Adoptions are in progress
August/Saturday/2010 12:34 Filed in: Adoption, reopen, haiti, children, orphan
Mayson of one of the most recent orphans in Haiti. He is one of many many more that need a permanent home. We are happy to report we are actively processing adoptions from Haiti as of today, August 7,2010. We have several families that are currently in the process and our local Haitian attorney is assisting those families in the preparation of their dossier and paperwork in anticipation of adoption. We have over 100 children in our Jacmel orphanage that are currently eligible for adoption and we are uniquely positioned to work through the local authorities in Haiti to get these adoptions fully completed. Please give us a call or contact us if you have any interest in adopting an orphan from Haiti. Blessings!
0 Comments
We just returned from Trip to Haiti
April/Thursday/2010 10:42 Filed in: Haiti, Relief, orphanage, children, medical acre, clinic, St Marc, Gonaives, Grassier, Jacmel
April 15,2010 - Hope For Families returned from Haiti Relief Trip:
Ken and I returned from our recent trip to Haiti. We flew in by Cessna so that we could reach remote areas of Haiti within a short time frame. We flew into PAP (Port Au Prince) initially and flew to Jacmel the next day. There we visited our Jacmel orphanage partner, Marlaine, and we were able to view her current building projects which include finishing the river retention wall that borders her property. This project is necessary to complete as the rains are wearing away at the banks bordering the girls home. She estimates they are still needing more than $5,000 of donations to complete this work. We pray that this money comes in as it will be donated directly to that effort if you designate that project.
Morale is very high there and the kids are excited that adoptions have reopened in Haiti. Although only 300+ adoptions were accomplished in Haiti during 2009, we are hopeful that our efforts will help to increase those numbers in 2010. We are joining hands with Marlaine to trust that God will make the way to allow adoptions to be processed in an orderly and efficient manner in 2010.
We also travelled to Grassier, and met with officials from the Government there. We are currently in discussions to build a community relief center there. The exact specifications of the project are not final, but we trust that in God's timing we will be able to make a positive impact upon that city. We have been granted property there upon which to build, and we have a detailed project already on paper with cost to build and cost to carry. The project is approximately $1.4 million dollars and consists of an orphanage and work center. The mayor of Grassier has personally guaranteed us the property needed to build this center. We are just waiting on the funds to start the project. We need your help as God may lead.
In the next few days we travelled to Gonaives and went into the mountains to see the work of our good friend and Christian brother, Djumy. Djumy has grown up in Haiti and has family in the United States. But his roots have taken him back to Haiti where he runs an orphanage there and a clinic in St Marc. Among that work are many small churches in the area that he sponsors and over 500 children make it down out of the mountains each day to attend the school that he operates. There is so much good going on there. We have put some video on our www.hopeforhaitisorphans.org site to show some of all the kids while in school. Some of them walk over 2 hours each way - each day to attend school. Djumy pays the teachers and provides one meal daily. The entire operation runs about $12,000 each month to keep operating. He has given his life and all of his income in the U.S. to provide for these children. We are working a long side him to help provide for the children and will be doing some adoptions from his orphanage. We desperately need funds to help pay for the operation of this work.
In addition, Djumy runs a clinic up in St Marc, that serves hundreds of local Haitian people each week. All of their supplies, medicines and overhead is paid for through donations. If you feel you may have connections with a pharma company in the U.S. or abroad that can help with medicines - it is greatly needed. The folks in Gonaives have 1 medical care giver per 100,000 people - and that individual is not a doctor, but a first year medical school intern. So the needs are great. We are looking to partner with Djumy to build a hospital in St Marc and have that area become a hub for medical care in the Northern part of Haiti.
May God speak to you as you read these words and if you can help, come along side us to make a positive difference in the world! Our trip was amazing and we look forward to building a positive ministry to the children and folks in Haiti!
Blessings, Paul Munsie
Ken and I returned from our recent trip to Haiti. We flew in by Cessna so that we could reach remote areas of Haiti within a short time frame. We flew into PAP (Port Au Prince) initially and flew to Jacmel the next day. There we visited our Jacmel orphanage partner, Marlaine, and we were able to view her current building projects which include finishing the river retention wall that borders her property. This project is necessary to complete as the rains are wearing away at the banks bordering the girls home. She estimates they are still needing more than $5,000 of donations to complete this work. We pray that this money comes in as it will be donated directly to that effort if you designate that project.
Morale is very high there and the kids are excited that adoptions have reopened in Haiti. Although only 300+ adoptions were accomplished in Haiti during 2009, we are hopeful that our efforts will help to increase those numbers in 2010. We are joining hands with Marlaine to trust that God will make the way to allow adoptions to be processed in an orderly and efficient manner in 2010.
We also travelled to Grassier, and met with officials from the Government there. We are currently in discussions to build a community relief center there. The exact specifications of the project are not final, but we trust that in God's timing we will be able to make a positive impact upon that city. We have been granted property there upon which to build, and we have a detailed project already on paper with cost to build and cost to carry. The project is approximately $1.4 million dollars and consists of an orphanage and work center. The mayor of Grassier has personally guaranteed us the property needed to build this center. We are just waiting on the funds to start the project. We need your help as God may lead.
In the next few days we travelled to Gonaives and went into the mountains to see the work of our good friend and Christian brother, Djumy. Djumy has grown up in Haiti and has family in the United States. But his roots have taken him back to Haiti where he runs an orphanage there and a clinic in St Marc. Among that work are many small churches in the area that he sponsors and over 500 children make it down out of the mountains each day to attend the school that he operates. There is so much good going on there. We have put some video on our www.hopeforhaitisorphans.org site to show some of all the kids while in school. Some of them walk over 2 hours each way - each day to attend school. Djumy pays the teachers and provides one meal daily. The entire operation runs about $12,000 each month to keep operating. He has given his life and all of his income in the U.S. to provide for these children. We are working a long side him to help provide for the children and will be doing some adoptions from his orphanage. We desperately need funds to help pay for the operation of this work.
