HAITI IN APRIL

So, I havent been able to get Haiti out of my head therefore I will be returning in April. I heard rainy season is starting so I will have to be prepared to fight off the mosquitos.
My roomate Michelle is there right now and she told me the whole camp was moved from the airport to a gigantic house with electricity and running water, that is quite an upgrade i must say. Personally i thought it was more exciting to be living next to a runway and jogging by planes taking off but thats just me. :)

I have been thinking of making a "things to take to Haiti" list because I have been asked a lot in terms of what do you need to survive down there. Soooo.... if you are going as a volunteer minister to our camp, you need to take the following:

personal clothing:

2 pairs of sneakers/converse/tennis shoes
1 pair of flip flops (for the shower)
3 pairs of jeans/paratrooper pants hahaha
2 pairs of stretch pants
(if available some light linen type pants)
2 or 3 shorts, depending on how long you are going
if you are going for 14 days, then 7 pairs of underwear and socks and you just wash them weekly
pony tail bands for girls
bobby pins to keep hair out of face
head bands are useful too
a couple of long sleeve light cotton shirts
several tank tops, light colors to not attract heat (black is not a great idea)
sports bras (for girls of course hhaha)
10 pairs of socks (if you are going for 2 weeks)
a bathing suit (just in case you go to the beach with the orphanage :)
a baseball cap type hat or just a regular hat
sunglasses

hygiene supplies:
little travel size bags of laundry detergent (liquid tide)
1 bar of soap
travel size shampoo and conditioner
shaving cream if needed
1 razor
a 4 pack of toilet paper
little travel size kleenex
travel size antibacterial gel
toothbrush
deodorant

food supplies:
protein bars
EMERGENC packets (a whole box, super great for staying hydrated)
cell salts
clif bars
8 tuna cans (if your staying 14 days)

camping gear:
sleeping bag
a camelback
sleeping like an airmat or a pad (REI sells them)
pillow (small if you can get it in a little size)
flashlight
a few extra batteries
2 Walkie talkies (very useful to stay in contact with group)
Duffel bag
Rope (for a clothing line)
Knife
Baby wipes (1 package, good for cleaning )
Pepper spray
$300 cash
Money belt

NERD Supplies:
Burnable CDs.
Flash drives
Flip camera
Still camera
Big envelope
Sharpie
Packing tape.
CD cases
small laptop (those little dell ones)

and of course!!! your passport!

so i think this is about as good as it gets,

i didnt include a lot of things which you would think that you would need to take but they have them supplied there like sunblock, food, more snacks, vitamins (b1, b complex, calmag, etc...) there is a whole MLO area which has all those basic things, in fact if you forget your toothbrush for example they have that, or even flip flops, anyway they have almost all of those things but bring your one just so you can choose what you like :)

okidoke i think this will help anyone planning to go!

see you in april :)