A simple piece (about 90cm by 90cm) of cloth has a slew of uses in the field. It is incredibly compact, light, and easy to handwash; making it a permanent item on many people’s packing lists.
Emergency Skirt: Two safety pins and you have got yourself a decorative and simple skirt! Of course it is not fitted and it is only around knee level, but if you are in a bind, this can and has been used.
Shawl: In many countries it is advisable for female volunteers to dress conservatively, especially when alone or in a city. A piece of cloth provides a quick and easy shawl that can be used to cover the shoulders when necessary. Also this is a great defense against the tropical sun.
Baby Bag: Place the piece of cloth on your chest, tie the two top corners at the back of your neck, tie the two bottom corners around your lower back and you have an excellent bag! Many volunteers use this even when they are not in the field. It is great for carrying groceries and (as the name implies) babies!
Mini-Picnic Blanket/Ground Cloth: Although smaller than the traditional picnic blanket, it does provide an excellent barrier between yourself and the ground. Many volunteers use a piece of cloth to create a make simple “clean area” to do minor medical work such as cutting toe nails, cleaning scratches, and so forth.
Shade Maker: Drape it over your head, over a window, over a door, or over a lamp and you have created a small piece of shade for yourself. Many volunteers bring a piece of cloth for just this purpose, especially if they are the type that requires darkness to sleep.
Short Rope: This one is self explanatory.
Sling: Broken arms can and do happen. Having the material to make a sling for yourself not only frees-up medical supplies for the local hospitals (which are often very low) but also allows you to be more self-sufficient.
Hair Cover: Blonde female volunteers should always bring a piece of cloth. In many developing countries blondes are a rarity and so unwanted attention can be very common. Use a piece of cloth to cover your blonde hair to avoid unwanted attention.
Belt: One cannot count how many times people forget or lose belts. Slipping the piece of cloth through the loops provides a make shift belt in an emergency before something better can be found.
Padding: If you travel by car, bus, taxi, or truck as a volunteer you can expect two things, a vehicle with no shocks and a road with potholes. Folding the piece of cloth twice and placing it on your seat provides valuable padding against the bone jarring ride.
Rag/Wipe Down: Whether you are wiping rain off your tent or cleaning the window to your car, a piece of cloth provides an excellent way to clean an area.
Towel: Bathroom towels are heavy! Don’t bring them! Simply use a piece of cloth and wipe yourself down.
Storage: Tie opposing ends together and hang your mini-storage shelf wherever you can! Since it is hanging, it provides a little basket safe from snakes, bugs, and rodents.
