Job Discussion Forums

[Guest]

Hi everyone

I try not to post too much about the Orphanage because I am sure you guys are all sick and tired of my getting in your face too often but it is now time to face reality.

I have managed just fine during the past 6 months taking toys, clothes, lollies, books etc. each week to my 68 children at the Orphanage but NOW that I am giving them all a Birthday cake and present (there are 8 Birthdays in March for instance) and also taking them on outings to K.F.C, the movies etc. I can see that my 3,500 yuan per month is not going to stretch that far. I am trying to get some work "moonlighting" but I have been unable to do that as yet. I would like to tutor a business man or similar in the evenings - although I know that is frowned upon by the School..

I do not want to change my mind about the Birthday cake and present because when I gave a cake etc. to a 16 year old boy in a Wheelchair, the look on his face was enough to stir me on. I do not think he had ever had a Birthday cake in his life before.

I DO NOT WANT MONEY.

What I would really appreciate is a small gift i.e. a lipstick (I have 6 older girls) or a small book, or just about anything that would help me with the presents.

My postal address is:

MARLENE PLACE
C/0 FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCHOOL
ZHANGJIAGANG
JIANGSU PROVINCE
CHINA 215600

I know from past experience that sometimes women buy make up that turns out not to suit them so if anyone has anything lying around, I would appreciate it.

Thanks

[email protected]
When I go back to Australia for a VISIT at the end of June, I will buy them some different and interesting toys etc. that you cannot get here - but I may save those for next Christmas.

[Roger]

I seriously advise you to hook up with fellow Aussies or other expats and enter into an organised association that would be supportive enough, and established so as to give you some leverage in dealings with everybody.
There are expat charities out there - in Guangzhou it's G.I.V.E.S., and in Shanghai, there must be at least one parallel institution.

I think it's a wee bit dangerous nurturing everybody's hopes on your generosity...what if you have to pack up and return one day, for some urgent reason?

Also, a charity may have an official address so it would not be difficult to airmail any packets there.
I doubt I can send you any gifts to this address as no post office here will accept a postal item with the address written in oman letters!

[Guest]

Hello Roger

Actually I have received quite a few parcels from Australia, Hong Kong, the U.S.A. and the U.K. to that postal address prior to Christmas.

Everyone in this City knows me because of the newspaper article they have done on me.

I have nothing but praise for the Chinese Postal Service as nothing has every gone astray while I have been here.

In relation to hooking up with a charity - the Amity Childrens Foundation in the U.K. offered to sponsor me as a full time worker at the Orphanage but my health will not permit that. I am happy being at the school, teaching 10 hours per week and having my free time to devote to the Orphans.

I have no intention of returning to Australia in the future and hope like heck that I can stay here for a few years at least. When I told the School last week that I would not return to this School in September if I had to continue teaching Primary Grades 1 and 2, they changed my roster instantly and I started teaching seven Junior 2 grades yesterday.

I had threatened to find another School in this City as obviously I cannot leave the area.

I was DETERMINED to do this all on my own, and I still am basically but I thought if anyone had something they did not want, it may come in useful. If I receive nothing at all, it will not matter - I will just carry on.