We are often asked if it’s appropriate for sponsors to send a letter or gift directly to their sponsored student(s).  The answer is a resounding yes!  The children love to hear from you and very much appreciate receiving personal notes or small gifts from their sponsors.

Each January, Project Zawadi president and founder, Brian Singer, visits Nyamuswa village to do his annual site visit.  This visit corresponds to the beginning of the new Tanzanian school year and Distribution Day events where students gather to receive their school uniforms, books and supplies.

Brian is happy to carry with him and hand deliver a personal letter and/or a small gift for your sponsored student(s) and we invite all sponsors to take advantage of this opportunity if they would like to send something.

We are also often asked for ideas of small gifts that are appreciated by the students.  Please keep in mind that baggage space is limited and with the large number of sponsored students, we ask that all items fit into one quart-sized Ziploc bag that is clearly labeled with your student’s full name and school.

Below is a list of gift ideas sponsors have sent in the past:

• Notebooks or coloring books
• Pens, pencils or crayons
• Small sewing kit
• Jewelry – beaded bracelets, necklaces, etc.
• Matchbox cars
• Small dolls or action figures
• Hand crank flashlight
• Candy – especially suckers, gum, etc. (chocolate melts)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Scented soaps and lotions
• Children’s books (especially English – Swahili)
• Pocket-sized English dictionary
• Deflated soccer ball and inflation pin for hand pump
• “Nerf” toy
• Travel-sized games
• Baseball cap
• T-shirt with logo from your home city/state/country or pop culture
• Photo album with scenes from daily life

NEW OPTION THIS YEAR!

Pre-made Gift Bag for Project Zawadi students includes: Coloring Book, 24 pack of Crayons; Dual Blade Barrel Pencil Sharpener; 3-Ring Pencil Pouch; Child Toothbrush; Toothbrush Cap; 3 oz Toothpaste; Comb; 3 oz Fresh Scent Soap and 2 oz Hand/Body Lotion

STEP 1: Decide if you would like to (a) make a homemade gift bag (limited to one 1-Quart-size Ziploc bag) or to (b) buy a pre-made gift bag for your student(s) ($5/per gift bag).

STEP 2: Please mail your package or place your order for a gift bag by Friday, December 18. If you are ordering a pre-made gift bag, feel free to mail us a letter to include in your student’s gift bag. Click here for an order form.

STEP 3: Spread the love. To help ensure that students without sponsors receive gifts, feel free to purchase extra gift bags to be handed out on Distribution Day.

Please mail packages or place your gift bag order by December 18th to:

PROJECT ZAWADI

253 DUKE STREET

SAINT PAUL, MN 55102

Please remember that due to the large number of students and our limited suitcase space that gifts and letters MUST fit inside of one 1-QUART sized Ziploc bag per student.

 

PS: If you haven’t yet renewed your sponsorship for the 2016 school year, you can do so here: http://tinyurl.com/networkforgoodPZ

PPS: Questions? Contact Lori Spahn, Communications, at LoriPZ2015@gmail.com