In Reply to: Orphanages in Bali posted by larry_times_two on Thursday, 13. January 2005 at 17:12 Bali Time:
- orphanages the ages of the children will range from 2 or 3 years to late teens, although they may not look that old.
We to have been concerned about having the 'wrong' things or not having enough for every one. What we do now if we're not sure is to take a candy and a balloon for everyone and have all the major stuff in those big stripy plastic bags from the local cheap shop. These we give to the people who run the orphanage, for them to distribute as they decide is best and as suits the greatest needs. We are happy if they do this after we have gone. One of the advantages of this approach is that the kids tend to talk with us more without the distraction of 'who got what'.
You will never take the 'wrong things' as they will alter, exchange, trade, and swap with other places and with the locals. I don't see a problem with a size XXX pair of my trousers going to a local farmer and a bag of his rice going to the orphanage.
I can post a list of possible gifts if you want it or you could do a search of the Archives on this Forum. See the top of the page.
Have a great trip.