The Top 5 Things You Can Give Away in Africa That You Might Not Be Able to Give Away in Anywhere Else

Yesterday, we returned from our teammate’s house with a giveaway item for our friends and, as they received the gift with joy, it reminded me that these types of gifts are not always well received in other parts of the world….. This is one of the many reasons we LOVE Africa…

1. Old, moldy video tapes – this was the gift we gave away yesterday (though in truth, we kept 2 for ourselves). I can see you racking your brain for a possible use for old moldy videotapes. Don’t hurt yourself – I will help you out. If you pull out the ribbon inside the videotape, you can string it up all over your farm – which, as it flutters in the breeze, will scare away varmints like squirrels and birds. Try it in your garden at home – unless your neighborhood group has a rule against it…

2. Old magazines – they can be 10 or 15 years old – not a problem. People love to see the pictures. They are especially fascinated by pictures of animals.

3. Empty cans and tins and bottles – especially the ones that are plastic and have lids that screw on. You can store ALL kinds of things in them. Of course, it is necessary to get them past your husband first.

4. Old clothes and shoes – even with holes in them. At first I was embarrassed to give them away, but now, when I do, I say, Here are these clothes – I am embarrassed to give them to you because they are not new, but they might be good for farm work…. No one complains. And I see them wearing them. I do give away lots of stuff that is not holey too.

5. Cooked chicken bones – when I cook a chicken or 2 to debone for meals, I set aside the wings and skin and some of the broth and give it to my workers. And I say, Here are some chicken bones. I am embarrassed to give them to you because there is not much meat on them, but the water (broth) is good for you and will make your soup taste good. Again, no one complains and they always come back and tell me how good it was. Try as I might, no one in Fort Wayne this summer seemed to want that kind of a gift.