Contributing to local charities or schools - any ideas?

[Sue J]

We try to travel light when holidaying, so usually have some excess capacity in our luggage. Would love to be able to fill that space with things that may be useful to local charities or schools, that may not be especially well-funded. Does anyone have any ideas of things to take or charities/schools that would welcome donations? We shall be staying in Castara.

[Steve Wooler]

Hello Sue

You are MOST welcome aboard!

I don't about children, but there's a very, very userful charity - the TTSPCA - who are doing wonderful things for the care of stray dogs and cats. Tobago has a real problem with the 'pot hounds' (they're fed on the remnants of the pot). These small sturdy dogs are extremely friendly and good natured and feed on just about anything going, but they naturally get sick, injured and even harmed by some locals. The TTSPCA does what it can but is in desperate need of support.

You can read more on the subject on our article - Miscellaneous/Health & Safety/Stray Animals.

[Brian Taylor]

don't know about kids either, but I know there are homes. I gues they are happy about clothing and toys as all over the world.
if you have medication (with good expery date) or bandages and things (steril) you can donate them to the local health centres.
for the age I always see a box for money donations in the RBTT bank close to the airport.

[Ronald]

I haven´t info for specific items for the children eighter, but the day-care centres for childern always always has use for toys and books. Also for the children who are at the hospital. It´s mostly more easy the donate money instead carry a lot of items.
It doesn´t have to big things, even sheets are useful. Fan´s are also good during the hot season.
Myself was at Tobago Hospital some 10 years ago, many at the wards didn´t even had sheets enough.

[Brian Taylor]

that is very true.most people bring their own sheets when they go to the hospital. but don't start with the poor country topic again. it is just wrong sharing of gouverment money. most countries have that, don't they?!

[Sue J]

Totally agree - we have lots of things that people think the govenrment should provide but don't.

I wasn't trying to get into a poor country debate, just do useful things. I try to do the same over here as well! But it just seems especially important when I'm out enjoying myself, to try to remember people who may not be having such a good time. Sorry if that sounds a bit trite, can't seem to get the words right, but hopefully you'll understand.

[Ronald]

Brian, I´m agree with you & Sue, money aren´t always put where it´s most needed, never mind which country we are talking about.

I´ve been visiting T&T since 1989, I have local friends both in Trinidad as well in Tobago, so I´m not "just a visitor" who´s spending my vacation there.

I just wanted to say that a donation doesn´t have to be something big. Small common things are mostly very much useful, like sheets, fans, sterile gloves, books, 2nd hand computers, compasses and so on, all depending of who you are going to give it to.

[Brian Taylor]

did not mean to say something against doing it...with the poor country talk. just wanted to avoid that part. when you drive arround in trinidad and tobago you see little CEPEPO gardens at the roadside. they cost a fortune and are made to give young people who don't have work a job...why nit give them something useful? like washing sheets in the hospital... that was the point. but it is very nice to not only come, enjoy yourself, leave some garbage and go sometimes you meet ladies from the salvation armee in town, they might know some more places to donate something, too.... but did not meet one recently.

[Sue J]

What does CEPEPO stand for???

[Brian Taylor]

the o was a typo CEPEP... its ahort for something enviromental, project and so on, big sound and no meaning...

[Jane H]

The CEPEPO gardens may cost a lot and be a job creation scheme - but they are very attractive and we really enjoyed seeing them as we drove around Tobago. We hope that the young people who created them can feel that they have achieved something worthwhile under this scheme, because they have definitely improved their environment.

Jane

[Steve Wooler]

Hi All

CEPEP = Community-based Environmental Protection & Enhancement Programme

I hear what you’re saying, Steph. In many ways it would be more useful to employ these people in more productive jobs, as you suggest. However, remember that Tobago’s future lies in tourism. The look and appearance of the country will make a big difference to visitor’s perceptions of the island.

