In Reply to: what to take posted by twinkle on Sunday, 14. August 2005 at 05:45 Bali Time:
Well, first of all, don't worry about what you take. Any charity you support, whether orphanage, dog clinic, disabled children foundation or birthing clinic, will make the most of any donations and anything that is surplus to needs will be traded for what they do need. Nothing is wasted! A search in the archives will give you info on orphanages and there is also a group of people that help the dogs there. Disabled children are given assistance with learning and gaining skills for the future. www.carryforkids.org
www.yamp.com/KupuKupu/index.html
The clinic we support has a wish list on their website. www.bumisehatbali.org We took vitamins, making sure they had iodine in the mix, bedsheets, clothes for babies and children (bali mums do not use stretch-and-grow type body suits by the way)footwear and toys. Receiving blankets are a nice gift as the clinic tries to give every mother a little layette to take the baby home with. I also take bras for the women. I buy ones in excellent condition from op shops and gather them up from my friends also (everyone has in the back of their lingerie drawer one or two 'misfits' they bought and have never worn as they did not fit after all!) I opt for the padded cup kind and smaller cup sizes if possible though some of the women would go up to a 14-16C I guess. For a woman in Bali a bra would cost several days wages, so you can guess whether they buy rice for their children or a bra for themselves. And money is always needed. For electricity, supplies, helping with hospitalisation fees. (The bank balance is often as malnourished as many of the mothers who attend the clinic).
Anything you take is gratefully received. After all, a bucket fills one drop at a time. If you wanted to see Robin especially you would be best to email or ring ahead as she goes to Aceh to help out there from time to time as well. To ring her once you are there it is 361- 972732 (361 is the area code) or cellphone 08179757522.
We usually just make a drop-off on our way through to Ubud or beyond with our driver Made (been to Bali six times now).
PS: If you feel more comfortable donating goods rather than money then a trip to Makro to stock up on bulk supplies will be an eye-opener as many things are much cheaper than at home. We bought our other goods to donate from Makro - toothpaste and brushes, soap, shampoo, pencils, erasers, school exercise books etc. (The confectionery aisle is a great place to stock up on goodies to take home to family and friends too! Oh, and the huge trolleys are easier to manage if you pull them along behind you instead of pushing them in front of you) I will put prices in a later JBR when I find my receipts.