It is hard knowing exactly what you will receive from Peace Corps Swaziland upon arrival and after swearing in. This list changes every year, but it also seems to stay relatively similar. I wanted to share what I received, so that it can better guide what you pack. Most of these items were in our possession beginning the day we move in with our training family. Most were at our hut waiting for us. 

Housewares

• 2 big pots
• Skillet (this may be the worst skillet known to man, but I’m trying to get a better one for G15)
• Two-burner gas stove and your first propane tank
• Metal spatula/turner
• Big metal spoon
• Can opener
• Small and large tea kettles
• Mixing/salad bowl (I used this for my hand washing station.)
• 2 plates
• 2 bowls
• 2 mugs
• 2 knifes
• 2 forks
• 2 spoons
• 2 tea spoons
• 1 steak knife
• Bleach
• Dropper
• Water filter
• Toilet paper
• Candles
• 20 L bucket
• 10 L bucket
• Bath tub
• Rinse basin
• Sheets and pillows for a double sized bed
• Pillow
• 2 blankets
• Bug net
  *Either your family or the Peace Corps will provide a bed, chair, and table for your room during PST. You have to get your own for permanent site. 

Medical kit

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Bismuth subsalicylate
• Diphenhydramine
• Phenylephrine
• Antacid
• Loperimide
• Sore throat lozenges
• Cough drops
• Triple biotic ointment
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Clotrimazole cream
• Calagel anti-itch gel
• ORS packets
• Iodine tabs
• Saline eye drops
• Chlorhexidine detergent
• First aid pocket guide
• Bandages of assorted sizes
• Butterfly skin closures
• Elastic bandage
• Gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Disposable thermometers
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Gloves
• Condoms
• Floss
• Lip balm
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent with 30% DEET
• Safety whistle
  *We also received a digital thermometer, Plan B for females, and Coartem, a malaria treatment, if living in the malarious area. OTCs available from the med office include fiber packets, antihistamines

Food hamper (The food hamper is complicated. We were told to share with our PST family but to keep the items we could not live without. From the discussion, I understood the food hamper to be a way to help our training families offset having a Trainee live with them for eight weeks. They were to feed us dinner for two weeks and all other meals were on our own. Everyone ended up sharing differently and eating differently with their families. This will be another post someday.)

• 2 flats of 30 eggs
• Sugar
• Salt
• Flour
• Canola oil
• Oros, a orange drink mixed with water
• Corn Flakes
• Powdered milk
• 2 bags of oranges
• Rice
• Samp
• Beans
• Corn meal
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Butternut squash
• Tomatoes
• Carrots
• Chicken
• Beef
• Chicken noodle soup packets
• Aromat, a seasoning made with MSG
• Tea
• Coffee
• Peanut butter
• Baked beans
• Canned tuna
• Jam
• Ground sorghum
• Green bar soap
• Matches
• Toilet paper

For permanent site

• 25 L jerry can
• 100 L drum
• Blue trunk (Filled with school supplies.)

Blue trunk

• Flip chart paper
• Laminated paper
• Stapler
• Staples
• Colored chalk
• Masking tape
• Note cards
• Plastic folder
• 2 steno pads
• Scissors
• Pensils
• Eraser
• Sharpener
• 3 permanent markers
• Pens: 2 blue, 2 black, 1 red
• 12 colored pencils
• Glue stick
• White out
• Staple remover
• 2 inch binder
• Sticky notes
• Heavy duty clips
• Paper clips in regular and large sizes
• Push pins
• Jumbo crayons
• Water color set
• Ruler
• Sticky tack
• Construction paper
• Cotton twine
• Children’s books locally made in English and siSwati