We were lucky to have a guide who was really connected to all kinds of support organizations so we knew that when we were giving our stuff away, it was going to good causes. And yup,it’s our policy to do so whenever it makes sense. Finally, we’re not dumping, no sir. We hand over stuff that still has plenty of life in it.

What a great idea, indeed! If you planned ahead, you could make the best of such an experience. You could also bring stuff that would be fun just to give away. When my parents traveled to South Africa, they took American candy that they read was hard to find there. The kids loved it! Maybe next time you go to pack for a trip, instead of leaving extra room (and weight) for souvenirs, you could fill the empty space with cool stuff to give away to the people you visit.

On a vacation to Cuba (we Canadians are allowed to do that), we took a whole duffel bag full of donations. But because it wasn’t part of our regular luggage, we forgot it at a connecting airport. We picked it up again on the way home. *sigh* — so much for good intentions.

Great idea. Actually one of my friends, on a big family vacation in Mexico during the holiday season, got each family member to bring a toy. And then on the last day they took them around to the local orphanage. She’s a saint.

You know, it doesn’t have to be just developing countries – although this is a great idea.
Many of the people who staff hotels in all countries are at the lower end of the social scale. Yes, you should tip for service, but I’ve also left behind kids books and toys.
Just on our last trip this past summer, we left stuff behind in two different places (mid-trip and at the end of the trip). Since we were traveling ‘one person, one backpack’ (see this blog post for a photo: http://wanderlustandlipstick.com/blogs/wandermom/2008/09/03/and-so-another-school-year-begins/), my kids appreciated the lighter load – at least until we found the next english-language bookstore :)

This is a great idea. I do the same thing with guidebooks and novels. We’ve definitely shed some of our stuff though while on this trip, and I think our neighbor is going to inherit some cookery when we leave.

@pam: Good point. Leave good stuff.
@Nate Long: We once shared about a ton of American candy with our Turkish gulet crew. Diplomacy can be such fun!
@Jennie C: Too funny!
@Jane: The world is full of people who are better people than me. There is so much room for improvement!
@Michelle D: Cute kids. And that formal wear! I can almost imagine them matriculating at Hogwarts…
@Christine Gilbert: Yay for international freecycling.

Btw, is everyone reading Christine’s blog Almost Fearless? It’s a great one. Just click her name and you’ll be magically taken there…

I did this just once in Curacao. The hotel packed up the clothes I left AND THE NOTE SAYING THEY WERE A DONATION and mailed them all back to me in the states. I don’t know if they were saying my clothes were crap or just taking 5 star service a little too far.