Electronic gadgets for mission in limited-resource settings
Posted on August 18, 2025 by Phoebe Chan
Living in a rural area with limited or unreliable electricity and connectivity calls for gadgets that are rugged, reliable, and power-efficient. These are the tools we are glad we brought with us to the Republic of Congo — gear that could save your day when infrastructure fails.
Power & Charging
- Solar-powered charger gives you portable, off-grid power
- High-capacity power bank – look for 20 000 + mAh ones
- Portable inverter to convert DC to AC for charging laptops or running small appliances
- Rechargeable AA/AAA batteries – our locally made batteries are terrible; these hold charge longer and cut waste
- Universal charger with interchangeable tips – one brick with multiple heads instead of a tangle of device-specific chargers, helpful for when you cannot run to the store or order online for a replacement!
- Universal travel adapter with USB ports – designed to work in multiple countries
- Extension cord with USB and AC outlets – this is useful for the many places where the room only has one wall socket!
- Portable jump starter – handy when travelling in places where there are very few cars around and non-existent roadside assistance!
- USB car charger / cigarette-lighter-socket adapter – 12 V DC-to-USB adapter for phone and portable battery charging on the move
Connectivity & Communication
- Satellite Phone/Messenger with two-way text, location sharing, and SOS without cell towers
- Smartphone with eSIM, offline maps and translator apps preloaded
- Cellular signal booster or long-range antenna to amplify weak cellular signals in remote areas
- Wifi repeaters/boosters for extending single connections
- Satellite internet subscription – Such service is not cheap, but it helps you stay tuned to alerts and critical news when everything else goes down
- Walkie-talkies – for team coordination in areas without coverage
- Gimbal, tripod and microphones for media creation, support raising and sharing about your ministry
- We have not used hand-crank radios and chargers, but know friends who find them helpful
Lighting & Visibility
- Rechargeable LED / solar lantern. We like the camping ones with hanging hook
- Motion-sensor solar lights boost compound safety, but you may need to anchor them to prevent theft
- USB-rechargeable headlamp – Hands-free brightness for night rounds and bike rides (bug attraction is a trade-off)
- High-lumen rechargeable flashlight for security and long-distance visibility
Tools & Safety
- Digital thermometer and pulse oximeter
- Electronic insect zappers – Very useful in operating theatres in mission hospitals
- Surge protectors / voltage regulators – We like the handy wall-plug designs that safeguard against voltage spikes which are not uncommon in developing countries
Comfort & Productivity
- E-readers with built-in light loaded with manuals, training guides, textbooks and devotional materials (downside is that they attract bugs when reading in the dark)
- (Mini)-projector and HDMI cable – For entertainment or presentations in field settings
- Printer scanner photocopier – A must! Many developing countries rely a lot more on paper than digital copies – Printer ink can get expensive and may not be available where you are. We use the generic refills and that work out pretty well.
- Bluetooth speaker – Always useful for events and while doing surgery!
- All things rechargeable – e.g. handheld/mini fans
If you have space, also pack:
- Extra cables, adapters, and connectors
- Spare batteries and fuses
- Voltmeter
We hope this has given you some ideas. Watch this space for our upcoming kitchen appliance guide!