Treasure Beach Foundation, on behalf of the Judy Neighbor Memorial Fund, has had eight large, custom-made bookcases delivered to Sandy Bank Primary School -- one for each classroom -- and one for the teachers.

Now we need books to fill the all the shelves.

For visitors: Please look through the books you have to find a few you're willing to donate. They can be used but not abused. Reference books should be recent; fiction may either be the type that's read aloud or by individuals. All should be appropriate for Jamaican children aged six to 12. Please don't forget the teachers; they need reference books on teaching, counseling, and all sorts of topics.

For Treasure Beach residents: Please look though your collection. Perhaps you have a few books your children have outgrown and you are willing to donate.

For everyone: Please deliver what you can to Miss Zane, the Principal, at Sandy Bank Primary.

Thank you!!

That's great Karen! I'll go through my books today and see what I can find.

I have two brothers, one is the headmaster at a school and another is a teacher. I can seek their assistance on this matter, as I plan to be back in TB this coming Jan/09. I am a frequent tourist to Jamaica, and have on several occasions brought clothes and needed supplies to donate to churches and charities in Jamaica. On my last visit (last Jan.)I donated clothes to the TB Women's Association.
Here is the BIGGEST problem with bringing non-monetary donations to Jamaica.
CUSTOMS at the AIRPORT !!
Because of the problem with CUSTOMS and paying the duties, I no longer am inclined to bring donations to the island. To get the necessary papers from the proper agency is near impossible, especially from long distance. Believe me I have tried, and just got frustrated with the whole process.
So as much as I would like to help with books and schools supplies, it is not worth the money and hassle at CUSTOMS !!!
I was lucky enough last time with the clothes to have another couple with me that was willing to carry two extra bags as not to raise the suspicion of the Customs agent, but most times this is not the case !
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

I am a Canadian high school teacher, and the small private school I teach at has many books that it can donate - we just don't have the space. There is no one locally willing to take these books since they also have copies. Is there a financially reasonable way to ship these books to TB? We would love to help - we just don't know how.

The good news is there is no duty tax on books. The bad news is, they are very heavy to carry down. I don't know of any cheap way to send down lots of books at one time. Karen, maybe you have a suggestion. However, if everyone visiting TB in the next few months takes down two books for the school, that would be a huge amount!

"One, one cocoa fill basket!" In other words, with everyone carrying a little bit, together that will fill the shelves.

OK Rebecca
There will four of us coming in Jan.
I will try to get four books per person.
"one, one cocoa fill basket" fi sure !
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Having been through Jamaican Customs well more than 50 times over the past 20+ years, I have some suggestions. These include never bringing in anything in a box or carton, and staying within your baggage allocations. (If you are fortunate enough to be traveling with others who are bringing less than their baggage allowances, try what Mike has done and ask them to walk one of your extra bags through with theirs.) Also, we have learned that Jamaican Customs seems to place no value on books -- good for being able to help at Sandy Bank Primary, though a negative commentary on how learning might be viewed in Jamaica.

Canadian High School Teacher: One "sure" way I know of shipping to Jamaica without paying unbelievably high costs (e.g., FedEx) is via air freight. We normally use Air Jamaica, but I know many carriers also ship into MoBay. Every once in awhile, you can talk the carrier into a lower fee if you are willing to ship on a space-available basis, and you explain you are sending learning materials. One of the problems with shipping this way is the air freight offices in MoBay are normally open limited hours and on weekdays only; that means it may be more difficult to get your box(es) picked up and transported to Treasure Beach. However, I think there are enough friendly souls operating mini-bus service who may be willing to take the time to stop and pick up your shipment, especially if they are not carrying back a full load to Treasure Beach AND it is a weekday.

If each tourist brings only one or two books, there will be a lot contributed. How hard is it to set aside one pound and a bit of space in a suitcase?

I know it's a moot point: a computer for every student.

A computer offers much more information than books. Yes I have a library, not everything can be found on the computer.

I'll bring books and still encourage internet connectivity and a computer for every student

I am thinking teachers might need reference books such as Our Bodies, Our Selves. Is this true?

Maybe it goes without saying, but the same thing Mother said holds true for returning Jamaicans too. If you bring back a book or two the library will grow quickly.

Turey, I am working on trying to get more computers for students in Treasure Beach. It is a dream, but it is definitely not impossible. If you are interested in throwing your brain power at this project (along with some others who are already working with me on it), I invite you to reach me next week.

I'm in the process of shipping two barrels. Both will be holding lots of assorted books as well as other goodies. Last year we got in a huge duffel bag of books for the school using the barrels. And were hoping to have even more for those bookshelves this time! The barrels will be there the first of the year.

Ok Mrs K.

Turey??? (I don't know how to reach you or else I would do so directly.)

tainocacique2004@yahoo.com

We have brought donations both books and clothes a few times. I went to a local army surplus store and purchased army duffel bags and checked them as personal bags. The duffels cost less than ~$10 US I believe and I left them behind as donations as well. You would be shocked at how much you can cram into an army duffel. It counts as one bag and I weighed them at home while packing them so as to not go over the 75 pound limit. Hope that helps.

Wende how are you shipping the barrels to Jamaica? Could you give me an idea of how it is done, how much they can hold and what the cost is? Where do the barrels arrive and who picks them up? Are there customs problems or other costs in addition to the shipping? Thank-you.

Rebecca,
I will be arriving in TB on Dec 20th. I have a bag of books for the kids bookshelf. Will I be
able to drop them off that week (12/20-12/26)?
Just wondering due to the Christmas holiday.
Where in TB is the school located(I will be staying at Calabash Bay)?

Just ask wherever you are staying in Calabash Bay if you can either leave the books with them or call me and I will get the books to the school.

Coleen, remember Sandy Bank is closed until January 5. So, please get your books to Rebecca or someone else who will deliver them after your holiday.

Thanks in advance for caring enough to bring books for the school.

And have a fantastic vacation!

Thanks ladies,
One way or another I will make sure they get to the school. I want to thank you all for sharing your beautiful home and culture with us!!!
See you all soon!!

Rebecca,
Sorry I missed hooking up with you during my stay at Calabash. I left 7 books with the front
desk at Jakes. I have faith they will be passed on to you or the school. I will be returning next Christmas and will be sure to bring more!!
I can not tell you how much Treasure Beach and the people of TB have touched our hearts. Again I thank all residents of TB for sharing their community with us...... Happy New Year to you all!!! Coleen

Hey Coleen, sorry I missed you as well. Andrea called me to tell me the books were there and that they would make sure to deliver them to the school.

Thanks so very much for your contribution and happy to hear you enjoyed your stay.

Hope to see you back here again soon!

Many thanks to Ann Lyons of Callalo/Culledon for donating three cartons of wonderful children's books to Sandy Bank Primary School.

Your generosity is truly appreciated, Ann!