Kids of all ages love receiving gifts and ours are no exception. You have no idea how much it means to our orphans to know that someone, somewhere far away, was thinking about them and wanted to share their love.

These children are overjoyed with gifts of all kinds, but when I recently asked a group of the older girls what they most desired, they told me that they most needed sweaters, socks, shoes and backpacks – items that are needed when going to school.

We have 64 children, most in the range of 4 to 17 (most are in the 13 year old range) and the gifts they would appreciate are limited only by your imagination. In case you need a suggestion or two try: candy, balloons, books, drawing or writing materials, crafts, stickers, puzzles, board games, coloring books, hockey balls (deflated) with pumps, clothes, underpants, undershirts, knitted caps (it gets cold in Western Kenya), rain coats and rain caps, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The little ones love to color and paint and like all little kids, they love stuffed animals they can sleep with. Remember these are children who’ve been traumatized and a stuffed animal provides much comfort!

PROCEDURES TO SEND BOXES:
We know that nothing compares to the joy of giving, so we’ve created some guidelines to help you have a satisfactory giving experience.

POSTAL & CUSTOMS RESTRICTIONS:
(1) Check postal restrictions from your country and also Kenya’s customs restrictions.  Write us with any questions and, if you are in the United States, go to: http://usps.com/ship/shipping-restrictions.htm any item not approved will be confiscated by the Kenyan Customs and will delay your shipment. We don’t want you to be disappointed.

(2) Check with your postal service about the restrictions on the Height, Depth and Length of the box they will allow before you pack it.

(2) Before you mail the box, mark the outside “Humanitarian Donation for Orphans” to reduce the tariff that must be levied when your gift is delivered. Most items can be purchased within Kenya itself and if you send money instead of physical items, your purchases will go to increase the general welfare of the economy. If you want to send money over for a Special Gift, however, you are most welcome. Just e-mail Daniel Wamalwa, Orphanage Manager to set the purchase up using the email address at  danwan05@gmail.com.

SHIPPING COSTS:
Shipping internationally is expensive; therefore, use caution and research the costs and shipping options before you purchase anything. Sadly, many people have purchased heavy items only to find they cannot afford to ship them; so a quick talk with your post office will save you that heartache.

SHIPPING OPTIONS:
if you’re in the United States, you may find the United States Postal Service is significantly lower than United Parcel (UPS) and Fed Ex. Whatever shipping option you choose, ensure that you are getting a Tracking Number that is needed to follow your package.

SHIPPING GUIDELINES:
fill out a packing slip. It is well worth the time to make a simple packing slip or list of the contents when you send a box. You can put one coy inside the box and save a copy for yourself. The orphanage will check the items they receive against the packing slip when they get the box.

When filling out the customs form, check off the boxes saying “Humanitarian Donation” and “Gift”. Proper labeling helps lower the tariff fee. Remember that those in the Orphanage do not have the funds to pay the tariff, so please offer to Dan to donate the cost of tariffs.

SEND DAN AN EMAIL: A quick email will alert the orphanage manager Daniel that a box is on its way. Please give him the Tracking number and your contact information. Attaching a copy of your packing slip to the e-mail in not required, but is helpful to make sure that all arrived intact. Please use this email address: danwan05@gmail.com

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments; you, as our partner in caring for these children, are priority to us. We are here to help you as you help the kids!

SHIPPING ADDRESS – Please mail your box to:
River Jordan Orphanage
c/o Daniel Wamalwa, Manager
P.O. Box 263
Bungoma, KENYA
Postal Code: 50200
Cell phone number – write it on the Customs Paper: (254) 717-409 542