We value in-kind donations. They can be a great win-win gift, but not all are practical.
Supporters often ask if they can donate items that could be useful or uplifting to a family fighting cancer in the developing world. The most common offers involve clothes, shoes, toys, medicines and artificial eyes. For practical reasons, we are unable to accept these gifts, and explain why below. Please check our wish list for items or skills we are currently need.
Clothes and toys are among the many items we can sell on eBay to raise funds, but we do not send clothes or toys overseas, however good their condition. This is because storage at both ends, customs regulations, import duty, fumigation, shipping and communications make the process of exporting items very complicated, time-consuming and expensive.
It is much easier to buy these items in the countries where they are needed, with the money our supporters donate. This reduces the cost to us, helps stimulate local markets and economies, and we can be sure the goods we source are appropriate – both for the local environment and the local culture.
There are many local initiatives in developing countries where women make clothes and toys, and we try to support these businesses by buying local and distributing the products through our activities. This ensures women can learn new skills, earn an income and support their families, buy crops, send their children to school, and access the healthcare they need.
That’s why making a cash donation is one of the most effective ways to support our work.
