SupplieS to Collect For GUATEMALA AID Trip

Since then, over 100 RWF volunteers have delivered 7000 pounds of medical and school supplies valued at over $900,000, along with over $150,000 in grants. Some of the many projects that RWF supports have been a women's clinic in Guatemala City, an orphanage in Santa Apolonia, a water project in the Mayan village of Tapesquillo, a school in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Project Safe Passage at the Guatemala City garbage dump, and projects that support the LGBTQ+ community in Guatemala City.

Trip participants are encouraged to collect medical and school supplies during the months before departure. Depending on your ticket, each person is allowed two 50-pound bags plus carry-on baggage on this international flight. We encourage people to fill their suitcases with lifesaving supplies that we will distribute in Guatemala. We will provide guidance on what medications to collect. Our groups have made an enormous difference in the lives of hundreds of people. These vital supplies have come from doctors and hospitals in the U.S. that we contact before our trips. We also bring down lots of over-the-counter medications and vitamins that you can purchase at your local drug store or Costco. Simple medicines like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Imodium, and Hydrocortisone cream are beyond the reach of most Guatemalans and are greatly appreciated. The antibiotics, anti-fungals, diabetes medications, and HIV medications all mean the difference between life and death in Guatemala. We are also bringing school supplies, art supplies, and stuffed animals for children.

Pro tip: On Amazon.com, search using the term “bulk” for school supplies, art supplies, and over-the-counter medications

ItemS to support the Transgender and Drag Expressive Communities:

Gender affirming and drag clothing

Costume Jewelry

New Cosmetics (eye shadow, eye liner, lipstick, blush, foundation (in darker tones)

Wigs

High heels

Items to help school aged children:

Writing implements: pens, pencils, pencil crayons, crayons, felt pens, dry erase markers

Rulers, erasers,scissors (pack in checked luggage)

Stickers (all kinds, these are very loved)

Embroidery Thread (for making bracelets)

Safety pins (larger size)

Basketballs & Soccer balls (pump to blow them up)

Children’s t-shirts in various sizes

Toothbrushes (various sizes for children and adults, we can buy toothpaste there)

Stuffed animals, smaller sizes, good quality

Educational toys (counting game, color games, wooden puzzles, with no English words) for age 3 plus. Spanish educational books (eg: solar system, types of animals, types of rocks, story books with cultural sensitivity in mind) This website has some good examples: https://spanishmama.com/authentic-spanish-books-for-kids/

First aid kit for the school

Over-the-Counter Medicines are greatly needed:

Bandages and band-aids (all sizes) and any first aid equipment

Gauze, tape, butterfly dressings, etc.

Pain relief medicine such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, NSAIDs (Motrin, Aleve)

Anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medications'

Anti-fungal creams and powders, also anti-microbial solutions

Multi-vitamins - infant, child and adult, especially pre-natal

Other vitamins and minerals, particularly B6, D, C and E, Zinc

Digital thermometers (centigrade)

Medical Suppli

• Bandages and band-aids (all sizes), 4x4" and 2x2" gauze, tape, butterfly dressings, etc.

• Pain relief medicine such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Tylenol, NSAIDs (Motrin, Aleve)

• Anti-fungal creams and powders, also anti-microbial solutions

• Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds

• HIV anti-retrovirals, particularly protease inhibitors, also AIDS tests

• Anti-nausea/anti-vomiting medications

• Multi-vitamins - infant, child and adult, especially pre-natal

• Other vitamins and minerals, particularly B6, C and E, Zinc

• IV antibiotics and oral antibiotics

• IV supplies- needles, bags of fluid, tubing, connectors

• Sutures and suture equipment

• Gloves, syringes and needles - all types

• Eye solutions and cleanser

• Asthma medications, nebulizers, and inhalers

• Diabetic test strips and urine dip sticks • Ace bandages, casting materials, and splints

• Dental supplies, including toothbrushes and toothpaste

• Pregnancy tests and gestation wheels, and measuring tapes for midwives (plastic preferred)

• Cord clamps and cord tying tape, bulb syringes for infant suction, any size

Other Medical Equipment:

• Stethoscopes - infant, child, adult

• Blood pressure cuffs - all sizes

• Digital thermometers (centigrade) for infants and adults, and basal thermometers (for birth control)

• Opthalmoscopes, otoscopes, hearing testing tools, eye charts

• Stainless steel instruments, especially scalpels and blades, scissors and hemostats

• Fetal Doppler, any type, and Doppler gel

• Baby scales (fish and tabletop), adult scales

• O2 equipment - regulators, tubing, masks, ambu-bags

• Ultrasound machines - portable and with battery Teaching Materials (in Spanish)

• Medical and nursing textbooks, maternity/growth charts, etc.

• Models - babies/pelvises/skeletons, etc.

• Physician’s Desk Reference (in Spanish)

https://www.rainbowfund.org/s/Guatemala-Supplies-Collection-List-PDF.pdf

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!