The concept of the care package began during World War II when Americans sent food, clothing and other basic necessities to friends and relatives in war-torn Europe. The humanitarian organisation CARE was subsequently founded in 1946 by several charities that came together and brought relief to over 60 million displaced europeans. The original care packages were re-conceptualised army rations, wherein each package was meant to feed 10 people one full meal. They contained tinned meat and vegetables, jam, cereal, biscuits, cocoa, coffee, evaporated milk, butter, cheese cigarettes and chewing gum. Source: Time Magazine – Care Package History
After WWII, the CARE packages focused on recovery and the nature and content of the packages changed to include wool and baby items. By the 1960s, the recipients were no longer just the refugees but also children in need, and the packages were upgraded again to contain soap, toys, and other textiles. The scope of recipient countries expanded beyond Europe and addressed issues in Africa, South Asia and East Asia. The organisation continues to evolve and respond to an ever-changing world, transforming into a worldwide NGO that embraces empowerment, equity, sustainability and advocacy.
Having said all that, I belong to the generation whose parents and grandparents received the earlier CARE and care packages, and somehow this became a tradition that continued among many families whose members relocated to distant shores due to work or life choices. My mom in particular was involved in sending care packages as a volunteer for various organisations, but when I moved to Europe and other countries, she began sending me care packages as well. When the plague broke out in India in 1994, Mommy sent us boxes of Australian tinned butter due to the butter shortage that resulted from the closed borders within states in India. It was the funniest thing to explain to customs why we were receiving Australian butter in India from the Philippines.
Before that, while living in Bonn, she would send care packages loaded with Filipino goodies, and the content of these boxes were always so unexpected. One time she even sent me a traditional filipino wok (kawali) which drove the German customs authorities absolutely nuts because she also threw in several packages of paracetamol and ibuprofen among the dried mango! God I miss her so much.
As I aged, I assumed the role of sending care packages but I am always thrilled to the core when I receive one from a friend or relative, especially now that I am a veritable hermit! In October my cousins from Canada brought me several packages of tamarind soup powder (sinigang) which I vowed to space out as long as possible, along with the shrimp paste (bagoong). I used to be able to find them in the Asian supermarkets in Berlin but I haven’t been able to find them locally. This past weekend I was feeling incredibly nostalgic, as I always do when Christmas rolls around, so I treated myself to a sinigang na isda (fish in tamarind soup) and my heart rejoiced when the aroma of the soup floated through the house.
Shortly after the sinigang packages I received a care package from India that contained various boxes of masalas, a salwar and two kurtas. My goodness was I in heaven! This particular package had an adventure of its own, mind you. It was assembled in Delhi, sent to Germany via a colleague of my friend, and then it was mailed from Germany to Portugal, where it also got held up in customs for almost a week (suspicious powders and all…). But all is well that ends well and I am well supplied with various curry powders.
Christmas is around the corner and we are all being asked to donate to various causes. But let me be that little voice in your head that reminds you that the recipients of care packages don’t always have to be refugees or orphans. You just have to care.
FrogDiva Thoughts 