Gifts Baggies For Paola and Sisters

In March (I think) of 2013, another sponsor traveled to Guadalajara to visit her sponsored child. In exchange for my helping her to plan the trip, she delivered quart-sized baggies of gifts to my three kids and their siblings.

The photos I got back were very cute, but they never made it onto Paola's blog. So here they are!

 

DP Documents (see previous post)

M-I-C-K-E-Y... DP from Sponsor David

David Motz traveled to Mexico in February of 2014. He did not have time to visit any kids, but he left some cool gifts at the CI office for Paola. Check out these super-cute photos!:

Paola's reply letter, DP report, etc, in next post...

Mack's DP Debacle

Mailing this DP was a disaster.

My mother's employer generously offered to ship a large box to my three sponsored children in Mexico at their own expense. They are contracted with FedEx, while I always use USPS to Mexico.

First, FedEx returned the box to us because they didn't like how the Kids' ID numbers were written on the outside of the package. After we placed the box inside a larger, unmarked box, FedEx was willing to ship it for us.

Next, the box was scrutinized by customs in Mexico. I had cut off or scribbled out anything that said "Made in China", so I figured the contents would pass inspection. Nope. 

Customs placed restrictions on the following items:

Wrapped candies (there was a lot!)
Cotton candy tubs (3)
Box of candy canes (1) 
Set of Disney Princess dolls in box (1)
Barbie-like dolls with no box (2)
Deodorant stick (1)

With the exception of the deodorant, these are all items that have successfully shipped to Mexico on many an occasion. I think customs "looked inside" the box this time, when normally they would not bother. There are two reasons this may have happened:

1) The box was sent by a large US company, rather than a private individual.

2) USPS has a designation code for charitable gifts. I don't know if FedEx has this, and if they do, my mom's company probably did not know how to ship the box as a charitable gift.

End result, customs contacted CI to tell them that the items would not be allowed into the country and to ask what should be done. CI contacted me, and I gave them permission to tell customs to destroy the items instead of mailing everything back to the United States. However, customs went ahead and mailed it all back to me (at the expense of my mother's company, I imagine, but nobody has complained). I'm glad to get the Disney dolls back, because I can take them to Mexico with me the next time I visit.

My advice: Don't use FedEx to Mexico!

I am using a Macbook now, instead of a Windows OS, and I don't have a way yet to edit photos. That's why I left the name/ID number at the bottom of the pictures. 

Paola's 2011 Christmas Gifts from Barbara

More Christmas DP Photos - 2011

Paola's DP from Mack, Part 1

I sent Paola a direct package that contained the following:

1 Backpack

2 Long-sleeve shirts

3 pairs of pajamas (1 set for each girl)

2 Stuffed hippos

1 Necklace with candy inside

3 Activity learning books (Spanish)

1 Set of Dora the Explorer flash cards (Addition)

2 Disney princess pens

2 photo books (see previous post)

Birthday Gifts 2011

It's hard to predict what will happen when you send a D.P. to your sponsored child. This birthday box from Bernie and Barbara was mailed well before the easter package, yet it got to Paola a month later.

Happy 6th birthday, Paola!!!







The contents of Paola's St Valentine's Day and Birthday gifts from Barbara and Bernie:



1 No 6 candle for birthday

1 Pink and white checked sun dress

1 Pink and white top eith appliqued sun and butterfly

1 Lavendar long sleeved top with red hearts, stars and sequins

1 blue pullover with white blouse insert

1 pair of long jean shorts with ties

1 pair of red short and white top with hearts

1 large gold coloured locket

1 Guatemalan leather head band with hearts

1 tiny red Mexican bear for Maria

1 stuffed white dog with red bow

1 Magic Pony colouring book

1 Disney ABC book

1 Disney Princess loot bag with accessories

paper tiara, plastic locket, party invitation

1 gold purse

several hair accessories

2 pencils and 1 green highlighter

Indian bead necklace with fish.

16 crayons

1 green crayon sharpener

1 Fairy note book

1 light up spinning wand

1 pair of pink star socks

1 bar of soap

1 small Colgate toothpaste.

