Besides the AIDS epidemic, malaria is a constant killer of people in equatorial Africa. The virus is delivered by mosquito bites. All volunteers are strongly urged to consult with a travel physician/clinic several months before planning a trip to begin immunizations and receive guidance on handling medical emergencies. In the US a special card and stamp for yellow fever is required for readmission into the country after visiting equatorial Africa. Prescriptions for malaria prevention medication will be given. The medication must be started before departing to Tanzania and taken a few days after returning. Volunteers must be prepared for third-world conditions. There are no handicap-accessible conditions available. Volunteers will likely need to walk 5-6 kilometers a day when commuting to and from the Majohe school. Volunteers will need to purchase purified water from shops that sell it readily. A second option is to bring water filters that remove microbial organisms before drinking and filter local well water. The public bus system is made of mini-vans that crowd about 25 or more people in them. There is no air conditioning anywhere except in large businesses in Dar Es Salaam. Volunteers with special healthcare and dietary concerns should discuss these difficulties with their healthcare providers before deciding to enroll as a volunteer. There are local pharmacies called “Duca La Dawa” that sell a variety of ointments and pills. Some are known to be fakes and may not work. Volunteers should plan to take a full supply of all medications and healthcare aids. I am informed by Dr. Rose Ntamboto, a MOP Coordinator and physician, that rural locations may not have much availability of many items and they are scarce. It is recommended that everyone take malaria prevention medication, a travelers' diarrhea antibiotic such as Ciprofloxin, an anti-diarrheal, Pepto Bismol tablets, over the counter pain medication, an insect bite/sting application, an anti-itch hydrocortisone cream or ointment, triple antibiotic ointment and an anti-fungal cream or ointment. Volunteers should take a couple of spray bottles of an insecticide/repellent called Permethrin (per METH rin). It is sprayed on clothing and let dry. This sprayed clothing can then be worn. It is not to be sprayed onto skin. Definitely take a mosquito net that is of adequate size to work on a single or double bed frame. There will be no way to escape mosquitoes at night without it. A silk sleep-sack is highly recommended for the hot climate. These silk sleep sacks can be ordered through Recreational Equipment Incorporated. Ear plugs are recommended for the airline flights but also for sleeping. You may be awakened by night birds or early morning Africans with radios in the neighborhood or even the Muslim call to prayer. There are typically no windows on Tanzanian homes to close and keep noise out. OTHER ITEMS TO BRING Hat, Sunglasses, Sunblock, Good walking shoes (think sand and dirt), Plastic or foam sandals to be used in shower booth and toilet, Travel towel and washrag, Flashlight/torch (either extra batteries or a manual wind-up one), Soap in holder, Toilet paper, Rain coat for rainy season.