Packing List
Introduction:
Over the years we have created the following document to help people plan and pack for their upcoming trip to Haiti for a week-long medical mission trip. We have found that there is so much to do to prepare for a trip like this that everyone can use one document that guides them through the process. As long as you start the packing process a little early there everything should go smoothly. It is important not to get overwhelmed. Just hang in there and everything will come together. If you have any questions please let us know. We have done this many times. We are very excited about the trip and I hope you are also. We are looking forward to working along side you as we serve God’s poor in Haiti.
Step 1 – Passport:
If you are even thinking about going on a trip to Haiti you should go ahead and get your passport. You will need some type of proof of citizenship most often people use a birth certificate for this. You will also need proof of identity most often people use their driver’s license for this. You must also provide two photo’s of yourself that meet the following criteria:
• 2x2 inches in size.
• Identical
• Taken within the last 6 months showing current appearance.
• Must be in color.
• Full face, front view with white or off white background.
• 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches from of chin to the top of the head.
• Should be taken with normal street attire. If you wear glasses they should be included.
You will also have to provide your social security number at the time you apply for the passport. If you have less than about 4 months before the trip we would suggest you pay the extra money and expedite your passport. We have had way to many people get talked into not getting their passport expedited and they don’t get the passport until a day before the trip or don’t get it at all. Lately we have heard that passports are coming very quickly so we will leave it up to you to decide if you want to expedite the passport or not.
Step 2- Plane Tickets:
If you have not gotten your plane tickets yet please let us know so that we can help if need be. We always want to make sure everyone gets on the plane together for the ride down and back if at all possible. If there is a good reason that we will not be on the same flight as you from the original location then we want to make sure we are on the same flights into and out of Haiti. The process for getting into Haiti and to where you need to go in Haiti is a bit difficult so we would not want anyone to do it by themselves without experience first. Please contact us after you have your plane ticket we would like make sure you got the correct one and everyone should arrive in Haiti at the same time.
Step 3 – Vaccinations:
The next step is that we need to get you to your doctor or to some clinic for your vaccines for the trip. Our suggestion is to simply go to the doctor and tell them that you are going on a medical mission trip to Haiti. Make sure to mention that you are going on a medical mission trip so that they know you may be more exposed that if you were simply going to sight see. Some of these medicines need to be started weeks before you go on the trip therefore we suggest you go to the doctor early. In the past our doctors have recommended the following:
1. Hep. A (this medicine must be started at least two weeks before the trip),
2. Hep. B
3. Typhoid (if you have an injection must be started at least 2 weeks before the trip, if pills must finish 1 week before)
4. Malaria prevention (we strongly suggest the medicine Chloroquine for Malaria, which must be started 1 week before the trip. If anything else is given to you for Malaria please ask the doctor why not Chloroquine and call us and we can talk about this.)
5. A Polo booster was suggested in the past, but is no longer required.
6. Tetanus booster if you have not had one in the last 5 years or so.
Step 4. Pack
When you have your plane tickets secured, your doctor visit done, and your passport taken care of, then you have all the big stuff taken care of. The next thing is to start on your packing. Below I have included a packing list. Once you read this you can start putting together your trip supplies. At any point let us know if you need any more information or help. We hope to soon have some type of meeting with you and probably the other people in the group to see that you have all the information you need.
American Airlines allows each international traveler to take two 50-pound check bags, one carry-on bag, and one personal item (like a back-pack or a carry bag like a large purse). You are also allowed to use a fanny pack in addition to the carry-on and personal item. We ask everyone on the trip give up their two 50 pound check bags so that we can fill them with medicine/supplies for the clinic. We ask that everyone use their carry-on bag and personal item to pack almost everything they will need during the week. (We have always done it this way and never had any problems.) A couple weeks before the trip we will organize all the medicine and supplies and back the two 50 pound bags for you to check. If you would like be involved in the packing process of the supplies just let us know. We can really use your help especially now that we have kids.
When packing we suggest you pack most things inside of ziplock bags. The extent that you do this is up to you, but in the past we have even put each days cloths into its own zip lock bag. This does a couple things, first it helps to conserve space because you squeeze all the air out of the bag and zip it. Second it helps to organize your stuff inside your bag and will help if the customs people decide to go through your bag. Third, it helps if your bag were to get rained on during the trip up the mountain. Fourth, it helps with bugs a little (this is usually not an issue). At the end of your packing you want to have your bags as full as possible. If you still have room when you are done, then you may want to bring some other things for the people/kids, things like games, toys, stickers, candy …ect.
It is very important to remember the new airline rules about fluids/creams/gels. Any fluids/creams/gels over 3.4 oz (100mL) cannot be carried on the plane. They must go in the check bags. If you have fluids/creams/jels over 3.4 oz please get them to us as early as possible so we can get them in the check bags when we pack them. Other fluids/creams/gels less than 3.4 oz (100ml) must be placed in a quart size ziplock bag and presented to the airline folks as we go through security. Please note that it is important that it be a quart size ziplock bag and every person is just allowed one of them. As far as we can tell, any type of fluid/cream/gel is included (examples include toothpaste, shaving cream, peanut butter, lotion, and deodorant). This bag should be placed into the top of your carry-on so that it can be easily pulled out when you get to the airport. Don’t forget this when you are packing.
