Odds & Ends
A flashlight is a must; either bring extra batteries with you or purchase them in Accra as there are no good batteries available in Nalerigu or nearby. A pocketknife can also be useful (be sure to put it in your checked luggage!).
Bringing small crayon boxes (5-10 colors) and coloring books is always a treat for the children in the pediatrics ward. Stickers and small candies are also much appreciated.
Several of our guesthouses have small libraries with books and (old) magazines. Most volunteers find bringing books to read, music to listen to (on their on music players), and DVDs to watch (on their laptops or in our schoolhouse) is a great way to spend their spare time.
Many of our visitors bring a digital camera. Keep in mind that you should not photograph military, police, or airports. Certainly you will need to bring replacement batteries for your camera.
In spite of what the locals may tell you, it is not the usual practice to pay someone for taking their picture. If they tell you this, just laugh as though they are making a joke (the reality is that they aren’t truly expecting to get any money but they figure it never hurts to ask). We do usually ask permission before we photograph someone and almost no one refuses.
Sometimes your subject may ask you to send them a copy of the photo. We ask that you be non-committal about this as it is very difficult for us to deliver these photos; we just don’t have the time to track down the subjects and most don’t have a mailing address. If you do tell a subject that you will give them a print of the photo you should make every effort possible to send them a copy. Saying you will and not doing it is lying.
Also, you may want to bring writing supplies for letters: occasionally someone may be returning to the U.S. before you and could post a letter upon arrival. Most writing supplies can be purchased cheaply in Ghana but you would, of course, need to bring U.S. postage stamps. Letters mailed from Nalerigu take 14-21 days to reach the U.S.
