If you wish to send a gift in a shipment, the most useful items are lightweight new and gently used clothing, dictionary, books, children’s chewable vitamins, band-aids, first aid kits, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and hairbrushes, small backpacks, simple calculators, pens, pencils and pencil sharpeners, inexpensive watches and cameras, and compact mirrors. Other gifts include small stuffed animals, small dolls, toy cars, and hair bands and ribbons. Gifts for other members of the family are also appreciated.
Money is always appreciated since the families can purchase most of their needed items in Dumaguete. Money for gifts can be sent to the LCW Office and it will be wired to the Philippines in the next monthly transfer of funds. Monetary or other gifts are especially welcome for the child’s birthday, school supplies (May) and at Christmas (No later than Dec. 1).
DO NOT SEND CASH OR CHECKS TO THE PHILIPPINES (Cash may be stolen and checks cannot be cashed in the Philippines).
The exchange rate for the pesos to the American dollar is approximately 50 pesos to $1 and the cost of most needed items are cheaper in the Philippines. Therefore, most of the time your dollars purchase much more there than in the U.S. A gift of $25 is an average gift.
Some example prices of goods in the Philippines are as follows: dictionary $5 small and $11 large, book $7, child dress $4, teenager dress $10, child uniform $17, college uniform $20, small car $3, book bag $12, watch $14, shoes $17, t-shirt $5, birthday cake $12, eating out at Jollibee or McDonald’s (dinner for one person including transportation $6.00). If you would like to purchase specific items with your donation, please inform the Georgia Office when you send your money and it will be designated for that purpose in the next monthly wire to LCP. The Sponsorship Social Worker will oversee the purchase of the requested items.