Medical Mobile Clinic
Volunteer Packing List
One awesome thing about this kind of trip is that it turns into a community/family/help-each-other trip. The
team will inevitably be sharing food, toilet paper, supplies, etc. So, don't worry about having it all as someone
else will have what you need. Someone's bag will most likely get lost so expect it. Strangely enough, every
single time we've gotten them back, although sometimes not for 1-4 days. Knowing this, keep a spare set of
underwear and things you have to have in your carry-on. Some people pack in duffels, some hiking
backpacks and some regular suitcases. Just make sure you don't care if it gets dirty as it will get dusty and dirty!
We store our supplies at our rental house in Arcahaie. We bring most of the meds and some supplies with us
from the US. American Airlines allows you to have 2 carryon bags – one that fits in the overhead bins and 1 that
fits under your seat in front of you NOTE: This policy could change. Do NOT plan on having more than one
checked bag for yourself and it’s even better if you can get all your stuff in your one carryon duffel/suitcase
and one personal item (backpack). American Airlines allows 2 checked bags per person from Miami to Port-auPrince – one for free and second one for $40. NOTE: This policy could change. It is very common that CHI
needs to have you bring one or sometimes 2 of your checked bags with medicines and/or supplies. Sometimes
CHI supplies the suitcases for this and sometimes we borrow one from you to use. Duffels work especially well
as you can fold them up and put in one of your other suitcase. We cannot use army duffels. We will know
usually 2-4 weeks before we leave for a trip if we will need team members to carry checked bags for us. If we
do use your 2nd checked bag for supplies, we will reimburse you the $40 as well as any fees that you incur if
you don’t fly American from your hometown to Miami. Pack light!
DO NOT put anything of value such as passport, cash, meds in your carryon suitcase as there is a chance your
carryon suitcase might need to be gate checked due to space constraints on the plane. Once we had some cash
stolen from a carryon suitcase that was gate checked. Put these valuables in your other carryon item such as a
backpack that goes under your seat. Be sure to put some snacks and your water bottles in this backpack too as
well as a pair of underwear in case your carryon suitcase goes missing (very small chance it'll get lost) but better
to be safe and prepared. Usually the bags show up in a day.
Reminder that liquids cannot be larger than 3 oz if they are in your carryon. If you have larger bottles than 3
oz, you can put them in your checked bag. Remember that peanut butter and Nutella are considered liquids.
It is a good idea to take a photo of your suitcases in case they get lost.
PERSONAL ITEMS
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IMPERATIVE - Passport! Officially, travelers to Haiti are suppose to have a passport that is valid
for 6 months after their travel date. We have not had a problem to date with this. We want to make
you aware of this and strongly suggest you follow the protocol. You don't want to be the one that has
issues with the Haitian government.
IMPERATIVE - Two 1 liter or 2 liter water bottles with wide mouths for easy refilling. Nalgenes work
great.
copy of your passport in your suitcase. Leave a copy with your family/friends.
Malaria Prophylaxis!
Sunglasses
Toiletries such as soap (body wash is easier than bar soap), deodorant, Chapstick, shampoo, toothpaste,
toothbrush, shaving supplies, extra contacts/glasses, feminine hygiene products
Personal meds - You need to have the original container for the prescription to present, if asked, at
customs and security. Make sure to have extra in case something comes up and you need to stay in
Miami or Haiti longer than expected.
Working in solidarity to create healthy, empowered, and self-directed communities in Haiti
CHI Ÿ PO Box 5908, Coralville, IA 52241 Ÿ www.chihaiti.org Ÿ 319/243-5189
Revised 12/30/16 – Page 1 of 4
Medical Mobile Clinic
Volunteer Packing List
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General medicine such as Aspirin/Tylenol/Ibuprofen, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, Dramamine
Baby wipes/Wet Ones work well to help you feel clean and as a substitute shower
Clothing –
o Clothing Guidelines - We would like to respect Haitian culture by asking our volunteers to
follow these clothing guidelines – Shirts are to be worn at all times except for when you’re
wearing your bathing suit. Stomachs should not be showing except for when you’re wearing
your bathing suit. Underwear should not be showing. Shorts and skirts must “reach to the
fingertips of the extended arm”. Bathing suits are only to worn after clinic at the resort. Scrub
pants and shirts are a great option to wear to clinic and can be worn by anyone on the team.
o People will pack differently. Some people can get by with 2-3 shirts for the week while others
prefer 5-9 shirts. These are just guidelines - 5-7 sets of shorts/capris, 5-7 t-shirts, 1 pair of pants,
1 long-sleeve shirt, socks, underwear. Some on the team choose to wear scrubs. It’s nice to have
a clean shirt to travel home in – can be same one you travel to Haiti in. It’s nice to have a
cleaner shirt to put on in the evenings. You can rewear clothes as no one cares or notices. J
Tip: Pack clothes in Ziplocs in case it rains so they can stay dry plus saves room. Comfortable,
breathable, wicking fabrics are great. Shorts and t-shirts are fine for clinic. Please no "short
shorts". If you planning on going to church, to respect the Haitian culture, we request that
women cover their shoulders so no sleeveless shirts and a skirt or dress. It’s nice if men wear a
collared shirt.
