Long shot...

Mirnish

Hey all,

I have recently been to Zambia and fell in love with it.. I was there for my sister's wedding. While I was there, I managed to organise some charity work and went to help out in an orphanage.. basically this is where I need help...

I am wondering if anyone knows where I can get cheap children's clothes, toys and stationary...
cheap as in £1-2... I know it is a long shot but I am looking for things that are in clearances or sales etc.

Anyone know what the best way to approach this is? I want to send these things over to Zambia to the children... also if you know any other ways I could collect things... free... it is even better...

I am looking for literally anything... papers, pens, pencils, clothes such as school uniforms... shoes... toys, balls games.. things like that

I would really appreciate advice and even if u have spotted anything.. please let me know!

I live in Edinburgh, so if anyone from Edinburgh knows any places that are currently doing any sales or anything like that.. please let me know

I have considered even approaching charity shops as I know they sometimes throw away some really good quality things as they are unable to sell me them... do u know they would give me it for free??

Thanks in advance
Mirnish

whitewing

Asda has been very good for cheapo stationery and toys for children, although I haven't been there for a couple of years now so don't know the current situation.

I guess most major supermarkets are good.

greenpixie_2

Write to companies asking for samples??

Or write to them telling them this and ask if they had anything that they could donate?

McKneff

Car boot sales are the best prices for childrens clothes.
20p for kids t shirts, babygros etc.

How are you going to get them there?

jak

Put a wanted ad on freecycle and you'll get loads of stuff. Good luck and make sure you post why you want it.

sarahjw

Wilkinsons for cheap stationery

jenniewb

Why not contact charities like the Red Cross and other over seas charities, see if they are covered by any of the charities and see if you can offer any service- if your able to then contact companies saying "I am a volunteer on behalf of xxxxx" on a company headed email you may stand a better chance of getting things for the children.

Otherwise I'd say freecycle, jumble sales (look around in your local papers classified listings, contact schools/brownies/scouts associations to see if they have any happening soon, google for car boot sales near you...) you may end up with a rather large shipping bill though. And definetly make sure you was and disinfect any toys, especially soft toys, the last thing you want is to give the children more then they expected IYSWIM!

jimbms

May I suggest you try some of the auction houses in the Manchester area, many of them often have liquidated clothing stock in lots and I am sure you could eithr bid for some cheaper lots or ask bidders if you could buy a percentage of the parts they don't want as often the lots consist of adult and childrens clothing and most only want the adult stuff but have to bid on it all.

Cara_xx

Do you have some sort of communal notice board you could put a message on at work? I bet there are a lot of people with clothes their kids have grown out of that would be glad to help

mazza111

How about local car boot sales for clothing? Primark do things like basic clothes really cheap too, plain but cheap.

Asda also do their own value brand of stationary which is very cheap.

Could you get a local school involved in this perhaps? Might be something that the kids would enjoy helping out with, then they could dig out their older clothing, and perhaps make a shoebox type thing?

Mirnish

Thank you all!
I have taken a note of these suggestions.. I am hoping to go by the end of this year (I have actually fallen in love with the place and the children) and will take two extra bags just filled with the stuff and will also look into shipping things...

I have looked into just sending money over there and for them to buy the stuff but unfortunately everything there is SO expensive!

it breaks my heart to see that a mosquito net there costs around $40 whereas I saw mosquito nets here in Ikea for £10... it is something so simple that can potentially save someone's life and yet the average Zambian cannot afford it


Thank you all...
I have also thought about Ebay where people do Joblots but I will definatly look into all the suggestions u gave me

thank youuu