi, however, most people wear western clothing, and much of it comes from Canada (I’m typing this while wearing a UW Plant Operations shirt I found at the market). Looking back, the type of clothes I have worn while in Malawi were probably the least of my integration worries. As an azungo (white man), wearing local clothing isn’t going to make you stick out any less! Future JFs headed to southern Africa: wear what makes you comfortable, and preferably, what is easy to clean!

USB flash drives. In Malawi, almost all electronics cost a ridiculous amount. At around 2000 Malawian Kwacha ($16.00 CAD) per Gigabyte, USB flash keys are no exception. As owning a computer is something far beyond the means of most Malawians, everyone that uses a computer for work or communication relies pretty heavily on USB keys. And, if you have a few, they make great gifts for friends, family, and co-workers.

Western treats. Bringing some food from Canada can go a long way to making a good first impression on EWB Overseas Volunteer Staff (OVS). When you get off a forty hour plane ride, feeling groggy and disoriented, you might not be your normal self. However, having a ready supply of dried fruit, trail mix, and granola bars will make the OVS forget this very quickly!

If future JFs heed this advice, they should be ready to rock out an amazing placement in Malawi! That’s it for now - look forward to hearing about my placement impact and some post-placement reflections later this week!