How to help out orphanages??
By cultoffury
@cultoffury (1283)
India
February 2, 2007 7:39am CST
Today one of my friend with her family went to an orphanage and her brother who is working in a company sponsored for a lunch for all the children in the orphanage. It sounded really nice. Even I want to help them out. But I am just a student and I don't think I can manage to find that much money, there are around 300 children there in the orphanage. Can you please give me some idea of how to help them?
6 responses
@luzamper (1357)
• Philippines
8 Feb 07
Give whatever amount that you can afford, that can help in many ways. It's not only money also that could be given. Give other material things. And you can give also your services. Give your love - even just playing with the children can give a lot of happiness to them. There are really so many things that we can give to other people, even just our time to be talking to them.
@cultoffury (1283)
• India
10 Feb 07
Yeah, I am trying to gather as much as possible, I found out that I am not alone, and I was able to gather a few others to my side.
@gwenb143 (20)
• United States
5 Feb 07
I used to volunteer at a home for old people and also an orphanage for a few years, back when I lived in Manila. They are institutions started by Mother Teresa and her nuns. Lack of money should never hinder anyone from giving help -- you could volunteer a few hours of your time by visiting them, talking with them, or doing chores within the home. We used to feed them food and just talk to them. The visits made them happy-- they feel special that people come and visit them, even if they didn't have much. If only people knew how much these visits mean to these special people! So hope this helps and good luck! The world needs more people like you to make it better!
@cultoffury (1283)
• India
5 Feb 07
I can understand that, but how will I go there empty handed? I need to get something to them. First time, I went there I was not alone, I represented our college, I had raised a pretty decent fund. Now, the children would have a great expectation from me.
@gwenb143 (20)
• United States
5 Feb 07
What I shared earlier is an alternative way to help these kids. While you say that the children expect 'more' from you, do you necessarily think it should be monetary? Like I said, sometimes these orphans are happy that you visit them, or pick them up and hug them, especially the little ones. You could go and ask the administrator of the orphanage what service/s you (and maybe some) friends could provide -- like cleaning up, washing dishes, some baby clothes, etc. It's not monetary but it still helps.
If you're set on having more funds, there's no way but to raise it, with the help of your friends or your college again. You could write to several well established companies personally in your city (an official letter with a letterhead, maybe from your college would greatly help!) and tell them about this particular orphanage. Companies set aside yearly charitable contributions in their budget and you could tap into those. You'd be surprised how generous they could be. Goodluck!
@cultoffury (1283)
• India
5 Feb 07
Thanks a lot, I did mean giving them money, but even otherwise if I need to get them some food, or clothes, I need money, right? that was what I was saying, but I seem to get your point. I will do that. Thank you.
@erminiasanjose (1588)
• Philippines
8 Feb 07
Just visiting them giving your time to them is a very good gesture of love and giving. Play with them, tell stories to them, be with them - these can give happiness. Not only money is important in the world. Give whatever you have. You are not obliged to give what you don't have. Give your love, time, and effort.
@cultoffury (1283)
• India
10 Feb 07
That is there, last time I went there played football with them and my team lost, they were very happy. It was all great, I loved that time. Moreover I could see the happiness in their faces.
@mridula123 (734)
• India
8 Feb 07
ok..u've solved the problem already...actually u need the will to help.After that, there are no problems...The best you can do is through volunteering activities..You dont have to donate money, that is if u dont have. But you can arrange things for them, like some activities,programmes..u and your friends can do it..Like the stuff going around with NGOs...its very interesting..they arrange everything..and you just have to help them co-ordinate.
@cultoffury (1283)
• India
10 Feb 07
Yeah, as I told before, I have found some friends to join hands with me. I am now really busy, arranging and planning for "the day". It might be in the second half of this month.
@cuterat (296)
• India
2 Feb 07
good that you have a very good heart to help those kids there.you can surely help them out.you must be surely celebrating your birthday with your friends and wasting a lot of money on it.Avoid that and see to it that you celebrate it with those kids...believe me it wil be more fun.Your friends can also join you.
Also,help through money is not everything.It is only one small side.You can go there and interact with them.Spend time with them and teach them.In your company they will learn to dream big. The underdogs of the society become the winners.....
@alotoli (28)
• India
10 Feb 07
We share the same sentiment there. Wanting to help but not being able to do so is really disheartening. But those children, like everyone who has adviced you here have said, doesnt need money alone. They need love and support from us, if you can spare some time for them it counts a lot. And however small it may be the amount you contribute will be of big help to them. 'Tiny drops of water does make a mighty Ocean'. So contribute what you can, it will make lots of differences:-)