Depending on how things go, the flights back to the US are often delayed. In the past this means that sometimes we don’t reach our connecting flight in Miami Florida on time and sometimes this means an overnight stay. Recent trips have had an overnight planned into them on the way back through Miami, and therefore it has not been a problem. Other times it may mean an extra night in the capital city in Haiti. We recommend that everyone coming on these trips keep an extra set of cloths for the end of the week and plan their schedules so that if the flights don’t work as planned one extra day on this mission trip will not cause you too much grief.
Here is the packing list that we have come up with over the years. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call. Happy planning, packing, and preparing to do God’s work.
Shirts – anything cool, T-shirts are ok
Pants/shorts – Jennifer generally wear capris, shorts are fine if not too short.
Underwear
Socks
Pajamas – anything works here. May want to consider a long sleeve shirt to keep the mosquitoes off.
Church clothes – for Sunday bring a dress or long skirt for the girls. Guy dress nicely – ties are not required.
Shoes/sandals – I usually wear tennis shoes and bring sandals
Toothbrush – bring a spare in case you drop your first.
Toothpaste – remember to only brush with bottled water
Hair brush
Small mirror
Deodorant
Glasses/contact stuff
Hair ties/bandanna
There is a flushable toilet and a shower spigot in the bathroom in the rectory where we will be staying. However, water is not plentiful. They carry it up on donkeys or by hand, then hand carry it to a cistern on top of the bathroom to give us our “running” water. We must be very conservative. We can take showers, but there really isn’t enough water for everyone to shower every day. I typically say, “do what you need to do”. For some this will mean more showers than others. When you do shower be extremely conservative. I try to only wash my hair/ and or shower once or twice during the week, but it is different for each person. On the other days I use wet wipes or the Comfort Baths like they use in the nursing homes. See picture below. These are very nice and can keep you clean for many days. These can be purchased at most pharmacies but also places like Target and Walmart usually have them. The first night when we stay in Port-au-Prince there is enough water for everyone to shower. Both in Port-au-Prince and Gandou they will provide towels, sheets, and pillows so you don’t need to pack these.
Shower shoes
Soap
Shampoo/conditioner – I usually use a combo to save water
Wet wipes/Comfort Bath – there is a special kind made for this. Let us know if you don’t know what is best.
Kleenex – the pocket size double as toilet paper if you are somewhere where there isn’t any
Antibacterial gel – the no water kind, we’ll have some in the clinic for during the day, but it’s nice to carry a travel size with you for other times and refill from the clinic (there’s often no water to wash hands after using the restroom)
Razor/shaving cream – if you want to shave while there, don’t use the shower water in case you nick yourself, use the bottled water
Feminine Hygiene products – bring these even if you don’t think you’ll need them, you can’t run to Wal-mart if you get caught by surprise. You can’t flush anything and there are generally not trash cans in the restrooms, so you may have to wrap them and collect them in a ziplock. At the end of the week we burn the clinic waste or you can dump them in the bathroom at the airport.
Flashlight/Extra batteries – the generator where we stay is generally shut off early
Sunblock/hat/sunglasses
Camera/battery/film – bring more film than you think you’ll need
Bug spray
Medicines – any you might need for personal use, we do have the basics in the clinic but they aren’t always easy to get to
Suitcase locks – I’ve never had anything stolen, but as a precaution generally leave my bag locked when I’m not around during the day
Passport
Passport carrier – I generally keep my passport with me during the day, if you keep it in a carrier on you, you may want to put it in a ziplock to keep it from getting sweaty
Copy of passport – it’s a good idea to keep a photocopy of your passport in your luggage just in case.
Driver’s license – not required, but it’s another form of ID if needed
Water bottle – there will be Culligan water for us to drink in the rectory, but bring a water bottle that can be refilled to carry with you during the day.
Book – for the airport/airplanes
Jacket – winter trip only
Blanket – small 4X5 fleece throws work well, winter trip only
Snacks – They will feed us at the rectory, but it’s a good idea to bring snacks especially if you’re a picky eater. Also, on the drive out to Gandou and the drive back in we will probably miss a meal. Those tuna/cracker packets or anything that doesn’t need refrigerated work well. Each person should bring many snacks of various types to help get us through the week. Thinks like jerky, crackers, cookies, fig newtons, fruit chews, candy, tuna, peanut butter, cheese, nuts, dried foods, granola bars, tail mix, pop tarts, (m&m don’t usually melt in Haiti and work well just be careful packing them in case they do melt)…ect. The amount required is usually something like a shoe box full. The amount you use will really depend on how much of the food they feed us that you can eat. Don’t worry about bringing too many snacks. You will be able to find Haitian kids/adults to give it to if you don’t use them.
