Help me figure out what kind of diapers to make and send to orphanage in Latin America

[serepartera]

Hi ladies,

I am sitting here looking at my fabric stash, and thinking about my Aunt, who died very suddenly last week. She was deeply involved with an orphanage in a Latin American country, and all memorials are going to support the kids there. I don't have much money, but I sure can make diapers to send. They use cloth, and the ones they have are really ratty right now.
So, my question for you all is - what kind? They have to be easy to wash (outdoors in buckets), easy to use, and be of a variety of sizes from baby to disabled adult size.
I am thinking orefolds of all sizes, but what kind of cover?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[lifeguard]

Is there a way to check what kind they are using now & are therefore familiar with?

I'm thinking prefolds. Sounds like they would do all their drying on a line in the sun which would help to keep them white & clean. Depending on where in latin america they would get a pretty good rainy season & something like the prefolds that dries pretty quickly would be easier to deal with (the rain really is unreal & can make drying things challenging).

For covers in this case I would probably recommend against wool soakers (although they are my first choice normally) because it does not sound like they would be able/willing to take the proper care of them (ie. relanolizing). As well, since orphanages tend to be pretty busy places & diapers don't always get changed as quickly as is ideal a pul type of cover might be best.

If doing the covers is too expensive you could just send the prefolds.

[serepartera]

I just talked with my cousin, and she says that "the kind you pin" is what they're used to. So, prefolds. I'm thinking thinner prefolds, so they dry faster. (Haiti does get a fair amount of rain). I have tons of cottons, flannels, so those are no problem.

As for covers:
I have a bunch of white PUL that I haven't used yet, and a little money to order some more. Does anyone know of an easy PUL cover pattern - not a pocket, w/ snaps? ( I have a local friend w/ a snap press, so this is easier for me than velcro/touchtape/etc)

[Ruthla]

Flats may actually be a better choice than prefolds- they're thinner so they wash and dry easier, they're more adaptable to various sizes, and can be folded in such a way that you only need one pin per diaper- which may be a big deal in an orphanage where there may not be enough pins to go around.

[kaylasclothkits]

I would be more than happy to donate a KCK One Pattern to you. It's one size fits all (birth to potty training), is a pocket made of PUL and a stay dry inner, so it dries very quickly (even air dried), and adjusts to different sizes without snaps or anything else. Here's the demo of how it works.

This diaper has been one big charity drive. We have a bi-annual charity campaign, and I just finished designing the diaper for adults to use in AIDS institutions in Indonesia. I would love to see this diaper be made for your charity. PM me for more info and the pattern!