Items needed for Ethiopian Orphanage

I talked with our agency worker Sarah at Wide Horizons yesterday and asked her what items were most needed in Ethiopia and in the orphanage itself. She responded with the following list:

MEDICAL: Neosporin or antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone creams, Infant and child Motrin, Tylenol or other fevel reducer, Pedialyte or Kaolyte (preferably powdered form), Infant and child decogestants, infant and child vitamins, bactoban ointment, nystantin (mycostatin).

CHILD CARE ITEMS: Diapers, standard bottle nipples, new or like new condition children's shoes, new or like new condition children's clothing (infant to 14 years of age), developmental toys for children, baby shampoos.

MISC.: School supplies, books for very young children (board books and EASY readers).

Steve and I will be taking the maximum allowable amount of luggage when we go and we hope to fill up most of that space with the above needed items. If you'd like to contribute, please mail or drop off these items to me before we travel and we'll take them with us.

Another way to help is to sponsor a child in Ethiopia through Wide Horizons. We sponsor a 6 year old girl who lives with her mother. Our support allows her to continue in school and provides her with uniforms, school supplies and lunch daily. We have received letters from both the little girl and her mother. So many families in Ethiopia are just on the edge of making it. A few dollars a month can make a HUGE difference and can help struggling families stay together. Here is the link for the Wide Horizons' sponsorship program.

http://www.whfc.org/adoption/ethiopia_sponsorship.asp

PS: Mom and I went to the Dollar Store and bought a whole cartload of needed items. If you are planning to send stuff with us, check out your nearest Dollar Store first!