At first I read it as “rocks”…
Considering your limitations and previous gifts I think socks are a fantastic idea, but I also think that homemade socks aren’t going to be terribly special to a 7-year-old.
My suggestion? Go out to a department store. Find a pair of ankle socks with lace, ribbons and possibly some pretty design on them like little rosebuds. Buy the socks and send them. She’s getting the practical benefit of socks, but she’s also getting something really exciting and pretty.
Despite the current trend for needy people to complain about what they are given, I think socks would be a good gift. There are lots of cute socks around now.
I don’t know if socks are used in Bangladesh, though. If so, a needy child should have something practical.
Do what I did when I was a kid and asked to send clothing overseas - tuck a small toy in the sock. A surprise!
If they don’t take a look at the sox and toss the box first. Heh.
FWIW, I’ve never been to Bangladesh, but I have been to India, and everyone seems to wear flip flops all the time. I actually wanted to buy socks while I was there and it turned out to be surprisingly (to me) difficult to find some. I finally did find some plain white socks at a Nike store in a fancy schmancy mall, and they cost about what they would in the US.
Someone I was in Peace Corps with was in Peace Corps Bangladesh first (they got evacuated for safety reasons) and I just glanced through her photo album on Facebook. It looks like the kids she photographed were mostly naked.
Um, that makes her sound creepy. But it is true - they’re just playing outside, barefoot, no shirts, just shorts.
Well here’s a coincidence: I just came back from a week in Bangladesh.
Me and a couple of buddies decided to go over and check it out, and we were not disappointed. Wonderful place.
I brought with me a big bag of kids’ and baby clothes and toys, that I was able to give to an American guy I met who lives there and works with disabled rights, who will distribute them to street children.
I think socks as a gift, while thoughtful, might be a bit of a waste of time, and may only be hauled out for special occasions. Most people I saw wore flip flops outside of the cities. I know it gets cold at night during the winter but hopefully most kids would be tucked up in bed at night. Given the postage restrictions, you could still maybe send a nice cotton blouse or a light dress? Or just a small plush toy that you can flatten? School supplies like notepads or pens with a special logo or design might be a good idea though, to promote education (not that they need much prompting) and to give her a special cache at school. Though I see you already send that kind of stuff.
Also, if you do send socks, make sure they don’t carry a “Made in Bangladesh” label: textiles is one of the major industries there…
Here are some of my pictures by the way. If anyone would like to ask any questions about my impressions of the country, maybe you can ask here or maybe I should do an “ask the…” thread. I will say that in all my travels, and despite the evident crushing poverty there, I have never met people as generous, charming and friendly as the Bangladeshis. Really lovely people with genuine curiosity and kindness - it was a revelation. It was pretty hectic, and there’s absolutely no tourism, but we’re all quite used to traveling in the third world, so we got by. Also pleasant was that despite it being a majority Islamic country, the attitude to religion was incredibly relaxed: people we met and talked to said “yeah, you can be devout if you like, but nobody’s going to hassle you if you aren’t”.
(Just to clarify in case anyone’s in any doubt: Bangladesh is NOT part of India. It is next door and once was part of India under the British, but it’s been independent of India since 1947, and an independent country in its own right since 1971. They fought TWO horrible wars last century to get there too.)
Wow, those are awesome. I love the three-level ferry one. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for sharing those pictures, jjimm! Those are great. Wow, I want to go to Bangladesh now. The guy who sat next to me on the flight from Mumbai to New York was from Dhaka (there isn’t a direct flight from Dhaka to New York) and he repeatedly invited me to come visit him, insisting I write down his address for the next time I’m in the neighborhood, so I even have a place to stay!
Send the socks! The worst that will happen is that she won’t like them. The best is that she loves them. Either way, not a big deal.
jjim, wow. Great photos.
jjim, just had to add that the pic of the boat with the hyacinths taken from above is absolutely beautiful. Ever thought of entering a photo contest?
Gorgeous photos, knim! I like the idea of tucking something in the socks - and I think it might be a good idea to send some store-bought thin socks that are especially cute. Y’all have been very helpful-thanks for all the advice!
knim!?
Great pictures, jjimm. Thanks for sharing.
Blame it on the ipod!
I meant jjimm, and it keeps “correcting” it to gibberish!
Is it too late to say pencils? My grandmother runs a charity school in India, and she says the one thing the kids never have enough of is colored pencils.
I second asking the charity directly: they will know best what’s needed in that programme area.
Also, if you want something homemade, warm and small, but not as “lame” as socks and better suited to a barefoot culture, a scarf or a hat would be more universal.
My charity (Plan) only sends T-shirt with their logo on it into program areas (they have a small gift shop with suitable gifts for children - does World Vision have that, too?)
Can you sew - some dresses with a small doll should be appropriate for a little girl. (Plan has specially brown-coloured and asian-eyed dolls, so the children can relate better).
Back in the day when I travelled in South Asia, the kids used to chase you chanting “School pen? Schoolpen?” Now they chase you chanting “Ten dolla! Ten dolla!”