How to contact me in Kiribati

For the first 3 months I will be living with a host family on the main island. This means that you can reach me at the Peace Corps office there during this period. I will update my address in 3 months when I get my outer island assignment. For now, my address is:

Eric Saltzman, PCT
PO Box 260
Bikenibeu, Tarawa
Republic of Kiribati, Central Pacific

(also, write on envelope/package: Airmail via Fiji OR the Marshall Islands)

[Mail can be sent to me at this address during my entire two years of service. However, once I have a site placement, I will have a local address on my island and it is generally better to have mail sent directly to me there rather than depend on the Peace Corps/Kiribati office to forward it.]

Here are some tips on ensuring the mail actually gets to me, courtesy of former Peace Corps Volunteers and Peace Corps...

PCV's input:

It is recommended that you DOUBLE ZIPLOC BAG EVERYTHING that you send, even if it doesn't make sense to you. It is surprising what ants, rats, and other creepy crawlies can get into, and what can melt and potentially leak all over the place.

I also encourage you to send fairly small-sized packages (so that they are easier to transport by bike from the government station to the volunteer's house, which may be up to 30 minutes away). I have also heard that big bubble envelopes are cheaper to send than boxes weighing the same and appearing to be the same size.

As for what you write on the customs form, volunteers could end up paying alarge fee for any food items (especially candy) written on that customs form. There is no fee, and less chance of others opening these packages, if you stick to writing just "Educational Materials." Therefore, throw a notebook, pencils, or other like item in with the food so that you aren't lying on the customs form (and the volunteer can share much-wanted materials with the neighbors' kids, teacher friends, etc.).

A FINAL NOTE: Amazon.com/CD Now online sends items to Kiribati directly, so you might encourage your volunteer to make a wishlist before leaving or while on vacation. This would be easy, avoid you going to the post office yourself, and make a third party responsible if the package never arrives. ;)

Peace Corps' input:

Be aware that airmail packages sometimes take weeks to arrive and occasionally don't arrive at all. Surface mail takes anywhere from four months to one year or longer. Packing items in plastic containers, aluminum foil, or sturdy plastic bags is prudent because of rats, ants, heat, and humidity. Note that you are responsible for paying any customs charges for personal items.

Past Volunteers have enjoyed receiving candy, dried fruit, homemade cookies packed in tins, spices, canned potato chips, anything dehydrated, nuts, small packages of condiments and other foods (mayonnaise, soup mix, powdered eggs, and macaroni and cheese), books, tapes, batteries, balloons, trinkets for kids, card games, newspapers, comic books, magazines, beach toys, photos, personal voice recordings, hair care products, underwear, film, clothing, teacher stickers for students' work, good pens, and fish recipes.

It is difficult to receive packages sent via airmail from the U.S. directly on the outer islands. To increase the liklihood of getting through, packages should be in large envelopes (NOT BOXES) and weigh no more than two pounds. Otherwise, the package will be held up in South Tarawa. Larger boxes can be forwarded to your island from Tarawa, but you will be responsible for the additional costs incurred.