How to Pack for a Trip to Haiti

Hi Everyone, it’s Beate.

So, I’m going to HATS at the end of July, but I figured that it’s never too early to start packing all of the wonderful donations that I have been receiving.

One suitcase done!!! I have quite the system to make sure every pound is accounted for…My next mission: find another used suitcase to pack the rest of the items (I leave the suitcases at HATS). I’m picky…The one I have is only 5 pounds. So, it may take me awhile to find another one that is so light.

Put items in bags and weigh them. Record the weights to add up to 50 pounds. Don’t forget to add the suitcase weight.

Organize into piles.

Remove all packaging where possible (saved 3 pounds that way).

Even the tops of toothbrushes.

Take pics of each layer (you’ll forget what you packed, trust me).

More layers

Put liquids and creams in ziplock bags.

Every space counts.

Cut instructions from boxes and add to ziplock bags.

Weigh the suitcase. Beautiful…50 pounds exactly.

~Beate

Sandra MacDonald

· Reply

April 4, 2017 at 6:06 AM

Love this Beate! I have not gotten this system perfected so am going to learn from you here. I use Dickie as my scale until I am all done then use the real scale to be sure! He ALWAYS can be trusted with the weight by just lifting the suitcase and giving me a number…don’t know how he does it.
You are very organized and starting early…..good plans. Someday I would like to be at HATS with you.

Dickie MacDonald

April 4, 2017 at 7:03 AM

You are well organized, well done. When we arrive in Haiti we are always surprised at what we have in some suitcases. We always leave three of four suitcases in Haiti. The Manager of the Salvation Army here in Yarmouth supplies us will all the suitcases we need.