Planning + Preparation
Packing
This list may not include everything you want to take, but is a basic guide. While every effort is made to ensure the security of your belongings, anything valuable that you do take is at your own risk.
Essentials
Passport (and visas)
Plane tickets/travel documents
Travel/Health insurance
Emergency contact numbers
Immunisation record (YELLOW FEVER CARDS as per your travel doctor)
Photocopies of travel documents*
* Make at least two sets of photocopies of everything (one to leave at home with family or friends and one to give to your team leader). Include serial numbers of flight tickets, travel insurance details, and emergency contact numbers, credit card numbers, your embassy phone number, serial number of valuables, etc.
General packing list
All clothing needs to be modest. Every day while you are in the community the dress expectation is long skirts for women, trousers for men and modest tops for all, with minimal jewellery.
It can get surprisingly cool in Winter (May-July), and hot in other months, so come prepared for both temperatures. Rainy season is also the hot season, but it can be cool. It is good to bring a rain jacket. Rainy season can be anywhere from September to March. These are general guidelines as we cannot predict the weather.
T-Shirts, cotton shirts / long sleeved shirts
Sweater / Jacket (esp. for winter months)
Long skirts for women / long pants for men
Pairs of shorts & jeans
Nicer clothes for church
Good, comfortable walking shoes
Sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
Wet weather gear
Water bottle
A First Aid kit
Toiletries
Mosquito repellent
Adaptor plugs (North Americans, check your devices are dual voltage as you can fry them)
Alarm clock
Flashlight
Camera
Photos of friends / families
Bible, journal, pens and reading books
Don’t worry, if you arrive and have forgotten anything. Most items are available in South Africa and can be purchased during your stay.
Passport
It is crucial that your passport is up-to-date and valid for at least 6 months following your return from Africa. You also need to ensure you have enough pages available for visa stamps while travelling. Make at least 2 sets of photocopies of important documents (one to leave at home with family or friends and one to give to your team leader).
Visas
Contact your local Hands at Work International Office for information on visa requirements.
Money Matters
Using Traveller’s Cheques is not advised, as it can be difficult to locate places to exchange them for cash while in remote areas of Africa.
More advisable is one of the following:
Withdraw local currency from ATMs available, when arriving in the country. This will work if your bankcard is connected to the Visa or Cirrus network. Be sure to notify your bank before you travel, of your travel dates so they don’t freeze your account when the international withdrawals occur. It’s also advisable to check with your bank about fees connected with international withdrawals.
Bringing a small amount of local currency with you is highly recommended.
US dollars and South African Rand can be exchanged for local currency in most African countries.
Please review this document for more information about money in the country you are visiting.
Accommodation
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
CONGO (DRC)
Accommodation
Teams visiting the DRC will stay at the Likasi Local Office, 110km from the city of Lubumbashi, which serves as an office as well as accommodation for visitors.
Rooms are shared, with linen towels and mosquito nets provided. As running water and power can be unreliable, large buckets are provided for bucket bathing. There are two toilets inside for use.
Plugs for electricity are 15 amps square 3 pin (UK standard).
Catering
Breakfast is self-serve. Items provided may include: Fruit, cereal/muesli, bread, peanut butter, butter, jam, yoghurt, juice, milk, tea and coffee. For lunch during your time in the community, our hospitality team will provide either a packed lunch or food for shared lunches with Care Workers and children. A warm home-cooked meal will be provided for dinner. Drinking water is provided. Please make sure your International Office is aware of any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Communication
Members of the Regional Support Team in Zimbabwe will have a local SIM card available for your team leader upon arrival for local communication during your stay.
Internet Access
Internet access is limited throughout Africa, sometimes due to remote localities, poor electricity supply, or limited phone lines. It’s unrealistic to expect daily access.
Language
Swahili is the main language used, but you may hear others as well. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the local language when you are on the ground in Africa, but here is the initial greeting for you to practice before your arrival:
Hello - Hujambo
Yes - Ndiyo
How are you – Habari yako
I am fine – Niko sawa
Shopping
There are supermarkets in all major cities, and it is possible to buy basic food, drink and health items. Local markets also exist in more remote areas, where you can purchase fresh produce, materials and other items.
Learn more about Hands at Work in the DRC and the communities you are visiting
ESWATINI
Accommodation
Teams visiting Eswatini will stay at the Eswatini Local Office located in Lomahasha. It serves as an office as well as accommodation for visitors.
Rooms are shared, with linen and towels provided. There is no running water. A separate room with large buckets will be available for bucket bathing. A long drop toilet (similar to an outhouse) is located outside.
