Heading to Cuba soon...looking for ideas on things to give away down there

[Sundancefisher]

I know then love baseball stuff but I don't have anything to give away. What other ideas for things people could use? I gave away some toiletry stuff last year, as well as clothing and thermoses.

Does anyone have some good stuff to donate?

[fn1949]

School supplies are always welcome and personal hygiene products IE tooth paste and brushes etc.:sHa_shakeshout:

[surhuntsalot]

When I go to Cabo, I pick up some used gear like Penn reels, and lures off Ebay . When I'm done fishing, I give them to the captain... Gave a spinning reel and rod to a kid trying to fish off shore with some line wrapped around a tin can, 2 years later Saw him still fishing with that rig... They definitely appreciate it, and most would never have it if not given....

[GreenCanada]

Why not see if you can swing a deal with the Fishin' Hole and get a bunch of the cheap Rapala spinning reels to give away? Not great quality, but more than enough for some of the kids down there who would otherwise go without.

Also, you might be able to find some used sports balls (basketballs, soccer, etc) at Goodwill, Value Village, etc that would compress down to a packable size.

Lastly, you could bring a bag of used clothing down as well. Elders and children are always the most vulnerable and both male/female would be best.

Anywho, those are my two cents!

Have a great time!!

[Austin]

Deflated soccer balls is a hit too.

[nick0danger]

Running shoes, Cousin went for a volleyball tourney, the cuba teams shared shoes, the 4 teams from canada left all there runners for the cuba players. Straight up anything you bring down will be used. Stop at a used sporting goods store and pick up ball gloves.

[fish gunner]

Levis jeans ," the gold standard" of traveling freebees. Be careful though this gift will illicit people giving away the rest of the family in thanks.

[pikergolf]

Swimming goggles for the kids were a hit.

[Zanzibar]

I got to be friends with a lady that was fishing off the rocks at the resort we stayed at a few years ago. I had brought along a few things to give away, one of the things she liked the best was a lock blade knife. She was cleaning the fish she caught, with an old butter knife that she sharpened on the rocks. If I had known, I would have brought along some small sharpening stones.

[bukwild]

Nix the knife. It was made illegal to carry a pocket knife this year.

[Grizzly Adams]

Baby stuff. Just about anything small child related. Took some tape measures on our last trip. There's practically nothing they don't lack. Fish hooks or lures might make you popular. Cubans are fanatical anglers, cause they have to be. :D

Grizz

[58thecat]

Old rod and reels. Fishing line and for the kids bring a bucket of that Hubbabubba bubble gum seems to be a hit. I also bring lots of cheap sun glasses to give away which is appreciated. Enjoy your trip.:sHa_shakeshout:

[Coiloil37]

Hats. I swear every kid I saw asked me for my hat, the next time I go I'll have a couple dozen to hand out.

[Sporty]

When we went to Cuba the last year, we took Tylenol, Advil, baby Tylenol, baby Advil. school supplies, band aids and other first aid items and we took them to the church in Varadaro for them to distribute to those that aren't in the tourist areas. We tipped resort staff with cash only, they could buy what they need with tips and they have access to the stores that tourists do, regular Cubans don't have that luxury.

The first time we went to Cuba and went to Havana, the begging was off the wall. Our tour guide ( a local fellow) told us that tourists, although well intentioned, have created a generation of beggars and those that work on the resorts end up with so much dollar store shampoos, lotions, knick knacks and end up trading and selling much of this in Cuba's black markets, something of which is illegal. They rely on their tips more than dollar store shampoos. Since then, we have taken items to be distributed by the church instead. Imagine parents who don't have access to regular medications for their sick babies or children.

This is a good article about gifting in Cuba, it basically describes much of what our tour guide told us

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Travel-g147270-c129786/Cuba:Caribbean:Think.Before.You.Gift.html

[molly]

How about some cash? My hubby went down for a wedding a few years back and gave the hotel maid some cash every day. She was extremely grateful as their wages suck.
It is also easy to pack!

[Sundancefisher]

How about some cash? My hubby went down for a wedding a few years back and gave the hotel maid some cash every day. She was extremely grateful as their wages suck.
It is also easy to pack!

