My daughter is an expat living in Brussels and her birthday is coming up. Instead of a present I would like to donate something in her name. I am clueless about what is done for the poor in Belgium (food pantries, homeless shelters, etc.). Anybody have any ideas of something I could contribute to in her name?

I think with all the countries being devasted, Doctors without borders would be the best choice.

Good idea, Mimi.

The European name of this fine organization is Médecins sans Frontières.

We call it that in the UK too
It's odd that the only two countries that don't translate it into their native tongue are the UK and Australia, both of whom are famous for their foreign language skills ;-)
Their website is http://www.msf.org/
You can donate online via your local national office
http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/donations/

Gee I don't know, MissPrism. TV ads here in Oz refer it to Médecins sans Frontières. It seems like a great charity but please folks, as with all charities, always check how much of your donation goes to where its intended and not to "admin expenses".

I have heard of Doctors without borders. That sounds great! I'll check it out. My daughter would love that. Thanks for the suggestion.

I have checked out the Doctors without borders website and was very impressed. Thanks for that suggestion! It will be perfect for my daughter. She will receive an ecard on her birthday telling her about the donation made in her honor.

worldinabag, that is hardly a fly-by-night operation, it is extremely wellknown and reputable and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999, for heaven's sake. I've been a major donor to them for many years.

I think it's a good idea to check out charities for admin expenses, of course, if you don't know anything about them, but your post sounds like you are questioning them especially your statement that it "seems" like a great charity, rather than it is one. I guess the Nobel Peace Prize committee doesn't mean anything to you.

Hi Christina. Sorry don't misunderstand me, I never said or implied they were a fly-by-night operation. You wrote "I think it's a good idea to check out charities for admin expenses, of course..". So did I and that was my only point

And I would not have put them in my will if I thought the money wasn't going to them.
But as worldinabag suggests for places you don't know it's good to check out. I was advised about the smaller unknown needy animal shelters and cancer places
that don't have the financial supports as the biggies.

If you are looking for a local charity, this is a Belgian one: http://www.poverello.be/.

cigalechanta - thanks so much for the suggestions of Doctors without Borders. My daughter loved that a donation was made in her honor. I am overwhelmed with what this organization is about! THANKS AGAIN!