Plugs for electricity are 15 amps round 3 pin.
Catering
Breakfast is self-serve. Items provided may include: Fruit, cereal/muesli, bread, peanut butter, butter, jam, yoghurt, juice, milk, tea and coffee. For lunch during your time in the community, you may eat shared lunches with Care Workers and children. The team may be required to cook dinner with food items packed for your stay by the hospitality team. Drinking water is provided, and can be boiled or purchased locally. Please make sure your International Office is aware of any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Communication
SIM cards are challenging to get unless you are a resident of Eswatini. Members of the Regional Support Team will have phones for any communication needed during your stay.
Internet Access
Internet access is limited throughout Africa, sometimes due to remote localities, poor electricity supply, or limited phone lines. It’s unrealistic to expect daily access.
Language
Siswati is the main language used, but you may hear others as well. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the local language when you are on the ground in Africa, but here is the initial greeting for you to practice before your arrival:
Hello - Sawubona
Yes - Yebo
How are you - Unjani
I am fine - Ngikhona
Shopping
There are supermarkets in all major cities, and it is possible to buy most basic food, drink and health items. Local markets also exist in more remote areas, where you can purchase fresh produce, materials and other items.
Learn more about Hands at Work in Eswatini and the communities you are visiting
MALAWI
Accommodation
Teams visiting Malawi will stay at the Dedza Local Office. Located 90km south west of Lilongwe (capital of Malawi), Dedza is a small town surrounded by beautiful mountains. Our Dedza local office building serves as an office as well as functioning accommodation for our visitors.
Rooms are shared, with linen and towels provided.
There is a shower with hot water although the water and power can be unreliable, so bucket bathing may be necessary.
Plugs for electricity are 15 amps square 3 pin (UK standard).
Catering
Catering will vary depending on the team. Connect with your international office for more information.
Please make sure your International Office is aware of any dietary restrictions of allergies.
Communication
Your Team Leader can decide if someone on the team should purchase a local SIM card upon arrival, for local communication during your stay. You can purchase one for a very reasonable price at the airport or many other stores. If your current mobile phone is compatible for overseas use (check with your phone company before arrival), you can bring it and simply replace the SIM Card for a local SIM. Otherwise, you can investigate international data and calling plans with your provider.
Internet Access
Internet access is limited throughout Africa, sometimes due to remote localities, poor electricity supply, or limited phone lines. It’s unrealistic to expect daily access.
Language
Chichewa is the main language. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the local language when you are on the ground in Africa but here is the initial greeting for you to practice before your arrival.
Hello -
Yes -
How are you - Muli Bwanji?
I am fine - Ndi bwino
Shopping
There are supermarkets in all major cities and it is possible to buy most basic food, drink and health items. Local markets also exist in remoter areas, where you can purchase fresh produce, materials and other random items. Markets are also a great place to shop for gifts for family back home. Some bartering or negotiation is expected, but remember that this is often the seller’s only livelihood.
Learn more about Hands at Work in MALAWI and the communities you are visiting
MOZAMBIQUE
Accommodation
Teams visiting Mozambique will stay at the Chimoio Local Office, which serves as an office as well as accommodation for visitors. The city of Chimoio is the capital of the Manica Province.
Rooms are shared, with linen, towels and mosquito nets provided. As running water and power can be unreliable, large buckets are provided for bucket bathing.
Plugs for electricity are 2 round pin.
Catering
Catering will vary depending on the team. Connect with your International Office for more information. Drinking water will be provided.
Please make sure your International Office is aware of any dietary restrictions or allergies.
Communication
It may be recommended that your Team Leader purchase a local SIM card upon arrival for local communication during your stay. You can purchase one at the airport. If your current mobile phone is compatible with overseas use (check with your phone company before arrival), you can bring it and simply replace the SIM Card with a local SIM.
Internet Access
Internet access is limited throughout Africa, sometimes due to remote localities, poor electricity supply, or limited phone lines. It’s unrealistic to expect daily access.
Language
Portuguese is the main language. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the local language when you are on the ground in Africa, but here is the initial greeting for you to practice before your arrival:
Hello - Ola
Yes - Sim
How are you - Como estas
I am fine - Estou bem
Shopping
There are supermarkets in all major cities, and it is possible to buy most basic food, drink and health items. Local markets also exist in more remote areas, where you can purchase fresh produce, materials and other items.
