Shipping Donations to Mayan Families
* Do you have items that you would like to donate to Mayan Families, like gently used clothing or toys?
* Do you sponsor a student or family through Mayan Families and would like to send a care package to them?
There is now an efficient and economical way to get those items to Guatemala!
Mayan Families Connection (MFC), a Yahoo group, organizes several group shipments throughout the year to Mayan Families. MFC has negotiated a large discount with an international carrier that delivers right to Mayan Families' door. Group shipments are routinely done from several locations throughout the U.S., including Boston, Atlanta, and Santa Fe. All members of MFC can participate in these shipments.
Basically, the shipment process works like this:
1. An announcement is posted to the MFC group about an upcoming shipment, with the dates that that Shipment Coordinator will be accepting packages.
2. You prepare your package/s and then email the package measurements to the Shipment Coordinator, who will calculate your portion of the shipping cost to Guatemala. The shipping fee is based on package size, not weight, and is currently $17 per cubic foot (cubic foot = 12 in. x 12 in. x 12 in.).
3. You then mail your package/s to the Shipment Coordinator by the announced deadline, using your preferred carrier (FedEx, USPS, UPS, etc.).
4. That's it for you! The Shipment Coordinator then handles sorting and packing everything, preparing documents for customs, and scheduling pick-up of the shipment with the international carrier, for transport to Guatemala.
5. A shipment usually arrives at Mayan Families within three weeks. Sponsored students who have a package in a shipment are contacted and asked to come to Mayan Families to pick up their package. Photos will be taken when the student receives the package and emailed to the sponsor.
Common items sent to Mayan Families include the following:
Clothes for adults, children and babies (Underwear, socks, t-shirts, light jackets, pants, shirts, etc.)
Shoes for adults and children (Sneakers, sandals, boots, shoes, etc.)
Toys (Stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, puzzles, building blocks, toy cars and trucks, McDonald Happy Meal toys, etc.)
Personal Hygiene Products (Soap, shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste, razors/shaving cream, etc.)
Household Products (Flashlights, blankets, towels, bed sheets, tarps, kitchen utensils, etc.)
School Supplies (Backpacks, crayons, markers, pencils, notepads, rulers, glue, etc.)
Medical Care Products (Pain reliever, anti-itch cream, gastrointestinal aids, feminine products, vitamins, etc.)
You can send items for general distribution, meaning they will be provided to someone in need, and/or to a sponsored student or family.
If you would like to join the Mayan Families Connection group, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MayanFamiliesConnection/
If you would like more information please contact shipping@mayanfamilies.org
If you would prefer to ship items to Mayan Families on your own, please make sure that any carrier you utilize pays all customs fees and delivers directly to Mayan Families. Two established carriers that have provided excellent service to Mayan Families and have offices across the U.S. include Medrano Express (www.medranoexpress.com) and
Transportes Zuleta (www.transporteszuletaonline.com). Prices vary based on the size of the box/es you want to send and your location. Since you are shipping to a U.S. 501c3 charity, ask if any discount is available.
The shipping address for donations sent to Guatemala is:
Mayan Families
7-97 Calle Xecumuc
Panajachel, Dept. Solola
Guatemala 07010
Thank you for considering donating to Mayan Families and improving the lives of the Guatemalan people.