1 St. Val's card and 1 birthday card plus 1 postcard and 12 photos.

Easter Gifts 2011

Once again we have Barbara to thank for ensuring that we always have fresh photos of Paola and her sisters!

Here is the letter that Barbara received, along with a list of the package contents:

"Dear Barbara Rogers



The girl Paola is very happy to receive the gifts you sent her, she thanks you very much for your attentions to her. Paola is very happy to see the gifts: she loved the dress and rabbit ears both of which she wore right away. She liked the blanket as well as all the accessories. Paola thanks you and all your family. She sends you a kiss and an hug."



att. Mayra Gonzalez"



And in the additional comments Mayra wrote. "Paola looked so happy for all the gifts she received from her sponsor."



I made a couple of smaller corrections so that it was clearer than before.



And this is a list of the items.





1 Dora throw



1 pink/white rabbit drawstring bag covering an Easter basket for Paola & Tomasa.

contents

1 large stuffed chick

Dora sun-glasses

2 plastic eggs with candy eggs

1 pair pink-navy princess socks

2 Easter colouring books with 4 crayons

1 page of Easter stickers



1 white puffy bunny mask

1 pink (silver lined) rabbit ears headband



1 small Easter basket for Maria

1 bendy rabbit

1 Disney soft ball

1 plastic egg and candies

1 pair navy socks

1 grey tank top

1 brown stuffed rabbit

1 blue flower headband

1 Dora toothbrush

Plus



for Paola

1 white school blouse

1 pair of striped briefs

1 book in Spanish 'Los placeres de la terniera'



and



an Easter card and 12 photos.

Plus, of course, the checked easter dress that Paola is wearing!

Books for Paola

I made Paola two photobooks which I sent in her birthday package. The one pictured below was created at www.snapfish.com.

I also made a Spanish book for Paola (and my other 6-year-old, Nicty) titled: "Cuando Tu Madrina Tenia Seis Anos de Edad" ("When Your Sponsor Was Six Years Old")(actually, because I don't have the right accent marks here, I think it really says "When Your Sponsor Had Six Anuses"?)

The book show photos of me when I was 6 (or thereabouts) and tells about my life as a little kid, while asking questions about my sponsored child's life. For example, one page says:

When your sponsor was six years old, she had pet cats. What types of pets do you have?

This book was created at www.mypublisher.com, and it can be viewed via this link:


http://www.mypublisher.com/?e=OHm3Q8zJl3Qb1xCkdOSKDTlM7fB2nZOr&_mp=mByf6s3hWLMFPYPzPynVVE4zWnMCRRHL%0A

Christmas Package 2010

Here are the photos and letter from the Christmas package sent to Paola by Barbara and Bernie:

Combination Direct and Halloween Package

Barbara and I joined forces to sent Paola a combination Direct Halloween package. Inside the package was the following:

1 collapsible laundry basket

1 Dark Pink Towel

1 4-hole china tooth brush holder

1 Dora cup and two toothbrushes

1 Mandarin scented soap

1 blond wig for Halloween or dress up

1 pair princess high heeled plastic shoes to go with her princess dress

1 Halloween Count Dracula Bear

1 long sleeved Happy Halloween top with orange sequined pumpkin

1 pair briefs

1 pair white socks with purple trim

1 hankie

1 headband from DR

1 Little Mermaid counting play puzzle

1 Book "Las Tres Erres"

The letter from Paola read as follows:

Dear Barbara and Bernie,

Paola Mendez Atanda is very happy for the things that you sent, the toy heels, the teddy bear, the blouse, the puzzle, the clothes, atcetera.

Paola sends lots of greetings and she thanks you for all the gifts. Paola wants you to know that she is already attending school and she likes a lot all the songs that they teach her. She is already making lots of new friends. The day that she entered school she was very brave because she did not cry when her mother left her there. The Mendez Arandes family sends lots of greetings and they hope you are doing well.

Noemi Enriques (field officer)

Bernie and Barbara.

P.S. My thanks to Barbara for putting this package together. She really has an eye for what the children like and for that I am truly grateful! Bernie