In Reply to: i have to agree too posted by nasicampur on Monday, 19. May 2008 at 15:44 Bali Time:
Sadly there are at least a couple of orphanages where there is exploitation of the children and the kind-hearted tourists. Breaks my heart. I have been helping 6 orphanages for many years, and will continue to do so. I am 100% confident that the above conversation reported by nasicampur would never occur in 5 of these. I am sure most of the orphanages are legitimate - but I KNOW there are some shonky operators. The orphanage Filo visits in Negara, the Bali Kids orphanage in Mengwi, and a Christian orphanage in Bangli are examples of well-run places operating purely for the benefit of the children - and of course many others likewise.
There are numerous groups/foundations in Bali worthy of as much support as we can muster. Two that my friends and I support are Bumi Sehat birthing centre in Ubud, and The Bali Street Dog Foundation.
If anyone should want to email me for any reason, feel free.