Backpacks for Africa

Have your thoughts turned to back to school shopping yet? Are you wondering what to do with your gently used backpacks from last year? Send them to Africa!

We are looking forward to reaching out to a local English School this Fall by donating backpacks filled with school supplies. Contributing to this project is easy. First, using this suggested packing list as a guide, gather the supplies you wish to send. Backpacks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, and other small items are great gifts. We encourage you to follow the leading of your heart as you decide how to help, so you may include other items if you wish, as long as they are not liquids, gels {excluding toothpaste}, food, or perishable items. You should also not send batteries of any type.

Important: Pack your items as tightly in the box as you can. Do not leave extra space. We are charged by volume for shipping, so if there is empty space in the box, we pay to ship air!

New or gently used backpacks, school bags, and computer bags are greatly appreciated. Bags may have culturally appropriate logos.

It’s helpful if used bags have been emptied out and cleaned. It’s OK if you forget! We have fun looking for hidden lunch money! Here are some treasures we found in one box of donated bags. If you’re missing your locker key, please let us know and we’ll send it back to you!

Once all your supplies are gathered, let us know you’re sending a box here and mail your gifts to the consolidation location:

Africa Care Package
c/o MRBC
PO Box 15
Monclova, OH 43542

To minimize costs, several care packages are gathered together to be shipped all at once. Packages are sent on a shipping container via ocean liner. After arrival in the destination country port, goods clears customs and are prepared for distribution. We personally check, pack, and deliver bags to needy students. We also add items such as shoes and blankets that are given for children.

We cover the cost of shipping items from our consolidation location to the destination country and distributing those items to needy schoolchildren. The only cost you bear is the purchase of the specific items and shipping to the consolidation location.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions by clicking the contact link in the menu at the top of the page.