Items
Needed
When considering
what Cubans need, the best advice is to look around and decide
what material items in your own life are basic necessities for
you. In Cuba, everything is in short supply. Many tourists tell
of children begging for soap or money or food. My own experience
was exactly that.Think of what you need on a daily basis, and
that will be your best guideline. Also consider that in Cuba a
doctor or a teacher often makes no more than thirty dollars a
month. (This is not a misprint.)
This list is provided
for reference.
Medical Supplies
- Urgent
need for asthma spray, including replacement cartridges for
inhalers
- Urgent
need for vitamins C and E
- Antibiotics
- Allergy medication
- Vitamins
- Any over-the-counter
medication
- Standard (non-prescription)
reading glasses
- Pediatric medications,
vitamins, and supplies
Children
- Coloring books
and crayons
- Balls
- Small toys or
games where language is not required such as cards, etc. (A
friend takes used tennis balls to Cuba, and the children love
them.)
- (High-tech or
other battery-powered games will have a limited life, since
batteries are not available.)
Hygiene
- Soap
- Toothpaste and
toothbrushes
- Sanitary Napkins
- Men's toiletries
- Bath powder for
the heat
- Anti-fungal creams
and powders
Clothing (warm weather)
- T-shirts and
short sleeve pullovers
- Short pants
- Jeans
- Light sweaters
and jackets
- Clean, new or
almost-new, dress-up items
- Clothing (for
warm weather only)
- T-shirts and
short sleeve pullovers particularly for children 7-13 years
oldƒ
- Short pants
- Jeans
- Light sweaters
and jackets
- Clean, new or
almost-new, dress-up items
- Children's shoes
- new or like newƒ
- Adult walking
shoes for all ages - new or like new
Food
- High protein
foods, such as sardines and tuna
- Powdered milk
- Dried Fruit
- Nuts
Miscellaneous Items (not
really necessities, but things to add fun to life)
- Hard candies
- Chewing gum
- Pens and pencils
- Writing pads
- Samples of perfume
Reading and Religious
Materials
- Prayer books
in Hebrew and Spanish
- Educational books,
medical, engineering, etc.
- Yarmulkes, tefillin,
prayer shawls, menorahs, yahtzeit candles
-The Cuban Government
does not allow out-of-date medicine.
-Food and other items should be as compact as possible, otherwise
shipping is prohibitive.
-Clothing should be new or almost new.
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