Helpful ideas

I've recently received a couple emails from friends and family asking about different ways they might be able to help. After much thought, here is my reply. Please do not feel that you need to do any of this, or contribute any money or time. Quite simply, I am aware that one of the obstacles to giving is not knowing how to or what to give. I hope that I might be able to facilitate this process. If you are interested in one of the ideas that I am putting forward, please email me and I can give you more details!

Being here, surrounded by so much need, is quite difficult and I often feel myself closing up as to not get hurt by what I hear and see. I try to remind myself that I am helping the kids at the orphanage, that I'm helping the sponsored kids at the center, still it's hard. I've been thinking a lot about what can be done to help, what is the best way to make a difference. I don't know if the ideas that I've come up with are the best ones, but here they are.

Sponsorship Program

VFV is currently sponsoring over a hundred children in the area surrounding Tacloban City. The sponsored kids living within the city get a daily healthy feeding, usually breakfast. All sponsored kids receive the funds to go to school and receive after school tutoring. Activities are prepared for them on some weekend such as swimming lessons (that I should be giving in the next couple of weeks) or dancing lessons. Medical check-ups, and any medication is also provided. On your end, the donation is 25$ a month. You will receive a family history and picture of the child. You will be encouraged to get in touch with the child and their family via mail as often as you wish.

Starting a Library

A lot of the older kids at Missionaries can read but don't have any books. Every time I bring a book in I get flocked by children. Unfortunately, if I leave the book behind it gets lost or hidden or torn apart during a fight. There is so little toys and belongings to go around that the children claim objects and will fight off anyone that tries to take it away. I think that if I can buy enough books to donate all at once that this won't happen. Children would be allowed to look at one book at a time, and then exchange it for another at the "library". One of the older kids can be in charge of it. A big problem at the orphanage is the complete lack of stimulation. There is nothing for the kids to do. Reading would be a great activity! Buying used kids book here is quite cheap, about 4$ each, so any donation is very helpful!

Walker

The babies at the orphanage need to learn how to walk. My fellow volunteer A. and I try to spend time everyday to help them learn, but it's not enough. There is currently five babies there aged between one and four that cannot walk. Some cannot even stand up. A good walker, to encourage the babies to get around on their own would make a huge difference!

Multivitamins

For both the kids at the orphanage and the kids in the sponsorship program. The food here consists of carbs, carbs, and more carbs. Lunch at Missionaries is often rice with a side of pasta with a chunk of meat.

Food for thought: Here's a picture of me and a new arrival, a 4 year old girl, in the outside courtyard (and yes she really is as fragile as she looks -- holding her is scary)