Looking for advice: sending a package to Zambia

[dolphingirl]

Hi all!
I would like to send a "care package" to a community in Zambia where some people I know are working with kids, it would be a not too big box, probably around 2kg.
I had a look at the Posti prices and they look OK (expensive, but still reasonable considering the distance and the destination location), but somehow I don't trust the Posti anymore because I had three negative experience over the last couple of months (1.Economy package to the States: the box got completely crashed during the trip and one item was serioucly damaged 2.Economy package to Italy: sent in March, recipient hasn't got it yet 3.Priority package to Italy: the little box got damaged and had been clearly open) and I am considering potential alternatives. I would be really sorry if this package got lost or damaged, I really want them to get these things in good conditions.
Has any of you ever tried to send a package to Zambia or Africa in general? did you use Posti or some other company? I quickly checked UPS prices but they were way too high obviously...

[EP]

I don't trust the Posti anymore

I don´t know of any alternatives. And what is "posti"? I am quite certain that the Finnish Posti has sent it, but through how many other "postis" in how many other countries do packages go before they reach their destination?

[dolphingirl]

By "Posti" I mean of course the national mail service.

I know it might not be the Finnish Posti's fault if 3/3 of my packages had problems, but I would still consider alternatives, if anybody knows of any, because it is very frustrating to put care and effort in making something and then seeing it getting lost/almost completely destroyed.
I would just like this package to get there safely...

[Tiwaz]

Considering that location you plan to send it is not perhaps one known widely for it's high standard of living and/or stable and functional infrastructure I would be more concerned over your package disappearing around Zambia.

You could try asking Red Cross. I have honest doubt that any private delivery organisation would bother moving your package at reasonable cost since packages to Zambia might not be volume product.

[raamv]

Have you tired http://www.fedex.com/fi/ and http://www.dhl.fi/publish/fi/fi.high.html ? Probably more expensive than posti!!
The best way you can ensure that the packages reaches its destination is to deliver it yourself!!
Blaming Finnish posti is useless as once it leaves Finland's borders, Finnish posti have no control..
w

[dolphingirl]

Yeah Tiwaz, of course you are right and of course I am concerned about the "disappearing in Zambia" as well, but the disappearing happened also when sending a package to Italy and I don't know who should be blamed for that, the Finnish Posti, the Italian one, some other in between...
I think it's a matter of luck!

I'll try to check the red cross anyway. thanks

[Hank W.]

Italy seems to be a bit notorious re. getting mail, atleast in ebay the stuff I look for Italy gets singled out, so I guess theres something rotten besides the streets of Napoli.

[dolphingirl]

I know the best would be to deliver it in person and I would love to do that, just it would be even more expensive

I'm not blaming the Finnish Posti, I know it probably wasn't their fault, but again, it happened 3/3 times in two months, I guess it's obvious to look for possible alternatives...
However, if only possible alternative is to use dhl, ups and such I guess I'll just have to stick with the Posti and pray that my items will get there safely!

[dolphingirl]

yeah Hank, Italy is "famous" for that as well, but still I am suprised that somebody might have stolen a simple wall decoration with tulips which I made for my granny!