Note: We may update this list from time to time, so feel free to check back in!

 

Don’t bring: 

Any non-prescription medical supplies.  Seriously, if it’s over-the-counter, you will get it for free from the Med Unit.

Solar chargers.  It seemed like a good idea at the time, but seriously, we know, like, five people without electricity.

Pens, pencils, or other dollar-store “gifts.”  You might think it’d be a good idea, but you’ll soon learn to hate requests for cadeaux.  Plus, if you really want to give something neat to someone, have it shipped from back home.

Books.  You can bring one or two for the grueling 18 hour journey from the States, but after that, you’ll soon tire of lugging them all around Benin.  Peace Corps Benin has probably the best, certainly the only multi-branch, English-language library in the country.

Girls: Short-shorts & skirts that are above the knee or have a plunging neckline.  You will get more than enough attention for being a foreigner – no need to exacerbate the situation.

…

Do bring:

  • A gift or two for your host family. They want things from the States… Uno cards, candy, Leatherman.  Remember you can always buy them something here in Benin.  Repeat: Don’t bring dollar-store crap, they probably already have a lot of that – kids get it every year at Christmas.  A good quality knife or a headlamp (believe it or not) is a great gift… knives are hard to find and headlamps have kitsch-but-utile value.
  • Underwear!  At least 10 days’ worth.  Our recommendation?  Ex Officio.
  • Pens and pencils for yourself.  Good quality ones.  Bics, au moins.  Don’t mess around: you can buy crappy pens and pencils here.
  • Darker-colored pants.  You’ll regret those khakis the minute you step out the door and they’re covered in grime.  Extra points for lightweight material, quick-dry, mosquito-repellant, and with many sneaky pockets.  Especially the pockets.
  • A laptop.  As previously mentioned, most people have electricity, and you’re going to want to take advantage of the Sino-Nigerian bootleg 20-movie collection DVDs with names like “The Laughing Broke Belly Film Series” and “South African Film Roles” (the latter starring such well-known South Africans as Don Cheadle and Eddie Murphy).  You also get a lot more work  done when you’re not watching said DVDs.  Make sure you load all your music that’s on CDs onto it, too.  And, get iTunes.
  • Enough candy and beef jerky – or whatever snack you never thought you’d eat back home – to get you through stage.  You have nine weeks of eating like the Beninese, which I know sounds exciting now, but there will come a time when you just can’t get that akasa down.  You will also be on starvation rations the first week of stage, so you’ll want food.  Make sure it’s not meltable!!!
  • Stuff that makes you happy.  It could be your iPod, photos of friends & family, poetry, musical instruments, hobbies, whatever.
  • A two-year pocket calendar.  You may think you won’t need to be organized, but not only is daydreaming about future trips and work sessions a great way to pass the time, it helps you to keep track of a (hopefully) ever-increasing list of things you want & need to get done.
  • A pocketknife like a Leatherman or Swiss Army, preferably with a corkscrew (if you’re into that sort of thing).
  • A journal.  It’ll come in handy for those things you can’t write on Peace Corps-patrolled blogs and don’t want to write to folks back home.  Venting is key.  It’s also nice, if you’re having the time of your life, to see just how many successes, learning moments, and happy times you’ve had.

If you cook and care about cooking:

  • Good chef’s knife. a good paring knife is a plus
  • Garlic press.
  • Measuring cup.
  • Measuring spoon.
  • Heatproof rubber spatula.
  • A can opener.

 Clothing:

  • Tevas, or the like.  I have “Toachies,” which have a neat toe-protector and feel like sneakers after you break ‘em in.  Email them, and they’ll (probably) give you 50% off.
  • Lightweight, quick-drying button-down shirts.  For men, especially, preferably short-sleeve.  C’est normale, trust us.
  • To Pass the time: Favorite music and movies (even if you don’t bring a laptop there are dvd players at the work stations).
  • SED Volunteers, esp.:  Comfortable business-casual shoes.  You’ll want to look vaguely professional from time to time (or more often).  They also don’t have sizes bigger than 9ish in Benin.  Docksiders are popular among men here, so don’t be afraid of looking ridiculous if your tassled loafers from 8th grade graduation still fit: bring ‘em!
  • Teachers: You can get models made here in Benin, but I personally find tissue hot. I recommend bringing at least two nice, light weight outfits – that are also modest. Also, you can have a tailor copy items of clothing for you. So if you have a cute work top, bring it and get it copied in tissue.  NB: During the 9 week stage you are expected to dress business casual EVERY DAY.

Teaching supplies:

  • Peace Corps will give you a French/English dictionary, English grammar books, French grammar books, so leave these at home.
  • BRING: stickers, pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils. glue sticks… these things can be found here but are expensive.  The kids LOVE getting stickers on their quizzes.