For those supporters who prefer buying items themselves, here are a few suggestions which are always welcome. There are two main events during the year which really need help from our supporters, they are Christmas, when we need lots of small toys which can be added together as stocking fillers. the second is the new school year when we need a LOT of educational supplies.
Those who are flying can fill in a Luggage application form, and request extra luggage from their travel company/aitline.
Once you have filled out our lugage form with your flight and holiday details, click the SUBIMIT button which will send a request for a letter from us and hopefully one will be sent to you within 15 minutes.
If you don't receive one then please check your junk folder and if nothing has arrived within 12 hours please message us and let us know.
As we help 100+ children and young people every year we get through a lot of educational material. Each year we provide all the books and stationary that the children need and schools are very demanding with most children needing around 20 note books each, along with Pens, pencils, compas boxes, paint, sketch pens and more.
If you can help then we are happy to receive any of these as donations in kind, although just as happy to have financial donations so we can buy the tiems when required.
*Note : Most items are much cheaper in locally in Goa. We also know shops that give extra discount.
Blue Pens For SchoolWe are always in need of Blue ball point pens for the school children
All students above 10 years require a compas box (compas, protractor, triangle etc)
Pencil CasesEach year we provide a pencil cases for each child, this year we gave out over 200
Pencil CrayonsSmall packs of Pencil Crayons (12 in a pack) for use at school in Art class
Felt TipsFelt Tips / Sketch Pens, small packs (12 in a pack) for use at school in Art class
We need over 1000 single line note books each year! (100 / 200 page)
School BagsEach year we give out around 100 new school bags for the children
We do lots of printing for the chidlren, notes, research, pictures all for school and A4 Paper is always welcome.
Each month we provide Hygiene items to the children and sort out any issues they maybe having. We are always in need of soap, toothpaste and monthly pads for the older girls. Heres a list of useful items to donate.
Monthly PadsThe older girls are always in need of monthly pads to make them feels more comfortable
We buy most of the soap we give out but are always happy to receive it as gifts in kind
Toothpaste & BrushesWe are delighted to receive extra toothpaste which we give out months to 100+ kids
Shampoo & ConditionerThe older girls really benefit from conditioner to help with their really long hair.
Prickly Heat PowderMay/June are desperate for Prickly Heat Powder as it can get umbearable at times
FruitWe are happy for visitors to bring and help give it out during their visit (60+ Kids)
Medical SuppliesNon Adhesive Pads, Medical Tape, Bandages, Hand Sanitiser etc are always use
If your company is restocking their first aid box then please consider bringing the items to us.
Clothes are really useful as the children do get through clothes quite clickly due to their outdoor living and the way the clothes are washed by beating them against a rock and scrubbing down by the local river. If you would like to bring clothes please remember that most of the children are slim so we usually require taller versions of clothes for the age. With the girls it is also important to remember that Indian girls are usually VERY modest and short mini skirts are not really suitable. Long dresses and skirts are ideal, shorts and tshirts for the boys, trousers are also good but narrow waists and long legs preferrable. Children's underwear and Football shirts/shorts are also great things to give.
The older girls really appreciate slim fitting Churidar / Punjabi Suits.
New/Good quality second hand Baby clothes - There are always lots of babies!
Girls T-Shirts, preferably long and narrow as they are very slim
Boys T-Shirts slim fitting as the boys are generally slim
The girls are much happier in a long skirt or dress, preferably longer than knee length
Both boys and girls requier football shirts and shorts for sports and casual wear
Children's UnderwearWe always need new under-wear for kids aged 4 to 16 years of age, boys like boxers and the girls like anything but white!
The older girls are growing up and are in need of bras, the children are small and require from 28 to 32 (max) chest size bras.
Every day we provide a hot lunch for the children who attend the centre. This is veg and non veg, including fish, chicken and eggs. It is a varied menu and usually is based on whatever we have in the house but obviously always includes rice and or chapati's
If you can help then we are happy to receive any of these as donations in kind, although just as happy to have financial donations so we can buy the tiems when required.
*Note : Most items are much cheaper in locally in Goa. We also know shops that give extra discount.
Rice is a great way to help and a sack of rice (25kg) is usually good for 2 to 3 weeks and costs around 1000Rs (£10) per sack.
Turdal is what we usually buy but we also use dry peas, channa and other dals.
Sugar, Garam Masala, Chilli Powder, Black Pepper, Cardomans, Chinamon, Star Anise, Mustard Seeds are used on a daily basis.
Fruit is a great as its easy to give out and a great source of vitamins.
As we have 100 children we do have our fair share of birthdays, once a month it is nice to give the children a cake/ice cream to celebrate their birthdays
Having evening chai (tea) is always that much better if you have a few biscuits to dunk. We also give these out directly in the sums when we have extra.
A cuple of times a week we usually go out and buy fresh vegetables, our main requirements are potatoes, onions, tomatoes, french beans, garlic, gineger and peas
Each year we have given out 'Diwali/Eid' presents in the form of dry goods and health items. Contact us for more information
Presents might not be as important as the other items in this list, but the joy that the children get by a small present is a joy to watch. We usually give out one or two presents a year. Decembr is the main time when we try and pack, wrap and give out as many presents as possible. Each prsent is usually made up of 6 or 7 smaller items and in the past we have provided over 700 wrapped presents. Although this really depends on the amount of small items that are donated. So please, if you can bring a few small items it will make a huge difference!
Tennis Balls are always a great stocking filler for both the boys and the girls
The children love badminton, tennis and othre games. Often used as Christmas presents
As you can imagine cricket bat and balls are highly sort after, seasoned bats are preffered
Balloons & Punch Balloons are the ideal stocking fillers and we are always in need of small items
Footballs are usually used for presents at Christmas, any type are balls are welcome
Any craft items for making friendship braclets / bangles will keep the children busy
Bubbles are a great stocking filler and children of any age love them
Costume Jewellery make the girls eyes light up, for the boys watchesers.