In Reply to: Orphanages Smudge, posted by Sunshine on Saturday, 8. May 2010 at 23:25 Bali Time:
you really have to know someone who has dealt for many years with orphanages and that people know very well!My own personal experience many years ago, I was told about a orphanage close to denpasar went there with my sister was very touched by the children and then arranged to have day out with two little girls we decided to sponsor(were told they didnt have a sponsor).On the day we went out my Bali son(thats what I call him)came and after talking to the girls he was informed they had a number of sponsors already.It didnt matter we helped by buying 200 pair childs undies,rice,etc. but realised there may have been some other place that needed our help more.Couple months ago a friend visiting with me to bali first time met a man on the beach who said he helped balinese children etc. she was taken to an official dinner with children singing and dancing to meet her orphan(a girl of 15yrs)well educated and is on facebook after donating aus$1000 to this girls schooling I checked this person out to find out off my balinese friends that he was a very rich business man who says he helps out balinese under privilidged children.He lives in opulent house has two cars driver etc.and many businesses he says hes only putting back into community because hes been so lucky(that may be true)buthe also gave false info on his status in the community and one of the children that night ended up being a balinese friends daughter who only dances at this events shes not an orphan.Still my friend fell in love with the young girl(who also admitted to other people she has many sponsors) and wants to help and thats her decision Im sure she feels shes doing the right thing. I just hate that the money (and its a lot)may not go directly to helping the children!Have heard great things about Smudge and hoping to meet up with him soon in bali also Desma from Tommys Cafe does a lot for the balinese children and others so as I said be careful and talk to as many people as you can before heading off by yourself as I first did!p.s.Filo posted some fantastic info and adventures about orphanages so its always good to check that out!