I have been knocked out by the improvements from CEPEP and similar schemes. You see the results everywhere around Tobago. The beaches and roadsides are so much neater and tidier. The problem is getting the balance right. You don’t want to destroy the ‘naturalness’ of the island and end up looking like a manufactured resort, so I have certain reservations about the gardens. However, the verge-clearance and general ‘tidying’ up is wonderful.

The big problem with these schemes is that Tobago now has full employment. Everyone who wants to work has a job. As a result hotels and restaurants are struggling to maintain service levels – particularly given that Tobagonians do not take easily to ‘service’ jobs, for historical reasons. One hotel owner recently told me that he thinks that many hotels will have to reduce their occupancy levels – operating to levels determined by the number of staff rather than by the number of rooms. Bringing in staff from other Caribbean islands (such as Grenada) or wider-afield is not an option because there is a lack of housing to accommodate them.

All in all, it is a time of great change for Tobago and it will be fascinating to see how it develops.

[Brian Taylor]

thats the point. they overpay people to do something that is not giving them the education to get a "real" job later on and they get so much money, that you hardly get people to work something to a reasonable rate... did not mean to get so deep in to politics, a topic that is not supposed to be here, isn't it.
since we can not change it, enjoy the gardens, use the bins the put in place (thats a very good thing!) and have a great holiday....

[Paul Tallet]

Hi Sue J

In direct response to your original question.

There are not that many charities in Tobago and many that exist seem not to have made their presence known on the web.

There are many International Charities that have Tobago on their list of beneficiaries but, of course, that is no guarantee that Tobago will benefit.

I have found a few charities here ...


http://www.cdera.org/index.php

The Caribbean Disaster Response Agency. Could benefit Tobago but focuses on areas of concern (short term) in the Caribbean following disasters such as Hurricane/Earthquake.

http://christmasseals.com/new_page_145.htm

Canadian based charity that appears to support the costs of treating Tuberculosis in Trinidad & Tobago.

I would check this out before putting any money into it.


http://www.nlcb.co.tt/home/charity.php

Predominantly trinidad based in support of health and education.


http://www.rotarytrinidad.org/

Mostly Trinidad based and although not explicit and, if in the best tradition of any Rotary Club I know, would lend a hand to any needy cause that prevails at the time.


I note that you are staying in Castara ... a better option could be to make donations or give items towards the cause of the local school ... the school regularly seeks additional funding for sports days and thematic trips for the children ... if this is of interest the best person I could recommend to you is Ann-Marie who you should find at the Cafe Delight on the beach.

I guess the same would apply to any school you pass on your travels around Tobago.

Another option (whether you are Religious or not) could be to attend the local churches of which there are several of different religions. This will provide you with the best opportunity to find out about any local causes in operation ... don't worry about being invasive ... the local community in Castara would welcome you to their churches.

Otherwise ... I am sure that, if you keep your eyes peeled as you travel around Tobago, you will find many other causes that could benefit from your assistance.

The only other tip I can give is to broker your holiday with local businesses as far as you can ... this ensures that they benefit.


Moving onto other things in this thread ...

I have seen so much recent reference to 3rd world issues in this forum lately ... perhaps Steve (who has the power to do so) should put the description of 'SNOB' against the next person that implies that Tobago is a poor country ... and may that identity remain with them forever !!

Trinidad & Tobago are among the richest of the Caribbean and Tobago has not even fully expoited it's tourist potential ... not that I want it to ... and I hope (as Brian/Steph imply) that young Tobagonians do not grow up expecting to be changing sheets/washing/cleaning and preparing food for tourists throughout their careers.

CEPEP ... I disagree with it ... OK, I fully support tidying up the roadsides after a landslide (i.e.; clear the road) but to plant shrubberries around road verges in the rainforest ?? the rainforest should look naturally chaotic ... I fully agree with Brian/Steph's view ... is there something better to spend resources on?

Regards

[Brian Taylor]

lets disuss these politics next time in tobago over a carib....

found out where the salvation armee is. they are located in scarborough at dutch fort. behind the famous roti shop there. not to miss....

otherwise paul is right, we have enough churches in castara, anglican, methodist, katholic, seventh day adventist, baptist.....

