First Timers/School supplies

[monk]

ps. buy some blocks at travelers please.

[never2many]

I just mailed 100$ worth of school supplies; I sent it on 3/1/13 from Nahsville. It sat in customs in Jamaica from 3/19-3/26 and finally arrived today. over 30 days to get there.

[SweetSue]

It probably isn't worth it to mail school supplies. They actually have stores where you can buy almost anything you would be sending. There is a neat little shop (made from an old shipping container) on Wharf Road in Orange Bay, about a 3 minute walk up from the main road that has all kinds of things for really good prices. Money is easier to transport. lol

I did the barrel thing once, just to see how it worked and it was not the end of the world. Aprox 3 weeks shipping time, a day spent at the dock/customs and between shipping & custom fees, about $125. But I saved more than what it cost to send only because I had hit some awesome shopping sales.

[SweetSue]

I think it's joe cool taxi that will take you for no charge!! My lady and I are taking clothes and stuff for the youths dem.. Also decided we aren't going to any schools.. Gonna venture out to the country and give directly to those in need..

Unless you have a friend to direct your giving to "those in need" why not consider doing it thru a church or school? No offense intended, it could just be me, but venturing out into the country to give gifts to "those in need" seems a bit demeaning. It reminds me of Colonialism (Lady Bountiful & the Lord of the Manor dispensing favors to the less fortunate common masses) and widens the gap between "US" and "Them." (I am not talking about going about with a pocket full of sweets or treats for the children) People should be allowed to get help in a way that allows them to have some pride/dignity without promoting a Welfare mentality.

Mary Gate of Heaven Church (across from CoCo La Palm) does some wonderful work in the Community and Father Jim would be most happy to involve you in some of their projects if you wish to volunteer time as well as give donations. You could contact him to see if there is something special he would like brought down from the States that might not be available locally. see website http://www.negrilcatholicchurch.catholicweb.com/ or email Fr. Jim -> jimbok@franciscan.org