23 Apr 2025
Many Filipinos in Finland are ditching money transfer from Finland to Nepal for something more meaningful—school supplies. Instead of simply wiring funds, more and more expats are shipping boxes filled with notebooks, pencils, uniforms, and even educational gadgets to their loved ones in the Philippines. But why this shift?
This rising preference goes beyond convenience. It reflects deeper cultural values, a focus on education, and a desire for long-term, visible impact. Let’s explore why this thoughtful change is becoming more common among Filipinos living in Finland.
Here are some of the reasons why school supplies are becoming new remittances.
Education has always been seen as a key to a better future in Filipino culture. For many families, it’s not just a priority—it’s a necessity. Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), students, and immigrants in Finland understand this deeply.
Sending school supplies is their way of ensuring that their hard-earned money is being used directly for its intended purpose. From quality notebooks and pens to digital learning devices, every item shipped helps students perform better in school and chase their dreams. It’s a direct investment in the future of their children, nieces, nephews, or siblings.
Filipinos in Finland know that while it's easy to send money to Philippines from Finland, there's always a risk it won’t be used exactly how they imagined. By sending supplies instead, they feel confident that their support is making a clear and valuable difference.
While sending cash may seem easier, it's not always the most effective option. There have been instances where money sent home doesn’t reach the right hands or gets spent on non-essential things.
School supplies, on the other hand, offer peace of mind. When a child receives a new set of books or a sturdy backpack, there’s no question where the support went. It avoids the grey area that sometimes comes with money remittances and gives senders a sense of fulfillment.
For those working hard in a foreign land, knowing their sacrifice directly helps a child study better and stay in school is incredibly rewarding. That’s a level of transparency and trust that can’t always be guaranteed with an online money transfer from Finland to Philippines.
The cost of basic school materials in the Philippines has increased significantly. With inflation affecting everything from notebooks to uniforms, it’s becoming harder for average families to provide the tools their children need for school.
Filipino expats in Finland can access high-quality educational supplies at more affordable prices. They often purchase items in bulk during local sales, allowing them to save money while sending a meaningful package home. These efforts lighten the financial load on families, helping them redirect their limited funds to other important needs like transportation or food.
There’s something powerful about seeing the exact items you’ve sent being used by your loved ones. It builds a stronger sense of trust and transparency between the sender and receiver. Unlike cash, which can be easily reallocated or absorbed into general household spending, school supplies are specific and purpose-driven.
Filipinos in Finland say that sending physical goods often leads to more gratitude and communication with family back home. It also sends a powerful message to children: someone far away believes in your future and wants to help you succeed.
Here are some of the practical benefits of sending school supplies over cash.
One of the key advantages for Filipinos in Finland is the access to durable, high-quality educational materials. Finnish stores often carry a wide selection of learning tools—from scientific calculators to eco-friendly notebooks—that are hard to find or expensive in the Philippines. Many Filipino expats in Finland rely on affordable stores like Tokmanni to buy durable and high-quality school supplies in bulk.
The quality of goods in Finland also tends to be higher. Items like backpacks, lunchboxes, and colored pens often last longer than local versions, reducing the need for replacements and saving families additional costs in the long run. These long-lasting supplies help maintain students’ focus and give parents peace of mind.
Filipino communities in Finland are resourceful. Many take advantage of store discounts and bundle deals to buy large quantities of school supplies. This allows them to fill up balikbayan boxes at lower costs, making their support stretch further.
Balikbayan boxes remain a trusted method for sending goods to the Philippines. Many expats send them two to three times a year, timed with school enrollment periods. Even though these boxes take a few weeks to arrive, they are packed with thoughtful items that serve families for months.
Children who receive school supplies from abroad often feel more motivated to do well in school. It’s not just about having new materials—it’s about the emotional boost that comes with knowing someone is rooting for them from far away.
These supplies often last the entire school year, offering more utility than one-time cash remittances. When students have what they need—whether it's art materials, notebooks, or learning aids—they participate more actively in class, complete assignments on time, and develop a deeper interest in learning.
This kind of support not only impacts academic performance but can shape a child’s self-esteem and future aspirations.
Every June marks the beginning of a new school year in the Philippines. Filipinos in Finland plan ahead, often shipping their balikbayan boxes a couple of months earlier to ensure the items arrive just in time.
These seasonal patterns have become a part of family traditions. It’s common to see Filipino expats shopping in April and May, carefully choosing items their loved ones requested or might find useful. It’s a well-thought-out process that reflects care, responsibility, and foresight.
Filipinos in Finland are choosing smarter, more thoughtful ways to support their families through education-focused remittances. By sending school supplies instead of cash, they ensure that their contribution directly benefits the younger generation and builds a better future.
This trend reflects deep-rooted cultural values, practical decision-making, and a strong belief in education as a tool for empowerment. While cash will always have its place, there's something special about a box full of books, pens, and backpacks arriving just in time for a new school year.
If you're an OFW or international student abroad, consider joining this meaningful movement. Whether you're shipping boxes or choosing to send money to Philippines online from Finland, let your support reflect not just generosity, but vision.
Yes, many Filipinos send both. They include school supplies in balikbayan boxes and use online transfers for urgent family expenses.
Notebooks, pens, pencils, uniforms, backpacks, lunchboxes, and calculators are top choices. Educational gadgets like tablets are also popular.
It can be more economical in the long run, especially when items are bought in bulk during sales. Plus, supplies are used directly for school, ensuring their value.
Send at least 1–2 months before the school year starts in June to allow enough shipping time through balikbayan services.
Absolutely. ACE Money Transfer offers fast, secure, and affordable services when you need to send money quickly to the Philippines.
