An Ongoing Urgent Situation

For many of us, being able to run out to the store to pick up simple hygiene items that we need is a luxury that we take for granted. The harsh reality for orphanages is that they simply DO NOT HAVE daily needed items. Lack of toiletries and supplies often cause great worry among the orphanage staff and create very unsanitary living conditions for the children.

Due to lack of funds:

• Many orphanage buildings (pre-World War II construction) lack adequate plumbing and must resort to using non-flushable toilets (mainly concrete pits) and outhouses.
• Children use their hands or whatever they are able to find because there simply isn't any toilet tissue.
• Girls face the reality of having to use old sheets (broken down into rags) in lieu of sanitary napkins.
• Bedridden disabled youth lack the regular supply of diapers to help keep them dry day and night.
• The majority of children living in orphanage care are only permitted to bathe (cold showers) four to five times monthly. Soap and shampoo are often in short supply or simply unavailable.
• Soiled undergarments are a common occurrence among these children. There often times is not enough laundry soap to keep up with the high volume of clothing to wash.
• The transmission (via hand to mouth) of a highly infectious intestinal parasite called giardiasis, as well as head lice, are easily widespread among institutionalized children and the staff members who care for them.

All of these factors compound the issue of maintaining regular good hygiene throughout the orphanages.

Please donate now to help provide these daily hygiene essentials for our supported orphanages. A little bit of help can go a very long ways and will be truly welcomed and appreciated by the staff and children.

      Yes! I would like to contribute toward sending essential items. 

Essentials Project Donation using Paypal:

Mail your check to: (Use Memo line to indicate Essentials Donation)

An Orphan Smiles, Inc.
PO Box 175
Kimberton, PA 19442-0175 USA

If you have questions about the Essentials program - please contact: Angie