In addition, Djumy runs a clinic up in St Marc, that serves hundreds of local Haitian people each week. All of their supplies, medicines and overhead is paid for through donations. If you feel you may have connections with a pharma company in the U.S. or abroad that can help with medicines - it is greatly needed. The folks in Gonaives have 1 medical care giver per 100,000 people - and that individual is not a doctor, but a first year medical school intern. So the needs are great. We are looking to partner with Djumy to build a hospital in St Marc and have that area become a hub for medical care in the Northern part of Haiti.
May God speak to you as you read these words and if you can help, come along side us to make a positive difference in the world! Our trip was amazing and we look forward to building a positive ministry to the children and folks in Haiti!
Blessings, Paul Munsie
Haiti Adoptions Reopen!
April/Friday/2010 17:01 Filed in: Haiti Adoptions reopen children
It is the mission of HOPE FOR FAMILIES ADOPTIONS to fully inform you so that you can make the best choices for your vision of family and life circumstances. After considering the previous information, please request information or ask us specific adoption questions by clicking on the link below so we can help you
There is Hope For Families!
Thank You and please feel free to Contact Us by Email or
call at (772) 429-3334
Home | Haiti Adoption Registration | Orphan Sponsorship | Haiti Forms Page | Orphanage Pictures | Who Can Adopt | Who Can Be Adopted| How To Adopt | Timeline | Orphan Definition |Haiti Haitian Home Study | Home Study Checklist | Payment | Disclosures | Contact Us
Flying to Haiti Today!
March/Sunday/2010 03:26 Filed in: relief supplies, orphan, earthquake, haiti
Hi everyone! Just a quick note from Ken and I as we are headed out to Haiti today for a relief missions trip. We are taking in supplies to two of the orphanages we support and have shelter being sent to both Jacmel and Gonaives for over 1700 people. We have worked with a ministry partner to secure high end tents that are structured for rain and high wind. We have shipped down 100 of these - each sleeping about 17 people.
We will be filming the current state of affairs while there, and spending time with the kids and the orphanage workers. Our trip will take us into PAP airport via refueling in the Bahamas, and then we land in Jacmel airport and a few other remote strips during our time there.
We are in a 6 seater Cessna with a wonderful Christian pilot, Joe Hurston. And of course - the greatest pilot of all, Jesus Christ in whom we trust for our protection.
Please pray for us these next few days. This will be a tough trip emotionally and physically. But we hope to bring Hope to Haitis' orphans through what we do!
God Bless, Paul Munsie and Ken Brown
We will be filming the current state of affairs while there, and spending time with the kids and the orphanage workers. Our trip will take us into PAP airport via refueling in the Bahamas, and then we land in Jacmel airport and a few other remote strips during our time there.
We are in a 6 seater Cessna with a wonderful Christian pilot, Joe Hurston. And of course - the greatest pilot of all, Jesus Christ in whom we trust for our protection.
Please pray for us these next few days. This will be a tough trip emotionally and physically. But we hope to bring Hope to Haitis' orphans through what we do!
God Bless, Paul Munsie and Ken Brown
Haiti Adoption Update
March/Monday/2010 14:28 Filed in: Haiti Adoption Orphan status
Last Friday I spoke with our contacts on the ground in Haiti. Ken and I are planning to take a flight there on Sunday, March 21 for several days as we update our orphanage partner locations and survey several areas in Jacmel and Gonaives, Haiti. There are some things that I cannot say regarding the adoption proposals that we have put forth to the government leaders in Haiti. Speaking on some of these details would be detrimental to getting the process back on track. But our proposals were received by the appropriate Haitian authorities and all we can say at this moment is that the adoption process is still at a standstill. The timing of the resumption of adoptions from Haiti will occur when the Haitian government decides it is appropriate. To that end, we are doing our best to be a healing influence in this process - and striving to not become a factor to divide.
As most of you know who have followed the news, there was an attempt made by ten Americans to take a number of Haitian children illegally out of the country. No matter how honorable their motives, they broke Haitian law in the process and the backlash from their actions has set back the resumption of adoptions in Haiti. I can say without doubt, that the events that surrounded the taking of those Haitian children have polarized the attempts to get any formal adoption process back on track. This resulted in creating a heightened sense of nationalism among Haitians, has made them more suspicious of well meaning humanitarian efforts, and has bruised internal government desires to make adoptions a priority.
We will keep you updated on developments as they occur. Right now, we suggest you do not spend any money or efforts on a specific adoption from Haiti. Rather, it may be a good idea to get a home study done if you are serious about adopting a child. In the event Haiti reopens its' adoption process, you will be prepared to go forward in adopting. If Haiti adoptions are delayed for a year or more, then you may use that home study, with minimal modification, to be updated and adopt a needy child within the United States or your own country of residence.
A home study is required if you wish to adopt. It is a requirement by law in any state in the U.S. It is the first step in becoming eligible to adopt. If you live in Florida, we can do your home study for you. Please contact us to request a home study. If you live outside of Florida, you can still contact us and we will be happy to refer you to a number of agencies that are licensed for home studies in states other than Florida.
Once your home study is complete, we can use it to help you adopt throughout the United States. We can do the international or Haitian adoption for you. So we suggest you consider at least being prepared to adopt if you are serious about adding a child to your family.
In the meantime, we are working to help heal the hearts and lives of those affected by the Haiti earthquake. Since the earthquake, we have flown two air relief missions and one mission by freighter. We have donated over 24,600 pounds of food and relief supplies and have a shipment of 100 specialized tents that will stand up to hurricane force winds currently in route to Haiti. These tents will sleep 15 people each - providing shelter for 1500 people. We are flying into Haiti on March 21st to survey for a possible new life center to house up to 200 orphans.
We posted a new video to update you as well. See it by clicking here.
The needs are great - we need your prayers and support in what ever way God may lead you. Please check back for updates as they happen! God Bless!
