1. Personal use of money of $200-$300 for emergency
2. Small family picture album
3. Copies of professional certificates
4. Note book and pen for personal diary
5. Small size of the Bible and hymn book
6. Short T-shirts, long pants, socks, a dress for Sunday worships and receptions, a pair of shoes, a pair of flip-flops or sandals, a hat, a waterproof jacket for rain, and some clothes for the tour in Europe.
7. Water bottle with purified filter
8. Sleeping bag, towels, and a bed sheet
9. Flash light for night times
10. A roll of toilet paper, a dozen of pocket tissue, and a box of wet tissue
11. Electric adapter for using electricity : 220 volt with 3 square pins
12. A back pack for daily belongings, besides two large personal bags
13. Swiss style knife, scissors, a sewing kit, electric extension cord
14. Photocopies of all documents ( carry a copy of passport with you)
15. Medical and life insurance cards (check out your medical and life insurance coverage during the trip), and your last will
16. Two large bags up to 70 lb each: one for yourself and other for common usages (medicine etc.)
17. One carry-on bag: All bags should have same color of ribbon on them, so that they could be recognized easily; Put your name and address on all bags
18. A clock and a camera for two persons
19. Sunglasses and sun screen lotion; a pair of eye glasses as spare
20. Insect repellent
21. Personal medications: Tylenol, ear disc for motion sickness, antihistamine: Benadryl 50mg cap or Atarax 20 mg tab, long acting ? Allegra tabs etc. Antibiotics, multivitamins ( Make sure you take malaria medicine of mefloquine 250mg tab daily for 9 weeks)
22. Dental check before the trip is recommended
23. Full vaccination: Yellow fever, Typhoid fever, Hepatitis A & B, Polio, dT, MMR).
For more information about vaccination, you could visit the web site of Aventis Pasteur.
24. Time difference: Noon in West Africa = 6am in New York
25. About Jet lag: Rest 2 days prior the trip; avoid excessive eating, drink a plenty of fruit juices, wear loose clothes, have ear plugs and eye