I tipped everyone. I was in the pool and a family went by cleaning fallen leaves. I ran up to a kid by his dad and gave him $5 and said thanks.

Maid got cash and toiletries.

[BeeGuy]

condoms?

[Mranderson22]

Even something as small as those .99 cent caribenors from Canadian tire will make their day.. I've never seen someone so happy to have something so simple. Toiletries is the big one, I spent 90 bucks before I left home on toothpaste mouthwash Advil Imodium polysporin afterbite band aids and left everything there. The things we take for granted are sometimes treasures to them

[Klondike]

Someone needs to explain to me why you can't just give them money....:thinking-006:

[pa_of_6]

MONEY!...They can all use it.
I think they have enough "Made in China" quality products down there

[600twin]

condoms?

I have seen many Cubans blow up condoms and tie off there fishing line to it then the wind and current will carry their line a long ways out.

.

[Gunfighter]

The biggest problem with money is the majority of their daily life things need to be bought with the Cuban peso which is different then the money you spend. They have to convert it to pay for daily life and these transactions are tracked, and they get hosed on the conversion. The hygiene products and such can not be bought at any price in the local currency this is why most of them will ask for these things. Baby supplies are the hottest commodity. Money is ok but not the best for them.
You need to remember that they live in a communist country and the government tracks just about everything in their lives.

[Drewski Canuck]

I have to say that anything related to Canada, be it flags, beach towels, Canada Day hats, etc, is a hit.

If you are going to be near a school, you can go see your Minister of Parliament, and tell them you are doing a trip down there. There is a set of books on Canada that are usually available, and as a Constituent, the MP's Riding Office usually will give them out for free, or at least Rona Ambrose's will. Just call ahead and tell them what your intentions are, and the Constituent Office will organize a package of materials.

English reading materials are highly valued in the schools, and it is a lasting gift to the children.

Drewski

[Okotokian]

The biggest problem with money is the majority of their daily life things need to be bought with the Cuban peso which is different then the money you spend. They have to convert it to pay for daily life and these transactions are tracked, and they get hosed on the conversion.


You sure they have to pay a significantly different exchange rate than you and I? The rates are posted.

But even if the government took a lot, still a big benefit for them. 1 convertable peso (tourist money) being around 24 regular cuban pesos. I'd rather just give money and let them decide what they need or want.

You need to remember that they live in a communist country and the government tracks just about everything in their lives.

Pssst.... you obviously haven't been reading the papers the last few years so I'll fill you in. You and I are tracked here too. Your phone, internet, banking... all for your own protection of course. ;)

[RTJ2005]

Batteries, screwdriver and little wrench sets, gave that kind of stuff away last time.

[lannie]

I am sure things like a tire tube with a compass would really be appreciated.

[Okotokian]

I am sure things like a tire tube with a compass would really be appreciated.

LOL

On that note, has anyone ever sailed those little hobie catamarans at resorts in Cuba and been able to do so alone (no escort)? That was the only place I've found where I was told I could not sail alone. It was like I had a guard. Is tahat normal there?

[Mranderson22]

Tipping them is fine and dandy, I gave away my fair share of the almighty peso but the problem with money is that the things they want to buy has to be available which AlOT of the time it is not. They have no trade relations with the United States which means the selection just isn't there. It's not like it is here

[600twin]

The biggest problem with money is the majority of their daily life things need to be bought with the Cuban peso which is different then the money you spend. They have to convert it to pay for daily life and these transactions are tracked, and they get hosed on the conversion. The hygiene products and such can not be bought at any price in the local currency this is why most of them will ask for these things. Baby supplies are the hottest commodity. Money is ok but not the best for them.
You need to remember that they live in a communist country and the government tracks just about everything in their lives.


I worked there for 3 yrs and the Cubans used the same money as i did so to say they have to convert it is incorrect. You cannot use Cuban Peso as a foreigner but i could as i had a Cuban Carnet. You can buy a lot of things in Cuba you just have to know where to look. Just go into the El Rapido and buy the products you want or go to Plaza la Americas in Varadero.