Hat
Benadryl (or other similar drug) as Haiti is dusty so people with allergies can be affected. Plus Benadryl
helps with itching from bug bites and as a sleep aid. You will most likely be bitten by some bug(s).
Anti-itch cream to treat bug bites.
Light sleepers may want to bring ear plugs and/or sleep aid
Comfortable shoes you can walk in during clinic as well as that work when we walk 1-2 hours each
way to do a one-day clinic in a remote village. We will have donkeys available for those who can’t do
the walk. Keen type sandals are a really great option for clinic, as they are comfortable and waterproof.
Tennis shoes work well too. Plan on the potential of your shoes getting wet at some point.
Sandals/flip flops are a treat for the feet to wear after clinics as well as to wear in the shower
Towel – the quick-dry type work especially well. A towel is provided however most volunteers like to
have an extra one.
Headlamp with extra batteries
Bug repellent with as much DEET as you can stand.
Sunscreen – Wear it!
Hand sanitizer
Thin sleeping bag or blanket to sleep in if you would prefer to supplement the provided linens. Sheets
and pillows are provided. This is a great product as it’s lightweight, comfortable and keeps the bugs
away - http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Summit-Coolmax-AdaptorInsect/dp/B003F4LIRW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454604209&sr=8-1&keywords=coolmax+adaptor.
Pillows are provided but some people prefer to bring their own
Camera, phone, IPOD and chargers. Electricity is available in each bedroom. You don’t need a special
adapter.
Journal or book (for those interested)
Pen
Backpack (or fanny pack) – Helpful to use to bring your water, snacks and other things to clinic in.
Put all your necessities in this bag and carry it on the airplane with you in case your luggage gets lost. In
all truth, it’s unusual for all the checked suitcases to actually arrive. Also, pack a Ziploc with 24 hours
worth of food just in case the suitcase with your food gets lost.
Working in solidarity to create healthy, empowered, and self-directed communities in Haiti
CHI Ÿ PO Box 5908, Coralville, IA 52241 Ÿ www.chihaiti.org Ÿ 319/243-5189
Revised 12/30/16 – Page 2 of 4
Medical Mobile Clinic
Volunteer Packing List
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If you have a Verizon or AT&T phone with international service, it may work although it won’t be cheap
at around $3/minute. Service is usually spotty. We will have a phone you can use to make a quick call
home. There is WIFI at Kailko Beach Club which works most of the time.
Roll(s) of toilet paper including some to use during clinic. Packs of Kleenex also work well to use as TP
during clinic days.
Lanyard is helpful to use to put your room key on
Bandana is awesome to have for any number of reasons
Lifesaver mints and/or ginger candy/gum work well to help ward off nausea as we’re driving.
Plastic grocery bags are helpful to have for collecting your trash in your room, dirty clothes, wet clothes,
etc.
Swimsuit. Water shoes are strongly encouraged if you want to go in ocean
Providers/Nurses – Bring your own stethoscopes, otoscopes, BP cuffs, etc.
Providers/Nurses – Copy of your medical license/certification as well as copy of “Case Definition and
Treatment Guidelines” document.
Occasionally team members will go jogging, hiking, or running during the week. Those interested may
consider bringing appropriate shoes and attire.
Around 12 Snacks to share with the interpreters such as peanut butter crackers; cheese crackers; jerky;
granola bars, etc. Great thing to ask family/friends to donate.
50 (or more) GALLON size Ziploc bags (regular kind – not the zipper kind) – We give one to each
patient to put their green clinic card in as well as their medicines. Great thing to ask family/friends to
donate.
Please do not bring: large amounts of cash ($200-300 is plenty); traveler’s checks/ATM/debit/credit
cards to be used in Haiti as they won’t work (but obviously you will want these options to use while
traveling within the US); expensive or valuable jewelry or other items that you would be disappointed if
you lost; weapons or banned items; alcohol or tobacco products.
