A friend of mine is volunteering there, does anyone have any suggestions on what makes a good care package to a village in Burkina Faso? What kinds of things are appreciated or what kind of things have trouble getting through customs?
2007-01-25 00:25:46 · 5 answers · asked by Helen 2 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Other - Africa & Middle East
I've worked for years in isolated places and know a thing or two about care packages.
I loved to get English magazines (especially when I was in countries where English wasn't common) like New Yorker, People, Vanity Fair, etc. Both serious news ones and others more on entertainment/fashion to escape. Since he/she is in the Peace Corps, they can also use these if they are teaching English or to show people more about their home.
I also liked to get some of my favourite candy from home or spices or seasonings (i.e. pesto or coconut milk or green chiles) that I couldn't find wherever I was. Sometimes good coffee or tea. Beef jerky!!
I also wanted some things like aloe vera gel for sunburn, good lotion, etc. Good soap.
If it's for a guy, a frisbee or a hackeysack since the village kids will love it.
2007-01-25 06:24:01 · answer #1 · answered by elf2002 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was in Borneo 30 years ago as a PCV. My grandmother cut out my favorite comic strip and sent them, with a short, chatty letter, every week. If nothing happened during the week of special interest, she wrote about her childhood in Kansas before the first world war. I still have - and still treasure - those letters.
One thing I wish I had done and still recommend to any potential PCV - take pictures of the normal stuff; your house, the street you live on, your family, the main street of your town, a grocery store (meat, produce, bakery sections), a hardware store. The medium of choice back than was color slides; it may be CD or prints now. Your PCV friend can then show his/her neighbors that he/she doesn't live like the people in the TV shows and movies.
Keep it small and simple. My parents sent me some instant chocolate pudding, for instance. It was the only thing I missed. (Besides being able to walk through a pine woods on a chilly, foggy morning, wearing a thick wool sweater.) 12 small packages every 2 months would be better than one big one.
If you send pictures, label the package "PERSONAL PHOTOS - NO COMMERCIAL VALUE". Write a separate letter telling your friend when you sent the package. West African postal employees are not as honest as some others.
A single paperback book would be good, but ask your friend about favorite author beforehand.
2007-01-28 02:20:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i might think of Africa being a warm spot. Brace your self for Sierra Leone quicker or later contained in the close to destiny. RE: place volunteers of Peace Corps are despatched? what's the main hassle-loose place, they deliver applicants of the peace corps? Is there a particular united states of america or continent wherein the Peace Corps sends volunteers to?
2016-09-27 23:24:37 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Favorite food or snacks of course, but those which won`t melt. A bag of many candies would be good for sharing with others. Postcards or pictures of "home" and even of family members. People there want to know what your friend`s home and family looks like. And he might enjoy seeing it again. Pics of you and other friends for him/her to hang on the wall. Free souvenier stuff from your area (pins with a flag, pens etc.) to give out as presents (ask local politicians or city hall). CD or tape with favourite music., or cassette of you talking. Cut out newspaper articles which might interest him/her. I don`t know, but if things in the package look too valuable - they might dissapear before he/she gets it. Frisbees are a good idea, juggling sacks, etc. Favourite tea/coffee/capaccino. A good book.
2007-01-25 09:29:06 · answer #4 · answered by jenny 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the Bible...there are an incredible amount of crooks there doing internet fraud and maybe a little old fashioned Bible teaching would go a long way.....seriously....canned Salmon is always a blessing outside North America...we send canned Salmon and canned corned beef to my wifes relatives in the Philippines and they always appreciate it. Canned food, toothpaste from abroad is always welcome.
2007-01-25 00:35:31 · answer #5 · answered by cbmaclean 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