Hi
I am going to namibia in september for 10 days, This is my first trip and looking for ideas for gifts for camp staff . things that they can use and will need that are hard for them to get. also what is the sci blue bag program thing?
Think of this: you hand them a Rolex, a Ferrari lease, a $500 knife, a Hermes scarf, an orvis bush shirt for $100 or a sure fire flashlight that costs $300 and takes $8 batteries
Sound silly? That's how every gift is viewed in Africa. They need cash. They have nothing. They can't eat the flashlight. They can't sell th knife for medicine for their children. A gift is totally useless to them.
Give them cash. Hard cash.
If you want to give more, bring crayons and coloring books from a dollar store. Their kids would be overjoyed with small toys they never would get otherwise.
Never forget it's the third world. There is nothing we can give them as a gift that they wouldn't rather have it's fair market value in cash to buy sustenance, a goat, repair their shelter or buy their kids shoes for school.
