INFORMATION ON SENDING GIFTS TO CHUKOTKAN FAMILIES

Overview in 2005

Chukotka conditions are much improved from five years ago,due to the current progressive governor, Roman Abramovich. He is due to leave office at the end of 2005. Most villages have considerable new housing, many have new schools and clinics, phone connections can be better, etc. However, our help is still much needed in the villages we have been sending to because in some cases there are still shortages in consumer goods, especially in children's clothing and footwear. Also unemployment is still high, and wages low. Government aid payments are very low in comparison to the U.S. Families write that they have enough to cover food (in addition to what they hunt,fish, herd or forage) and for housing, and low-income families can get help with power and fuel bills. But clothing and other basic household items can be a real problem

We can help by sending light, non-perishable items:

• Used clothing and footwear, especially for kids
• Outdoor wear for hunting/fishing etc
• Bedding
• Sewing material and supplies
• Yarn
• Used toys
• School supplies
• Fishing supplies

If you decide you would like to send a gift box or two to a family, focus on what an active outdoor family in the Arctic would need, and what kids need to do well in school. If you contact us by email we can provide name, address and description of a family that has written. If you send a self-addressed envelope in the box you may get a grateful thank you letter--most of the families do write. Some will ask for additional items, and it will be up to you if you want to continue with them as your adopted family. Or you may choose to send to a different family.

P.O. REQUIREMENTS FOR CHUKOTKA

• Maximum weight per box: approx. 40 lb. We recommend a 20-30 lb. box. Example: A 20 lb. box sent economy parcel post will be $48. You must state "economy parcel post" to P.O. clerk. Do not insure--it is of no use.
• Maximum dimensions: length--42 inches, maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches.
• Maximum total declared value of a box in order to be duty-free (which is necessary) is $100 U.S. We recommend not to exceed $85 in order to not appear to be pushing the limit.
• You need to pick up a declaration form at th P.O. to fill out. It is quite self-explanatory, but we need to advise you on how to fill out the "Contents " section, when you get to that point. The P.O. clerk will fill in th Weight and stick it on th box is a sleeve they provide.
• The shipment will take at least two months as there is no direct mail route across the Pacific. There may be a backlog, and it can take four months but the Russian P.O. is reliable.
• Tape a sturdy box very well for a long journey. Make out labels in block printing, normal way, put clear tape over labels. Cross out any prior labeling.
• We recommend the majority of the items be good quality, clean, pratical, warm used clothing and footwear, but you can include other things, still staying under the $100 limit per box.
• Do not send fresh produce, honey, garden seeds, ammo, guns, gps and other directional finders, printed or taped material that could be offensive to the Russian government, medicinal drugs, recreational drugs, porn, alcohol, or money. We also recommend you do not send T-shirts etc. promoting violence, alcohol, drugs etc. that we notice teenagers may contribute to clothing drives.
• Do not send more than three identical items in a box. (This is so it will not be mistaken for a commercial shipment, which would owe duty.)

CONTACT US by email or by phone 907-443-2455 FOR MORE DETAIL ON FILLING OUT THE DECLARATION FORM, QUESTIONS ON CONTENTS, AND NAME AND ADDRESS OF A FAMILY, DESCRIPTION OF ITS MEMBERS. WE CAN ALSO TRY TO FIT A FAMILY TO WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND.

We can also always use postage money, and funds for fishing and sewing supplies, if you would rather do that. Finally, thank you very much for helping out with this project, now in its sixth year.

We hope to hear from you, Nancy Mendenhall, Coordinator for AFOC

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