I'm adopting a new baby girl and the orphanage is not pretty.?

Sounds like a great idea...why not get schools in your area involved...they could raise money for toys and such for kids thier own age and maybe even start penpal relationships learning about each others lives and cultures.

I definitely know about the conditions of some orphanages and how little the orphans have.

I think if you have the money to help buy them another outfit, that would be wonderful. Also, ask what they really need. Make sure you get the correct sizes for the children. Also, maybe they need diapers or other supplies or toys more?

In terms of getting the most for your money, I would shop around. The kids don't need baby gap, etc. You can find great deals sometimes at stores like Target, Osh Kosh, K-mart while still getting good quality clothes that are sturdy enough to play in.

Your kindness and generosity is wonderful to see. Do what you can. Best of luck to you.

I think that what you are doing is wonderful. Not only is it inspiring but it is truly an act of God, and that is what these children need. I think I would definitely take cash donations, if people were not able to , or did not want to shop for items themselves. I would take the cash and then stock up on supplies to ship to Italy. I am not too comfortable putting money into the hands of people I do not know, and then expecting them to do what is right. At least if they are sent large care packages fullof things for the children, they have a better chance of them getting utilized for the purpose you used them for. If you know that this is a cuase that you might like to take up for an indefinite amount of time, you may want to see what you can do to make it a charity where you can reach out to even more people than just your community, thereby helping in a large capacity. Again, hats off to you; you already have made a difference simply by acknowledging the little one's needs. Blessings.....

You are an inspiration----set up a new charity perhaps!

Perhaps families can distance adopt a child (not sure of the right word). Like the Christians do with sending in money to help children of Africa! Like $8 a month. Something like that. You've got your hands full--perhaps your mother and her friends can help. Story on the news?

I am so glad I was on Yahoo to connect with such an inspirational human being!

Good luck to you!

Just my thoughts as you already have gotten so many wonderful opinions!

When we adopted from Liberia, we brought huge military-issue duffle bags of stuff for the orphanage: toys, clothes, etc. We went around to the Goodwill, dollar stores, garage sales, etc and came up with a LOT of secondhand stuff for not a whole lot of money. Our church also helped, as did our families.

I agree that you should buy the items instead of directly giving money because you are never sure where that money goes.

Good ideas and good luck!

These children have suffered a huge loss in their lives. They will find it hard to form new attachment bonds if the previous one or ones have abandoned them. They are traumatised and need careful handling and lots of empathy. An adoption advisor will be versed in how to help you. Adopted children do suffer and far more than is often acceted or recognised. The boy is suffering and quite honestly if you feel like you are just babysitting it is going to be s hard for him to know what is going on. Remember they are both hurting inside .....more than we can imagine.

This is extremely kind of you and will no doubt be gratefully accepted.

You could bring this orphanage into the spotlight by going onto FaceBook and making it a new cause of yours under CAUSES and the inviting people to join/donate.

The more people who know about this place, the more help you are likely to get.

Good for you!!!

better bet would be to have people donate clothes and send them over.

they wont take the kids out of there to go shopping to big of a flight risk. kids will try to run away like that not a good idea

talk to the center and find out about shipping donated clothes and toys to them

I think it's a great idea, but it will be hard from a distance to know for sure that the money is being spent as you want it to be.

I would NOT donate money...I would donate the things that the children need...you never know what could happen with that money...So send the actual things the children need..not money!! You are not in Italy so you can't see for yourself that they are using that money for what you are sending it for!!