As most of you know who have followed the news, there was an attempt made by ten Americans to take a number of Haitian children illegally out of the country. No matter how honorable their motives, they broke Haitian law in the process and the backlash from their actions has set back the resumption of adoptions in Haiti. I can say without doubt, that the events that surrounded the taking of those Haitian children have polarized the attempts to get any formal adoption process back on track. This resulted in creating a heightened sense of nationalism among Haitians, has made them more suspicious of well meaning humanitarian efforts, and has bruised internal government desires to make adoptions a priority.
We will keep you updated on developments as they occur. Right now, we suggest you do not spend any money or efforts on a specific adoption from Haiti. Rather, it may be a good idea to get a home study done if you are serious about adopting a child. In the event Haiti reopens its' adoption process, you will be prepared to go forward in adopting. If Haiti adoptions are delayed for a year or more, then you may use that home study, with minimal modification, to be updated and adopt a needy child within the United States or your own country of residence.
A home study is required if you wish to adopt. It is a requirement by law in any state in the U.S. It is the first step in becoming eligible to adopt. If you live in Florida, we can do your home study for you. Please contact us to request a home study. If you live outside of Florida, you can still contact us and we will be happy to refer you to a number of agencies that are licensed for home studies in states other than Florida.
Once your home study is complete, we can use it to help you adopt throughout the United States. We can do the international or Haitian adoption for you. So we suggest you consider at least being prepared to adopt if you are serious about adding a child to your family.
In the meantime, we are working to help heal the hearts and lives of those affected by the Haiti earthquake. Since the earthquake, we have flown two air relief missions and one mission by freighter. We have donated over 24,600 pounds of food and relief supplies and have a shipment of 100 specialized tents that will stand up to hurricane force winds currently in route to Haiti. These tents will sleep 15 people each - providing shelter for 1500 people. We are flying into Haiti on March 21st to survey for a possible new life center to house up to 200 orphans.
We posted a new video to update you as well. See it by clicking here.
The needs are great - we need your prayers and support in what ever way God may lead you. Please check back for updates as they happen! God Bless!
Just Returned from Jacmel
February/Wednesday/2010 11:55 Filed in: Haiti Earthquake
Email from Marlaine at the orphanage:
Once again, our trip was a great success and we want so much to thank all our friends that stand with us in this difficult moment with your fervent prayers and your financial support! All the children at the homes are doing fine, except 3 girls with a kind of skin infection, especially for Natacha. But, we are so blessed to have a Sri Lankan medical doctor helping to check up on our kids on site. The kids are happy, keeping their strong faith and are so positive for their future even in a crisis like this. Everyone is still staying outside and a couple of more tents are still needed. Compared to the extreme damages in Leogane, Port-au-Prince, and other places, I can say that Jacmel was so blessed. There are many that have been killed or injured, houses and buildings leveled (in places like “Bord de Mer” and downtown) and so many are sleeping on the streets. In the remote villages and communities, so many people died from landslides and falling rocks. Despite this, Jacmel is fortunate and there are so many more survivors!
We were in Marbial on Saturday and distributed about 12,000 lbs of food with the help of a Sri Lankan military battalion based in Jacmel. There are still places further north of Marbial where help will never arrive unless we do something. I know where these villages are very well and just need the opportunity to help them. Daniel also went up to St. Rock with a truckload of food for the communities up there. Part of the school we have up there collapsed and many families have moved into the front and back yards since their homes are gone. As you all know, it is not an easy situation and it is not something that will be solved rapidly. We continue to rely on your support to continue food distribution to the city of Jacmel, to the remote area of Marbial and the surrounding villages, in St Rock, and in Cayes Jacmel. Over the past week, we have been able to reach people that had had no access to any help at all since the earthquake. We distributed what we could but people are hungry and need medical attention. Some places with no means of transportation will need to be reached via helicopter.
I am back in FL preparing for the next trip to Haiti and trying to make sure Daniel and others on the ground are receiving supplies to distribute and help more people. We have so many pictures and there will be dozens posted on the website over the next few days! Daniel and the boys have traveled to Jacmel, Port-au-Prince, Carrefour, Delmas, Petionville, St. Rock, La Plaine and many other cities to locate friends and family as well as give out what they could load into the truck. I’ve attached a few pictures to this email but there is no space for all of them!
I ask that you continue to keep Haiti in your prayers. I have never seen things as bad as they are now and the people’s suffering is more than ever. I know God has a plan and I pray He continues to use us to help these people.
God Bless!
Below - Some of the 22,000 pounds of rice sent from Hope For Families
Tomorrow we fly to Jacmel
February/Tuesday/2010 17:26 Filed in: Haiti Earthquake
Tomorrow we fly out to Jacmel from Kingston Jamaica. We are using the services of Win Aviation and tomorrows flight includes 2200 pounds of supplies that include :
1.- Rice
2.- Milk (baby formula)
3.- Diapers
4.- Evaporated milk (carnation)
5.- Spaghetti
6.- Cooking oil
7.- Tents
8.- Generator
9.- Canned fish
10.- Canned meat
Most of these items will be purchased in Jamaica where they are cheaper. We will then fly into Jacmel tomorrow and get them distributed. We will make a short visit to the 3 orphanages there and be back in the US on Thursday. We hope to get some pictures to all of you by Friday.
In the meantime we have an opportunity to ship the following supplies which will run another $6,500 in fuel from Ft Pierce FL to Jacmel and return. These supplies will go to the hospital in Jacmel which was destroyed in the earthquake. Patients are now kept outside under tents. In the past week - surgeries were still being done WITHOUT anesthesia! Can you believe it? We cannot avoid helping while we wait for the adoption process to reopen. If you feel led to help us financially, you can make a check donation to Hope For Families Charity or send your donation via paypal at this link.
