Thursday, March 19, 2009

Just getting it there is nearly impossible!

I've gotten several requests of what would be best to send with me to Africa. This is not a solicitation post. On the contrary, I have a very limited amount of space and the weight restrictions are so difficult.

In addition to the book list below, according to my mission mentor, "Wind-up flashlights are terrific too. In the $20-25 range, Home Depot has a red LCD (LED?) lantern that takes 4 D batteries--it produces really bright light and also has a night light setting. One set of batteries lasts a really long while. A book reading light with extra batteries would also be a good thing--and very lightweight."

If any of my Democrat friends would like to do something, you could get some Barak Obama trading cards or something small like that for me to take.

But, I am discouraged from taking anything that has the US flag or is overtly seen as US. Items that are identified with Virginia, on the other hand, are ok.

If you do want to send something with me, please remember -- weight, weight, weight. That is for the item, not your waistline! Believe me, they stick to those weight limits!!!


Books for Mwitikira SuggestionsPreschool or Learning to Read/Early Reader Books; more advanced books with great pictures

Factors to consider:
• Do pictures reflect diversity
• Is the book void of any negative stereotypes
• Would the book connect with something a child in Mwitikira might know: family, animals, friends

Types of books:
• Alphabet
• Counting
• Colors
• Vocabulary—like Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever
• Bright and Early Book Series—e.g. some of the Dr. Seuss books, like Are You My Mother
• Discovery Books—often science oriented with really good pictures; DK publishing
• I Can Read Books
• Bible story books if they show diverse people in diverse roles
• Introduction to America Recommended Authors:
• Eric Carle
• Leo Lionni
• Don Freeman
• Ezra Jack Keats

Recommended Titles:
• Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
• Beatrice’s Goat
• Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
• Guess How Much I Love You
• Coretta Scott King award winning books

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