Dear Cuties, my daughter visited a pre school in a township in South Africa this morning. There are 35 children (babies + toddlers up to 6yrs. This creche opens at 5am so that mothers can drop the children before going to work. There is 1 toilet (out of order) and absolutely NO TOYS. Can anyone help by making and donating a toy? We will take photo's at our next visit and can provide a postal address here, if anyone wants to help. I will get more info, but just felt a need to start doing something. It is almost time to go to bed now and I know, by tomorrow morning, there will be some caring people here...one can not help to think how priviledged we are! Suzette

Update: No news on the import tax yet...that is so sad. Thank you to everyone here that was/is so keen to make and send a toy! Thank you also for your moral support, you have motivated me to do more. My daughter will be going for the next visit this Saturday and will be taking stuff with. I will ask her to take photos (if possible, and without identifying the children)and will then post in Personal. It is our intention to help this creche and it will therefore not just be "a once off". Thank you dear Cuties. Lots of love, Suzette

In giving some consideration to your request: Firstly "if" this is a privately run pre-school creche, then pray-tell where is all the money that the "working parents" pay to leave there children there? And surely considering the "tariffs" of other creches they can afford to at least fix the toilet, nevermind buying a few toys. I would dearly further information on this creche so that we can do further investigation into their needs.

4 comments

by marthie 26 Jul 2012

I would dearly like further.......

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

The parents are paying R150 per month! That is equal to about 15 breads per month. The mothers work hard for very little money and can not afford more! What more information is needed? Surely this is a genuine case, otherwise I would not have been involved, Marthie.

by marthie 27 Jul 2012

This comment can create the wrong impression with others reading it. We all know that in our country there is a minimum wage ALL OVER THE BOARD. I will send you a PM

by suzettebritz 30 Jul 2012

I love my country just as much as all the Cuties here! Facts are facts and there is hardship in any country...more so in Africa. I tried to give an update, by answering my own initial post, but it doesn't show up. Will wait and try again later tonight! *

this is a lovely gesture, I would love to help out also.

Gosh, I just mailed a book to someone in South Africa and did not pay any tax on it. The book cost me $100 and the USPS was $44.

1 comment

by cherylgauteng 30 Jul 2012

But the receiver pays the import duty - it is tax but not the sales tax which sits at 14%. I know this because I have imported fabric and books from USA and UK many times. The sender does NOT pay import tax - it is the receiver in SA !! IMPORT TAX VARIES ACCORDING TO THE ITEM IN THE PARCEL - sometimes it is more than 14% and other times less.

Hang on Cuties, hang on! I now believe we will have to pay import tax (14%)! Don't know how Customs will do the calculations! Please hang on until I have approached Customs South Africa. Maybe we will have to send it via a registered charity group! It is a temporary setback...will keep you posted!

4 comments

by mops 26 Jul 2012

ttt

by drro 26 Jul 2012

OK. I will be looking forward to updates on this, so please keep this one going to the top, as I too will like to assist if I can. Blessings to all who want to help!!

by drro 26 Jul 2012

....and*****s

by marjialexa 26 Jul 2012

Import tax on something inexpensive, given as a gift? I could understand if we were sending gold rings, but tax on sutffed toys? Wow. Keep us posted.

Suzette, this is a very good idea, but remember it is only a pre-school. (Nothing wrong with it), but if all the cuties help YOU are going to be with more than the school can handle. Unless you are going to help the other pre-schools to. Just a thought. Love Marie

1 comment

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Marie, This is just 1 creche in Diepsloot, must be so many more! My daughter is arranging a meeting with the owner of the creche...will want to see expenses vs income, and will keep an eye, that the children do benefit from this.

Cuties, I knew you would as always, be willing to help!! THANK YOU!! I am concerned about the postage, like Marji mentioned here, but if you can, it will be greatly appreciated.

There are no rules, recycled fabric is fine! The ONLY thing that will be risky, is any Owl designs - as some people in this culture believe owls bring bad news, even death!

My daughter (Liandi) will personally take your donations there, and if possible, I will accompany her. We will make sure that we post pictures in personal, when we deliver anything from you.

