Pack for a Purpose: Small Space. Little Effort. Big Impact.
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    Accommodation

    Hacienda Chichen Resort

    Many items on the needs list below, including groceries, can be purchased locally. If you wish to purchase groceries, they will be prepared by Hacienda Chichen Resorts' kitchen staff on site for the children to eat. Please contact us at info@yucatanadventure.com.mx and we will be delighted to assist you in making the appropriate arrangements. Donating a Nutrition Lunch Party would be very helpful and much appreciated.
    Pack for a Purpose does not condone visiting orphanages, as this can often lead to negative impacts on children. The accommodation or tour company working with the orphanage will deliver the supplies in a coordinated and respectful way so that the children can benefit from them. Your generosity is not diminished because you do not interact with the children.

    Project #1

    The Maya Foundation in Laakeech supports the Children’s Nutrition Clinic and School Program to prevent malnutrition. We offer low-budget, nutrition cooking classes, promote the use of Maya Nut seeds as a base for a nutritional meal (as well as other highly nutritional wild plants), and serve nutritive lunch meals to the children. You can donate food produce such as tuna cans, grains such as lentils, beans, and oats. Just contact us at info@yucatanadventure.com.mx if you are interested in providing food.

    Needs

    General School Supplies:
    Dry-Erase Markers, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Markers, Pencil Cases/Bags, and Solar Lantern Lights

    Educational Games/Toys:
    Stuffed Animals/Soft Toys

    Clothing/Shoes:
    Baby Toys and Clothes, New or Gently Used Children’s Clothing, and Umbrellas

    Kitchen:
    Bowls, Pans, Paper Towels, Pots, and Spatulas

    Health/Personal Grooming:
    Antibiotic Ointments, Band-Aids, Bars of Soap, Multivitamin Tablets, Plastic Gloves, Toothbrushes, and Toothpaste

    Project #2

    Maya Foundation In Laakeech Early Education Child Care Center in Xcalacoop which serves 45 to 50 infants from ages 2 through 5 years old.

    Needs

    General School Supplies:
    Erasers, Pencils, Big Color Marker Sets, Big Plastic Alphabet and Number Sets, Wall Clocks, and Wall Pencil Sharpener

    Flash Cards:
    (Spanish) Alphabet, Math, and Word

    Wall Charts:
    (Spanish) Language and Math

    Educational Games/Toys:
    Fisher Price-Type Toys (that teach children about shapes such as cubes, stars, squares, circles, to be place inside their matching shape) and Plastic or Wood Animal Toys (to learn about mammals, reptiles, ranch/farm animals, and marine life)

    Clothing:
    New or Gently Used Children’s Clothing and New Underwear

    Health/Personal Grooming:
    Multivitamin Tablets, Toothbrushes, and Toothpaste

    Project #3

    The elementary, middle, and high schools at Xcalacoop, which serve over 530 children from ages 6 through 16 years old.

    An asterisk (*) before an item indicates this item is most urgently needed.

    Needs

    General School Supplies:
    Book Bags, Colored Pencils, Compasses, Crayons, Glue Sticks, Handheld Pencil Sharpeners, Markers, Pencils, Pencil Cases/Bags, Pens, Protractors, Rulers, and Solar Calculators

    Art Supplies:
    Craft Scissors

    Computer Hardware/Software:
    Flash Drives/Memory Sticks, *USB High Storage Flash Drives and Working Laptops

    Sports/Outdoor Activities:
    Inflation Pumps, Netball/Basketballs, and Soccer Balls

    Clothing:
    New or Gently Used Children’s Clothing and Shoes

    First Aid/Health:
    Antibiotic Ointment

    Initiatives Supported

    Child Welfare Education Health
    All the needs are current as of August 4, 2020

    Listed on this page are the specific needs requested by the community project(s) so you can choose exactly what to pack for a purpose and express your gratitude to the local community with the supplies you take them.

    Candy and balloons are not on the needs list as they are harmful for the children and the environment for the following reasons:
    • Few of the children benefiting from these projects have access to toothpaste, toothbrushes, or a dentist. The candy promotes cavities.
    • The balloons once they become deflated are a choking hazard for local wildlife.

    Instead of taking candy or balloons, use that space for additional requested supplies, as they are priceless.