[Scott Henderson]

Sue if your trying to fill that extra space in the suitcase, deflated Footballs (soccer to Americans) take up little space and are appreciated at schools and village centers. Cricket equipment and balls would also come in handy. Better to assist them in becoming the next Dwight Yorke than letting them become bored and inactive.

Scott

[Lyn Croot]

During our first visit to Tobago over 8 years ago, we met some local children playing with a broken mask. It was held together with a piece of string and they didn't have a snorkle. We gave them a set which we had taken out with us and they were overjoyed. One little girl aged about 4 asked if we had anymore and I said that I would be back another time. Since then we have visited the island over 15 times and each time I take masks and snorkles with me. These are donated from fellow divers and one dive school inEngland give me their old equipment. I also go round car boot sales etc., to find them. We carry them round the island and if we find a family swimming we always approach either the Mum or Dad to ask if they wil accept a mask and snorkle. It doesn't matter if they are old or if you don't have the proper fittings for the snorkle. they are always accepted with a big smile. We also take out toy cars. We did once take 32kilos of equipment for a local school, hoping to set up a pen pal scheme with a school over here in England but although they appreciated the supplies the pen pal scheme did not go ahead.

[Sue J]

Hi, again

Thanks for all the replies - I didn't think I would be opening such a can of worms! Will definitely follow up on some of them. Thought I'd post a reply to my own question, having done a bit more digging. I tripped over the following

http://www.holidayintobago.com/childrenshomeappeal.html

which is a page on the Holiday in Tobago website. Have since been in email correspindence with Glyn of Holiday in Tobago. Glyn is originally from the UK, where many businesses 'adopt' a local charity, and he has taken this idea with him when he moved to Tobago. Just wondered whether it is the sort of thing that any other local businesses have thought of doing?

[Linda P]

I know this is help on a very small scale, but i would just like to inform any first time visitors that there are charity boxes in the airport departure lounge. my eight yr old daughter is excellent at spotting dropped coins in the street, this together with the collection of change from my purse (i can never be bothered to count out coins in shops) made quite a donation and would have been useless at home.

Linda P

[James T. Savidge]

Greetings,

Hi, again

Thanks for all the replies - I didn't think I would be opening such a can of worms! Will definitely follow up on some of them. Thought I'd post a reply to my own question, having done a bit more digging. I tripped over the following

http://www.holidayintobago.com/childrenshomeappeal.html

which is a page on the Holiday in Tobago website. Have since been in email correspindence with Glyn of Holiday in Tobago. Glyn is originally from the UK, where many businesses 'adopt' a local charity, and he has taken this idea with him when he moved to Tobago. Just wondered whether it is the sort of thing that any other local businesses have thought of doing?

My wife and I will staying soon at the Beachcomber Cabins, and I emailed them about the children's home and received the following update from Glyn:

Sadly, the Jesus Cares landlady wanted her rented building back and evicted them all earlier this month, I just have not got around to adding a new childrens' home yet (I have my eye on the great named Sylphil Home of Love where some of the kids ended up - there was adequate time to rehome them all,
...
(Politics deleted by poster for those that aren't interested in such things. Can be included upon request.)
...
I did meet the Sylphil manager once, and she was charming, plus the home gets great reports, so I will surely "adopt" it as out next community support project and your email has prompted me to organise that next week - so please feel free to bring anything you can. To be frank, some of the villagers and their kids still live barefoot in tin shacks in the hills, so even if I did not exist any church ladies would take in your things and find a deserving and poor young mum or two who could use them well. And every street here has a church! Or 3.

Some relatives and friends have given us some clothing for infant and young kids and a suitcase, so we will still be bringing some things with us to donate.

Although we are going on vacation, perhaps we can brighten the holidays of other people at the same time. (beyond just spending money there. )

Open for suggestions ....

James T. Savidge, Monday, December 17, 2007 - Dallas, Texas - USA