Where to donate?

Question

Im thinking of starting backpack drive for underpriveledged kids in other countries. Where can i donate the backpack(filled with school supplies)? I was thinking about the guy from three cups of tea but i dont have his email. Anybody know any other good school organizations? ty!

Answer 1

Check with an international aid/relief organization.  Many of these organizations have the resources in place that are needed to send supplies to other countries.  I'm sure they would be happy to work with you to give you ideas of what kinds of things are needed in other countries.

Keep in mind that for something like school supplies for international distribution, a lot of times money goes a whole lot farther.  Donating gently used backpacks is a wonderful idea, but don't go to a store and buy supplies to fill it.  Charities are more efficient buying bulk surplus supplies directly from the manufacturers.  Instead of spending $2 for a box of pencils, a charity can get a whole case of pencils for not much more than that.  Here's a link to get you started: http://www.edutopia.org/aid-internationa...

If you live in or near a medium to large sized city, there is probably great need right in your community.  Partner with a school to organize a community drive.  Find a charity.  If your hometown has a community foundation, check what charities they help support.  Community foundations have strong networks for partnering giving people with the charities that need the support.  Many community foundations have youth advisory boards that would love to help organize a project like this.  If you are in the United States, check http://www.communityfoundations.net to find your local community foundation.

If you attend a church, many churches sponsor missionaries and schools in many different countries.  They can help advise what kind of supplies are needed in other countries and how and where to send them.

Without knowing where you live, I can't help you find a local charity, but hopefully this gives you a starting point of where to look.

Answer 2

If you are wanting to help schools how about a school in Haiti, it is the poorest nation in the world and I can vouch for that. I have been there just recently. A local ministry goes there at least twice a year ministering to the kids and visiting the schools, there needs are overwhelming, The name of the ministry is Bro.Joe Mobley (Crusades for Christ), PO Box 238, London KY,40741-0238, their web address is www. brojoe.com, email [e-mail].  We we were there we took some pictures of the kids to set up a database to start sponsorship. Port au Prince has over 3 million people in it and that is just way more than they can handle, If you have any questions you can send me an email, 100% of money given to the sponsored kids program goes to the kids, all of it. God Bless You and Good Luck!!

Answer 3

While your intentions are good, you are going about this project in a backwards fashion.

If you really want to help underpriveleged kids in other countries, you find out what their needs are first, then focus on procuring those resources.

You should realize that shipping fees, customs, and taxes will probably cost more than your materials are worth to get them to their destination.

You should know that things considered necessities in developed countries may be of no use in other countries where the culture is different.

If you really want to do a backpack drive for school supplies, then I recommend donating them to needy children in your own country or else do the project in conjunction with a mission trip or some other group that will be travelling abroad and would be willing to carry your donations in their luggage.

And who is the guy from three cups of tea?