Address: Suzette Britz, P.O. Box 3540, Witkoppen, 2068, SOUTH AFRICA. As far as I know, the postal service on this side is fairly reliable, let's just pray that no parcels will go missing, as it will be too expensive to pay additional insurance?!

I will personally respond to each Cutie, here, just have to go out now! THANK YOU!!!!!!

2 comments

by mops 26 Jul 2012

ttt

by drro 26 Jul 2012

ttt

I would love to help if it is within my power to do so. In the meantime I will pray for these children, that the situation is improved, although I do think you have already answered someone's prayer by caring enough to ask the Cute family for help.
Hugs and roses, Meganne

1 images:[1]

1 comment

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Thank you Meganne! How does one overcome the issue of import tax!...

Please do post more information. For example, would we be mailing our creations to them directly, or is there a person who will be willing to take gifts there, such as in the Uganda Project? And also please provide guidelines about what cannot be sent, etc. There are strange rules from other countries that most people wouldn't even think about. I would be willing to make some dolls. I have a son and a daughter and both grew up with their "babies". And their babies had clothes so my kids could learn to operate buttons, zippers, velcro, laces, etc.
I started gathering items to make quilts for traumatized children locally, and had quite a stash to donate. But then my donation was refused because I had used recycled denim in parts of the projects. I would like to give of my time to a recipient who truly cares instead of fighting the uphill battle of politics.

2 comments

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Can not believe your hard work and generosity were rejected! Import tax is a issue I only thought of now! Will keep you posted. Thank you! My daughter will be going to the creche on Saturday 4 August again, to take whatever little bit we have gathered locally and to discuss how we would like to manage this project.

by marjialexa 26 Jul 2012

Probably just one more of our stupid laws here in USA. Like our Marine Corps used to fix older toys for Toys for Tots for Christmas, now they can't, must all be new in original unopened packages. Germs, I guess. I hate stupid 'laws'.

Please let my know how this works I would love to help. Hugs Joyce

1 comment

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Thank you Joyce! Will have to solve the issue of import tax! Will let you know.

Suzette, I just saw a program on PBS about some "green" young businesspeople who are trying to get the government to let them build something called "ecotoilets" in the townships (I think). Somewhere in Africa, in very bad slums, where people are living in houses made of pieces of cardboard, corrugated tin, things like that. The government is dragging their feet, because they would then have to recognize that the slum exists officially, and they're not doing anything about it. I'll try to get that program information for you. Let us know where we would be sending things, I'll have to find out how much postage is before I can declare myself in. Sometimes from here (USA) to places like Australia, postage is so prohibitive it would be cheaper to make a donation to have you purchase something there. Please let us know. The world is a hard, cruel place for some people. I would love to help if it's possible. Big hugs, Marji

3 comments

by marjialexa 25 Jul 2012

Is this like the Uganda quilts, where we must be mindful of what kind of animals are toys? Perhaps some cultural information would be helpful. Thanks.

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Marji,
Only owl designs to be avoided - superstitious! Import tax now an issue to be resolved

by bielie 30 Jul 2012

Frogs too - they are viewed as very evil

Please keep us in the know, I would like to help too
Hugs Diamond

1 comment

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Thank you in advance!

You know I'm IN!

1 comment

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Thank you in advance!

Yep I think we can help with that.

1 comment

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Thank you in advance!

You can count me in. Looking forward to hearing more about this. Love Chris

1 comment

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Please see my latest post here about possible import tax. THANK YOU!!

will be honored to help.
will get started and wait for a mailing address.

Lois W.

1 comment

by suzettebritz 26 Jul 2012

Please see my latest post here about possible import tax. THANK YOU!!

it is good of you to help

Suzette, Would love to help! Will be waiting for more information. Hugs Cindy B

1 comment

by suzettebritz 25 Jul 2012

Thanks Cindy! Just spoke to my daughter on the phone - there is absolutely nothing. I will start making receiving blankets tomorrow. Knitted or any in the hoop toys, clothes, anything will be appreciated. I will get more info! Good night now! And thank you!!