Which item should I send first? (for a child in Peru)?

Question

Hi. I'm sponsoring a young girl in Peru, and I'm not sure what I should send first. It's winter there at the moment.

Toy,

dress,

pants/shirt,

school uniform,

jacket,

blanket,

towel,

school supplies,

school books,

hygiene,

chicken breeding,

corn seeds,

barley seeds,

beans,

shoes,

socks,

underwear,

undershirts,

sheets,

mattress,

school backpack,

laundry supplies,

guinea pigs for breeding,

wheat seeds.

I can currently send up to 3 items.

Answer 1

pants, long sleeve shirt and a jacket.

Answer 2

Are you personally sending the items or do you give money, pick the item and the agency sends the item?  I'm going to assume that the agency sends the item because customs would tear you up for trying to send live animals over sea!

My suggestion would be:

Toy

School supplies

Guinea pigs

My reasoning is this: Poor children don't often gets toys. Peruvian women are often skilled at weaving and are usually capable of providing their children with blankets, rudimentary clothing, etc.  A toy would be a great way to give the child something she couldn't acquire otherwise, and it's a nice way to initiate a relationship.

School supplies are hard to come by even in more affluent regions of Peru sometimes.  Most travel sites list pens and pencils as good, cheap gifts for travelers wanting to thank locals for their hospitality.  When I was in Peru, I saw lots of Peruvian kids walking to school with Korn notebooks and Hello Kitty backpacks, no kidding.

The guinea pigs will benefit the family unit as a whole.  Guinea pigs are quick breeders and the family will quickly be able to breed them and produce meat for their families.  They can also sell guinea pigs they don't need for extra income.  Then they can buy some of the other things on the list on their own.  Chickens would be a good choice for the same reason.  And, of course, they can probably make good use of the eggs.

Answer 3

Well. In Peru is winter in this moment. But, you need to be sure the region where you friend lives, because is not Winter in the jungle.

If you want neutral suggestions or information about Peru you can try contact to iperu, governement free information and assistance service ([e-mail]).

They speak English...

Answer 4

School uniform, shoes and books. Most of the times they don't go to school because they don't those things.

Answer 5

school uniform, underwear and school books, he will look sharp and be ready for school!

Answer 6

If you trust the organization helping the child the best thing to send is money .  Most organizations sponsoring children are pretty much rip-offs. (Some of the legal and registered ones have overheads of 70% so do not just jump in. Of course this includes the ones that use religious fronts)

After money you have no way of telling what the child needs unless the organization can tell you.  Get in touch with them.  If they are a legitimate group they will be glad to comply.

Answer 7

Depends where the child lives. If it's in the high Andes, definitely warm clothes (specially socks and boots).

I recently saw on TV a story of a family from the "puna" regions (5000 m above sea level or more!) the reporter asked the 2 kids what would they do if they had some money and they said buy clothes because it's very cold.

Thank you for sponsoring a Peruvian child!!!