Nita's Nook

Clothing is a great need for the children, the poor in general, the teachers & the ministers. I am asking if you will clean out your closet, send used clothing to this ministry in East Africa. It is a huge need & I will clearify what to send, how to send etc... below.

Cotton fabrics are best. Denium is durable and a good choice. But other breathable fabrics are just as good.

The adult sizes to send are Extra Small, Small, Medium. Large and Extra Large. Shoes of good quality are needed in any size. Their feet tend to be wide due to so much bare foot walking.  

What I have done personally, is I have gone to the Thrift Stores on Sale Days. I get things for half price or 99 cent days. I also go to Garage Sales & Church Rummage Sales. These are great at the end of the day and it is usually, fill a bag for $1.00, type thing. 

Used Clothing For The Children:

Boys:

First I must let you know what to send. For the boys  shorts, jeans, cotton slacks, & dress shirts and pullover polo shirts . Be selective on what the shirt may say on the front of tee shirts can be used for play & for sleeping & they love them when they say anything about the USA. Of course they need sox, shoes and under shorts. I will suggest shoes or sandles in good condition and ones that will wear well as they are heavy to mail no PayLess or Walmart type shoes please. Flip flops are used in daily life. They need clothes in all boy sizes. 

Girls:

The girls only wear dresses, skirts & jumpers. No pants or shorts please. Blouses & tops are appreciated for the skirts and jumpers. They will need sleepwear, under clothing, sox and shoes as well. The girl sizes are from infant sizes and all the girl sizes. And for some of the teen girls ladies sizes extra small and small. Remember modesty for the girls & young ladies. No scoop necks and no short skirts please.

Oral Hygiene: Often you can go to your own dentist and ask if they will donate toothbrushes, floss etc..to mission projects. I have gotten some before and if many would ask and get these donations it could be a help as well.   

School needs: School books, papers, pens & pencils, Chalk boards & chalk or the dry erase type & the pens. We gather some at County Fairs for free.   

Teachers:

I have sent the teachers Carolyne (L & XL & tall) and Linah sizes M and L. I am not sure of Sister Teresia's size. Sister Pauline the Pastor's wife is petite and wears about a size L. They need everyday dresses, skirts and jumpers with blouses. They also need dresses for church. They must have sleeves and modest necklines & longer lengths. Under clothes and shoes are appreciated there as well. Shoes and dress shoes & pantyhose will be used and much appreciated.

Pastor Sylvester & other male ministers:

All mens clothing for the male Ministers and Leaders please send in size small, med,  large & XL. Send things for work, casual & dressy for church. Including dress shirts & ties, slacks, dark sox, shoes etc....They wear suits to church. Extra things like under clothing and sleep wear will be used of course.  The same principals apply here as with the boys for logos on the casual shirts. 

Men & Women's clothing for the homeless and the poor:

Again all sizes of the types of clothes above. So many are without homes now and need everything. It is expensive to mail heavy items so possibly money donations will go further.

Special Needs:

Music Instruments, Speaker & Sound Instruments, CD Players, 35mm Cameras & film, Computers, Bedding, Medical Supplies, Bibles & Bible Helps Books

Mailing Instructions:

You must remember to consider the weight of what you send as it is $7 to $8.00 a pound to mail by Air, taking about 2 weeks to a month to arrive.  We now have the Flat Rate International boxes of $37 and have been a huge benefit to us in mailing English Bibles, paper etc... but they are small in size. It is expensive to mail items but the needs are huge over there.   

• I have been asked to make sure your packages are under 35 lbs. for ability to carry and it may have to do with regulations in the post offices.  
• Be sure to tape them well with good postage tape in strong cardboard boxes as they have a long way to go.
• Address the packages with large letters and make sure it is the correct mailing address. For Pastor Sylvester  in Eldoret send to:

  Pastor Sylvester Okidi c/o Philadelphia Tabernacle Church, P. O. Box 7756, Eldoret, 30100 Kenya, East Africa   

• Always mark the package as a "Gift" with the dollar amount. You will need to give an explanation of the contents (example: used clothing) on the Customs form. Customs will charge the recipient a fee they can not pay if it is not marked "GIFT" on the International Form.
• Do not tuck money in the packages. Send money by envelope in a greeting card to disguise that it is a cashier check or money order. DO NOT SEND PERSONAL CHECKS FOR MAIL FRAUD.
• Be sure to add USA or Canada etc... to the country you are sending from in your return address.

I sincerely hope many of you will help these precious people.  

Nita  nitasnook@gmail.com