How to pay Zakaat with money.

Q;Assalamu alaikum wa rahamatullah.. i am in confusion with regards to our zakaah money.. we sent it at 2 places.. firstly we sent it to an orphanage,, they were in intention of building a masjid, so we thought they will use the money on it.. so we changed our intention as sadaqah and gave it simply cuz we made a word.. then we got to know that they used all the money on food.. so will this count as zakah?? secondly we have a neighbour.. they had some debt to a non muslim from 2 yrs and they were suffering humiliation..they wanted to clear their debt with installments but the nonmuslims refused.. so we cleared it in one time payment.. now these neighbours they do have money to cater their family needs but the debt was difficult upon them from 2 yrs..will this count as zakah or a charity?? so do we have to calculate our zakah all over again?? wassalaam A;All-Praise is due to Allah, It is obligatory to pay zakaah on cash if it reaches the nisaab, which is the equivalent of 597 grams of silver, and one full year has passed since acquiring it, even if it is kept for household expenses and other essentials, because of the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “If you have twenty dinars and one full year has passed (since acquiring them), then half a dinar is due on them, and whatever is more than that is to be calculated on that basis.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (1573) and classed as saheeh by al-Bukhaari; al-Tirmidhi narrated it from him in his Sunan (3/16) and it was classed as saeeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. (See Islam Q&A Fatwa: 88757) With regard to zakaah, it is only to spent in eight ways which are specified by Allaah in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al-Masaakeen (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything)” [al-Tawbah 9:60] According to the verse that is mentioned above the first place that you spent your Zakaat is not valid and is considered as sadaqah, this is because it is not from among the eight people that are eligible for Zakaat donations. As for the second case in which you mention this is accepted as a Zakaat donation because it is among the eight in which Allah says: "...and for those in debt". If the money that you donated (To the orphanage) does not add up in accordance to what is been mention above then it is best to recalculate your funds and donate in accordance to the people that are mentioned in the verse. If your money does not total the required nisaab then you are excuse until it does so and you also must wait until one full year has passed since acquiring it, only then you may pay Zakaah. I ask Allah to except our deeds, and to increase us in knowledge. And He The All-Mighty knows best in all affairs...