<p>Son has opportunity to visit a West African country in 2008. Of course, I would want him to have a phone but I am totally clueless on phones for him to use. I want to keep in contact with him daily, so of course, cost is a big, big factor. I need a phone where he won’t have to change SIM cards (I have been reading up on people doing this). Please, help me with selections. All help appreciated!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t let my son go to West Africa (unless you mean Morocco). A coworker of mine has backpacked and adventure-trekked all over the world and he said the only place he has ever been truly scared was in Burkina Faso. He took the first plane out after only a week of a planned multi-month trip and ended up in Paris. It’s only one data point, but this guy is usually fearless. </p>
<p>What country is he planning to visit? I can’t think of any place in Western Africa that would look like a vacation to a kid from the US, but maybe I’m missing something. Even previously-peaceful countries like Gambia have fallen prey to the coup-vote-coup club. </p>
<p>Seriously, I’d love to hear more. You might check out the US State Department’s warnings and information Website: <a href=“404 - Page Not Found”>http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html</a></p>
<p>He has relatives there Wash Dad, and I was thinking of allowing him to visit. I would rather not say which W. African country at this time. I, too, was worried, but feel like I might deprive him of visiting his family. So, looking for a way, (if I allow this to happen), to keep in daily contact with him.</p>
<p>Wash Dad, I did not see the country he would be visiting on the U.S. State Department’s list. But I am saving it to my favorite places so that I can check periodically.</p>
<p>Consider Skype if he will have a computer and Internet service. Although he will not have it with him in his daily wanderings, if he has Internet service… you and he can Skype each other free VOIP. Free to download, free to use computer-to-computer. Very nominal charge to use computer to land line.</p>
<p>We use it all the time when we are in Mexico, to speak with friends in France etc. etc.</p>
<p>oD came back from West Africa a couple of months ago. We were worried that she would not be able to communicate with us, but we knew that she at least had occasional e-mail access. She bought a cell phone there (!!!) and texted us when she wanted us to call her. Reception was bad at times, but it worked.</p>
<p>The easiest and cheapest way for regular contact is email. </p>
<p>My sister has spent several months in Africa. She only called home a few times, such as when her room was broken into and when she first arrived. She has a normal international plan, but I don’t remember the company. Texting is cheaper than calls at about 50 cents a text, I believe. Email is easiest if he can get internet access, either with his family members or at an internet cafe.</p>
<p>I think the expectation for daily contact is a little much, though. He may simply not be able to contact you that often and regularly. Also, if he can’t get in touch for a day for some reason, you’ll panic, when everything is likely fine.</p>
<p>International cell calls are expensive! Texting is cheaper, and AT&T I believe is 50 cents to send. Skype is the way to go, but if not available, text to see if near a land line, and then call landline to landline. With a calling card or less desireably, an international plan from your phone company. I don’t know Africa, but getting a phone in country can be a more reasonably priced option. But you need contact with someone who knows that part of Africa to know if a US cell phone will work, if any cell will work in most locations, etc. My American cell (sim card type) won’t work in Japan, worked fine in Europe, but at $20 per quick call back to the US from Europe, not something I’d want to do. Computer access, who knows. Some friends currently working in a West African country complain about slow computer speeds. I agree that daily contact might be difficult.</p>
<p>My Blackberry with T Mobile works pretty much anywhere in the world, EU, Africa, and Rest of Asia include with the exception of Japan. I am not sure how much the plan costs monthly since the one I have is paid for by my employer.</p>