waiting
children wait in line to recieve gift bags filled with toothpaste, toothbrushes, and small toys in Terrazas, TJ, Mexico.
This image was taken in September of 2007 in Terrazas, Mexico, at our last day of kid’s program. We handed out approximately 100 gift bags to the boys and girls there that were made by parents, teachers, and families of Duncan Christian Elementary School, and given out by the grade 12 class at DCS. I was proud to be a chaperone on this trip.
This year, my families’ hope is to up the ante. Instead of sewn bags, we would like to give backpacks that children could use for school. My hope is for my family and friends to raise enough money to put together 100 joy bags. In church this morning, my wife and I were talking before the service about our tradition of ordering items from the Samaritan’s Purse gift catalog. Last year, my favourite item to give was a soccer ball. I think this year it will be water filtration systems, but we haven’t done our ‘Christmas shopping’ yet. My wife whispered to me that it would be great to do something more personal. I looked at her and said ‘that is what we are working towards’.
Our hope for next September: To deliver between 70 and 100 gift bags to the children of Terrazas and surrounding areas. We are currently wondering about partnering with a group of parents, teachers and families from Duncan Christian Elementary school who have been making gift bags (updates soon on that one, hopefully…) Backpacks will be more bulky than the bags we brought last year, as they will be packed in school bags, so I am unsure as to how many we could actually take with us…
P.S. To see more images from the Love TJ o7 trip, see: Love Tijuana, o7 – I have limited the number of photos due to confidentiality and using student images. You can also view the work we did @ ‘the river’.
Joy Packs
What would it cost to fill a backpack with joy and hand deliver it to the kids of Terazas, Tijuana, Mexico? That is the question I am currently sorting through.
World Vision does it for kids in Canada for $25. I am going to aim for that price, or slightly less than that.
So far, I have found a potential backpack to use, Mountain Equipment Co-Op’s Pika Plus rings it at $12.oo, but they are willing to give 10% off of a bulk purchase (any number over 10). It’s also a great little bag that takes a beating, from what I’ve heard and seen (both are important for where these are headed!). I remember seeing these bags kicking around University campuses back in the day. I don’t know about you, but if I am giving a gift, I want it to be usable and durable. I also trust MEC’s ethical stance, which is essential from where I stand. No point giving children in Mexico products that were built in Mexico or elsewhere using slave labour or unfair employment.
So, a slick pack for 10.80 per unit, and free shipping on orders over 150 dollars.
That leaves roughly half the price to fill the bag.
Next stop: what are the ultimate ingredients for a swag bag for young boys and girls in Terrazas…
