We moved in Friday and we're throwing ourselves a house warming party. Many people have asked if they could send us stuff so we put a list together now that we know where we'll be and what we need. Some are needs, some are wants and some will just be nice to have to remind us of the States.
A few suggestions when shipping: The USPS has 2 flat rate boxes and envelopes. You can stuff as much as possible into the boxes of envelope for the same price, hence flat rate. Shipping isn’t cheap so maybe a few people can go in together of have a car wash fund raiser. :) They take a few weeks to get here 4 weeks tops. The mail service in Botswana is one of the best in Africa, however, be smart when shipping.
On the customs form LIE. Don’t write what’s really in there, it becomes less of a temptation to sticky fingers. And some things I have to pay taxes on too. Just write ‘educational materials’ or ‘documents’ and there won’t be any problems.
Include a list of the contents so we can make sure everything made over the pond ok. Take our all the packaging to create more space and to give us less trash. Tape any liquids shut too. Another thing, it will help if you send stuff in zip-lock bags (impossible to get here) and if you feel like going the extra mile, Katie requests the empty spaces to be stuffed with cardboard applicator regular tampons….I think I said that right. Here are our addresses:
Lempu Junior Secondary School
Attn: Lucas 'Kabo' Scharmer PCV
Private Bag 008
Letlhakeng Botswana
Salajwe Clinic
Attn: Katie 'Lesedi' Scharmer PCV
Private Bag 003
Letlhakeng Botswana
Our mail is for our work and either address will work. The mail goes to Letlhakeng and is then picked up twice a week by the ambulance or the school head because there is no post office in Salajwe…it’s that small.
If you want, you can coment on what you send so we don’t end up with 4 can openers or you can talk amongst your selves. Anything we get will receive a letter from us. Thanks for all your support.
-Calling card info: I was told about 3utelecom.com <.02/min. The reference code for Peace Corps is 360-945-1384 (don’t know what that means but there it is.)
Some things are random… but we are in Botswana!
· Knife set (in St. Cloud storage closet)
· Candles-bug repellant
· Football regular or Nurff (have pump)
· Pull & Peal Licorice
· Reusable zip ties
· Drink mixes-crystal light
· Fruit snacks/fruit roll-ups
· 1lb Candy bars…yum
· JB Weld
· A Shirts medium
· Passport drive 300+GB
· 45 spf sunscreen
· 3M hooks
· Leather gardening gloves*
· Epson (from Greensboro storage)
· Jump rope
· Resistance bands (GB storage)
· UFC dvds or magazines
· Old spice Red Zone Deoterant
· Opti Free contact solution
· Converter 110-240
· Cheep Frisbee
I can send all the recipies you requested and mix packets. I will look in Greensboro for the items you mentioned, but a letter about what bag or a general area would help. Cardboard tampons were on clearence at Target, so you have three boxes coming eventually. You should have a few letters coming in the mail to your Clinic address. Keep us posted on your adventures!
ReplyDeletekate you look odd with atan red face anbd a big sweater on. but beautiful. i dont know what you mean by epson or enpan sion bands. i looked for my old football but its not inthe garage where i thought it was.mom and i will discuss. as you get things or confirmation on what others are sending post on blog or gmail. love dad
ReplyDeleteDad, Epson is bath salts. And we probably sold the football in the garage sale . . . like everything else we can never find.
ReplyDeletewhat do you mean by kilt pin? is that like the big diaper pins?
ReplyDeleteyes bid diaper pins
ReplyDeleteHi Lucas and Katie. Just wanted to let you know that we sent a box today so in a few weeks hopefully you'll get it. Love you, Joyce and family
ReplyDelete