> Approx load 3,600 lbs > > 2 pallets instrument cleaning/disinfectant supplies - various types - > 1 pallet humidifier oxygen kits > 1 pallet iodine scrub and prep swab sticks > 1 pallet of exam gloves, gastric larvae and mixed medical supplies > 1 pallet of clothing - dresses specifically donated for girls in Haiti. > Partial pallet of nebulizers
Thanks for your support as we supply interim relief in the wake of the earthquake.
1.- Rice
2.- Milk (baby formula)
3.- Diapers
4.- Evaporated milk (carnation)
5.- Spaghetti
6.- Cooking oil
7.- Tents
8.- Generator
9.- Canned fish
10.- Canned meat
Most of these items will be purchased in Jamaica where they are cheaper. We will then fly into Jacmel tomorrow and get them distributed. We will make a short visit to the 3 orphanages there and be back in the US on Thursday. We hope to get some pictures to all of you by Friday.
In the meantime we have an opportunity to ship the following supplies which will run another $6,500 in fuel from Ft Pierce FL to Jacmel and return. These supplies will go to the hospital in Jacmel which was destroyed in the earthquake. Patients are now kept outside under tents. In the past week - surgeries were still being done WITHOUT anesthesia! Can you believe it? We cannot avoid helping while we wait for the adoption process to reopen. If you feel led to help us financially, you can make a check donation to Hope For Families Charity or send your donation via paypal at this link.
> Approx load 3,600 lbs > > 2 pallets instrument cleaning/disinfectant supplies - various types - > 1 pallet humidifier oxygen kits > 1 pallet iodine scrub and prep swab sticks > 1 pallet of exam gloves, gastric larvae and mixed medical supplies > 1 pallet of clothing - dresses specifically donated for girls in Haiti. > Partial pallet of nebulizers
Thanks for your support as we supply interim relief in the wake of the earthquake.
Notes about our food distribution this week - It got through!
February/Monday/2010 12:13 Filed in: Haiti Earthquake
Hope For Families Haiti Relief Effort is Underway!
Update from the ground February 15th, 2010
We have just returned from a short trip to Haiti! In most outlying areas of PAP, the local Haitian people complain of not receiving aid or food through the UN or World relief organizations. We are not sure where the problem lays, as World relief supplies are arriving and are seemingly disappearing or simply not reaching their intended recipients. At the airport, we hear of major stockpiles of supplies that are under guard so as to avoid looting. At the north end of the island, an area not affected directly by the actual earthquake damage, secondary effects of shortages of food and fuel are being felt. There appears to be little moving in or out of PAP and most roads around that area are still greatly damaged. As a result, we have made plans to get our own relief delivered to Haiti in person.
So, with the help of Marlaine and friends in Haiti - she travelled to the Dominican where we purchased rice and shipped it under our watch to Haiti where it arrived in Jacmel.
Last week, Hope For Families wrote a check for $5,000 for rice shipped to Haiti through the Dominican Republic via our orphanage workers. Plans were to take the money to buy over 100, 100 pound bags of rice to directly distribute to the Haitians in Jacmel and the surrounding orphanage areas. The workers flew to the Dominican Republic, purchased the rice, loaded it on a Navy ship and sailed around Haiti to Jacmel. We are happy to report the supplies went through and the kids have food as of today!
We are planning a flight this week via Jamaica to Jacmel where we will fly in 2,200 pounds of food directly to Jacmel. Through the generosity of Parachute Jamaica and Tru News and Hope For Families Adoption , we will pay to purchase 2,000 pounds of supplies and fly them into Jacmel. We will be visiting the orphanage that morning and fly out later in the day. We will be taking many pictures while there and will personally oversee the distribution of the relief supplies to make sure the people in need get them.
Hope For Families has a charity which is pending IRS approval for 501C3 tax status as a non profit. We expect that approval any day now. In the meantime, if you can help us feed these Haitian children directly where we know it is getting through - please send us a donation as you feel led. Right now, we are covering all these expenses out of our own adoption budget and agency and it is putting a real strain on our finances as we are spending thousands. If we obtain IRS approval as a non profit, we will get you a donation receipt if your donation is received after approval.
You may make your donation here and please type Haiti Donation in the details.
Below are some pictures of recent shipments this past week into parts of Haiti and pictures of our orphanage workers sailing into Jacmel with the rice on the local Navy ship from the Dominican. Please enjoy and give as your heart leads.
Praise God, our efforts of our own people got through to the Haitian orphans and area in and around Jacmel! Here is yesterdays' communication from Marlaine our orphanage director that we are affiliated with in Jacmel.
"Hello! Our internet connection is very bad right now in Haiti but we have finally gotten a chance to send some pictures and updates.
We left Pedernales, DR on Sunday at midnight and arrived in Jacmel by 7 AM. It took about 4 hours to unload the ship and it was safe at the port with the presence of the Sri Lankan military who helped get the trucks in and out of the port. We started delivering some foods to families in the community since Monday and we still provide a meal to some people in the community at our place.
Thursday we worked on packaging food for distribution. We distributed food to Cayes Jacmel where no help has been arrived. We visited the general hospital in Jacmel where most of the buildings collapsed or are severely damaged. Many of the hospital's patients were killed in the earthquake. Patients are now under tents in the yard and street. We focused on the 2 pediatric tents where we delivered baby formulas to many sick young ones. We found a brand new baby boy, Paterson, who was abandoned. It was a blessing to hold and feed him and we pray and believe that God has a great plan for him. We will continue to visit and provide aid to these living in tents and figure out ways to help these children.
Our biggest distribution will be in Marbial tomorrow (Friday). No help at all has been reaching these people and they badly need it. Their homes are gone and many have lost family members. We prepare to distribute food to 600-700 hundred families up there for a first distribution and will see how much more food and supplies can reach them again. It is not going to be easy because of the road conditions and then how far vehicles can go in the riverbed. A group from the Sri Lankan military will accompany us to assess the conditions and try to help bringing more food soon.
Our school up in Marbial and the church buildings are damaged and we don't know yet how we are going to continue providing education to the 340 children.
