bringing clothes to Cuba

#7 is correct. Cuban women love tampons, they can go swimming or wading during the hot and humid summers even when it is the wrong time of the month. Remember, poor Cubans do no have air conditioning, like you do.

aside from finding people to give the items to, the other matter is how to give the items away. On my trips to Cuba I have taken what I need and what I can wear, but also clothes I didn't mind leaving behind. Admittedly I wear the clothes so they need a wash after I give them away. What has always worked for me is this line "my bag is too full to fit the cuban coffee/rum/cigars/paintings etc I am taking home with me. Can I leave this tshirt/pair of trousers/shorts/shoes/shirt etc with you to find someone who can use it? That would be a big help for me thanks"
you get rid of the items and the person who gets it can decide to keep themselves, trade or give away but it never appears like charity.

Rob, that's an excellent line. I have often used it too--and sometimes it's true!

Yeah, Cameron, if we were going to Slovenia we might do. But happens to be a travel site that discusses travel in CUBA.

Cameron was referring to the fact that the OP's profile shows that they are from Slovenia.

#11 y #12: I see that concept in use frequently. In Cueto, the small town where I hang out. There are 3 boys ages 11 to 16 that are being clothed and fed by the community as their mother is a severe alcoholic. Community charity is always expressed as something else such as:

"someone gave us this new paid of shoes / pants / shirt ..... and they do not fit anyone in our family. Please take them home with you and see if they happen to fit you or one of your brothers"

"I've made too much of this (food). Would you like some of my extra or would you like to take some home for your brothers? Please bring my container back tomorrow"

Now the oldest of the three is pedaling a bicitaxi. Some in town tip very graciously, like paying 20 CUP for the normal 10 CUP ride.

As a result, the boys never have any shame about living on charity. They feel good about themselves. And, they would never ask for anything either..

Yeah, Cameron, if we were going to Slovenia we might do. But happens to be a travel site that discusses travel in CUBA. >
I meant she could donate those clothes to needy people in her hometown or country, which is Slovenia.

Bob, it warms my heart but that is not how it works in all of Cuba.

My wife lived with her mother in a town in Matanzas when she was much younger. When she aspired to study law, all she heard from the pueblo.... Oh, you think you are better than us. They shunned our family because someone in the family aspired for something better. It is a poor town. The rest of the town were garbage. Pardon me for saying that but i can't think of anything else.

Fortunately my wife managed to get a house in Havana, through an aunt, and my mother in law was able to exchange her house for another, in a more civilized town 5 km away, many years later.

There are, I'm sure, lots of garbage towns in Cuba, not just this one in Matanzas, where i have experience. Fortunately, none of us have any connection, anymore with this lavasura de Cuba.

I, seriously, doubt, this town would help anyone in distress. On the contrary, they would all be laughing.

Not referring to you, but people need to get out more, in Cuba. It's not all, one for all and all for one. It's quite the opposite. A great party of Cuba is uneducated and behaves as such.

Sorry for the rant but this is close to my heart.

Bob, it warms my heart but that is not how it works in all of Cuba.

I wonder if this difference is in large part between the east and areas around Havana or areas with more touristic influence vs. those that do not.

I don't think it has anything to do with tourist towns opposed to el campo, unless the tourist town folks, probably more affluent, have kinder hearts.

The town in Matanzas, I referred to, is not that far from the provincial border, Villa Clara. The mil's current place is 5 kms further away but that town is completely different. She wanted out of the first town, badly. Permuta with a government owned apartment for her house, which was turned into an old folks home. It was probably, the nicest house in that town with a couple of acres out back. Although i don't think she got a good deal, she's very happy there. Has lots of good friends.

I've also had many talks with her about her kind heart. It took time, but she is not as gullible as she used to be, thankfully. She's still too much of a saint, imho...lol

PS. When her second husband was still alive he started selling most of the land. I was furious. Why didn't he ask me, first. That way it stayed in the family. He, certainly, would have made considerable more money. In hindsight, I'm so glad he didn't. I would not want to live in that town.