Cuba - suggestions for gifts

[Miss Inquiry]

I am off to cuba in 2 weeks and have read over and over again to take gifts for the children out there who are really underprivilaged. I have loads of colouring pencils and a few colouring books, what else could I take that they would appreciate (that is not too heavy to carry)?
All ideas gratefully appreciated.

[missmoore]

When I was there in Easter, I wished I'd gone into Primark (or somewhere as cheap) and spent maybe twenty pounds on basics, like t-shirts. Everyone told us to take things like toothpaste and shampoo, but when you think that the people you're most likely to actually give items to are your room attendants, and the Cubans you meet in your hotel, then they already have access to the supplies hotels have.

We were also told to take basic medicines, like aspirin, paracetamol and diarrhoea remedies, which I think were pretty well appreciated by those we gave them to.

If I think of anything else, I'll be back...

[tradey]

my brothers over there now,he took colouring books pencils,books sweets,asprin,shampoo,combs toothpaste and tooth brushes.he phoned me the other day and said they were well pleased some of them couldnt thank him enough

[Clanad]

keep in mind that a monetary tip to the room maid or Camerera (Camarero if it's a man) is common to the culture. Don't, however, leave it in an envelope since he/she will probably not get it, but, rather place it in an envelope and personally hand it to her, accompanied by the phrase "Muchas gracias por su buen trabajo"... Thanks a lot for the good work... The small, individually wrapped bars of soap common to hotel rooms are treasured by the kids... along with small games, such as "Jacks" for the girls (small rubber ball with 5 small 5 pointed metal objects) and anything baseball (American version) related for little boys...