In Reply to: Gift for schools posted by Megz on Saturday, 2. April 2005 at 17:24 Bali Time:
We used to take exercise books and pencils and pens etc till we discovered we could buy them cheaper, and in bulk, at Makro. The children's books are a great idea, though, as they are expensive there. This time I plan to buy at Makro a heap of toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes for my favourite charity as I like the idea that for the children it is still a treat to get their own, but I am also giving something that contributes to their good health. In the past I have taken footwear and white socks but the shoes were very heavy and a teacher told me the children are like children everywhere and want to wear what the others wear, not something different, so I will be buying footwear there too this time. A really big hit was a bag of bras scrounged from all my friends - you know, the bras that you buy that do not fit when you get home, and they sit at the back of your undies drawer because it feels wrong to throw out something brand new. Some of the orphanages have girls up to 18 years in them. One thing I have noticed, though, is that the shops there only seem to sell the padded type bras, not thin lace ones...more modest, I suppose.
If you are going to Ubud there is a scheme that distributes gifts to schools. Here is what I wrote about it last year.
Ubud Rotary Club Support for Ubud Schools Scheme
If you would like to support schools in Ubud area, but not necessarily go to the schools yourself, the Rotary Club of Ubud has two drop-off points for donated goods and they undertake to distribute for you. They would be thrilled to get pencils, pens, books, chalks, erasers, sports gear, educational posters and educational aids.
We took a bag of assorted items to one of the drop-off points and I was pleased to be invited to write in a 'visitor's book' my contact details and a list of the goods I was donating...very reassuring when one reads of bags sometimes being plundered before getting where they are intended to go. The place I dropped to was Saraswati Bungalows in Jalan Raya, Ubud. It is across the road from the Casa Luna Restaurant and along a bit to the right. Another dropoff is Ibah Resorts and Spa, but I am sorry I don't know that address.
I have since received a letter all the way from Bali thanking us for the donated goods....excellent feedback.