"Education is the most powerful thing you can use to change the world" Nelson Mandala
CARE PACKAGES
Many people have asked me about sending me letters and care packages to Rwanda. I would love to get mail from anyone who wants. Please remember that it does take a long time to receive something, but it would make me so happy to receive news from home. If you would like to send me something and do not know how, you can give it to my parents to send in their next care package.
Address:
If you would like my address in Rwanda please message me personally on WhatsApp or by clicking ‘Get In Touch.’ You can also ask my parents if my address as well.
Ideas For What to Send:
Photos
Letters
Postcards
Markers
Coloring Books
Crayons
Bubbles
Cheap Paints with Paint Brushes
Children’s Books and Magazines
Food (granola bars, beef jerky, hot sauce, chips, protein powder, gatorade powder)
Candy (That Won’t Melt!)
Paint By Numbers / Adult Coloring Books
Small Child Friendly Games (Uno, Jenga, Scrabble!, etc.)
Small Children's Books and Magazines (culturally appropriate for children in Rwandan)
Stickers
Deodorant
Hair Conditioner (hard to find and expensive here)
Ziploc Bags
Sudoku Books
Cheese- Parmesan cheese shakers or Velveeta
Sauce Mixes and Seasoning- Anything to mix up meals
Powdered Cheese for Mac and Cheese
Baking Mixes (pancake mix, brownie mix)
Tuna packets (not cans, they're too heavy)
Protein Powder
Tips for sending mail and packages:
1. Print the address label from a computer (if possible) to make it official-looking. Packages with labels printed by hand do not always made it to their destination. If it is printed by hand, address it in red ink. This will make it less likely to be tampered with.
2. Insure the package, even if it’s just granola bars. One volunteer kept track of his packages and received 100% of those that were insured and only 56% of uninsured packages. Write “INSURED” and “ASSURANCE” (French) on the outside. Also write “AIR MAIL” and “PAR AVION” on the box.
4. If there is something super-important or expensive that you really want me to get, put it inside an empty tampon box – apparently no one will touch it.
5. Packages are less likely to be tampered with if you draw crosses and write religious phrases on it such as “Jesus is Watching” or “
6. Tape the box up really well after you seal it so no one can easily reach in or pull it open and steal the contents.
7. If sending food, please wrap and double wrap in plastic bags (ziplocs preferably, since they are reusable) to avoid rat infestation.
8. You will be required to fill out customs declaration form PS Form 2976-A. You can complete this form at the post office or online before you ship at https://webapps.usps.com/customsforms/. Indicate all contents as “Used” on the customs form to reduce the risk of theft.
9. On the Customs form, when listing the contents make them less appealing. In other words, downplay everything. For example, tell them you are sending me pencils or education materials and not expensive chocolate or soccer balls. If you’re sending books, magazines, DVDs, etc. you can mark it as “educational materials,” as it is less likely to be tampered with.