[comit1]

Hello everyone!!

I just came back from the kids clothing store, and I bought approx. 10 different outfits (different sizes)...

Should I take them all with me on my first trip??
And also should I buy a box of diapers??

I guess what I should ask is What should I take on my first trip to the orphanage????

ANY SUGGESTIONS??

THANKYOU MUCH

[momofMikhail]

You need to ask your agency whether they want you to take them on your first or second trip. Some agencies ask you to take the gifts on your first and others want you to wait till the second trip. As far as the diapers go, you would be better off waiting till you get to Russia to buy diapers. We found that the prices of diapers are about the same as here. This way you are saving room in your lugguage for nessecities that you either can not get there or they are just to expensive in Russia.

[angelkisses0102]

How old id your little one...as lists will vary depending on if he is an infant, toddler, preschooler, or older. Both my kiddos were infants and I took various sized outfits to give me an idea of how big they were...outfits were then donated to the orphanage. I took younger than age appropriate toys for them...DD was in a more impoverished baby hospital and she had a rag as a toy...so anything was good. DS's orphanage was well funded and he had many age appropriate toys. But having something to play with in the room he was brought into was great. We took baby blankets so the kids could be placed on the floor. I brought formula for DD as she was starved...and diapers since she wore none. For DS, they provided both.

Take disposable cameras to leave between trips...didn't do that for DD and am so sad since we got priceless photos of DS between trips.

Take a notebook and pencil...have your questions prepared and also trace his little foot for a good idea on his shoe size. Even though my kids were infants, they were expected to be wearing shoes upon pickup.

We took some donations on trip one for DD...but asked what was needed and bought some in Russia and brought some back on the second trip. For DS I contacted families that had recently been in the region and brought all donations on trip #1. On trip two we donated cash toward a bigger idea (a slide for the toddlers.)

I am certain I am forgetting something since it has been over five years since we were on a first trip...

Really, just enjoy the trip...savor every second, soak up your child's birthplace and see as much of Russia as you can!

[beckyww]

Take 'em and leave 'em. You'll have a good idea of what size your child wears when you return on trip #2.

Becky

[beckyww]

Take 'em and leave 'em. You'll have a good idea of what size your child wears when you return on trip #2.

Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX

[votemom]

did you buy these as a donation for the orphanage or for your referral?

if for your referral, you won't need any clothes for them on first trip. if for the orphanage, ask your agency. each baby home is specific on WHEN they want stuff done.

as for diapers, i would wait until you are in region if you want to donate diapers to the orphanage. IF they want/need them. again, ask your agency.

you don't need to take diapers for your referral on trip one.

[waiter]

We did need diapers at the orphanage on trip one. We were expected to bring one each day and since time was short on arrival I was glad I had packed a few and also glad I didn't have a "whole pack taking up space". Ask your agency what the orphanage expectation is. Same thing with the donation. Most are very specific about what they want/need. We had to have new clothes with the tags still on and no medicine with only English directions. If the clothes you bought are for your child and not a donation I would bring a couple outfits (not all 10) to get an idea for size. May want to do the same with shoes. Tracing a child's foot isn't as easy as it sounds. Bring some easy to pack toys to play with and help you get your referral engaged in some play and some finger food type snacks. (Be sure to ask before you give them anything to eat). You may want to find a family that has been to your region recently to help guide you to things specific to the orphanage your child is in.

[pwnort64]

Not sure if you are asking about taking the outfits for the baby home donation, or for your little one.

I did take a small "diaper bag" with me for my visits on trip 1. I took a few diapers and wipes, and some snacks and small toys to use during our visits. I found having diapers gave me an "excuse" to strip my son and get a thorough look at him. That's how I discovered he had scabies.

As far as the outfits, I did take a few different outfits with me in different sizes. I tried them on my son to help me determine what size I would need when I came back (I only had about 1 month between trips). I left those outfits behind with no expectation that they would be used exclusively for him. I never saw them again, but I am sure they were put to good use.

I believe we also took out baby home donations on the first trip. But I've heard different answers on this, too. The best answer to this can be obtained between your agency and your in-country representative.

A prime example of this is the gifts for the caretakers. I struggled so hard to find the right kinds of gifts to take to people I had never met and had no concept of what their life was like. I bought a bunch of stuff (body care sets) and was ready to take them on trip #2. After going on trip #1, we were told that the only gift we needed for the caretakers was to provide them a cake on the day of pickup. I did give the director a little something, but that was a huge relief not to have to worry about that anymore, and I was able to return all the sets I had gotten.