Keep in Touch!

I would love, love, LOVE to have some pen pals while I'm in Madagascar! It will be nice to be able to keep up with the lives of all of my friends and family while I'm away! So here are the ways that you can keep in touch with me:

Email Address:

elenadearest@gmail.com


Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elenamariaherrera

Tumblr: genuinerelationship.tumblr.com

Instagram: @elenadearest

Twitter: twitter.com/Elenadearest (I don't use this often)

Skype: Elenadearest


Mailing Address

Elena Herrera
Amin'ny Mr. Calixte
Parcelle 18 Ampasimbola
518 Vavatenina, Analanjirofo

Tips for Sending Mail and Packages

• A letter can take 2-3 weeks to arrive and a package can take anywhere from 3-8 weeks to arrive by USPS. It is usually slower around the holidays. 
• Please write “Airmail” and “Par Avion” on the outside of all letters and packages that you send. 
• Because I have to pay a fee to collect packages, please be aware of what you include on the customs forms. Oftentimes that fee is based on the value declared on the customs form. Try not to declare a value more than $15. 
• For smaller packages, try to use a padded envelope. It will be treated as a letter and therefore arrive to me more quickly. I also won’t have to pay any taxes to collect an envelope, which would be super awesome, and I'd greatly appreciate it!
• For larger packages, it is recommended to use the USPS flat-rate boxes. You’d be amazed how much stuff you can squeeze in there! I've been told that a medium sized flat-rate runs around $60 to send to Madagascar.
• Decorate the crap out of those envelopes and boxes! Use stickers, run some tape around the edges, get crafty. This will help to identify and avoid tampering during shipment! It's a great idea to include a list of what you sent me, so I can be totally sure that everything made it to me! According to some other Volunteers, putting things like crucifixes and religious sayings on the outside of packages might make the postal workers think twice before messing with them. 

Things I would love to receive:

• Food:
• chips (hot fries, pringles, hot cheetos, funyuns)
• twizzlers
• oatmeal
• mac-n-cheese
• taco bell hot sauce packets
• granola bars
• chocolate
• Skin/Hair Care
• LUSH shampoo; Soak N' Float
• Conditioner
• Tea Tree face wash/moisturizer from The Body Shop
• Pumice stone
• Miscellaneous
• scarves
• music
• movies
• books
• kitty stuff

Again, I'd LOVE to hear from anyone and everyone while in Madagascar, so don't hesitate in sending me a letter or a care package or an email! :D