For all of you generous people wanting to take gifts etc to villages in the Solomons - one very important thing to remember is that they have no form of rubbish removal. Non biodegradable items such as batteries, plastics (pens etc) end up as trash around the village, or are thrown into the ocean.
A little extra thought into what you take will go some small way into keeping the environment a bit cleaner.
For the schools - books (reference type - dictionary, atlas), exercise books or writing pads, pencils, colored pencils (rather than texta types), even chalk for the teacher to write on the board.
Another item much valued is something for the church - prayer book, hymn book. The SI people are very devout and most go to church every day - often twice.
These items should be given to the head man, or chief of the village rather than bartered or given away.
Clothes are always popular, especially underwear as they often don't even own a pair of pants. Be careful not to embarress if you take some undies - men should deal with men & women with women. Also, clothing for small children & babies is much sought after. The villagers really like to look nice for church, with the women wearing skirts to mid calf length or longer.
Hope this gives everyone a few ideas
cheers
Carol
A little extra thought into what you take will go some small way into keeping the environment a bit cleaner.
For the schools - books (reference type - dictionary, atlas), exercise books or writing pads, pencils, colored pencils (rather than texta types), even chalk for the teacher to write on the board.
Another item much valued is something for the church - prayer book, hymn book. The SI people are very devout and most go to church every day - often twice.
These items should be given to the head man, or chief of the village rather than bartered or given away.
Clothes are always popular, especially underwear as they often don't even own a pair of pants. Be careful not to embarress if you take some undies - men should deal with men & women with women. Also, clothing for small children & babies is much sought after. The villagers really like to look nice for church, with the women wearing skirts to mid calf length or longer.
Hope this gives everyone a few ideas
cheers
Carol