Laundry service will be available on Wednesday provided by one of our patients. She returns the clean
clothes usually Thursday afternoon/evening or Friday morning at the latest.
FOOD & WATER
Fill your water bottles in the Miami airport after passing through security. It may be a long time before you have
access to potable water again. While in Haiti, you should consume 2-3 liters of water per day, MINIMUM. Do not
drink tap water or use it for brushing your teeth. Safe drinking water will be provided.
Each team member should bring some food. We will receive breakfast and dinner. We will need to bring food to eat
for lunch while at clinic. Soda is provided mid day on clinic days. The food prepared for us is typical Haitian fare
such as rice beans, fried plantains, eggs, bread, fish, goat, sometimes fruit and/or juice. Typically we will be served
similar things each day. Some people choose to bring extra food to supplement meals.
Coffee will be available at breakfast. Bottled Coke, other carbonated drinks, Prestige beer and other beverages will
be available for purchase at the resort. Do not eat street food. Street food smells and tastes wonderful but is risky
and it’s not cooked safely.
Some people can get an upset stomach because of the unfamiliar food, even if it is properly prepared. Always let
your team leader know if you start feeling sick. We bring medicine to help with diarrhea and upset stomachs so
don’t hesitate to let your group leader know so we can help you start feeling better.
Tip is to pack food in gallon Ziplocs. Some non-perishable food suggestions that won’t smash or melt:
• Pop tarts (kept in the box is best)
Working in solidarity to create healthy, empowered, and self-directed communities in Haiti
CHI Ÿ PO Box 5908, Coralville, IA 52241 Ÿ www.chihaiti.org Ÿ 319/243-5189
Revised 12/30/16 – Page 3 of 4
Medical Mobile Clinic
Volunteer Packing List
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Dried fruit and nuts, peanuts
Trail Mix/Chex mix without chocolate which might melt
Cheese crackers or peanut butter & crackers
Peanut butter or Nutella - single serving containers work well or a jar (considered a liquid so has to go in
checked bag)
Candy that doesn’t melt such as gummy bears, Skittles, Jolly Ranchers
Beef jerky
Dry cereal
Tortillas to make wraps with peanut butter
Energy bars/granola bars/Cliff bars/protein bars
Tuna in sealable pouches – can buy already mixed tuna & chicken salad in pouches
Pringles or other chips in the plastic containers
Packets to flavor your water such as Gatorade, Crystal Light, Propel, etc.
M&Ms as they won’t melt. J
Squeezable applesauce or other fruit or all fruit rollups help to keep you regular as we won’t get as many
fruits and vegetables as we’re used to eating
MONEY
Bring some cash. We suggest around $200-300 for emergencies. Most of this you will probably not spend. We
suggest you bring small bills of mostly $1, $5 and $10 with nothing bigger than $20. Please only bring new bills or
those in good-shape so our Haitian friends can exchange them. They are worthless if they’ve torn, written on or
damaged in some way. You’ll need money for meals in Miami before and after the Haiti flights, which you could use
your credit card for. Opportunities to buy souvenirs will be available, typically the work of local artisans. Our
translators usually have items to buy but do not feel like you have to buy anything from them. There may also be the
occasional Coke and possible a Prestige Beer. We strongly suggest you do NOT use credit cards in Haiti. There are
no ATMs. It is not necessary to change your money into Haitian currency. We would generally suggest you speak
with an experienced team member before buying anything. It is expected that you will haggle and your first quoted
price is never the real price.
GIFTS & TIPS
Gifts – It is normal to want to bring goodies and gifts to give the children, our hosts and people you meet. However,
we ask that you refrain from doing this. Our primary goal in Arcahaie is to build relationships. We do not want to
build or encourage dependency or create future problems due to bad feelings or feelings of inequity of who we give
what to. All of our Haitian support staff (translators, cooks, drivers, security, hosts) is paid. The gift we give the
community is to provide health care as well as contribute to their economy by staying there, by buying things at the
market as well as building relationships. We feel strongly that this is the best long-term strategy for the communities
we serve as well as CHI. Thanks for honoring this request.
Tips - At the end of some trips, some people may feel compelled to give a little more to the interpreters, cooks, and
others that they have gotten to know on the trip. Volunteers may have the opportunity to contribute to
a tip pool. These tips will be equally divided between the drivers, interpreters, cooks, helpers, security guard and
other people that helped our team during the week. This is totally optional.
Working in solidarity to create healthy, empowered, and self-directed communities in Haiti
CHI Ÿ PO Box 5908, Coralville, IA 52241 Ÿ www.chihaiti.org Ÿ 319/243-5189
Revised 12/30/16 – Page 4 of 4