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TRAVEL ADVICE FOR VISITORS TO YWAM RWANDA (especially DTS students and groups) With your limited baggage space, it may not be possible to bring with you all the items suggested below. This list will cover anything you are likely to need during the DTS. Just remember what you can not bring with you most of the time can be bought here in Kigali. Clothes: Light wrinkle free cotton material clothes (dark colors are best, as during the dry season there’s a lot of dust, and light colored clothes tend to get dirty quickly). Water resistant windbreaker/jacket (it gets cold during many nights and mornings). Running shoes, socks, sandals, flip-flops (the latter can be bought locally cheaply and easily). Swimsuit (one piece and modest for girls, shorts for guys). Work clothes (expect them to get dirty). Small backpack for day trips. For Women: Casual dresses, skirts, shirts, t-shirts, baggy trousers, cullottes and long (bermuda style) baggy shorts. NB: Because of the culture, we would ask women not to wear trousers/short skirts/shorts during the times of ministry (preaching/going for outreach etc.). Dresses and skirts should be long enough, preferably below the knees. For Men: Bring collared shirts and nice shoes and trousers as you will need them for ministry and church. Because of the culture we would ask men not to wear sleeveless shirts and shorts during ministry times. Clothing Care: Length of clothes line, pegs, coat hangers, sewing kit (buttons, safety pins, measuring tape, scissors, thread, etc.) Washing powder can be bought locally *All clothes are hand washed and hung to dry, although you may wish to pay someone to wash your clothes for you, and an iron may be available on the base for your use. General Household Items: Sleeping bag (pad or air mattress for trips) Two sets of sheets, pillow and pillow case (you can buy the pillow here if you don't want to bring it with you, or make your own!) Bath towel(s) and hand towel Toiletries Travel mirror, alarm clock Mosquito net (we can buy this for you if you ask us to do so at least one week in advance of your arrival - it will cost you about U$4, UK£2.50) Mosquito Repellent Study Items: Bible and concordance Note books or loose leaf paper and folder Pens Personal journal/diary Other Items: Camera and film Umbrella (compact) Flashlight and extra batteries (you will need these A LOT) – you may prefer to bring rechargeable batteries and a re-charger. The electric system in Rwanda is like the European (not British) 2 thin round pin plug, 220-240volts. Stationary supplies Address book Praise and Worship songs Dances and dramas Cards, Games Walkman, Discman Musical instruments Colored pencil and paper Water bottle Sun glasses Sun hat/cap Chocolate for the staff (just joking!) MEDICAL AID Antimalarials You will not be in a malaria zone, however you will be exposed to malaria-carrying mosquitoes, therefore you should take precautions in order to protect yourself. Mefloquine (Lariam), Chloroquine, and Doxycycline are some of the drugs available against malaria. However, you must contact your Doctor for the one most suitable for you, and ask him/her to explain possible side-effects. Malaria is NOT the monster most people make it out to be. It is treatable and heals fast when you treat it in the beginning stages. As a precaution, though, we also advise you to sleep with your mosquito net (see general items above) and bring mosquito repellent. Diarrhoea It is common for you to suffer from diarrhoea. Food and drink are the most common cause. However the base takes every precaution ensuring that meals are cooked well. And all drinking water is boiled. Bring a supply of Imodium and peptobismal. Immunization Your local health clinic will be able to inform you of the necessary immunizations. It’s compulsory to get your yellow fever shot. We recommend you to also receive your TB, polio and Tetanus shot. The costs can be high, so be sure to budget for this. You will get more out of the DTS if you are healthy. Sun burn Rwanda is situated very near the equator, and high up, so you are very likely to experience being burnt by the sun, even on a clouded day, unless you apply sun protecting cream. The face is particularly prone, so your are advised to bring a hat or a cap, for those days you will be walking a lot outside! Other Medical supplies Make yourself a first aid kit that includes bandages and plasters, disinfectants, gauze, safety pins, pain killers, anti-itching insect-bite cream, ant-acid for upset stomachs, etc. Medical Insurance You are also responsible for obtaining medical insurance for the duration of your stay here. Women’s Health The tropical climate antibiotics (or other drugs) can affect the health of a woman. Feminine hygiene products are available in Kigali but you may want to bring a supply. It is also advisable to bring iron tablets and any other vitamin supplement that you might not get in the food. Wearing cotton underwear and good hygiene will limit any problems such as yeast infections but it is advisable to bring along suppositories (e.g. anestin, Monastat, Vagasil). Finances Currency: the currency in Rwanda is called Rwandese Francs abbreviated Frw. Exchange rate varies but is approximately U$ 1 = Frw 570, £1 = 1030. Travellers Cheques: this is a safe way of carrying money around but it involves some line ups and it’s often a slow process. Official documents such as passports are needed to cash these in Rwandese Francs. Bank Cards: ATMs are very new in Kigali. However they don't take VISA or MasterCard or any other credit card apart from the bank card itself. If you want to use your VISA you can have the transaction done through Banque de Kigali. Keep in mind, though, it will cost you about U$ 15 per transaction and will take more than the usual few minutes. We recommend you to bring hard cash in dollars, euros or pounds as it can be exchanged here in the Forex Bureau for the best exchange rates. We also have a Western Union in case you need some money sent to you for emergency purposes. Transportation Please let us know in advance the time and date of arrival if you are coming by bus; and time, date and origin of the flight if you are coming by plane so that we can arrange for someone to meet you. In case you get stuck please call any of these numbers: +250 (if outside Rwanda) followed by 08878867 (Elis), 08517799 (Method), 08562312 (Richard). Visa You will need need a visa to come to Rwanda unless you are British or American (who at the moment can get a free 3-month visa at the airport). However, wherever you are from we advise you to contact our embassy in your country for better information. You will be responsible for any visas etc. you may need to travel here when coming from another country. Contact a Rwandese embassy to find out the cost as it varies according to country of origin and length of stay. Return ticket Anyone coming from outside Rwanda who intends to stay on the YWAM base must come with a return ticket, as YWAM Rwanda is not able to pay for his or her return journey. NB. For those staying in our hospitality center, and are not part of a DTS team, there is no need to bring any bedding, towels, or a mirror. The rest of the advice applies, as appropriate or your visit in Rwanda.
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