Learn more about Hands at Work in Mozambique and the communities you are visiting
SOUTH AFRICA - Hands Village
Accommodation
Hands Village is the South African base of Hands at Work in Africa, accommodating permanent leadership, short, and long term volunteers as well as teams. It is located in Peebles Valley, 13km north of White River, 35km from Nelspruit (capital of Mpumalanga Province), and 355km east of Johannesburg.
Rooms at Hands Village are shared, with linen and towels provided.
Bathrooms with hot water are shared.
Plugs for electricity are 15 amps round 3 pin.
Catering
During your stay at Kachele or the Hands Village catering is provided on weekdays by our hospitality teams. Water is safe to drink on our Hands at Work properties.
Breakfast is self serve, items provided include: Fruit, cereal/muesli, bread, peanut butter, butter, jam, yoghurt, juice, milk, tea and coffee. For lunch during your time in the community our hospitality team will provide either a packed lunch or food for shared lunches with Care Workers and children in the community. A warm home cooked meal will be provided for dinner.
Please make sure your International Office is aware of any dietary restrictions of allergies.
On weekends, breakfast items will be provided for teams to help themselves, lunch and dinner will be self-catering. There are a number of restaurants and shops available in the area.
If you are not staying on a Hands at Work property catering arrangements will be made. Please contact your International Office for details.
Communication
It may be recommended that your Team Leader purchase a local SIM card upon arrival for local communication during your stay. You can purchase one at the airport. If your current mobile phone is compatible with overseas use (check with your phone company before arrival), you can bring it and simply replace the SIM Card with a local SIM.
Internet Access
Internet access is limited throughout Africa, sometimes due to remote localities, poor electricity supply, or limited phone lines. It’s unrealistic to expect daily access.
Language
Siswati is the main language. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the local language when you are on the ground in Africa, but here is the initial greeting for you to practice before your arrival:
Hello - Sawubona
Yes - Yebo
How are you - Unjani?
I am fine - Ngikhona
Shopping
There are supermarkets in all major cities and it is possible to buy most basic food, drink and health items. Local markets also exist in remoter areas, where you can purchase fresh produce, materials and other random items. Markets are also a great place to shop for gifts for family back home. Some bartering or negotiation is expected, but remember that this is often the seller’s only livelihood.
Learn more about Hands at Work in South Africa and the communities you are visiting
ZAMBIA - Kachele Village
Accommodation
Kachele Village is the Zambian base of Hands at Work in Africa, accommodating permanent leadership, short, and long term volunteers as well as teams. Kachele also serves as a training ground for mentoring African Leaders and a facility for hosting kids and youth camps. It is located 13kms outside of Luanshya, Zambia in the Fisenge Area in the Copperbelt Province.
Rooms in the Main House at Kachele Village are shared, with linen and towels provided.
Bathrooms with hot water are shared.
Plugs for electricity are BS 1363 three-pin (rectangular) socket, also called 3 square pin plug or UK Standard.
Catering
During your stay at Kachele or the Hands Village catering is provided on weekdays by our hospitality teams. Water is safe to drink on our Hands at Work properties.
Breakfast is self serve, items provided include: Fruit, cereal/muesli, bread, peanut butter, butter, jam, yoghurt, juice, milk, tea and coffee. For lunch during your time in the community our hospitality team will provide either a packed lunch or food for shared lunches with Care Workers and children in the community. A warm home cooked meal will be provided for dinner.
Please make sure your International Office is aware of any dietary restrictions of allergies.
On weekends, breakfast items will be provided for teams to help themselves, lunch and dinner will be self-catering. There are a number of restaurants and shops available in the area.
If you are not staying on a Hands at Work property catering arrangements will be made. Please contact your International Office for details.
Communication
It may be recommended that your Team Leader purchase a local SIM card upon arrival for local communication during your stay. You can purchase one at the airport. If your current mobile phone is compatible with overseas use (check with your phone company before arrival), you can bring it and simply replace the SIM Card with a local SIM.
Internet Access
Internet access is limited throughout Africa, sometimes due to remote localities, poor electricity supply, or limited phone lines. It’s unrealistic to expect daily access.
Language
Bemba is the main language. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the local language when you are on the ground in Africa, but here is the initial greeting for you to practice before your arrival:
Hello -
Yes - Eya Mukwai
How are you - Muli shani?
I am fine - Bwino
Shopping
There are supermarkets in all major cities and it is possible to buy most basic food, drink and health items. Local markets also exist in remoter areas, where you can purchase fresh produce, materials and other random items. Markets are also a great place to shop for gifts for family back home. Some bartering or negotiation is expected, but remember that this is often the seller’s only livelihood.