Need cheap sea frieght to Vanuatu 4 Charity

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Hi Guys and Girls, just returned from a trip to Port Vila Vanuatu, and saw some stuff that put a lump in my throat, I want to help by sending a care package to the local school kids to help out with stationary, I managed to get 21 kgs of text books, pens and associated stationary, colouring pens stamps rubber etc, plus some tennis balls for the little village kids to play with. Managed to get a lot of bargains all up $80
Next killer is the postage, Aus post want a whopping $250.
It doesn't have to go airmail, I would like to get a sea mail cost, but aren't getting too far.
advice appreciated.
thanks

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Two places to contact are the local Honorary Consul for Vanuatu, who will often have access to shipping and the other is Rotary "Donations-In-Kind" branch.

A third option is to track down other charities who have projects in the place you want to send stuff and ask them for advice.

Remember that while your donation may well be heart felt and generous, it may not meet the priorities of the organisations, so don't get annoyed by a knock back, just find another organisation.

Yes we have sent surplus equipment throughout SW Pacific and Sri Lanka, so we know the difficulties.

Diana

[Yorkie]

you could contact some of the companies that run ships over there, neptune pacific, sofrana, pdl, reef are some i remember as heading that way, most have offices in melbourne from memory.
good luck

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

I have one of the elders addresses, so the acceptance and delivery address is not the problem, it's just trying to keep the cost of freight down. If all fails I'll have to just wear the air freight cost. I gave my word that I would send them some stuff when I got back to Aus.

[Hoges]

the BIL spent a deal of time a few years ago volunteering (high school maths and sports teacher) in Kiribati ...was a constant problem trying to get sports kit (soccer balls etc) and basic school resources there to support him. You might try a ring around of the commercial freight forwarders (not the DHL types) to see whether they have spare space in a container... never know your luck!!
cheers

[hodgo]

I have a friend that sends a shipping container of welfare and kids stuff over 3 or 4 times a year you have just missed one by a week i am sure he would enclude it in his next one If you want his details I will PM them to you The only problem is you would have to get them to Brisbane.

Hodgo

[Don 130]

I did a job for a woman who was packing up spare stuff 'for the islands' last week. I have the contact details of the organiser of the container if you want it. Only problem for you may be that it goes from Sydney. A container has just gone, but as soon as the next is full, it too will go. PM me for the details if you want.
Don.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Air Vanbuatu offered me 50% off freight through Rotary, but then there were other charges that were unavoidable. Fuel Tax, ext etc approx $100 on top
Problem flights from Melb resume in June, unless I get it to Sydney or Brisbane. I've decided it was all to hard, so will pay Aust post and get it sent Airmail.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

I did a job for a woman who was packing up spare stuff 'for the islands' last week. I have the contact details of the organiser of the container if you want it. Only problem for you may be that it goes from Sydney. A container has just gone, but as soon as the next is full, it too will go. PM me for the details if you want.
Don.

Thanks Any way., logistics was the problem