In Reply to: Taiking donations posted by Sunshine on Saturday, 8. March 2008 at 16:08 Bali Time:
I too visit Jodie O'Shea orphanage in Denpasar. Did a fair bit of research before , as I lived in Bali for two years, and have been back 18 months here (although made three trips last year)In June last year, whilst thereI bumped into a local (Griffith) journalist while in Bali and took Amelia along as well. She followed up with a brilliant article in the local newspaper. I felt very happy donating to this place (and others) but found it easier for me now to buy food items in Bali, juice, eggs, fruit, rice, "real" bread, vegetables, milk, toothbrushes, paste, soap etc. which relieves their budget a bit so they can use that allocated money for other things.
Very impressed with the total running of the place, the kids have recycle bins for the rubbish, a vegetable garden happening and clean tidy rooms.
The children are told they are not in an orphanage, but have now come "home". Some of these children have been abused in other institutions and "rescued" They are kids from all islands and are cared for by a local"Mum and Dad" and supported by a Czech model (cant remember name) but she lost her fiancee in Tsunami in Thailand and raises awareness and money for kindergartens , Australians who knew and remember Jodie O'Shea, a young girl killed in Bali bombings, and odds and sods like me.
All the orphanages are needy and it is true, more help is needed by the places further out. It is never ending.