In Reply to: Items taken to Orphanages by Bali mad posted by BalineseSupport on Saturday, 12. November 2011 at 05:17 Bali Time:
But as someone who works with Balinese children and has Balinese children, can I ask that you take some time before your next visit to learn a little more about Balinese children. Your intentions are great, however these are not Western children and therefore do not have the needs of Western children. Motor skills as you mentioned are just one example, Balinese have a very special way of developing these. Outings are not the norm unless it is to Temples or the market and that is far more important than KFC. And take a minute to think about how they must feel after you leave, you have shown them a world you live in and make it seem so grand with your photos etc and then you leave, you opened their mind up, which low caste Balinese do not do with their children, their minds are opened up to their next life (after death) not a "Better life" in the now, and Balinese cannot show sadness, it is weak (and a sin), smiles are what they must show, so you will only see smiles.
Maybe take the time to read about early development in Balinese children, there are plenty of books out there, I learnt straight from the source (living in a Balinese family) but I am sure you can do some research. Take time for them to teach you, hopscotch is a western game, ask them to show you their Balinese games, they are fascinating and then you will see some motor skills in action.
Please don't try to Westernize these children, its bad enough they are away from their families where most of the development goes on. You can do soo much more for them if you can support their culture and not introduce them to more Western things.
I once had an American tourist ask me if my girls could do a dance for them, my reply was "would you like peanuts to throw at them as well?". My girls love to dance but they are not tourist attractions.