My friend is going to work in Nigeria for 3 months. I want to get him a practical present, what?

Question

My friend is male and 23, the work he is doing will be based in a community affected by HIV/aids. I want to give him something he can take with him that is useful. Anyone who has had this sort of experience and can suggest anything you with you had when you were there please let me know, thanks!

Answer 1

It's a nice idea that you want to give him something useful, but when he passes thru Abuja or Lagos, he can buy pretty much anything he can buy in Aberdeen.

These local purchases can help him deal with the practical problems of living in a ... well, undeveloped place.

However, once out in the bush (which is what they call the outback here), I think he'll probably be dealing with emotions like homesickness or at least that his thoughts will be going to his loved ones back home.

I therefore suggest that you give him something to remind him of his homeland / home town and/or family, friends etc.

Sometimes it is "impractical" things like that, which can help you through the "practical" problems of everyday life in a foreign place.

Answer 2

In addition to the care package idea, I'd buy him a good book on Nigeria's history or current politics so that he'd have a good background on the country he'll be in. I'd also see if there's a Nigeria travel guide (Brandt might be most likely option since they tend to focus on less popular tourist destinations, esp in Africa).

I work in relief and development and when I am going somewhere new, I want to know about the place and the people/culture/traditions. I also miss certain things from home so try to bring some of those with me. I'd caution against a disposable camera and instead use a digital camera since disposables are okay for snapshots but not really for good photos. He might be interested in a travel jounral type book since I'm sure he's likely to have reflections or thoughts while there doing that type of work.

If he's in one of the large cities in Nigeria, he'll be able to buy his own bug repellent, mosi-net, flashlights, etc. so I try to bring the type stuff I can't get in a particular place and buy locally (to do whatever bit I can to support the local economy).

Answer 3

Hi, I will try to answer ur question as objectively as I can. I am a Nigerian, Ibo by tribe. Pls do not be scared or discouraged by the nonsense that other uninformed contributors have written....only a nigerian can tell u the real situation of things. YOUR FRIEND WILL NOT BE KIDNAPPED......YOUR FRIEND WILL NOT BE ATTACKED BY SAVAGES....and all that dire nonsense..

He would need broad- spectrum antibiotics, which every one, nigerians included, uses. Its a tropical country and so u shld expect that there might be some disease strains that wld b there that wont be found in temperate climates. BTW, they r cheaper in Nigeria...clotrimoxazole is a good one.

Is he going to be in the south or the north? and in which month is he leaving? that would determine what kind of clothing he would require when is he leaving.

Get him disposable cameras and a portable generator thingy for power outtages. And lots of money to buy u stuff when he comes back!!!

U can send me an email if u have other questions.. :-)

Answer 4

You are a supportive friend. Good for you. Think about making him a care package with things like a few disposable cameras (he will surely want to document his work and experiences), calling card(s), insect repellent, a junk watch already set to Nigeria's time, Tylenol, a journal and pen/pencil (you can design a cover for it that says "Mikes Time in Nigeria" or whatever you think would be best), and maybe a travelers check for like 20 bucks just to help a little with the expenses. Good Luck and Take Care.

Answer 5

I have read through all the answers so far given. Some of them might sound funny but true. My answer is this. If he is going to work in the Western, Central or Northern Regions, he does not have much to fear about armed bandits but still he needs to be very careful. He must not go out at nights, or open his doors to strangers. However, if he is going to the South Eastern and Niger Delta regions, then I must say that it is not safe for him now. He could be very easily kidnapped and probably killed by armed militias.
He can easily find basic stuff like mosquito nets, insect reppelents etc. I will suggest you buy him a very powerful but handy flash light. He will probably not have electricity for 80% of his stay. Advice him to keep away from the ladies. They could be agents of kidnappers. Generally be security concious . I Wish him the best.

Answer 6

Am Nigerian and am very proud of my country i will be the last person to live outside my great country,west or south,there's no place like HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that's were my root is and my hart also belongs there.
its rather unfair to hear people say such horrible things about
this country, the most popolous country in westafrica
my country is known 4 its hospitality and rich natural resoures
ther's no country in the world that's crises free, it tank God that despite our many problems as a nation,we havenot degenerated to war. we a peace loving nation.
our economy is not all that good but we have not all died of stravation.
coming to the issue of HIV/AIDS, its a globally problem
if ur friend is uninfested in ur country and decides to get infested in Nigeria, then he/she has character problem.
as for the most practical gift to give, if a moslem, give him the holy koran or bible if christain.

thanks a lot for ur question.

Answer 7

Ok first of all amebo shut up. Now to survive in Naija u have to have Garri and Rice both of which is available in local food 'stores' next tell ur friend not to insult anyone b'cuz there is such a thing as a babalawo or black healer and I'm not talking about the colour of our skin. They will use magic to kill u and there will be no proof. Next AK-47's Ur not serious those things u really don't need wat u need is serious cash it will get u out of everything.(literally) As long as ur polite, u got the cash, u got the gifts, u got God and ur not ARROGANT, ur fine. (I must warn u about NEPA tho, that is our PEPCO here and uh . . . 90% of the time there is no electicity)

Answer 8

In the first place there is no place in Nigeria with that kind of description. Secondly there is an urgent need for you people to help yourselves. You are so bottled up in your environment that all you know about others is from your govt.'s propaganda about others. It is even more shameful when we find you proudly displaying this ignorance in the media and on the net. For God's sake do something.

Answer 9

Harry Potters invisibility cloak. Nigeria is a dangerous place, people are being kidnapped there weekly. I work with some Nigerians that won't even go some places. Very Dangerous.

Answer 10

You can put together a goody basket with some of the following: bug spray, a journal, a dictionary of their language, a disposable camera, etc.