Good Morning! Yesterday I sat down with the director of the orphanage, Ritchie, the most selfless person on earth. He was an orphan himself, is extremely grateful and would never ask for anything except food for the children. After an hour of questions and interrogation I finally broke him down and got him to go room by room and discuss what their needs are. He didn't understand the concept of a "wish list"...something I have been making since the first grade. So, I asked him what would make the lives of the children easier and more comfortable. They rarely think about this because of the struggle every month to make sure everyone is fed. This is what we came up with. My idea is that when you donate it gives you the option to write me a message. In your message let me know what you would like me to buy with your donation. I will update the list religiously and even send you pictures of the impact you have made. You may also mail items just let me know when and what you send so I can update the list. I believe USPS is actually the most affordable option for those of you who have asked. This list is a little different than what you may expect. When Ritchie and I were done he hugged me and simply said, "Thank you for your love."

Kitchen

Bowls (need 30 @ $1 each) -$30
Cups (need 30 @ $1 each)- $30
Forks and knives (30 pieces @ $1 each)- $30
Large Rice Pot- $60
Spatulas (need 3 @ $1 each) - $3
Large Wok - $25
Large Plastic containers w/lids (10@ $5 each) $50
Garbage bags (100 for $20 need 2) $40
Large Ice box - $100
2 kitchen shelves (2 needed $20 each)-$40
Rice cart needed to get the rice off the floor -$25
Outdoor Stove- $200
Ant traps-(need 20@ $4) -$80-the kitchen is infested.
Plastic chairs to sit on when they eat-(need 40 at $7 each) $280
200 eggs- $16
5 Bags of rice- $125
5 gallons of paint- $70

Laundry

Stands to dry clothes (need 6 @ $10 each)- $60
Small laundry baskets (one for each child)- $140
Hangers (need 100 at least) $15
Clothespins (need 200) $30-they have none and hang clothes everywhere
Clothes Brush (to wash the clothes) $15
Clothes detergent (need 3) $20 each (huge bags)
Stainless steel tub to wash clothes in- $15

Garden/Grounds

Fence around new garden- $20
Canopy over garden- $60
3 hoses (for showers and the garden)-20 meters=  need 3 @ $20 each
Rake- $6
Cement and truck to fix rubble and broken foundation- $60

Misc. Livestock needs (although funny, this is not a joke)

Pigs (need 3 at $60 each)- $180- They can sell these at the market in 3-4 months and double their money.
Roof for pig pen- $30
Chicken and pig feed- $20 a bag-one bag lasts 2 months.
Pig water dish (I don't moonlight as a farmer, I don't know what it's really called)- $10

Medical needs

Doctor visits-5 kids a month-$60
Dentist visits-5 kids a week-$60-this is an immediate and desperate need, lots of painful problems
Locking medicine cabinet- $85-the medicine currently sits out
Amoxicillan (over the counter here) -6 month supply $100
Antiseptic-6 month supply-$30
Neosporin-6 month supply-$50
Band-aids-6 month supply-$100
Hydrogen peroxide-6 month supply-$50
Calamine lotion-anti-itch-6 month supply-$100
Soap Dispenser-$10
Baby wipes-6 month supply-$120
Soap-6 month supply-$100
Sponges-(need 25 @ $1) $25
Cold medicine-6 month supply-$50
Bug spray-6 month supply-$200
Q-tips-6 month supply-$20
Cotton balls-6 month supply-$25

Bed and Bath

Khromer towels- the children shower with these on and dry with them, Cambodian tradition-need 50@ $4-$200
Small pillows to sleep on (need 72@ $2 each) $144
Thin bed mats (need 15 @ 10 each) $150
Thick bed mats (need 10 @ $30 each)-these are  mattresses for kids, they currently sleep on metal bed frames and the floor.
Hanging wall fans (need 4 @ $35 each) $140- major necessity because of the heat
Floor fans (10 @ $8 each) $80

Church

Bibles (they are 20 short@ $5 each) $100
Song books (25 short @ $1 each) $25
Guitar-$40
Sunday cake-Khmer tradition to have on Sundays- $35

Fun items I am throwing in
Connect 4- the game- the currently have one travel sized one that they share and play all day long. $10
Bubbles- 6 month supply-$25
Learning flashcards-they LOVE to learn- $3
Lipgloss (don't judge)-6 monthy supply- $25
Badmitton game-$10

Their future

I am able to set up scholarships to give these children an educational goal and a future. Just though I would throw it out there.

One year of College in Cambodia- $400
One year of college books in Cambodia-$100
Four year college education & books-$2000


"Thank you for your love."

xo,
LM