In Reply to: Garuda...request for extra weight... posted by nessie on Thursday, 23. February 2006 at 21:34 Bali Time:
While it's great that people want to bring stuff in for the Balinese, I think we should actually think about what is actually required.
After Oct 2002, I was returning to Bali, and a group asked me if I could take in a few boxes of clothes etc. No probs, I said.
I ended up with 100 kilo of stuff, of which over half was just JUNK.
some of the clothes were so old, they had holes, stains, or some damage, and there was NO WAY I was going to wander into a village, pretending to be a saviour, and hand over a dirty T-shirt.
I have heard this from others as well.
The cost to Qantas to freight this stuff in far outweighed the actual value of the goods. I had to get 2 taxi's to transport the stuff to wherever I was going, and most of it ended up as cleaning rags.
Now, before I get slammed, I know that there is also a big amount of quality stuff going in, ie;; the AdoptA Co-Op (widows factory)had piles of gear delivered to them for distribution, very little of it was rubbish, thank god.
But I'd suggest we think about what we take in. Only take what you feel is really needed, or if you're unsure, at least ensure the stuff has some life left in it.
I know it's a difficult one, but another angle;
buying clothes, pencils whatever @ a market in Bali for handouts might be a thought, it saves the extra load on planes, & it may help the economy as well