Gifts Appreciated, Needed and Appropriate

The items listed by others; school supplies and sports equipment, are great, along with personal hygeine items. One gift I found most appreciated are pictures taken of family, and given upon return in picture frames. I find those at yard sales cheap, and print up the pics at home, to give many. The other thing I found appreciated, particularly on the Atlantic coast, are vegetable and flower seeds. I bought a two burner stove top and propane tank locally for a friend, and it changed her life, and her family who were preparing and taking her meals daily, as she is in a wheelchair. Now she can have hot meals at home daily, without burdening her family. Find out what they need, and give that. Any gift is appreciated. It is a great way to honor volunteers who work with outside grassroots aid organizations by giving donated items that they need. If you find a Nicaraguan who first volunteers without asking for anything consistently, those are the ones I like to reward for their heart for their own people.

I agree with all of the input here. I, too, tend to specialize in sports and educational gifts. I also liked the comment on another post about the mini shampoos, soaps and perfumes.

So many of us who are living abroad become collectors of things, coveting posessions. Much of which is unused and forgotten.

Take advantage of your travel to Nica to go through your utility drawers, desk drawers and closets; you might find that you have three pocket calculators and maybe you will use one of them a couple of times per year... bring 2 here... your bottle of "old spice" which has been gathering dust for the last 20 years, a "leatherman" which you received as a present and have never used or your grown kids' "ernie and bert" sheets... they will be appreciated.

I just went through my cosmetics and was able to assemble two large ziplock bags of lipsticks, soaps, perfumes, etc. which are on their way with a Nica nursing student studying in Cuba. She was ecstatic.

It is refreshing to unburdon yourself of "things" that are needed, used and appreciated elsewhere.

Books, maps, educational posters (for classroom use, etc.), audio and/or visual language-learning resources, math teaching tools, etc.

I was thinking about this too. It costs so little for "us' to do things that are practical and proper. The "family" that take care of my home and property (although it seems I only pay one man....)..Well...they all have a great and essential part of this. They need to be recognized. How ? Beyond salary ....recognition of their roles...and honoring their "jobs". In a way they can take pride in and know they really are essential and honored. Pedrillo is truly a estate manager...garden...guard etc... (a teeny tiny litle piece of land...but that is his life !). His sister ...Marta...she is "on charge" of cleaning and household things...she needs to be honored for this..."in charge"..and given what she needs to do her work easily..the kids...they are truly little "tour guides"...honestly...they work as hard as the adults. It amazes me...and I am thinking of how to honor them without insulting them....One thing I can think of..is they do not have to bother with the expense of any special clothing (and I noticed they tried to...not fair..that costs alot)..I provide this...and "benefits"[...any accidents on the job...OOPS...how could they afford help. I can do patch-up(my profession)...but I should provide some guaranteed benefit. Cause...I could not do the work they do !!!!One of my big problems with "business" as it is anywhere in the world. Not charity...equality and humanity. As for food.My thing is to grow a kitchen garden..and let whomever works for me...glean from it .Happy..healthy people around you ....what more can you ask for !!! Don't bring candy....teach the kids good nutrition and fun making stuff from whatever is affordable and available. Maybe I am an idealist...but I sure would like to try. I thought I passed USA Life 101...now...well..the expectations were so great...I taught my children how to eat and be healthy and respect the earth...but....couldn't overcome the lure of the Yuppie world or money. No candy ! Geez...how about honey sticks .....?? Then the kids would know sweet and also know ...it's natural. I will have the time...many do not. I hope I can do this as a neighbor and employer. Willow

My favorite place to donate stuff is in Casares, a fishing village on the west coast. I know the director of education for the area and the people of Casares are in great need of these things. There is a sports stadium in Casares where they play baseball and Soccer. Its the primary outlet for them and they play against teams from all over the department of Carazo. Want that good feeling of giving to the needy? This is one place.

Canta no LLores