jlpx2

I am almost packed and just checking my list or the umpteenth time--most thanks to Lynda for her list--earlier I remember people mentioning small gifts to bring, but I cant find those posts. Some had said to bring pens--then someone else said the children who are asking for pens arent the ones who would be using them or they would be in school--and some suggested small paperback dictionaries???? What do you all think would be good????I have four more days to go--and can hardly wait! Thanks in advance. Jan

Luisah

Where are you going? Who are the gifts for?

If it's a home hosted dinner, some people bring candy, refrigerator magnets or photos or postcards from their hometown.

atravelynn

For your guides, the best gift is $$$.

Any school supplies that are easily packed are good if you can give them to the school.

santharamhari

Agree with Lynn. Also, for the schools....along with school supplies, soccer balls!!!

Hari

Denbasking

Hello Hari:

For bringing soccer balls with you do you recommend purchasing deflated ones and bringing along an air pump?

Thanks, Den

eyelaser

I have done that a few times in the past and bringing them deflated is much easier (for packing purposes) . A small hand pump with a pin is all that is needed. I brought a few extra pins just in case the recipients did not have one.
Eric

santharamhari

Hello: No need for air pumps, they should be able to do it. Just take a whole bunch of deflated balls.....

Hari

eyelaser

Hari, I agree they should be able to do it I just think it is nicer to deliver the balls inflated. I find if I toss a ball to one of the kids it works better when its round
Eric

santharamhari

Hi Eric, agreed......

Hari

richardfh

I took 3 inflated balls with me to Kenya last year (somehow they all fit in my bag), and they were a great hit with the kids. They also like t-shirts or golf shirts.

steeliejim

I'll add one more endorsement to taking soccer balls, pens and pencils. We filled one duffel with 400 pens and pencils along with 4 deflated soccer balls plus extra valves. Reinflating was no big deal once we got there since, with so much transportation by bicycle, pumps are everywhere.

We gave all to the teachers at the school so they could maintain a bit of control in distributing them. They were a real hit among the teachers and kids.

Someone on Fodors mentioned inflatable globes, which I also thought is a great idea. However, I was not able to find them before we left.

Denbasking

Eric and Hari:

Thanks for the soccer ball information; I am going to send some to Rwanda and Tanzania. Those folks are football crazy and they have turned me into a rabid fan! During football matches when the power is out my phone if very busy beeping for the latest scores to be sent in a text msg.

What do you think about shin guards and the long football socks for the young ones?

Jlpx2:

I am not sure who you are getting gifts for but if you are getting them for your Guides ask your Outfitter about them. KiliWarrior Expeditions and Great Lakes Safaris sent me profiles on each of my Guides & their families which was helpful in deciding what to purchase. Some of the things I remember that I brought along…

CASH, CASH & CASH…I also brought Aerobies, Timex Sport watches, BUFF’s, Child size backpack’s (I filled with the school supplies I brought after arrival), First Aid-Kits (with FUN bandages for the children), Children’s Books, Wildlife sticker books, Children’s DVD’s – believe it or not most of the Guides have NEVER seen THE LION KING and have NO CLUE what we are referring to when we see our first Warthog on safari and start cooing Pumba! Most of the Guides seem to have access to DVD players.

I have to say the Guides were most excited about the Shampoo, Soap & Lotions for their wives, gals and mothers etc.

The #1 favorite item that I brought along not as a gift, but, I shared at every meal that was a SPECTACULAR HIT with every man, woman and child was TOOTH PLACKERS! I have since sent bags of them to all! No one I met had ever seen them before and I could not convince them they were to be only used once! This just cracks me up every time I see this photo and think about it…

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...0&y=yglk57

Den

Denbasking

richardfh and steeliejim:

Thank you both for your input as well. I started writing my message earlier but was distracted and did not refresh the page to see your messages.

Merci, Den

cruisinred

Regarding Steelejim's comment about the inflatable globes.

I took some with me when I went to Cambodia this year. They were a big hit at the school I visited and only cost $1 each.

http://tinyurl.com/yken7j

Pumbavu

I'm living just outside Nairobi at the moment. If you'd like to bring me something then an 80gb Video Ipod would be great.

santharamhari

No, i'd ditch the shin guards and long socks.......

Hari