We have relocated the children that we support at the orphanage in Carrefour to La Plaine area because their former buildings are severely damaged. Yesterday morning, Daniel traveled to Port au Prince to visit them and to deliver food and supplies to them.
Les Cayes is in southwest of the country and it takes 5 hour drive from Jacmel, and we are praying to find a way for transportation so we can reach the people with our help as well. Transportation is our greatest obstacle when it comes to reaching the people who are far. Bob and I are speaking with the Canadian military to see if they could be of some help with transportation.
Rose, the Head House Mother at the Girl's Home lost her mother and we made arrangements to have the funeral in Jacmel on Wednesday.
The Haitian government has declared Friday-Sunday 3 days of national prayer; everyone is very motivated to seek God by prayer and fasting.
We will continue to send more updates!
Thank you so much for your support and prayers! None of this could be done without your aid!
God Bless,
~Marlaine & Daniel"
Picture 1: Truckload of bags of rice paid for by Hope For Families for distribution (picture taken in the Dominican)
Picture 2: Smaller bags of rice being brought to Marbial. These will be much easier for families to carry through the mountains and we are planning on giving each family enough for 5-7 days.
Supplies loaded onto the Navy vessel in the Dominican to transport to Port of Jacmel
Supplies moving off the Navy Ship to Jacmel and Marbial
Streets in Jacmel
Supplies making it to the folks in the town
Refugees in Marbial
One of the Orphanage schools in Marbial damaged as of today (Feb 15th)
You can make your donation here if you feel led to help. Your donations go directly, under our observation to the Haiti relief effort in Jacmel and surrounding orphanage ministries.
Update from the ground February 15th, 2010
We have just returned from a short trip to Haiti! In most outlying areas of PAP, the local Haitian people complain of not receiving aid or food through the UN or World relief organizations. We are not sure where the problem lays, as World relief supplies are arriving and are seemingly disappearing or simply not reaching their intended recipients. At the airport, we hear of major stockpiles of supplies that are under guard so as to avoid looting. At the north end of the island, an area not affected directly by the actual earthquake damage, secondary effects of shortages of food and fuel are being felt. There appears to be little moving in or out of PAP and most roads around that area are still greatly damaged. As a result, we have made plans to get our own relief delivered to Haiti in person.
So, with the help of Marlaine and friends in Haiti - she travelled to the Dominican where we purchased rice and shipped it under our watch to Haiti where it arrived in Jacmel.
Last week, Hope For Families wrote a check for $5,000 for rice shipped to Haiti through the Dominican Republic via our orphanage workers. Plans were to take the money to buy over 100, 100 pound bags of rice to directly distribute to the Haitians in Jacmel and the surrounding orphanage areas. The workers flew to the Dominican Republic, purchased the rice, loaded it on a Navy ship and sailed around Haiti to Jacmel. We are happy to report the supplies went through and the kids have food as of today!
We are planning a flight this week via Jamaica to Jacmel where we will fly in 2,200 pounds of food directly to Jacmel. Through the generosity of Parachute Jamaica and Tru News and Hope For Families Adoption , we will pay to purchase 2,000 pounds of supplies and fly them into Jacmel. We will be visiting the orphanage that morning and fly out later in the day. We will be taking many pictures while there and will personally oversee the distribution of the relief supplies to make sure the people in need get them.
Hope For Families has a charity which is pending IRS approval for 501C3 tax status as a non profit. We expect that approval any day now. In the meantime, if you can help us feed these Haitian children directly where we know it is getting through - please send us a donation as you feel led. Right now, we are covering all these expenses out of our own adoption budget and agency and it is putting a real strain on our finances as we are spending thousands. If we obtain IRS approval as a non profit, we will get you a donation receipt if your donation is received after approval.
You may make your donation here and please type Haiti Donation in the details.
Below are some pictures of recent shipments this past week into parts of Haiti and pictures of our orphanage workers sailing into Jacmel with the rice on the local Navy ship from the Dominican. Please enjoy and give as your heart leads.
Praise God, our efforts of our own people got through to the Haitian orphans and area in and around Jacmel! Here is yesterdays' communication from Marlaine our orphanage director that we are affiliated with in Jacmel.
"Hello! Our internet connection is very bad right now in Haiti but we have finally gotten a chance to send some pictures and updates.
We left Pedernales, DR on Sunday at midnight and arrived in Jacmel by 7 AM. It took about 4 hours to unload the ship and it was safe at the port with the presence of the Sri Lankan military who helped get the trucks in and out of the port. We started delivering some foods to families in the community since Monday and we still provide a meal to some people in the community at our place.
Thursday we worked on packaging food for distribution. We distributed food to Cayes Jacmel where no help has been arrived. We visited the general hospital in Jacmel where most of the buildings collapsed or are severely damaged. Many of the hospital's patients were killed in the earthquake. Patients are now under tents in the yard and street. We focused on the 2 pediatric tents where we delivered baby formulas to many sick young ones. We found a brand new baby boy, Paterson, who was abandoned. It was a blessing to hold and feed him and we pray and believe that God has a great plan for him. We will continue to visit and provide aid to these living in tents and figure out ways to help these children.
Our biggest distribution will be in Marbial tomorrow (Friday). No help at all has been reaching these people and they badly need it. Their homes are gone and many have lost family members. We prepare to distribute food to 600-700 hundred families up there for a first distribution and will see how much more food and supplies can reach them again. It is not going to be easy because of the road conditions and then how far vehicles can go in the riverbed. A group from the Sri Lankan military will accompany us to assess the conditions and try to help bringing more food soon.
Our school up in Marbial and the church buildings are damaged and we don't know yet how we are going to continue providing education to the 340 children.
We have relocated the children that we support at the orphanage in Carrefour to La Plaine area because their former buildings are severely damaged. Yesterday morning, Daniel traveled to Port au Prince to visit them and to deliver food and supplies to them.