Money – some of these aren’t for sure so I put a range to give you an idea
Room and Board
$35 per night usually only 1st night in Port-au-Prince (cash or check)
$25 per night for Gandou (cash or check)
Tips for airport and cooks – usually about $20 (cash)
Translators – usually about $150-250 (cash)
Truck – usually $200-250 (cash)
Souvenirs – there are some crafty souvenirs at the guest house in Port-au-Prince and also at the airport on the way home. There is also paintings, coffee, and rum.
Food – at the airport on the way down and back up
Emergency money – I always bring a little just in case money but have never needed it
Below is some information I have copied from the American Airlines website.
FAA security measures limit customers on all AA flights to one carry-on bag plus one personal item.
All carry-on pieces, including laptops, must fit either underneath the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin.
The one carry-on bag must fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat. It should not exceed 45 linear inches (length + width + height) or weigh more than 40 lbs/18 kgs. (Note added by Rennekamps Our experience is they let you get by with something that is a little bigger than this, and we have never seen anyone ever check the weight of your carry-on item, but it probably should not be grossly more than this. When we have our packing meeting together I will show you the kind of bag we have been using for years so you have an idea.)
Carry-on items which appear too large or irregularly shaped to fit under a seat, in an overhead compartment, or in a closet will not be accepted as carry-on baggage and will need to be checked.
At times, additional limits may be placed on carry-on baggage based on the main cabin stowage capacity of specific aircraft.
These limits may be imposed after the boarding process has begun.
Some carry-on baggage may be stowed in a cargo compartment on selected American Eagle aircraft.
At some airports, carry-on baggage may be more restricted. All other luggage must be checked at curbside or at the ticket counter.
Passengers exceeding the carry-on limit will not be allowed through the security checkpoint.
All portable electronic devices, including laptops, must remain off during taxi, takeoff, approach and landing until we arrive at the gate and the seat belt sign is turned off.
One bag carry-on. No charge
Two bags checked. No charge 45 in/114 cm (carry-on)
62 in/157 cm (checked) 40 lbs/18 kgs. (carry-on)
50lbs/23kg (checked)
Only travel size toiletries (3-ounce containers or smaller) may be brought through the security checkpoint/on board the aircraft. These items must be in a clear, plastic, one-quart zip-top bag. See carry-on updates for more information.
Items in checked baggage are limited to a total of no more than 70 ounces per passenger. Contents of each container may not exceed 16 fluid ounces
Travel From The United States* And Canada
Customers traveling from the U.S. and Canada may take limited quantities of liquids, gels and aerosols in their cabin bag including travel-size toiletries such as:
Shampoo, suntan lotion, creams
Toothpaste, hair gel, hair spray
To simplify your security screening:
Place all liquid containers in a separate clear plastic, zip-top bag no larger than 8 inches x 8 inches (20 cm x 20 cm) or is quart size. Items must fit in the bag comfortably so that it closes completely.
Individual liquid containers should be no larger than 3.4 ounces/100 ml.
Remove the plastic bag from the cabin bag at the security checkpoint for separate x-ray screening.
Examples Of Liquids/Gels/Aerosols
Where noted in the chart above, the following items may be transported in carry-on baggage only if in a 3.4-ounce container or smaller and transported in a one-quart clear, plastic, zip-top bag.
Otherwise, these items must be packed in checked baggage only.
Toiletries - shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, perfume, shaving foam, aerosols, deodorant, eye care products
Cosmetic products - perfume, hair spray/gel, lip gloss, mascara, nail polish, makeup removers/cleansers, foundation
Non-solid food items - soups, syrups, pressurized food containers (cheese or whipped cream), gelatin, pudding, yogurt
Liquid soaps, sanitizers, bath oils, bubble bath
Any creams, ointments or lotions
All other liquids/gels not listed here
Emergency Contact Information
Leave these phone numbers with anyone in the USA to help them get in contact with you in the case of an extreme emergency. Please double check with us to make sure these numbers are still up to date before we go.
Note- There is no phone services or cell phone service in Gandou, Haiti, numbers for Port-au-Prince are for emergencies only. In case of an emergency back home during the week Sr. Mary at Matthew 25 guesthouse will do what she can to get a hold of the group in Gandou. It may be best to have family call Mindy Raab (Jennifer’s sister) if they need something 812-934-3215.
US Embassy in Port-au-Prince .............................................................................(011)(509)-2-222-0200
Matthew 25 Guesthouse – 6 Rue Martial, Delmas 33, Port-au-Prince, Haiti...........(011)(509)-2-511-7273
Sr. Mary cell (runs Matthew 25 Guesthouse).........................................................(011)(509)-3-493-1900
Pat & Vivian cell (help at Matthew 25 Guesthouse)..............................................(011)(509)-3-794-4962
Bertony Domond cell (Haitian who helps at Mattew25, good English).................(011)(509)-3-726-4472
Rennekamp Haiti cell phone
We are working on getting one.
Conclusion
We hope this document helps you prepare for the mission trip to Haiti. Since you are following God’s call to serve the poor and making a sacrifice to do so we want to make your packing and planning for the trip as easy as possible. Please give us a call if you need any help or advice. May God’s love be with you always.