Well, I will admit some of the things we send they could get in the Philippines. But what we need to be reminded of is that they don't have a Meijer or Wal-Mart just a short drive away. It is at least 15-20 minutes to get into Ubay to do the general grocery shopping, but even that requires multiple stops to get the things they regularly need and either leaving someone behind with the kids or bringing 3-4 of them along. For some things they need to wait until they are going to one of the bigger port cities that can be 1-3 hours away. Other things they can't get on Bohol and need to wait until they can get to Cebu City to find them which ends up being an entire day and sometimes requires an overnight stay. Sometimes even if they can find what we consider simple things like bandages and cotton swabs they are only available in small quantities and can be very expensive.
Ultimately, it is not just things we are sending in these boxes. We are sending them lots of love and affection. These boxes get delivered right to their front door. No drive into the city. No expensive import taxes. No cost to them financially or time wise. Right now their medical supplies are running low so I have offered to host a drive for donations. There are a couple of ways to get involved.
FINANCIALLY:
1. If you really would rather just donate financially we welcome that and you can either donate directly to CTEN in either the Cajigas fund or mine. That wouldn't go to this box, but it would help the ministries going on and help when I start purchasing English supplies and sending more boxes in early 2018. This would be a tax deductible donation.
2. You can write a check or give cash directly to me and identify that is intended to help fill and ship the box(es), but this won't get a tax deduction.
THINGS to FILL the BOX(es):
1. If you have new and unopened medical supplies at home you aren't using, bring them by as a donation.
2. If you see sales on medical supplies or things on the list below, purchase it yourself and bring them by as a donation or tell me about it so I can purchase it.
3. If you know the Cajigas family or others in Juagdan personally and want to send letters, pictures, cards, or any other tokens of love, bring them by.
I am collecting the supplies at a local ministry, but there is not always someone here to receive them. The two best days to come by are Thursdays and Saturdays, but either way call to make sure some will be here to greet you and receive the donations. Call: 616-454-1812 and you can leave a message at HIS PLACE Ministries. Call: 616-259-5040 and you can leave a message with me.
WISH LIST Directly from the Children's Shelter:
Door knobs
Working gloves
Volleyballs
Footballs
Basketballs
First aid box
Boxes of gloves
Gauze
Medical tape
Adult allergy
Children't allergy
Adult cold/cough
Children's cold/cough
Triple antibiotic ointment
Tylenol children's and adult
Band-aids all sizes