Les Cayes is in southwest of the country and it takes 5 hour drive from Jacmel, and we are praying to find a way for transportation so we can reach the people with our help as well. Transportation is our greatest obstacle when it comes to reaching the people who are far. Bob and I are speaking with the Canadian military to see if they could be of some help with transportation.
Rose, the Head House Mother at the Girl's Home lost her mother and we made arrangements to have the funeral in Jacmel on Wednesday.
The Haitian government has declared Friday-Sunday 3 days of national prayer; everyone is very motivated to seek God by prayer and fasting.
We will continue to send more updates!
Thank you so much for your support and prayers! None of this could be done without your aid!
God Bless,
~Marlaine & Daniel"
Picture 1: Truckload of bags of rice paid for by Hope For Families for distribution (picture taken in the Dominican)
Picture 2: Smaller bags of rice being brought to Marbial. These will be much easier for families to carry through the mountains and we are planning on giving each family enough for 5-7 days.
Supplies loaded onto the Navy vessel in the Dominican to transport to Port of Jacmel
Supplies moving off the Navy Ship to Jacmel and Marbial
Streets in Jacmel
Supplies making it to the folks in the town
Refugees in Marbial
One of the Orphanage schools in Marbial damaged as of today (Feb 15th)
You can make your donation here if you feel led to help. Your donations go directly, under our observation to the Haiti relief effort in Jacmel and surrounding orphanage ministries.
Child Trafficking Claims
February/Tuesday/2010 16:49
Here is the most recent article from Reuters. "Child trafficking" as this is being called, is what we have been saying will be claimed all along. It is the reason the UN and JCSIS have all called for a stop in adoptions. Now in reality, is it better to leave a child in the country of devastation, or to have them orderly processed and confirmed as an orphan? We believe that the unwillingness or inability of agencies to restart an orderly adoption process will contribute to more of these desperate stories. We have put forward an emergency plan to resume orderly adoption processing in Haiti. We hope the country will adopt the plan in some effective form.
Also, an aside... The fact of the matter is that some of those children in the following story may have indeed have living relatives. If the details all come out, we may very well learn that some of the children were given over to the orphanage by parents that figured out that it was the only way to get their kids to America. While this may seem unthinkable to most of us who have children, it is the stark reality in a country as poor and devastated as Haiti. The point here being that it is doubtful that the children were taken under duress for slavery or sex trade - but rather that they were moved under good intentions but unfortunately it was done in violation of Haiti law. Here is the story:
Parents reclaim children taken by US group
Article published on the 2010-02-02 Latest update 2010-02-02 17:04 TU
Haitian children Gesner, 13, (L) carries his sister Gloria, 1, next to his brother Gabriel, 3, (R), three of 33 children involved in an illicit adoption scheme, as they sit inside the NGO "SOS Children's village" in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters)
Some of the 33 infants and children labeled as "orphans" are now being reunited with their parents, a US-based aid group said Tuesday. Ten members of a separate US group called New Life Children's Refuge attempted to bring the 33 children, aged two months to 14 years, across the Haitian border to the Dominican Republic last weekend. The ten are currently in custody and may be charged with child-trafficking.
Also, an aside... The fact of the matter is that some of those children in the following story may have indeed have living relatives. If the details all come out, we may very well learn that some of the children were given over to the orphanage by parents that figured out that it was the only way to get their kids to America. While this may seem unthinkable to most of us who have children, it is the stark reality in a country as poor and devastated as Haiti. The point here being that it is doubtful that the children were taken under duress for slavery or sex trade - but rather that they were moved under good intentions but unfortunately it was done in violation of Haiti law. Here is the story:
Parents reclaim children taken by US group
Article published on the 2010-02-02 Latest update 2010-02-02 17:04 TU
Haitian children Gesner, 13, (L) carries his sister Gloria, 1, next to his brother Gabriel, 3, (R), three of 33 children involved in an illicit adoption scheme, as they sit inside the NGO "SOS Children's village" in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters)
Some of the 33 infants and children labeled as "orphans" are now being reunited with their parents, a US-based aid group said Tuesday. Ten members of a separate US group called New Life Children's Refuge attempted to bring the 33 children, aged two months to 14 years, across the Haitian border to the Dominican Republic last weekend. The ten are currently in custody and may be charged with child-trafficking.
"The parents are now coming to the village to reclaim their children," Heather Paul, the CEO of SOS Children's Villages USA, told a US television show. The children are being held at a SOS Children's Village in Haiti. She said that some of the youngsters said they had living parents.
"One of the girls, 10 years old, said that her mother went to the bus to say goodbye, so we have to clarify the whole situation," said Georg Willet, a spokesman for SOS Children Village in Haiti.
In the aftermath of the 12 January earthquake that killed an estimated 170,000 people in Haiti, authorities in Port-au-Prince have been concerned that some Haitian children might have fallen prey to human traffickers.
Paul said that the children were in poor physical condition while in the care of the Baptist group. "They weren't well-dressed, they were dehydrated. They needed medical assistance," she said.
"I think this is proof positive for all those people around the world who would like to adopt Haitian children, that we must wait on the right registration," she said.
Meanwhile, the ten members of New Life Children's Refuge are being held in Haiti and could be charged with kidnapping, child-trafficking and criminal conspiracy, according to Haitian Interim Prosecutor Mazar Fortil. Two Haitians are also being held.
They were to be arraigned on Monday, but their court appearance was postponed due to the lack of a Creole-English translator.
Their trial may be transferred to courts in the United States, but Fortil said it was "too early to tell".
The US government said it would comply with what the Haitian authorities deemed appropriate to try the case.
"Once we know the facts we'll determine what the appropriate course is, but the judgement is really up to the Haitian government," said State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley.
Meanwhile, Laura Silsby, the head of the Idaho-based New Life Children's Refuge, said that the group only had good intentions.
"We came here literally to just help the children," she said. "We wanted to help those who lost parents in the quake or who were abandoned," she added.
