https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td Guiding principles: * Less is more. * Using local items facilitates integration. * Preparing to leave for Peace Corps service should not need to be expensive. en-us 2022-12-06 21:55:47 UTC 2026-01-05 23:42:58 UTC hello@padlet.com kthompson2_peacecorps https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411330242 Bring less clothes! (you'll get clothes tailored a few weeks in AND there is a culture of re-wearing the same clothes/outfits during the week)
Less professional clothes in particular - get clothes made.* (no need for suit/tux)
Maximum 1 sweatshirt (too hot)
Books are great to bring, but no more than a few (1-3 books)*
Dress shoes - quality sandals are professional
Tons of socks (maybe five at most)
mattress cover/sheets
pajamas
Over the counter medicine (is given in medical kit)



]]> 2022-12-06 21:56:13 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411330242 kthompson2_peacecorps https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411331544 solar powered string lights (From house to bathroom)
Personal jewelry and makeup
Quickdry towel(s)
Outdoor hiking button down (easy to clean and comfy)
Guitar
Hand held and rechargeable fan
Lots of underwear 
Collapsible storing containers
Command hooks/straps
luci solar lights
rain jacket 
Photos of friends and families
good sunscreen (PCMO will provide generic)
nail kit
grooming kit (electric razor)
solar power bank
flashlight
electrolyte packets (PCMO does provide)
fanny pack!
phone with protective case and screen protector
Kindle
Alcohol wipes (clorox)
Good headphones



]]> 2022-12-06 21:57:48 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411331544 kthompson2_peacecorps https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411332895 Thrift tshirts and other clothes
Rainboots
Clothes generally
Hand sanitizer etc. (you will be provided with lots of PPE like wayy too much- only bring enough for staging at most)
Brand name razors (in Cotonou and other major cities)
Flip flops
Extension cords (can be expensive)
Hangers
Cutlery
Extra water bottles

]]> 2022-12-06 21:59:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411332895 kthompson2_peacecorps https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411332898 Adaptors - a few (can buy in Benin)
Phones - see iphone notes
Laptop (100% better than a tablet)
Totally optional - projector
Kindle
Batteries - available but lesser quality (try rechargeable)
Portable speaker. Be courteous with it.
Surge protector
Wired headphones
Lots of chargers (esp iPhones)]]> 2022-12-06 21:59:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411332898 https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411352817 Sandals that are comfortable (hard sole)
Tennis shoes for soccer
SAS - work boots to wear sometimes (maybe?)
House / kitchen slides or similar comfy shoe]]> 2022-12-06 22:30:21 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411352817 https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411354452 Tank tops (for house - nicer for outside) - spaghetti straps at home, depending on your region
Sporty shorts (just to wear at home)
Tshirts
Guys - shorts inside house, exercise, - long basketball shorts
dryfit shirts
1 pair of sweatpants (light) for home
Athletic pants
3-4 casual tshirts
3-4 plain more professional tshirts/polo shirts
Outdoorsy pants and shirts (like my REI button down) are cool, comfy, and especially easy to wash/dry.
A couple pairs of lightweight pants (for women)]]> 2022-12-06 22:33:25 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411354452 https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411354534 You will be hand washing your clothes, so delicate materials would be ruined faster. (Cashmere)
Also, thicker clothes will take longer to dry in the sun.
Optional: Only bring 1 jacket for the rainy season (buying jackets in Benin is easy)
Careful with zippers corroding. Athletic wear tends to have anti-corrosive zippers but stuff like jeans may not
A ton of western clothes (you'll mostly only wear those the first few weeks of PST)

]]> 2022-12-06 22:33:34 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411354534 https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411356183 Printed photos of home/friends/family
Journal
Games
Art stuff
Deflated soccer ball, football, etc.
Cards
Hammock (depends on your site)
Bring what you like to do
Guitar (with case) is totally doable. I personally wasn't sure when I packed it but so glad I did.
Flags/wall decoration ]]> 2022-12-06 22:36:16 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411356183 https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411356409 Some sites have access to athletic areas such as stadiums, tracks or weight equipment.
Peace Corps provides a bike, you can potentially accessorize it with a more comfortable seat, reflectors etc (they come with reflectors)
Some Peace Corps facilities have workout equipment.
It’s easy to exercise in the village.
Pools are few and far between. You cannot swim the ocean or lakes here. Recreation pool going (as opposed to lap swimming) is totally an option though so casual pool clothes is a good idea.
Exercise bands are cheap, light, and basically take up zero suitcase space]]> 2022-12-06 22:36:40 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411356409 https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411357761 glasses repair kit
good granola bars
good chocolate (it'll melt though)
protein powder 
water flavor powder 
duct tape
board games/card games
good deodorant!!
ear plugs
a good durable watch (esp teachers)
command strips/hooks




]]> 2022-12-06 22:38:20 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411357761 https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411359088 nonstick pan
measuring cups
cutting board
oven mitts**/pot holders
knife or 2 if you want good quality
veggie peeler (available in cotonou)
favorite spice blend
non-stick sauce pan/pot (available at erevan)
can-opener

]]> 2022-12-06 22:40:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411359088 kthompson2_peacecorps https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411362500 Menstrual disc (better than cup) for people who menstruate - whatever you're comfortable with (tampons and pads - difficult to dispose of)
Bring 2 and buy more in Benin unless you prefer electric etc.
Bring toiletries for 3 months 
If you're dedicated to a certain brand/scent etc. bring it
Personal medications (be clear about what is provided)
If you love wearing makeup, bring it
Jewelry is expected/accepted - earrings, necklaces, etc. - bring things that don't look too expensive
Retainer
Small travel-sized containers/travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, etc]]> 2022-12-06 22:45:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2411362500 kthompson2_peacecorps https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2412083530 one flashlight max (headlamp great for latrine)
Professional dress:
open toed shoes fine
Make it clear that when at home you do not need to dress professionally.
Get clothes made in Benin
pocket knife
scissors (can also buy here)
extra pillow, but you can buy it here (expensive) 
Power may go out all the time (if you have it) - solar battery pack, solar light. Or non solar battery pack.  - charge your phone directly from it.
Small portable charger
Surge protector for 220 V (buy here)
Swimsuit (1 piece??)
scented candles



]]> 2022-12-07 12:15:27 UTC https://padlet.com/kthompson2_peacecorps/u6myhm4bf8or22td/wish/2412083530