By: tu_wheeler

tu_wheeler — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:51:16 +0000

I spent a tour in the Congo. They did provide ceramic water filters for us then, but that was a decade ago. Good thing, too. We hauled our water from the river, and it was a tad foul. By the way, I was also in Burundi about three months, Riwanda a couple of days, Mali another two months, and bits and pieces in seven other countries. You can’t depend on the accuracy of any information the Peace Corps gives you in advance. I often found it was outdated or simply wrong. For example, take thin towels, not thick ones. Take wool socks for distance hiking, and boots suitable for both hard work and lots of walking. If you’re going to equatorial Africa, you can probably count on it being hotter than any place you have ever been. That means sweaty sheets, pouring water over your head several times a night, and relentless mosquitos every time you leave the protection of your net. Oh, did I mention bats? :)
If you really want accurate info and lots of it, visit homepage.mac.com/f.e.pitts/. There you will find the answers.

By: gravitythread

gravitythread — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:45:05 +0000

I can say a little bit here.
I’m currently in Peace Corps Tanzania, and they did provide water filters, water purification tablets and even show us how to set up the “candle” filter in a 50L bucket to make an effective and attractive home decoration.
Contacts: generally discouraged here, due to risk of infeaction, lack of contact cleaning solution and general water quality. However, some volunteers do still wear them. Your own risk…

Comments on: I need info!!

By: tu_wheeler

By: gravitythread