I'm planning a trip to cuba will be there from the 14th may, lets meet up if you want..
but anyway..
They are a proud people who have a lack of items available, is there anything I can take to gift to Cubans I choose that will be acceptable, ideas like pens etc, or other easy to transport things..
What ideas do you have ?
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Reply to this When you are in Cuba a lot of people will ask you for money.
There are people who need your help.
By all means help by buying their kids food, educational toys and whatever you are willing to give.
Do not however go anywhere with anybody who is asking you for something, even if it is a 10 year old kid. Buy something in a shop of your own choice that is in full view of everybody as opposed to down an isolated lane. Some shops owners will have no scruples about sending their kids out to beg and put you as a sympathic person who wants to do something good in danger.
What I mean is beware of everybody and dont be led.
Mel
Reply to this yes, thanks for the advice, I'm not going to help anyone by giving money it doesnt help them in fact, long term at least. I understood there is a basic lack of cheap simple things, but I dont know the specifics of what those things may be.
Reply to this Are there expats in Cuba?
You could try the forum for expats on the following site.
They would know this kind of information.
Expats Reply to this By all means, take gifts. Take pencils, pens, paper, scissors, art supplies, socks, shoes, shirts, pants, hairbrushes, nail polish, nail clippers, shampoo, jackets, makeup, chocolate, bandaids, disinfectant, sinus medication, laxatives, advil, tylenol, peptobismol, cough drops, other over-the-counter medications, cooking oil, kitchen utensils...basically take anything you can think of. It will all be greatly appreciated.
With school supplies and clothes, it's usually better to donate to an established organization in Cuba instead of giving individual gifts on the streets. If you make some good friends while you're there you can certainly give some things to them, too. Just don't oblige the people who approach you on the street, generally speaking (I gave away pencils instead of money when asked on the street).
When you're staying at a hotel that provides shampoo and soap, take them with you when you leave to give to people to use in their homes.
Reply to this I have never been to cuba in my lief and now i am reading about it. I feel quite sad going there now as it seems very depressing. I talked to my gf and I will be bringing $100 work of over the counter medecine. I am debating on what to bring:
OPTION a:
10 x 16 tablets ibuprofen (Advil) @ 3.49
10 x 10 tables Acetaminophen (Tylinol) @3.49
10 x 24 tables acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) @ 3.69
OPTION B
2 x 200 tablets ibuprofen (Advil) @ 12.49
3 x 200 tables Acetaminophen (Tylinol) @9.99
3 x 200 tablesacetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) @ 9.99
option B is the much better option, but i am afraid that will be weird giving a big box of tablets. Will I get arrested?
Also, I would bring pencils and stuff, but i am afraid someoen will beat me up there for giving them stuff when they are not bums.
Please assisit, I need to make this purchase by Oct 10th.
Reply to this No one will beat you up for giving stuff in all I felt pretty safe there, i think they have more drugs than pencils and things. They are pretty healthy as their health service is good.
Reply to this Hello Terenc 😊
I would do things like give the pencils to kids. Nobody would be offended by a small gift like that to their child.
Mel
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