Conference moira::parenting_v3

313.0. "A computer to save an orphan" by WFOV12::MOKRAY () Wed Sep 05 1990 16:21

    I'm not sure if this is appropriate for this conference, but since
    many of you read about the travails and joy of getting Daniela out
    of her orphanage in Romania, I thought I'd at least ask if any of
    you had any suggestions. 
    
    There is something called the Romanian Orphanage Fund, out of Los
    Angeles, which has been very successful in getting medical equipment
    and other supplies to the orphanages.  The woman running it showed
    up with a 747 loaded with stuff after about 6 weeks of phone time,
    getting contributions.  She is aiming to get another load there
    in October.  Only thing is that she's doing all this without any
    computer support for mailing lists, etc.  I'd love to find her a
    used DEC MATE at the least, or better yet, one of our newer pieces
    of equipment.  My experience with corporate contributions is not
    very encouraging, but perhaps I haven't talked to the right people,
    in the right way. 
    
    Bottom line is however, does anyone have suggestions on how to get
    this worthy cause some hardware and software?  Thanks a lot. 
    
    P.S.  Daniela is doing very well. She's now 11 months old and wants
    to walk more than anything but her balance is not cooperating. 
    She can stand for long lengths, now just leaning against things
    and sometimes she forgets and turns around and falls.  She doesn't
    pull herself up to standing or sitting; she babbles a lot but nothing
    that's really a word.  She continues to be interested in everything
    and her initial fascination with the outdoors continues.  Take her
    outside and she's immediately happy.  I don't know what we'll do
    about winter.  It's hard to believe she's been here less than 2
    months.  She is certainly proving what they say:  that you can deprive
    a child at the beginning and they'll catch up.  But I want to se
    more of her buddies helped, so the computer is what's important.
    I've gotten some clothes over and turned up posters which I should
    be able to get over shortly.  I'm going to be seeing if I can find
    a good cheap source for massive quantities of baby vitamins -- all
    this separate from the more official organization I refer to above.
    If anyone wants a xerox of their brochure, I'll be happy to send
    them one.  Let me know.  And thanks in advance for the innovative
    thinking that I am sure will be brought to bear on this relatively
    trivial problem for us, with computers all over the place.