BajaNomad

Ways to help our less fortunate amigos?

shari - 3-4-2009 at 09:53 AM

Nancy's thread about helping her amigos promped me to think alot about different ways we can help our friends here. Perhaps Nomads have some good suggestions of ways to help and can share some stories with us. I will start off with the obvious ones. We all have unique ways to contribute.

Ask visitors to bring what they can spare...clean out closets (but remember to pack it in old suitcases so they dont look like donations which are illegal) mexicanos love to get suitcases too as they travel alot to visit family.

Help a child through school...pay fees or buy their uniforms or school supplies..donate a computer

teach a skill...like crotchet or knit and bring supplies

Support sports teams, gas, uniforms etc.

Give odd jobs to amigos and pay them decently

Help them with their house like maybe help put a better roof on it or donate some building materials, cement, 2x4's, a blender, blankets, chest, throw rug

Always put tips in the can at the grocery store and tip the baggers

Bring a gift bag of food to a family...dispensa...beans, sugar, flour, coffee, oil, milk etc.

Buy their stuff...empanadas, trinkets, artisania, bread

Do something nice like take them to the beach or whale watching or something fun



[Edited on 3-4-2009 by shari]

BirdDog - 3-4-2009 at 09:57 AM

Great suggestions Shari. We did the closet clean out last year. Gave some nice clothes to a family in Mulege. They loved it.

KurtG - 3-4-2009 at 10:19 AM

When we visit in April we will have baseball and softball gear again. Kathy's son works for parks and rec and picks up lots of left behind gear. Also we have contacted a couple of youth league coaches who have gear for us. Lots of balls bats and gloves. We just put it all under all our camping gear and haven't had any customs problems.

nancyinpdx - 3-4-2009 at 10:33 AM

Good thread, Shari. Thanks for starting it. I do some of these things.

Buy street kids and their moms a bag of tacos or tortas, and some cokes or sodas de manzana.
Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Nancy's thread about helping her amigos promped me to think alot about different ways we can help our friends here. Perhaps Nomads have some good suggestions of ways to help and can share some stories with us. I will start off with the obvious ones.

Ask visitors to bring what they can spare...clean out closets (but remember to pack it in old suitcases so they dont look like donations which are illegal) mexicanos love to get suitcases too as they travel alot to visit family.

Help a child through school...pay fees or buy their uniforms or school supplies..donate a computer

Support sports teams, gas, uniforms etc.

Give odd jobs to amigos and pay them decently

Always put tips in the can at the grocery store and tip the baggers

Bring a gift bag of food to a family...dispensa...beans, sugar, flour, coffee, oil, milk etc.

Buy their stuff...empanadas, trinkets, artisania, bread

Do something nice like take them to the beach or whale watching or something fun

[Edited on 3-4-2009 by shari]

Skip_Mac - 3-5-2009 at 12:47 PM

My problem, is that I do not have a way of clearly identifying deserving locals on my sadly infrequent visits. I trust Shari. I will happily bring anything down, give it to her and I know she will find a good use for it or direct it to where it is needed. Thanks Shari and Juan.

Iflyfish - 3-5-2009 at 07:36 PM

Great post, its hard sometimes to know what counts.

Iflyfish

capn.sharky - 3-6-2009 at 08:13 AM

Giving clothing to children of women raising them alone is okay. However, be very careful how you give things to men as they are very proud and you can offend them if not done properly. I usually say, "I can't use this anymore, perhaps you know someone that can". You are not telling him that he is poor and needs this. Also, if he can't use it, he will find a home for it. Sporting goods are great to give to the coaches---just tell them to give and not sell, to the kids that need the stuff. If they sell it, its still okay as they usually sell it much cheaper to the kids and they both benefit from it. I cruise the yard sales here in Upland every weekend for baseball gloves for the kids. I won't buy real junky ones or the off brands. You can pick them up for a dollar or a couple of dollars each. Clothing is all for kids and women---men can work in Mexico and buy their own stuff. Also, leaving stuff at the church works good. To be honest, you will feel better about giving stuff then those that receive it....

shari - 3-6-2009 at 09:00 AM

this is a very very good point Capn. one must be tactful when giving as it is possible to hurt their pride. For example when someone does something nice for you or helps you...like changes a tire or gives you a tow...whenever you try to give them some money they always say no....so I notice that Juan always justs says "para la sodas" and it seems to work. So I like the idea of suggesting that the people might know someone who could use the stuff...this is a dignified approach which is wise and respectful....nice touch capn...I see you have an excellent understanding of this culture.