Establishing an efficient shipping strategy.

Our ability to deliver resources gathered by our supporters to the kids in Kenya, it was important to establish a shipping channel that was efficient. We embarked on this journey soon after we knew that we were passionately involved in making this project with Kenya kids a success.

August 2017 First package

Our goals were to collect lightweight school supplies (pencils, erasers, pens, etc.) and put them in a package to send to Kimani’s school in Kenya, Mukubu Primary School.

Together, we gathered packs of mechanical and colored pencils, pencil boxes, pens, eraser packs, and markers. Although it was a rather small package of 11 lbs., our idea was to send something to them and establish a reliable shipping method.

We looked into several other mail services and found that USPS was the most cost efficient. The total cost was around $60 whereas other postal services charged over $100.

We then sent the package and waited for the confirmation from Kimani’s old school teacher who would receive it at the school. Unfortunately, the package never made it to the destination. We figured that someone had stolen it before it could reach the school.

2018 Second package

Although the first package didn’t make it to the school, we were determined to find a consistent shipping method. After searching, we came across a shipping center based in Wisconsin. All we had to do was get the package to them and from there, they would send it to Kenya.

We were able to collect more school supplies, similar to the first package. Then we sent it to Wisconsin and once again waited for the confirmation that the package had been received.

Later, we heard that Kimani’s teacher had gotten the package and the kids at the primary school loved the new supplies in the package. They sent pictures of the students and their new pencils, pens, and markers, which are posted in the gallery.