Gifts for Cubans

For casa owners, since it's true that they tend to be among Cuba's more affluent, I often take picture calendars (scenery or wildlife) of my home country, or pillow cases, since good linens are hard to come by in Cuba. For schools, just about any type of school supplies. Bright-coloured pencils and animal-shaped erasers (which you can get in any dollar store) are popular with the children--but be sure to take lots because if there aren't enough for the whole class there may be some reluctance to accept them. Give whatever you bring to the teacher or person in charge--NEVER to individual children, anywhere! Baseballs, softballs, and soccer balls also make good school gifts. You will see schools just everywhere, from downtown Havana to the most remote villages. The primary schools always have a small white bust of Jose Marti out front.

Other things to take, perhaps even more needed than school supplies: eye glasses and toothbrushes. You can probably get a zillion pairs of used eyeglasses from your optometrist or opthomologist, ditto toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste from your dentist. These things are best dropped off at old folks' homes, homes for the disabled, or women's shelter. Underwear and wash cloths are also a good gifts to donate to those places. Simply give the packet of stuff to whoever is in charge, along with a comment along the lines that it is repayment for the hospitality you have received in Cuba. If you speak Spanish, it's fun and interesting to visit with people in those facilities, too. The staff tends to be highly dedicated.

I bring supplies to a school in old Havana … and a number of people I know.

The schools are always short of pencils, pens, erasers, markers, etc .Reading glasses are always requested .. from 1:25 to 2:50 ... I get them at the Dollar store ..The most requested clothing in order for children is 1: underwear 2:shoes, 3:socks (white), 4:tops, 5:shorts

Shoes, shorts, underwear, bikinis, spices, sunglasses, hats, umbellas, dolls (most cuban girls have never owned a doll), baseballs and bats, beach stuff, utensils(spoons, forks, etc.), tampons(swim anytime), cosmetics, coffee, coloring books and crayons, dental floss, suntan
lotion, popcorn kernals, canned tuna(not salmon), tools.

These days I carry a small battery powered Canon printer which makes a 4 by 6 inch print on the spot directly from the camera. After 35 years of printing my own photos it still seems like magic to me and kids especially are enthralled by the process.

A photo makes a highly personal gift that is always appreciated, is a small way of giving something back to the person who allowed themselves to be photographed and avoids the disappointment of the promised print that never arrives.

The most appreciated gift I have ever given to any Cubano was the doll I gave to my sobrina. I have bought many large appliances and even built an apartment, but I never felt more joy in the act of giving than in seeing the joy I saw in the eyes of this child when she first took the doll into her arms. She still has it, battered by many years, but no less loved.

Guitar picks, Guitar straps, Guitar strings, Hair ornaments/accessories iron (traveling) Kitchen gadgets (non-electric) Juice powder (to mix with cold water) Make-up (especially for eyes) Manicure accessories Milk - powdered plastic kitchen utensils Razors & blades (decent ones for special friends - pack in checked luggage) School supplies Shampoo Scouring pads SOAP Socks for men & kids. Spices (packets of cumin, cinnamon, garlic powder etc.) Stomach remedies Tea towels Teething gel for babies Toothpaste (Can be bought at resort) Toothbrushes (decent) Tap lights (with batteries) Underwear! VITAMINS (Especially E)

Clean out your closets, medicine cabinets, and desk drawers of the clutter, and take it to Cuba. Some things can’t be found, while other things, even a 25 cent bar of soap, are very expensive for the average Cuban.

Other ideas: hand cleansers, flashlights, glowsticks, safety pins, sewing needles, and
thread.