East Africa safari…donating clothes and toys along the way?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP. I know about those clothes trash heaps in the world. Partly why I want to donate directly to the source to avoid these items ending up in a burning pile of trash.

It’s hard for me to see why this wouldn’t be good. Children love toys and afaik, a lot of them wear donated western clothing anyway, usually having to purchase it from a vendor there. I just want to give it to them for free so their families can use the money for other items or services.

No good deed goes unpunished on DCUM I guess, sheesh.

They have toys and clothes in Africa, OP. They don't need to you show up over there with a suitcase of used stuff.

[Anonymous]

Except in like disaster areas, most people om poor countries don't need clothes or even toys. A lot of that donated stuff gets resold in markets.

[Anonymous]

There are so many poor people in this country who would appreciate those toys and clothes. Don’t forget the clothes you take may be appropriate for a variety of reasons (eg climate, etc).

Perhaps you could do some online research to find out what is truly needed. For example, maybe you could take a bagful of toothbrushes and toothpaste.

[Anonymous]

For everyone saying to just donate money-you understand that presumably OP already has the probably hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that she could bring whereas she may not have that money to donate in cash, right?

Are you seriously saying it would be better to do nothing if you can’t do the most perfect thing?

[Anonymous]

So incredibly cringe. Please don't do this.

[Anonymous]

Omg 😱

[Anonymous]

PP here who just did this in Mexico. I really don’t see the problem??

Op-go on Facebook and search “expats in (insert city or country)” or “moms in XYZ” and select “groups”. You’ll be able to find groups that will guide you.

You could also reach out to a church in the area where you’re traveling. They’d be delighted to have your stuff, I promise you.

Where we traveled there were tons of kids without shoes and who had never held a book before….what is wrong with wanting to help them? I didn’t post about it on Facebook, I’m not saying I deserve a metal. It’s one small thing within my power to do and I was happy to be able to do something as opposed to nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this a troll? On the off chance it isn't:

I was on Safari in Tanzania a little over a year ago. My answer is this: Absolutely not. No. They do not need your used "nice clothes" or "toys." If you want to help poor children in Africa, you can donate money. Our lodges were run by Asilia and they support local villages and schools and we were given the opportunity to donate. Money. Not old jeans.

Ugh. I really hope this post isn't real. If it is, how about you don't travel and make us all look terrible?

Donating money has pitfalls too. So much of the money goes to admin costs and corruption. At least if OP brings stuff and donates it directly, she’s not having half of her donation go to admin costs or advertising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My cousin and I are headed to Kenya and Tanzania this summer for a safari trip to a few of the parks there - masai Mara, Serengeti, Lake Nakuru. I would like to pack an extra suitcase full of my children’s outgrown clothes and toys to donate to local children and villages. My understanding is that we will pass through various villages along the way as we drive to the different game parks.

My cousin who has been on safari before told me no, that we can’t just go into the villages and give them “our crap” (her words not mine!!!!).

I’ve done a lot of research on our trip including watching lots of YouTube videos and I see safari vans going through the villages and children run up to the cars. My plan was to give them stuff when they come running up. Or asking our safari guide if we can stop at various villages and just donate to whoever we see, or if he knows someone.

If you have been on safari, what do you think? My children have lots of nice clothes that look brand new, plus tons of toys. I’d rather give it to them than donate to the local thrift store.

[Anonymous]

Just throw out cash

[Anonymous]

Second hand clothes are the bane of Africa. Rwanda actually outlawed them because they have become such a trash problem.

Please do not bring old clothes to Africa. Or anywhere. Sell them and donate the money to a worthwhile charity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For everyone saying to just donate money-you understand that presumably OP already has the probably hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that she could bring whereas she may not have that money to donate in cash, right?

Are you seriously saying it would be better to do nothing if you can’t do the most perfect thing?

If she has money to travel to a safari then she has enough to donate. OP, why not support local shops by purchasing things from local vendors. Please don’t give them your old clothes.

[Anonymous]

You can bring small goodies to give children. NEW goodies. And only if you try to make a human connection, not just throw from a car, jeez. Pens, pencils, party favors. Don’t even think about filming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second hand clothes are the bane of Africa. Rwanda actually outlawed them because they have become such a trash problem.

Please do not bring old clothes to Africa. Or anywhere. Sell them and donate the money to a worthwhile charity.

There is literally zero intersectionality between the used clothes problem in Africa and what OP intends to do.

The used clothes problem in Africa is one of overwhelming volume, and of essentially trash clothes. The used clothes that get sent are sent it massive bales by companies, and the clothes are often dirty, stained, and have holes. Children’s clothes are a rarity,

So yeah, don’t send shipping containers of dirty unusable clothes to Africa. That has ZERO to do with what OP is planning.

More context here:

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/invasion-second-hand-clothes-africa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can bring small goodies to give children. NEW goodies. And only if you try to make a human connection, not just throw from a car, jeez. Pens, pencils, party favors. Don’t even think about filming.

Why do they need to be new? What difference does it make if you’re giving away something like matchbox cars? Why do they have to be in a package vs. loose?

I promise you the kids are grateful for whatever you give them.