Lists

(from the prospective of a small business development trainee in Nicaragua after 2 weeks in country)

Things I wish I brought
•Vitamins
•More pictures/gifts/talking points to show my host family
•More manageable luggage (I have a 3-day pack and a very large suitcase and it is difficult to maneuver all of my belongings. Note: I will have to get to my site on my own, so things might get tricky)
•Small notepad (for taking notes while walking around town)
•Day planner (training is 6 days/week, and though they give you a weekly schedule, it would be nice to have something to put all my assignments, meetings spots/times, notes, etc. in)

Things I wish I left
•Toiletries/medical products of all kinds (they give you a medical kit your 3rd day here with everything you could need, including Sudafed, Tylenol, ibuprofen, Benadryl, bug spray, sun screen, cough drops, hydrocortisone, Neosporin, Pepto-Bismol tablets, ace bandage, Band-Aids)
•Conditioner (because I take bucket showers, conditioner just weighs my hair down, a small bottle of leave in conditioner would have been better)
•Cash (there is no time to exchange your USD, just bring enough for travel expenses)

Things I’m glad I brought (and might not have been on the packing list)
•Facial cleansing wipes
•Baby powder
•Small mirror (many trainees I’ve spoken with did not bring one and regret it; there may only be one small mirror in the bathroom)
•Headlamp (electricity goes, the headlamp is awesome)
•Bandanas
•Shower gloves (it’s hard to exfoliate otherwise)
•Deck of cards
•Frisbee
•Laptop and a few DVDs
•Nice clothes and mascara (looking nice when I just feel like a sweaty mess really does help my spirits, and I’m glad I didn’t succumb to khakis)

Products I would highly recommend (most are for women)
•Secret Clinical Strength deodorant (it is hot down here, and I sweat, but my armpits have never been so fresh and so clean)
•Palmer’s cocoa butter with SPF 15
•Biore Skin Preservation moisturizer with SPF 30
•Fiber One Bars (chocolate and oats)
•Ben’s Tick and Insect Repellent 30 Deet (I brought the almost empty bottle of Ben’s that I had, and a new bottle of Natrapel, bc I didn’t want toxic deet, alas I cannot endorse the effectiveness of Natrapel)


Things you could send me if you really wanted to (but avoid big packages, cuz customs can be pricey)
•More pictures
•Any little chachkas for my 10 yr old sister and my many little cousins
•DVDs
•Letters updating my on your lives!


Note to future volunteers, including friends, family, and strangers: Honestly, I don’t think that I over-packed, which is what most people warn of, I just think I brought one bag that is way too big, and one that is too small. My suggestion: two medium sized bags (either one on wheels and one back pack/duffel, or two on wheels) and a daypack (I also brought a purse). That is plenty of room if you pack well, and you can lift each bag easily. Airports give limits of 50 pounds on bags…shoot for 40 lbs in each bag and you’re golden. I brought six pairs of shoes, which seems to be perfect, and an equal amount of work and play clothes. I know I have it easier as a small business trainee in Central America, as I didn’t have to worry about bulky things like solar chargers, big hiking boots, etc. but I figured I’d share my experiences.