Here is some information on packing from you Africa leaders. The main thing to remeber is to pack light. There's a lot you can do without. The suggested ministry supplies will really help, so take out the extra clothes and replace them with some ministry supplies.
FYM/Awakening South Africa Teams
(These are either extra or very important items we would like for you to bring)
Personal Items
1. Any kind of bedding (sleeping bag, sheets, ect.) MUST fit in one of your suitcases. (you can buy sheets, comforters, and pillows in J-Bay)
2. Personal hygiene items (soaps, lotions, deodorant, toothpaste) can all be bought in J-Bay. Bring just enough for training camp and save room in your suitcase.
3. Your own plate, bowl, plastic or metal mug (for chai or coffee) and silverware. Bring something unique to who you are, so that your stuff can be easily identified.
4. Pack light. There won't be a lot of room for suitcases. You can get by on less clothing than you think.
Ministry Items
J-Bay does not have a large supply of craft supplies and the ones they do have are very expensive. We work with a lot of children and the more supplies we have the more projects we can do with them.
Here is a list of things that you could possibly use on your trip. There are many people waiting to contribute to your mission experience. THESE THINGS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE PURCHASED OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET!!!
Post a list at your church, talk to your pastors, talk to your youth groups and college groups. Talk to Target, if you have one in your area. Target will almost always give you a $50 voucher to spend on supplies at their store. Isn't that nice of them? If not Target, try another store. Shoney's or Chick-fil-a will usually donate crayons. Yes, you will probably run into several dead end roads when asking for donations. But do not give up! Do not lose heart! Here are some things you can use:
1. Household scissors/children scissors-Don't pack them in your carry on
2. Craft glue sticks
3. Craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
4. Construction paper. Please don't buy the kind you have to tear out of a book-no fun. (We cannot get construction paper anywhere in J-Bay)
5. Balloons (regular, water and animal )
6. Streamers
7. Small paper bags for making puppets or putting prizes in.
8. Lots of stickers
9. Crayons
10. Duct tape (any color)
11. Balls (bouncy balls or larger balls that can be deflated)
12. Zip Lock bags (all sizes)
13. Baby clothes (if you have any that fit in your bag we know many babies that need clothing)
14. Socks (any size, these are great for puppets and many street kids need them as well)