Do we need to declare gifts at Customs?

[Irieonline]

We bring gifts for friends as a token of friendship and also appreciation. Some are for people who work where we stay and some are for friends who live there. We always call before we go and ask if there is anything special they want that they can't get in Jamaica or is really expensive there. Some offer to pay is but unless it's really expensive we don't accept their money. They always like what we bring and that makes us feel good. We also tip everyone who works where we stay and leave behind a lot of stuff as well. I think it's up to people to bring gifts or give money or neither. I don't see how bringing a gift to a Jamaica encourages people to beg for money. I think giving money may do that but not gifts but then again that is my opinion. We also bring toys and candy and go to a town outside of Negril where a friend of ours lives and give the toys and candy out to the kids. At least when we do this we get to see the joy it brings to the children as well as their parents as opposed to just giving the money to someone and taking their word that it will go to children. That's what we do and it's our perogitive and that's what we will continue to do

[Irieonline]

I hope my post didn't sound negative because that wasn't my intent. Hell I wish I could bring a pocket full of checks to drop off at different charities and schools but I can't. We work hard and save all year just to be able to go to Jamaica. We buy the gifts we bring from online auctions, the dollar store and on sale at different stores throughout the year to spread the cost out a bit. We just can't afford to bring cash to give away but we do spend a lot and try to spread it around. This year we do plan to donate a bit of money to an orphanage if we can find one in the Negril area and would like to volunteer a few times at the soup kitchen in Negril. We do what we can and I know that will never be enough but every bit helps right

[gregandkelly63]

I don't want to sound cold but why do people feel the need to take "gifts"? Unless you have GOOD friends in Jamaica (not just acquaintances) why are you taking "gifts".

If you want to help out a school why do you not just drop of a cheque so they can purchase priority items that are really needed. No need to worry about customs issues!

If you want to help out the general population then drop of some funds to a recognized charity or to a church so that folks who are in desperate need can get help.

I think that by taking gifts, tourist get themselves labeled as walking ATMs by the locals and it encourages even more begging.

It is important to help our fellow man but gifting is not the way IMHO. Give your money to those who can distribute it wisely.

BTW, I was born and raised in Jamaica.

We are bringing two dozen backpacks. Are you telling me we should leave them at home?

[captaind & Linston]

We are bringing two dozen backpacks. Are you telling me we should leave them at home?

"aye, there's the rub", - Hamlet Act 3 scene 1

[halfwaytree]

We are bringing two dozen backpacks. Are you telling me we should leave them at home?

It is up to you whether you want to bring them or not.

All I am saying is that some visitors that travel to Jamaica complain about the begging. Even when I venture back to JA they know I come from "farrin" and they follow me with hands out to give them something. Tourist have created much of this sense of "expectation" and dare I say "entitlement" by handing out gifts willy nilly. Give!!! It is appreciated!!! But give wisely, give to organizations who know what the needs really are and who needs items the most. No need IMHO to go interrupt a class full of kids learning their lessons to hand out pencils and rulers. Leave them with someone in Jamaica who can distribute them to some of the outlying schools who will REALLY appreciate those items. If you are an educator and are visiting Jamaica then by all means contact the school and see if it is possible to take part in a lesson. The kids would probably find it interesting. If you are just a visitor with nothing more to offer than material items, then I do not see why anyone feels the need to visit a classroom to play Santa Claus other than for the self gratification that comes with it.

Again, sorry if i sound cold but that is just something I needed to get off my chest.

[Rob]

This is not an easy thing to discuss, and I feel Halfwaytree is less sounding cold than being blunt, but he is unfortunately not wrong.

Teaching a lesson at a school is a great idea as is volunteering at the Soup Kitchen in Negril. And making donations to the right charities and/or the right people who can make sure the items are given to the places most needed is the best way to make a difference. A scene I witnessed made me feel sad, but proves the point about expectations and entitlement.

I was with a group of frequent visitors when school let out and the kids enveloped the neighborhood. A little girl ran up to one of the female visitors and gave them a big hug. They obviously knew each other well. There was almost a parental feel about the situation, both the child and the visitor were sharing the moment. The child climbed on the visitors lap. The visitor asked the little girl how school went and she smiled shyly and said "fine". She was then asked "what did you learn in school today?" The little girl smiled and proudly announced, "tourists bring us things!" The visitor looked puzzled and then asked "no really, what did you learn in school today?" The girl shrugged and emphatically said, "tourists bring us things!"

It was a sad thing to witness, but to me, this is how the sense of expectation and entitlement starts.

Just some food for thought...

[smith744]

Just some food for thoughtt...

* Wow *

Rob, that-post is a ''..belly-FULL..'' of *food*

i've got HUNDREDs of sad-tales, just like that one

[smith744]

It is up to you whether you want to bring them or not.

[B]
But give wisely,
give to organizations who know what the needs really are and who needs items the most

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

that might-not *work* either

i've got MANY-tales i could share about some of those *organizations*
and how they play-games
with those from-foreign donations/funds

*tales* that'll make your head spin 'round
like that likkle-girl in the ''Excorcist" movie

,

. If you are an educator and are visiting Jamaica then by all means contact the school and see if it is possible to take part in a lesson

The kids would probably find it interesting.

Amen..!!!...

money & trinkets aren't the only-thing of value.

AND::>> the children WILL love to hear-from a from-foreign-teacher

,

It is up to you whether you want to bring them or not.

Tourist have created much of this sense of "expectation"

ditto
ditto
DITTO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[smith744]

We also bring toys and candy and go to a town outside of Negril where a friend of ours lives and give the toys and candy out to the kids.

ummmmmmmmmmm

THAT *explains* WHY ::::: when i go to Jamaica, and staying in-country-side
EVERY-trip certain resident-peer-rants be asking me:::>> '''..What you bring for the children... you bring any candy...??'''


* sigh *

i tell 'em::>> '''...I'm NOT *the-One* ---- i'm NOT those other from-foriegn-tourists that come here...'''

nevertheless,
you-all carry-on......do what makes you happy.
...but *it* do mash-up things for me (and others)

[smith744]

Unless you have GOOD friends in Jamaica (not just acquaintances





I think that by taking gifts, tourist get themselves labeled as walking ATMs by the locals and it encourages even more begging.

.

Preach it..!!!.
Teach it...!!!

:-)


hey, boardie-halwaytree `~~ Brilliant-posts, der
clap
clap
clap

for-YEARs, i've been telling folks the exact same thing(s)
but they don't understand
...it doesn't *compute*

* sigh *

so it goes