Heated discussion! :-)

Here in the UK, it's been a little bit hot and sticky and I find it much harder to function! My thoughts go out to friends called to live in countries where it's extremely hot and humid for much of the year.

Do you have any tips for coping that you can pass on to missionaries who may be struggling or those preparing to go out to hot climates?

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  • Sleep on the verandah, wear linen clothes and a straw hat
    • I always find sleeping in a straw hat rather uncomfortable! Linen clothes are good. Better than cotton.
  • Drink lots of water, not soft drinks. Rest more than you are accustomed to. After-lunch power-naps. Adjust working day to use cooler hours for productive work. Wear airy clothing.

    Swamp coolers are very practical and cheaper than air-conditioners. They evaporate water by blowing air through a damp cloth.

  • I agree with the fans. Don't forget - if the power goes off, small fans can be run off a laptop or you can use batteries charged using solar panels.

    Do think carefully about ceiling fans - if you live on a top floor and have a hot roof, you can end up making the inside feel hotter! The best thing we've ever done is paint the roof white so that all those hot rays can bounce back to the sun. We've just had ours done again (we're in Nepal) and the temperature is probably about 5-7oC lower. It may not seem like much but it can make all the the difference. I've also heard of people keeping water on the roof (assuming it's flat) or growing plants or veggies that produce a lot of cover.

     

    In the office, I often keep a damp flannel handy that I can keep wiping my face with. Sleeping under a damp towel can also keep you cooler at night.

     

    Oh yes... one last thing... DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!! And if it's really hot, add a little sugar and salt to help keep your electrolytes balanced.

     

    Hope some of these things help you keep your cool!

     

    Andrea

  • Fans

    We found that most houses in hot places aren't sealed like UK houses, so air conditioning isn't a great option. However, electric fans are essential (if you have electricity!). You might think about taking a selection if you're not sure you can buy them locally. You can get desk top fans, pedestal (free standing) fans, large space fans (put these in a doorway or corridor to keep the air moving in the house) and ceiling fans (great for the sitting room or bedroom, to help you sleep). We bought a ceiling fan for peanuts in a B&Q sale and shipped it out, it was just wonderful. Some missionaries had extra 12volt fans in their cars, which were great if the car didn't have air conditioning. I even had a little battery powered hand fan in my travel kit which came in handy occassionally. Make sure you check what electricity supply and mains voltage you have at your destination. If you haven't got electricity, choose fans that will run off a car battery or a household 12V system (see http://www.oscar.org.uk/service/logistics/shipping/take.htm#otherel...).

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