Have compassion, common sense, patience, and flexibility. This sounds easy, but coping with the reality of Makindu life has proven difficult for some of our volunteers. Makindu is a fairly typical third world community, with very few services, lots of deadly diseases, and little communication with the outside world. Fear, loneliness, lack of hygenic conditions, and homesickness are VERY REAL problems for volunteers. All water for washing or drinking must be boiled, or treated and filtered.
Local transportation is on foot or on bicycles.
Flat tires are a daily occurrence, often miles from any way to fix them. Horrendous Matatu accidents are common on the extremely poorly maintained highway. There is no electricity except in the bars. Mosquitos are everywhere and carry the deadliest form of malaria. The Malaria pills, one's only real protection, often have unpleasant side effects.