Tips for Sending Packages

first here is my address again if your are interested in sending me anything (but again know there is no pressure):

Andrew Engel, PCV
Ngana Secondary School
PO Box 497
Kyela, Tanzania

i've added the PCV because i've heard that the USPS waives customs fees when they see this because they then know it is going to a peace corps volunteer, which helps me out a lot.

also i am finding that the quickest packages, those that arrive within two weeks, sometimes in 10 days, have religious sayings, such as Jesus Saves, "thou shall not steal," or bible verses on them. if you want, write something in swahili like "Usiibe, Mungu anakuangalia" which means do not steal, God is watching you or "Yesu anaokoa" which means Jesus saves. you can also say you have included some religious items on the customs forms even if it is just a little white lie. other things i've heard that work are addressing it to Br. Andrew Engel or Fr. Andrew Engel (though i am nowhere near that good of a person). my understanding is that customs officials here aren't as likely to open the package (which slows its progress getting here), or aren't as likely to steal items within it, if they see that it is going to a "very" Christian person or is religiously affiliated in any way. i hope God will forgive us all for taking liberties with some of the white lies, but i hope she might understand given the circumstances, and the threat of not getting something because of a thieving official.

other tips that i've heard have worked for other volunteers that you might try as well (if you are extra worried or want to be extra safe):
1.if you do want to send something a little larger, a shoebox size box travels pretty quickly and safely
2. if possible, don't use envelopes with the USPS logo or that have red, white and blue themed stickers because then thieves know the package is from the US, and are more prone to snoop and steal (note: any package that i've gotten that did have these things on it arrived safely, at least i think nothing was stolen out of it).
3. don't write "magazines" on your customs forms because officials think magazines are pornography which is illegal here in tanzania, so they open to check and then are more prone to steal when they see what's inside (note: any package that i've gotten that did have "magazines" on a customs form did arrive safely, at least i think nothing was stolen out of it).
4. wrap the package in duct tape. because it doesn't exist here, officials don't know what to do with it and leave it alone...this seems very clever to me!
5. i've also heard that addressing the packages in red scares people off for superstitious reasons, thought i suspect that that isn't quite as much as a deterrent nowadays