Paul said the case showed the need for more stringent guidelines for adoptions from Haiti. "I don't know all the facts, but if they were good intentions, they're certainly gone awry," she said.
Haitian Authorities meet to discuss adoption policies
January/Friday/2010 01:26
Hope For Families Update Friday, January 29,2010:
900 Haitian children have already been flown to the United States from Haiti, but these children had been in the adoption process for years, stymied by bureaucracy and inertia. Spurred by the humanitarian crisis of the Haitian earthquake, the United States had eased its visa requirements for Haitian children in the final stages of the adoption process and so they were allowed exit from Haiti.
According to our sources and the Wall Street Journal, the Haitian government has now halted the departure of all orphans from the earthquake-ravaged country until it can guarantee that only legitimate adoptions are being approved, according to U.S. government officials.
The government only will allow the departure of orphaned children whose paperwork it has examined and approved, the officials said.
The decision temporarily suspends the arrival to the U.S. of Haitian orphans under a policy announced last week by Washington. The so-called humanitarian parole was introduced to expedite the adoption of children in orphanages who had been assigned to U.S. families before the Jan. 12 earthquake occurred.
One U.S. government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive had been holding discussions in Montreal during a Haiti reconstruction conference to ensure that U.S. departures resume within days. "We are working on details to get these approvals from Haiti as soon as possible," the official said.
The Haitian government is concerned that some children are being removed from the country without proper oversight and risk winding up in the hands of child traffickers.
This was the case claimed during the catastrophic tsunami in Indonesia. There is some argument as to what degree these claims are true. But what we do feel at Hope For Families, is that stopping the orderly legal process of orphans only makes more needy children available to those that might wish to illegally exploit these children. At Hope For Families, we are calling for an emergency decree from the Haitian government to allow processing centers to be created that would legally process these orphans in an orderly manner.
Until that occurs, hope to adopt a orphan from Haiti is non existent. In the meantime, to be prepared in the event Haiti adoptions open back up, we recommend you consider getting an International Home Study completed by Hope For Families if you live in Florida. If you live outside of Florida, we can get you the name of a licensed agency that can do an International Home Study for you. Getting an International Home Study completed will get you prepared to adopt should Haiti reopen in the next few weeks or months.
Once your home study is complete, Hope For Families can facilitate your Haitian adoption regardless of what state you live in.
Blessings, Paul
900 Haitian children have already been flown to the United States from Haiti, but these children had been in the adoption process for years, stymied by bureaucracy and inertia. Spurred by the humanitarian crisis of the Haitian earthquake, the United States had eased its visa requirements for Haitian children in the final stages of the adoption process and so they were allowed exit from Haiti.
According to our sources and the Wall Street Journal, the Haitian government has now halted the departure of all orphans from the earthquake-ravaged country until it can guarantee that only legitimate adoptions are being approved, according to U.S. government officials.
The government only will allow the departure of orphaned children whose paperwork it has examined and approved, the officials said.
The decision temporarily suspends the arrival to the U.S. of Haitian orphans under a policy announced last week by Washington. The so-called humanitarian parole was introduced to expedite the adoption of children in orphanages who had been assigned to U.S. families before the Jan. 12 earthquake occurred.
One U.S. government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive had been holding discussions in Montreal during a Haiti reconstruction conference to ensure that U.S. departures resume within days. "We are working on details to get these approvals from Haiti as soon as possible," the official said.
The Haitian government is concerned that some children are being removed from the country without proper oversight and risk winding up in the hands of child traffickers.
This was the case claimed during the catastrophic tsunami in Indonesia. There is some argument as to what degree these claims are true. But what we do feel at Hope For Families, is that stopping the orderly legal process of orphans only makes more needy children available to those that might wish to illegally exploit these children. At Hope For Families, we are calling for an emergency decree from the Haitian government to allow processing centers to be created that would legally process these orphans in an orderly manner.
Until that occurs, hope to adopt a orphan from Haiti is non existent. In the meantime, to be prepared in the event Haiti adoptions open back up, we recommend you consider getting an International Home Study completed by Hope For Families if you live in Florida. If you live outside of Florida, we can get you the name of a licensed agency that can do an International Home Study for you. Getting an International Home Study completed will get you prepared to adopt should Haiti reopen in the next few weeks or months.
Once your home study is complete, Hope For Families can facilitate your Haitian adoption regardless of what state you live in.
Blessings, Paul
Rescue Plan Unlilely for Haiti's Orphans
January/Tuesday/2010 09:04
As of today, the word is that a similar operation to "Pedro Pan" which rescued thousands of Cuban orphans in the early 60's is unlikely to be repeated. See story
Pedro Pan-like rescue effort not likely for Haiti's children
The Palm Beach Post - Palm Beach FL, Jan 20, 2010 / Florida is unlikely to see a wave of Haitian children orphaned by last week's killer earthquake, as Haitian and U.S. leaders do not favor a recreation of the famed 1960s Pedro Pan effort that rescued thousands of children from communist Cuba, the state's top social service administrator said Tuesday.
We understand that as of yesterday (January 25,2010), there were no clearances given to land a plane for such purposes as the US military controls the airport in PAP. In addition - no one will be allowed to leave without the US Embassy clearing the individuals and we understand that Haiti has imposed exit restrictions as well.
The news reports of any Haitian children leaving the country were limited to 500 that were covered under the "Humanitarian Parole" order that was originally issued. Only children that had already been approved and waiting to leave, or those that were substantially approved but only needed minor documentation were allowed to leave. Some flew to the U.S. and others to foreign countries.
The sad news is that as of this morning, the U.S. embassy, State Department, United Nations , JCICS and Haitian government are all opposed to processing adoptions for these children. We respectfully disagree with this policy as we feel an orderly identification and adoption process can be conducted. The alternative is to leave these children in Haiti and expose them to illegal human trafficking and sickness. If you agree with us, please make sure you have given us your contact information and we will keep you up to date on changes related to Haitian orphan immigration.