[Mistagin]

LOL

On that note, has anyone ever sailed those little hobie catamarans at resorts in Cuba and been able to do so alone (no escort)? That was the only place I've found where I was told I could not sail alone. It was like I had a guard. Is tahat normal there?

I've sailed them down there, but not without an 'escort'.

I own and have sailed Hobie 16's for decades and when I told the sailing attendants down at the resorts we've stayed at that I knew how to sail them his response was that just about everybody said they knew how, but not many actually did. As a result people got into trouble and boats got damaged. If they get damaged it can take years to get them replaced or repaired due to gov't policies. But he let me know I could take over when we were off-shore a little ways and he'd see if I was telling the truth. After I proved it he just laid back on the trampoline and called me 'captain', ha, ha. We had a great time sailing together.

[Gunfighter]

I worked there for 3 yrs and the Cubans used the same money as i did so to say they have to convert it is incorrect. You cannot use Cuban Peso as a foreigner but i could as i had a Cuban Carnet. You can buy a lot of things in Cuba you just have to know where to look. Just go into the El Rapido and buy the products you want or go to Plaza la Americas in Varadero.

Just going by what I was told , by every local the I talked to, in Varadaro, Santa Clara , Trinidad , Centifeugo etc.

[Gunfighter]

You sure they have to pay a significantly different exchange rate than you and I? The rates are posted.

But even if the government took a lot, still a big benefit for them. 1 convertable peso (tourist money) being around 24 regular cuban pesos. I'd rather just give money and let them decide what they need or want.



Pssst.... you obviously haven't been reading the papers the last few years so I'll fill you in. You and I are tracked here too. Your phone, internet, banking... all for your own protection of course. ;)

Psst...... again you missed the most important part of what I said :)

[CptnBlues63]

I know then love baseball stuff but I don't have anything to give away. What other ideas for things people could use? I gave away some toiletry stuff last year, as well as clothing and thermoses.

Does anyone have some good stuff to donate?

Just an FYI, if you're planning on bringing back some cigars for friends, buy them at the duty free shop at the airport when you're leaving or at a legit shop or factory.

Do not buy from any street vendors, people that work at your hotel or a restaurant or someone strolling down the beach. Counterfeiting Cuban's is a big business, even in Cuba and if you don't buy at the duty free or a legit cigar store, you will get ripped off.

[Okotokian]

Psst...... again you missed the most important part of what I said :)
I'm sorry, I must have misssed it. What else did you say about a communist country and being monitored?

[cpppark]

Big block Chevy V-8 and a Turbo 400 transmission...that will make them smile

[bukwild]

Just going by what I was told , by every local the I talked to, in Varadaro, Santa Clara , Trinidad , Centifeugo etc.

Your Spanish must be a little dusty.:)

[Gunfighter]

I'm not saying don't tip. I let behind my share of cash as well.What I'm telling you is what we were asked for every where we went was tooth paste , shampoo and baby supplies.this included some very English speaking locals in some of the richest parts of the country.

[Sporty]

The biggest problem with money is the majority of their daily life things need to be bought with the Cuban peso which is different then the money you spend. They have to convert it to pay for daily life and these transactions are tracked, and they get hosed on the conversion. The hygiene products and such can not be bought at any price in the local currency this is why most of them will ask for these things. Baby supplies are the hottest commodity. Money is ok but not the best for them.
You need to remember that they live in a communist country and the government tracks just about everything in their lives.


Not so, locals are able to spend CUC, they don't need to convert it. Not once were we ever asked for "items" when we were in Cuba. Everyone wanted money. The only items we took were to donate to the church where they distribute to those in need outside of the tourist areas. Gifting has become redundant now with so many people traveling to Cuba, how many little bottles of shampoo does a maid need? We also learned after the first trip that not everyone deserves a tip. If we didn't receive decent service, we didn't tip, no different than here in Canada.

[Sundancefisher]

Someone needs to explain to me why you can't just give them money....:thinking-006:

Lack of consumer goods that are wanted. Black market is expensive.