I want to send parcels

tazandtommy

Hi
I would like to send parcels to under privledged childen in afrca.
I would like this to be a regular thing so I was thinking about schools I that I could send parcels to such as books, pens, and clothes.

Does any one know any school that would appreciate this

NumboJumbo

This may not be quite what you are looking for, but you never know:
http://www.horizonchildren.org/donate.htm

Scroll down to the bottom of this link http://www.majimazuri.org.uk/index.php?page=howtohelp to see what this organsiation would like. You could even contact them yourself about being put in touch with the community and see if you can donate directly.

Pens of Hope - http://nortehanon.com/?cat=6 It's in the Phillipines, which I know is not Africa, but you never know.

I am actually aware of a school in Southern India that would appreciate stationary - it certainly accepted mine with open hands when I went there. Again, I know it's not quite Africa, but you never know.

HTH
Mike

oldtoolie

Think about the cost of buying a few handfuls of books, pens, and clothes at Uk retail prices + VAT + shipping costs. Perhaps your money would be better spent supporting a reputable charity that can increase your donation with Gift Aid and deliver aid bought at international wholesale prices.

Try for example Book Aid International or Camfed International (The Campaign for Female Education)

Larry

Savvy_Sue

As stated, I would look into doing this via an already established charity - and what oldtoolie doesn't mention is that as well as your UK costs, the recipients may have to pay customs and import taxes on receipt. Which may be impossible for them!

Rummer

I would recommend the Marys Meals backpack project.

spud13

Hi,

I have 2 organisations I send parcels to every so often, both in Kenya: The Karen Zwickert Children's Home, which speaks for itself really (many of the children are AIDS orphans) and The Make A Difference Group, who work with street kids in Nakuru. With the state of things in Kenya at the moment - following election violence coupled with the recession - I know the children are really struggling for food and could simply do with cash right now, but they still need to be clothed and want to learn, so there's always a need for such items if you want to help in a more tangible way.

My parcels usually comprise of books, stationery, toys, clothes and sewing/craft materials. I tend to acquire most useful items from pound shops, jumble sales and charity shops (so your money helps even more then!), particularly if they have sales on. I tend to send a large jiffy bag of stuff through Royal Mail, though plan to look into the cost of courier delivery for a big Christmas box this year. To make it more cost efficient, I don't send large, heavy books; I try to pick up slim educational volumes so I can fit more in. It also helps if you make a point of indicating that the parcel is a 'Gift' when you fill in the customs slip. Hopefully, there won't be anything extra to pay at the other end then.

I'm not sure if the rules of the forum allow me to print full addresses for these 2 charities, but if anyone is interested I am more than happy to PM them.

Hope this helps!
Best, S.