Got Diapers?

In November, Homebound Missions was contacted by Sally . She and her husband are missionaries to Cambodia. Her husband is doing Bible translation work and she happened upon an orphanage that needed her TLC.

She asked if we could help her to get diapers for the children. This seems like such an easy thing to do, but it was several weeks before the problem was solved. In countries like Cambodia, just like Haiti nothing is easy. You quickly learn that everything you take for granted, is no longer an option and you need to think outside the box.

At first, she was considering disposables, but because there are no resources for trash removal we decided this wouldn't work. Then, we discussed using cloth diapers. Because we didn't have anyone going to Cambodia who could take the diapers in for us, we decided early that we would send her the funds to purchase diapers. Problem solved! Not exactly.

Diapers are very dirty and very hard to clean when you are washing them by hand. No plug- in automatic washing machines here. Maybe we could buy one? She inquired but learned there was not enough electricity, even if they had one. Then, we needed to consider the laundry lady at the orphanage. If all of a sudden her laundry job has doubled in size she may complain and be unwilling to do the extra work. These complaints would be justified for two reasons: She is probably being paid almost nothing to begin with, and bleaching diapers will make her hands raw and sore.

So, we set out to solve some of the increased laundry issues. First we came up with a plan to use two buckets, one for urine only diapers and the other for messy diapers. The messy diapers could be soaked for easier cleaning. Then, we came up with the idea of using those big round coffee filters as a barrier to help eliminate most of the soiling in the diaper. Sally was unable to find these in Cambodia and so we will send them later.

The diapers and pins purchased, the nannies were shown how to use them and encouraged of their importance. However, we were faced with another glitch, the diaper pins. The nannies were afraid of them and did not like them. Finally, Sally found some training underwear with velcro and she sewed a lining in them. The nannies are happy, the laundry lady respected, and the babies are diapered! Sally reports that the nannies are very careful with the diapers. They are only using what they have to use.


Sally is now working on other projects. Her latest is to build a giant playpen where diapered babies can play. Nannies can then clean and do other important things knowing the babies are in a safe place..


Homebound Missions is thrilled that we have had this opportunity to assist in the diapering of these little ones. Thank you, because of your donations, you made this happen.


Things we would like to continue to collect for this orphanage:

Handmade diapers with elastic and velcro closers (all sizes)

Large round coffee filters

Rubber pants (all sizes)