Cell Phone Service--Kenya

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I need advice. D2 is going to Kenya for 4 weeks starting in mid May as part of a medical service/volunteer program. She’s unclear right now on just where her homestay will be. (Near but not in Nairobi–likely within a couple of hours drive of the city.)</p>

<p>I know her US based cell phone won’t work there. (She has CDMA phone; Kenya service runs on GMA 900 band.) I need suggestions on how best to equip her with at least text messaging while she’s there. Can she purchase/rent a phone locally and buy minutes?</p>

<p>I’d also welcome any other suggestions about stuff she needs to know about getting along there. Specifically she asked about tampon availability and clothing needs. She’s not a high maintenance kid. She did get some suggestions re: clothing from her organization, but she felt they were excessive vague and pretty unhelpful. She’ll purchase her own mosquito netting after she arrives.</p>

2

<p>Make sure she finds out EXACTLY what she needs for any appliances/electronic devices that plug into the wall. I thought I had the right converter when I was in South Africa, but it turns out I should have bought an additional item (can’t remember the name of it). I ruined my blow dryer there, and so did my mother! We discovered that you can’t buy a blow dryer in Kruger National Park, either. Emergency!</p>

3

<p>She’ll be able to purchase everything she needs in the Nairobi area. (People are amazed when they see Nairobi - hotel rates higher than NYC, and there is an entire country club just for missionaries and NGO people. But go three hours outside of Nairobi, and you rarely see 'em!) </p>

<p>Clothing is different depending on what part of Kenya she’s in - very different climate zones. Also very different “modesty” zones. (In Western Kenya, it would be very rare to see a woman in shorts or tank top). </p>

<p>Cellphones EVERYWHERE. Many Kenyans even do their banking via cellphone. For distance calls, I use Magic Jack. It has always worked for me (provided I can find WiFi).</p>

4

<p>I can provide some info within the continent… In West Africa it was easy (and cheap) to buy a cell phone. Minutes are bought separately and were sold in a lot of places (eg grocery stores). Don’t expect tampons to be available. Make sure she has clothing that covers her knees. Bring a homestay gift.</p>

5

<p>I knew about the homestay gift. D1 did a 6 weeks medical service program in Capetown 2 years ago.</p>

<p>D2 is thinking about trekking type clothing–zip-off pants, modest short sleeve plain travel [non-cotton] T shirts that she can wash by hand, travel underwear. (She did a 4 week semi-solo backpack last summer and she has some trekking clothes from that.)</p>

6

<p>I would suggest she contact the group sponsoring the trip…and ask about cell phones. DD is in the Peace Corps in Rwanda and has two cell phones purchased there. From what she says…everyone has a cell phone and they are readily available. I would guess the sponsoring agency will have info.</p>

7

<p>She can buy a cheap cell phone, SIM card and minutes in Kenya. Text is used a lot, and incoming calls are not charged. When she leaves, it will be nice to give it to someone. Or, if your family plans to travel more, keep the phone – it will work anywhere with a locally purchased SIM card. (Also, some US cell phone plans have international calling you can add for the period in question, to be used for an emergency. I have an AT&T plan and an iphone, and do that)</p>

<p>Sounds like you have experience, but other thoughts:</p>

<p>Suggest you buy mosquito netting in the US. You can get a more compact, durable version. Try to find one that has a hook to hang over the bed. Depending on need where she is located, she can buy coils that burn in the room or a repellent that plugs into the electrical outlet when she gets there.</p>

<p>No doubt you have dealt with the anti-malarial and yellow fever (and most importantly, the yellow card showing the yellow fever vaccine to present at the airport). Get Cipro or other wide range antibiotic prescription to take just in case. I would bring tampons. Mosquito repellent with a high DEET level.</p>

<p>She will need British style (3 prong) and European (2 prong) electricty plug adapters. Can be bought here or there. Laptop, ipod, Kindle will work on 220 electricity there but you need the plug. If she doesn’t already have it, get a web-based email address (gmail, for example) for use from internet cafes, airports, etc.</p>

<p>Modest, easy to wash clothes as you suggest. Jeans, khakis are fine, with t-shirts. Bring something long sleeve and deifnately a sweater/sweatshirt. A rain poncho or jacket that folds up is handy. Recommend a small back pack for every day use, or a messenger bag – something to zip shut, put over shoulder and stash things in. Suggest socks for the evening to help avoid being bitten. </p>

<p>But don’t worry about bringing every possible thing. It will overwhelm the experience! Kenya is wonderful. My D is on her way there in May to volunteer in a school. PM if you have other questions I might be able to answer.</p>

8

<p>p.s. the trekking clothes are fine but wouldn’t worry too much about non-cotton. People wear cotton and it dries quickly in that climate. You might want to avoid the “American on safari” look that having nothing but non-cotton brings! </p>

<p>Also, not sure if she’s bringing sleeping bag but might want to bring a plain single sheet. Sometimes that is all you want and it can serve a range of other purposes (wrap, picnic, clean surface) at the same time. </p>

<p>Sunglasses!</p>