Sandi:
I moved this thread to a new one because I thought your gift idea is so very important and functional which could benefit others and solve their weight issues as well.

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Author: cybor
Date: 05/16/2006, 08:49 am
denbasking,
Ask your airline if you are allowed to bring any extra luggage or boxed items for donation/charity and what the protocol would be. I have done this in the past @ n/c with prearranged permission from the airline.
Good luck;
Sherry

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Author: sandi
Date: 05/16/2006, 09:15 am

I know we all want to be able to give back in some way. Some do this with donations of books, pads, pens, markets, maps, etc. for a school.

In your case, you're bringing medical supplies which is most generous and certainly needed.

However, with limited weight allowances, we can't do/bring everything. But, you may want to consider an additional cash donation for the purchase of mosquito nets.

Then, if during your trip you visit a school or learn what is needed, you can, upon return home, arrange to send a package direct to the school for distribution as they feel warranted.

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Author: Denbasking
Date: 05/16/2006, 10:45 am

Great ideas Cybor and Sandi! Sandi I LOVE the idea of the nets, I saw a documentary as part of the Roll Back Malaria campaign on the importance of the nets and how they were availabile in these mini-kiosks but no one could afford them! http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/ (Great music at this site too)

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Author: sandi
Date: 05/16/2006, 03:08 pm
When visiting a village at Lake Victoria last year, we inquired about what we could do for the community. As the words left my mouth, the lightbulb went off in my head and "mossie nets" was the answer. Though we had left most of our cash behind at camp, we gave all the cash we had (about $25-$40... don't recall exactly) in our pockets. Of course, we checked with our guide that the funds would go for what we wished, and were reassured that we were dealing with a very reputable representative of the community, handed over the funds. This guy was so appreciative when we mentioned we wanted this to go specifically for the purchase of mossie nets, he couldn't thank us enough. His comment was something like "manna (gift) from heaven."

Of everything we've brought or given away over the years, this was by far the best; a great feeling inside knowing we did the right thing. For me, this is where my future donations will go until this horrid disease is eliminated or an inoculation is found.

And I won't have to worry about weight limits.

denbasking -

How thoughtful. Yes, a good answer to our weight concerns. I'm sure all the in-country tour outfitters can assist their clients in this area. Just ask. And this doesn't have to be limited to East Africa, there are plenty of places in Africa and worldwide that can benefit.

do you buy the nets here and take them or buy them there?

I believe the documentary that I saw was in South Western Kenya but there is a current real-time news blog covering Tanzania: Tanzania: US journalists "blogging" about the devastation caused by malaria which one can get to by via the http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/ link.

The Kenya story had shown us how there were these Mossie-net Kiosks plunked down in the middle of villages and settlements but each net cost from 3 – 6 dollars so they just stayed there and malaria stricken folks would just wonder by these out of place props full of unused nets! The good intentions were outdone by the not so brilliant thinking that if they did not charge for the nets they would not seem valuable or desirous enough!

Matnikstym:

I believe there are plenty of nets already in many places in Africa. Now how we secure them once we are there I am not sure but I poke around in the Roll Back Malaria link and see what I can find out.

Perhaps as Sandi inferred we can all get our outfitters to secure them?

Anyone have other suggestions?

If not to the secure them, believe me the outfitters have plenty to do, but rather which organization can be contacted or to whom we can contribute directly. Maybe a village that has these, but the community can't afford to purchase (or if at no cost the community feels they're not valuable), donate the funds for the elders, teacher, nurse to distribute as needed.

Yes, all your points make sense Sandi.

I am going to try to reach the US partner of the Tanzanian outfitter I am using before he leaves tomorrow to see if he can find out anything for us. He will be contacting me one more time after his arrival before I depart and I will pass along any information he was able to get.