Gift for friend travelling to Africa for a year?

sleepymy

Not sure if this is the right forum so feel free to move it if needed mods.

My friend is leaving for Africa in two weeks to work for a year. I was wondering if anyone knew of a suitable and useful gift I could buy for her to take on her travels?

McKneff

a tiny teddy or something to hang on her backpack as a travelling companion.

xxlaurissaxx

Mosquito repellant lol xx

Jennifer_Jane

Where is she going to, and what for - is she backpacking?
Jen
x

sleepymy

Thanks ann, she's not backpacking, she's teaching and hopefully doing some charity work. She's in her early 30s and not really the teddy type.

I probably should have mentioned it's Libya she's going to.

I don't want to buy her anything too bulky that she feels obliged to take but would love to find that 'wow that was really useful' type pressie. I haven't been to such far flung places so have no idea really. She's a great friend and I'd just like to find something special that might not be readily available out there.

Jennifer_Jane

Hi - I was going to suggest a kikoi (Kenyan wrap usually meant for men, but so useful - does everything (sarong, scarf, towel, blanket, etc) so here's a link to a website to describe what I mean - I have no knowledge of the website, I just Googled 'kikoi': www.kikoy.com

Alternatively a pashmina type thing, where she can cover her head if necessary, and although I've never been to Libya, I know Africa can be cold so a shawl thing is a good idea.

Otherwise some sort of squashy bag with a good zip or closure that you can easily carry around all the time, but would also take books or shopping etc.

If any inspiration gets me over the course of the evening, I'll come back to you

Also, get her a doorstop - just an ordinary rubber thing that you could get in the Poundshop or Woolies (RIP); it's a great security measure which is very cheap and light to carry round. I always take one when I travel to Africa.

Jen
x

Horace

How about a mossie net to go over her bed or even a fly thing to go over a hat (it stops the little blighters getting to your face). I have heard that Avon Skin so Soft products repell mossies.

littlestar1981

A kanga to tie the kids to her back to :-)

runciblespoon

Compact shortwave radio? Maybe with a big ball of wire and some instructions so she can make her own aerial (because a decent aerial really makes a difference)?

Voyager2002

Libya is part of the Arab world, and not at all like sub-Saharan Africa. Does she drink? If so, she might be glad of some alcohol to take with her.

Sun-screen might be a good idea.

ailuro2

I was going to suggest a sarong - they can be used for tons of things, but fold away into nearly nothing.

Get a pale one and a permanent marker, and get her friends to write their best wishes on it, it will make her feel loved when she is settling in to her new home.

Also handy for skirts, covering shoulders from sun, covering head, bandana, carrying things in, and washes and dries in under an hour.;)