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My very own princess in royal carriage

 MSC archived stories - October 4, 2019

Soon after finalizing Mairani's gift, my attention turned to Rukhsar (8), who also had her birthday in late July.

 

In my desire to connect with her in a special way on this day, for the first time I began researching/contacting viable small/family businesses in India to send a direct package (DP) to Tilden-Keller Family Community Center in Delhi. My specific requirements being able to print a letter/inventory list, take photos and email me prior to dispatch with shipment tracking.

 

I short-listed a few merchants as potential partners, but having exhausted all options, decided to go for ToyCart [www.toycart.com/about-toycart].

 

For anyone interested, the company is based in Mohali, Punjab with an online Chat service, providing direct assistance with any queries (Tip: when navigating the site, in-stock items will appear first followed by plenty of sold out items to ignore!).

 

I wasn't their ordinary customer in India but a sponsor of an Indian child and from abroad. It was special handling right from the first word go.. everything was fulfilled to my expectation until when I went to make the payment, their online system could not accept UK registered cards. They were new to this and having an overseas customer, so after days of failed attempts finally we resorted to making direct funds transfer to their bank account (via WorldRemit.com) with no extra cost.

 

With that hurdle concurred, the package with Rukhsar's very own princess in royal carriage (137 pieces) made its destination in 4 days. In spite of the Delhi hustle and bustle, the princess was in commuting heaven, carrying Paper quilling kit, Decorative headbands, Nail polish shades, Jewellery & watch bands (she's holding the opened box), Puzzle sets, 56-pieces art set, Nail-imprinting kit, and Necklace kit.

 

To her sponsor, only one dhuwa in the whole world called Rukhsar will have endless fun with many art & craft activities to keep her imagine and creative!

 

Total cost of the project = $40

Time taken for the follow-up = 10wks

Question for India sponsors

I was little worried about Rukhsar when first saw the photos – thinner/weaker look on her, but her BMI is fine. The report was dated 07/25. Do you think perhaps it's due to her fasting during the month of Ramadan (May-June), and if so how long do they take to get back to being normal healthy again?

 

PS. The Care Team kindly emailed me Rukhsar and Mairani's DP letters – added to My Media along with Leo, the name Mairani gave her adopted tiger (for 8th birthday present) from World Wildlife Fund. I chose tiger because it’s her astrological/Chinese zodiac sign.

Comments

  1. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:29

    I love how much thoughts you always put into your gifts! Question - how are you able to ask your kids what name to give their adopted stuffed animals? Do you DP all of them as they don't really ship to alot of country overseas? It's awesome that your kids get a gift and you are supporting another cause :)

    October 5, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  2. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:29

    As far as I know, children and the sick don’t fast for Ramadan.

    October 5, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  3. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:30

    I bet you gave Rhukhsar her best birthday present ever and I bet she definitely feels like a princess! Way to go chelaka!

    October 5, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  4. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:30

    Hi Karen, They don’t have to give a name for the animal, but I just asked Mairani in a letter to name the tiger and she came up with Leo (she wrote, “I always sleep with Leo, my tiger”). It was a symbolic adoption in honor of her 8th birthday, so we can talk and learn about these beautiful cats, how they live and survive in the wild. WWF(USA) used to ship adoption kits all over the world until about 2yrs ago they stopped shipping to Africa and Asia due to customs clearance issues. Juliana was lucky to get her Orangutan before this happened (I posted a story about it here on March 03, 2018) and he’s still surviving under her captivity :-)

    October 5, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  5. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:30

    Thanks Elemay, I didn't know that children don't have to observe the fast. When I receive follow-up photos the first thing that goes in mind is their well-being. I've just arranged new bedding for Rukhsar, hopefully will give her better sleeps at night.

    October 5, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  6. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:30

    Hi Liro, Yes, you’re right! The letter (in My Media) says, “she has received the best birthday gift on her birthday.”

    October 5, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  7. chelaka23 March 2025 at 14:30

    Brightspot
    What a wonderful present you gave to Rhuksar! She must have been delighted. Thank you for the tip on a business in India, with which sponsors can do business.As for Ramadan: I read an excellent book by Zainab Salbi, who grew up in Iraq. Her upper-class family was one of those who were forced to be "friends" with Saddam Hussein's family when he seized power.One cultural note the author mentioned was Ramadan. Yes, as you said, some people are exempt from the fasting requirement. The elderly, young children, people who are sick, and pregnant women are not required to observe the fast.

    October 15, 2019

    ReplyDelete

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