Suggested gifts for dominican children, and locals?

Question

Visiting Punta Cana in Mid April. If we go on a tour, what kind of small gifts can I bring for the Dominican children and residents that we meet? What would be appreciated and not look, I don't know, junky I guess? I don't want to offend anyone, but I think handing out dollars would look like I think of it as charity. Don't they get overloaded with tourists giving them trinkets and cosmetics (as some suggest for the resort staff)? I've seen suggestions for sports or foreign tee shirts (Red Sox ones would be easy where I live) , but do they really want something like that? Are they already overloaded with baseball items? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Answer 1

For the kids you should take little toy like dolls or action figures, maybe school stuff like cool pencils or stuff like that, for grown ups make up and baseball hats should be fine.

Answer 2

Well if you are speaking of street people...I saw a program once and the kids seems to love and treasure just simple blankets they were given.  I havent traveled there, but when I traveled to Europe some years ago,  the children were always asking for american chewing gum and bubble gum.

Answer 3

I lived in the Domenican Republic AND Haiti and the things the children appreciated the most were small items they could use for school... packs of crayons or small coloring books or boxed playing cards.  School supplies are nearly non-existant in Hispanola and they are very expensive, so usable school items are a hit... they don't need any more cute trinkets. Even small english-spanish dictionaries would be usable.

Answer 4

just give them baseball t-shirts and baseball items because in DR they just play basketball.

Answer 5

We went on a tour in Puerto Plata and the suggested gifts to hand out to the children was candy and gum. We went through quite a few bags of sweet treats. Everyone gave out sweets. The kids were very happy and appreciated the sweets. Make sure the candy is in a wrapper.

The housekeeping staff we always tip a few dollars a day, because every day the staff changes.

If you want to bring crayons and coloring books for the staff's children thats wonderful. We also have given out hats and t-shirts.  (resort staff)

It's nice you are thinking of others, we need more of that in today's world. Enjoy your trip)

Answer 6

Hi Els, me again.

Here I suggest you to bring scholar items, like pencils, pen, paper, everything a bit educational for the kids. Of course nice t-shirts are always welcome, but if I being you, I would give them white ones so they can wash them easily. Like you said don't give money. For the room staff I suggest to give them some US money at your arrival, so they will give you a better service (logic no?) Anyway Happy to help you!

Happy Feet

Answer 7

Notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, small coloring books are all appreciated.  Hair clips and ties for the girls were a hit and we took some hot wheels for the little boys.  For the older boys, we had some baseballs and they seem to be huge hit.  My husband took some his old caps and gave them to some of the older boys and they put them on right away, so I think that was hit also.  If you are are on a tour, the touring comany will probably tell you not to give out cash.

Answer 8

Here are a few things to help you.

If you are looking to donate:

http://www.dominicandream.org/donate-and...

Directions for Visitors staying in Punta Cana:

The DREAM Project was fortunate enough to establish a partnership with Les Pye, Resort Manager for MyTravel Canada, who arranges to pickup donations from the local resorts in the Punta Cana region and deliver them to Cabarete. Visitors should contact Les via email ([e-mail]) or phone [phone]) to arrange a supply pickup.

They are always in need of educational items. It is required for the children to go to school but when they are motivated to stay on the street to make money it is hard to get and keep them in the classroom. The school are always looking for items that will help with the expenses of supplies.

If you are looking to support thru taking a tour:

http://www.outback-safaris.com/english/h...

At Outback Safari we support the local communities we pass by on our tours by fixing and repairing the roads, painting & maintaining local schools, clinics and generally helping out local orphanages & families. We achieve this by using parts of the profits from the sale of our now famous OUTBACK SAFARI merchandise that we have available during the tour (unfortunately they are not available for shipping overseas), we also receive many kind donations from people traveling here who bring items with them, we can generally find a good home for anything:- old clothes & shoes, toothbrushes, toys & educational items such as pens, pencils, crayons, paints, paper, books, games & sports equipment. Bringing items in your luggage is the best way to help our cause as the cost of shipping/sending items here is extremely expensive.

I am a travel agent who also look for ways to continiously support the communities that I have visited. These are two organizations that I work with that can help you along the way. The first is an easy way to get your donations to the right place. The second is a VERY FUN way to go on a tour and also meet one of the families you will be helping. They also have wonderful suggestions for donations. Please visit their sites and you will find a wealth of information to help you find the easiest and most rewarding way to give back to the people of Punta Cana.

Answer 9

I just got back from the Dominican Republic and I recommend taking school supplies.  Sweets are always nice, but dental care there is not always available to everyone.  If you can find children's picture books, that too would be great.  I do recommend that when you give things to the resort staff, leave a note so they know it is for them and they don't get into trouble.  I also agree that you shouldn't give money.  It encourages begging from local children and gives the impression that tourists are loaded with money, which can lead to crime.  Also postcards from the states are great to take as well, because it is something they can put in their house.

Answer 10

Well, I must agree with Happy Feet, the best for the kids is education, so why not give them some educational stuff?

Books, Dictionary, pen, pencils, and so many thing more.

I work in a hotel and believe me the room staff and other people outside are very pleased with stuff for their kids.

Answer 11

I am going there this summer for my honeymoon and never thought about this! Wow! it makes me want to cry because we can go to walmart anyday and purchase crayons for under a dollar and etc. We planned on bringing money to tip but i am going to bring little things like crayons and etc for the kids! i might even bring trial size lotions from bath nad body also for the cleaning crew!

I bet you the kids would love anything from the americans! Especially maybe barbie dolls but that would get expensive thats for sure!

Answer 12

SRA has it right - sweets are enjoyed but dental care there is not the best.  We went to PC last May and I bought about $30 or so dollars worth of school supplies and small toys from the dollar store and dollar general - we left some each morning for our maid.  I also noticed that the majority of the staffers at our club (Club Med) were college students - we brought some college stuff from Atlanta and GA (we live here) and we gave them out to some of our favorites.  

When we went into town for a half day of shopping I made sure we had some singles.  While enjoying a cool beverage at the shopping center both mine and my partners tennis shoes were nicely shined by a young lad - he was very eager to get the buck (he had a paint brush and a soda bottle filled with soapy water) - the bathroom attendants also kept the bathroom immaculate - she got a buck as well.  ( I was originally a bit leary to go in there - but wow was I impressed).

Another suggestion is never pay face price for something in the market - they love to haggle and if you do not get the price you want walk away - they will counter offer.  Do check your bags when you leave a store - we got home and discovered one or two missing items.

Have fun and bring sun screen!