MEDICAL PREPARATIONS
It is important that you prepare yourself physically for the change in environment.

• Yellow Fever Vaccine (required by law)
  This can be acquired through your county health department or through your physician. Many health insurance companies cover this sometimes-expensive vaccine.
  
  Be sure to ask the medical professional providing you with the vaccine for an International Vaccination Record. (This is a yellow card which serves as proof that you have actually received the vaccination. You may be asked to present this at immigration.)
  
  
• Anti-Malarial Medication (strongly recommended)
  There are many options here. (See your physician to find out which is best for you.) Three options seem to top the list:
  
  
  • Malarone (Highly Recommended)
    DOSAGE: Once a day starting two weeks prior to your arrival date in Uganda, and continued for four weeks following your departure.
    SIDE EFFECTS: Mild. See your physician for details.
    
    
  • Lariam
    DOSAGE: Once a week starting two-to-four weeks prior to your arrival date in Uganda, and continued for four weeks following your departure.
    SIDE EFFECTS: Can be serious. They include extreme irritability, severe nightmares, and drastic personality changes.
    
    
  • Doxycycline (an antibiotic)
    DOSAGE: Once a day starting one week prior to your arrival date in Uganda, and continued for four weeks following your departure.
    SIDE EFFECTS: Increased sun sensitivity. Can cause skin issues.
    
    
• Other Vaccines (not required, but strongly and urgently recommended by Aidchild, the Centers for Disease Control, and your County Health Department)
  
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
  • Tetanus
  • Typhoid
  • Polio
  • Spinal Meningitis
    
    
• Antibiotic Prescription (suggestion only)
  
  • Cipro
    This is often prescribed to travelers because of its effectiveness against a wide variety of infectious agents.
    
    
• MONEY: It is important that you bring money in the right form. Here is some information to help you make the right choices (please read carefully):
  
  
• Cash is used for virtually everything. Come prepared.
  • Bring US dollars ONLY.
  • Bring cash in denominations of 50’s and 100’s ONLY.
  • Bring new bills ONLY. (Anything else is costly, if not impossible, to change.)
  • Bring crisp, clean bills ONLY.
    
    
• Credit cards are accepted in only a few locations. Bring for emergency use only.
  
  Personal Checks are rarely accepted and are dangerous due to the fact that they are often “washed” and rewritten for huge amounts. Do not bring personal checks.
  
  
• Traveler’s Checks are difficult to cash, and are charged an exorbitant exchange rate. Not recommended.
  
  
• CLOTHES
  The people of Uganda generally take great pride in their appearance. You will probably feel underdressed if you bring only old, casual clothing. Here are some hints:
  
  • Female visitors will likely feel more comfortable in skirts and dresses, making sure that the knees and shoulders are covered.
  • Male visitors should plan to bring slacks and button-up shirts.
  • Oh, and don’t forget a rain jacket and an umbrella.
    
    
• OTHER ITEMS TO BRING
  • Mosquito repellent (Especially important due to the current outbreak of malaria.)
  • Sunscreen (Especially if using Doxycycline as an anti-malarial.)
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Film--and lots of it!
  • Purell brand waterless hand-sanitizer.
  • Room and Board Expenses (Since Aidchild is made possible only because of the generosity of others, the board of directors kindly requests that all visitors contribute $25.00 US per person, per day for room and board expenses.)
  • Airport Transfer Expenses (A member of the Aidchild staff will be happy to pick you up at the airport, and to stay with you in Kampala the first night. Fuel and expenses generally cost about $75.00 US, each trip.)
  • Kampala Hotel Expenses (Flights usually arrive during the night. Since it is quite dangerous to travel after dark, you will need to plan to stay at a hotel in Kampala [about 40 minutes from Entebbe] before traveling on to the orphanage the next day. Set aside about $70.00 US for this.)