Write to me!

You Have a Few Options...

1) Snail Mail: 
Olivia Smith
c/o Elyse Painter
PO BOX 1689
Masaka, Uganda

*Mailing tip: if you feel comfortable, Write "Sister Olivia Smith" It will help my letters or packages get to me without being opened since they are very religious here and would not want to disturb that.

2) Emails will ALWAYS be welcome (as the mail coming in and out of Uganda will be slow): oliviapsmith24@gmail.com

3) Skype: I will have limited access to this, but would love to Skype with people when I get the chance. My Skype name is (including the period at the end): osmith.

A couple tips about mailing things:

• Don’t send things that you would be too concerned about being lost or stolen.
• Postcards should be sent in envelopes (or they might end up decorating the wall of the local post office!)
• Print the address clearly and in all capital letters. Write “Airmail” and “Par Avion” on the envelops.
• Packages that are sent in envelopes are less likely to be rifled through and will be treated as a letter (aka they will arrive faster!) So, stuff as much as you can into a padded envelope rather than a box (this will also save me money on my end too!)
• If you insure a package, don’t list really expensive items on the box (like electronics) because it can be seen on the outside of the package and is sure to be sifted through. Also, be as vague as possible about what is inside the package on the customs forms. Instead of DVDs or books, write “educational material” or for food items right “nutritional material”. This way the temptation to look through the package is reduced.
• Religious quotes, images, and symbols help prevent theft or from people going through packages. Get creative here!
• Shipping via the US postal service is cheapest, most reliable, and least likely method of shipping to be held up in customs. It takes a couple of weeks for letters and packages to arrive and some mail may never arrive (though this is very uncommon, it’s possible). Number your letters so I know if I’m missing any or they are out of order.