We are taking our first visit to Negril in December. We are also bringing school supplies using the suggestions of "Pack For a Purpose." Anyone dealt with them before? Any airline hassles? Thanks for the help.
Fatrat
We are taking our first visit to Negril in December. We are also bringing school supplies using the suggestions of "Pack For a Purpose." Anyone dealt with them before? Any airline hassles? Thanks for the help.
Fatrat
http://www.packforapurpose.org/Originally Posted by FATRAT
interesting site, cool concept. i think it fits a bit better in other locales than jamaica, but that's cool you are putting forth the effort.
the only reason i say that is that really most of the stuff schools need is already on island. there are a lot of ways to look at it, depending on your own situation and what you are wanting to do.
"I beseech thee, my lord , let this venture be mine..."
-Sir Gawain
Do you want to take them to a particular school? I would love to take you to the school of your choice and give out the items you bring in. If I can be of any help call Treehouse 876-957-4287 or negriltreehouse@gmail.com
Gail Jackson
Thanks for the offer Gail. We are staying at Sandals and are going to the schools they sponsor. I am a little surprised there has not been more response to my post. Do people just just do it on their own? Not do it at all?
Fatrat
Fatrat-- it is great you are incorporating giving into your trip. Many people do it, and I know many on this board do--as I have read many posts about various donations and fundraising, everything from building playgrounds, donating soccer balls, shoes for children, visiting schools with supplies, donating to meal programs, building schools one cement block at a time, refurbishing libraries and much much more.
Monk's comment made sense, most school supplies can be bought in Jamaica and don't need to be carried over, and buying them there contributes to the local economy. Monk has been involved in a large scale of giving to Jamaica's schools in his own right. But sometimes it is easier to buy at home and bring, especially if you are going straight from the airport to the resort and not planning other trips outside of that. Any way a person can give is a good way.
Gail from Treehouse (who posted here on your thread) has facilitated many donations, as has Jean Gaynair from Negril Beach Club Condos and I am sure many other resorts, drivers, etc. have helped in this way. People who donate sometimes go to the locations themselves, or hand over gifts to be delivered.
Travelers Resort has a sign a brick program where you can donate and sign cement blocks used to build schools. Individuals have done fundraising events while in Negril that give to schools and various programs. I have sent shoes via other travelers for kids. Often just getting to school is an issue for children who have to walk distances or take route taxis when their parent/s have very little and shoes and school uniforms are key, as are meals. So it does help to do a little research and see where and what the greatest needs are and give there.
Anything that you bring will be put to good use and much appreciated. I just wanted to post as I have been involved in giving and seen a lot of giving over my many trips to JA. One of the possible reasons your thread has not gotten a large response may have been the title, as 'pack for a purpose' might be unfamiliar to others as it was to me. If you had put something like "giving to schools in Negril" or "school gifts and Customs" you may have gotten more response, as I know many have given to schools. Have a great first visit and enjoy the school experience (does Sandals take you to the schools?)
Last edited by irieworld; 07-30-2012 at 12:34 AM.
Fatrat, I leave supplies at the hotel where they are sent to various schools. Most hotels have responsible employees or drivers with contacts. I don't visit the schools as I don't want to intrude on their time. Remember there is no limit to the amount of good we can do if it doesn't matter who gets credit. You are doing good!
Wow! Your post just shows me that I am never to old(64) to learn new things. This is my 6th trip to Jamaica and 1st to Negril. I am getting a whole different vibe about going there. I am more excited than I have ever been. Is there anything you can suggest I bring from the states that is difficult to get there? Thanks for the advice.
FATRAT, first of all BIG UP for your generosity.
I do both. I buy the heavier items there such as reams of paper and the light weight items I bring. Now is the perfect time to shop since school supplies are everywhere. But I found walmart has the best prices and variety. Glue sticks for example are only 10 cent a piece. The teachers love those things. Spiral one-subject note books are 17 cent. Hard cover composition books are 50 cent. Yellow highlighters, which are also a hit, are 3 for 97 cent. Used to bring boxed flash cards but a teacher told me just bring large ruled index cards (100 per pack) and they will make their own flash cards. Scotch tape, black sharpie markers, reinforcement labels, scissors, dry-erase boards & pens. I keep a list and build on it adding the things they rarely receive from donations.
Buying in Jamaica is nice, but I can bring a lot more with me than I can afford to purchase there.
When I’m in Negril I donate through Travellers and to the school my hotel sponsors.
thanks irie, and to build on what you said, there are quite a few orgs that work stateside where you can bring or send donations of materials- for example there is a book bag drive going on right now- so if you want to take advantage of some of the leveraged pricing up here, in bulk, and not worry about weight restrictions and extra baggage fees and customs, then that is another route and one that doesn't necessarily need to be tied down to when you travel. Back to School time for example is really really really rough.
Another thing to consider is that many children fall through the cracks. Many kids only get one meal a day, and often that is the meal they get at school. Some will even try and bring some home with them to share. So it may be that rather than drop off a box of notebooks, the school may need food, or it may need scholarships to cover travel costs for kids who are sometimes kept home.
"I beseech thee, my lord , let this venture be mine..."
-Sir Gawain
I want to thank all that have helped with my inquiry. We are buying some stuff here and some down there. I am also checking with some local organizations about donating. As I said we will assess the situation upon arrival and do what we can.
Come Soon Back
Fatrat
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