In the meantime, we await good news from the Haitian government relative to an emergency proposal we have submitted to process orphans from that country, and we encourage you to contact your senators and congressional representatives to express your opinion to free these orphans.
We will Email you if you are on our distribution list, to prepare you for a Haitian adoption should the new requirements become clear. We do not want you to spend time and money on adoption fees unless it is clear that the Haitian orphans will be allowed to be processed and adopted. Expect an update from us later this week or as developments require. Thank you for your caring and love for these precious children.
Pedro Pan-like rescue effort not likely for Haiti's children
The Palm Beach Post - Palm Beach FL, Jan 20, 2010 / Florida is unlikely to see a wave of Haitian children orphaned by last week's killer earthquake, as Haitian and U.S. leaders do not favor a recreation of the famed 1960s Pedro Pan effort that rescued thousands of children from communist Cuba, the state's top social service administrator said Tuesday.
We understand that as of yesterday (January 25,2010), there were no clearances given to land a plane for such purposes as the US military controls the airport in PAP. In addition - no one will be allowed to leave without the US Embassy clearing the individuals and we understand that Haiti has imposed exit restrictions as well.
The news reports of any Haitian children leaving the country were limited to 500 that were covered under the "Humanitarian Parole" order that was originally issued. Only children that had already been approved and waiting to leave, or those that were substantially approved but only needed minor documentation were allowed to leave. Some flew to the U.S. and others to foreign countries.
The sad news is that as of this morning, the U.S. embassy, State Department, United Nations , JCICS and Haitian government are all opposed to processing adoptions for these children. We respectfully disagree with this policy as we feel an orderly identification and adoption process can be conducted. The alternative is to leave these children in Haiti and expose them to illegal human trafficking and sickness. If you agree with us, please make sure you have given us your contact information and we will keep you up to date on changes related to Haitian orphan immigration.
In the meantime, we await good news from the Haitian government relative to an emergency proposal we have submitted to process orphans from that country, and we encourage you to contact your senators and congressional representatives to express your opinion to free these orphans.
We will Email you if you are on our distribution list, to prepare you for a Haitian adoption should the new requirements become clear. We do not want you to spend time and money on adoption fees unless it is clear that the Haitian orphans will be allowed to be processed and adopted. Expect an update from us later this week or as developments require. Thank you for your caring and love for these precious children.
Its' early Sunday morning - Some good news!
January/Sunday/2010 00:54
As of this evening we are still receiving Emails at the averaged rate of over 1 email per minute to our agency since last Wednesday - so I hope you will be patient with us:)
Good News! As of tonight, I received an Email from our Haitian government contact who is now in Haiti. He tells me that there will be an important government meeting on Monday to discuss the proposal we put forward to open up orderly, safe adoptions from Haiti. If this plan is adopted we will need your help - seriously. We will have to undertake a massive email and PR campaign to get contributions of money and additional volunteers to adequately staff the temporary processing centers we are proposing that will be in Haiti. We will need Doctors, nurses, counselors, caregivers, cooks, cleaners, security, IT folks with data base and scanning technology and temporary housing construction crews, photographers, as well as identification specialists and managers to help coordinate this massive effort.
At this time we have thousands that have volunteered to help - but there is strength in numbers and the more resources the better. Please let us know if you can help. Let us know if you have government contacts that may be influential in gaining a US coordinated effort. We have some contacts at this point - but we seek what ever help you can give. We feel blessed to be in such a position as to propose this program, and we do not yet know where it will lead - but we have to be prepared.
So we will update you as soon as we hear anything form Haiti which may be as early as Monday. We have done several radio interviews and hope to discuss this with folks from NBC nightly news who have contacted us - however we will wait until we get confirmation that the Haitian Government has agreed to some or all of what we have proposed before we do any national interview. Please pray for the situation.
Blessings, Paul
Good News! As of tonight, I received an Email from our Haitian government contact who is now in Haiti. He tells me that there will be an important government meeting on Monday to discuss the proposal we put forward to open up orderly, safe adoptions from Haiti. If this plan is adopted we will need your help - seriously. We will have to undertake a massive email and PR campaign to get contributions of money and additional volunteers to adequately staff the temporary processing centers we are proposing that will be in Haiti. We will need Doctors, nurses, counselors, caregivers, cooks, cleaners, security, IT folks with data base and scanning technology and temporary housing construction crews, photographers, as well as identification specialists and managers to help coordinate this massive effort.
At this time we have thousands that have volunteered to help - but there is strength in numbers and the more resources the better. Please let us know if you can help. Let us know if you have government contacts that may be influential in gaining a US coordinated effort. We have some contacts at this point - but we seek what ever help you can give. We feel blessed to be in such a position as to propose this program, and we do not yet know where it will lead - but we have to be prepared.
So we will update you as soon as we hear anything form Haiti which may be as early as Monday. We have done several radio interviews and hope to discuss this with folks from NBC nightly news who have contacted us - however we will wait until we get confirmation that the Haitian Government has agreed to some or all of what we have proposed before we do any national interview. Please pray for the situation.
Blessings, Paul
Thursday Night Open Letter Update on Haiti
January/Thursday/2010 18:10
Urgent Update on Haitian Adoptions as of Thursday, January 21,2010.
The ISS (international Social Services) of the UN, is petitioning to have all adoptions from Haiti ordered to cease! Our own embassy in Haiti, although not destroyed and fully functioning, is still demanding that every adoption file be in perfect order before they allow a child to leave the country for the United States. They refuse to use common sense in any aspect of their dealings - this from an orphanage worker, who reported to us yesterday, on the ground in Haiti.
The UN is afraid of human rights violations - their official position is that they feel it is better for the child to stay in his / her country of origin than to be adopted or fostered outside the country. They are officially referring to the tragedy of the Indonesian tsunami. Here is an Email from a orphanage worker yesterday that tried to get some orphans processed at our embassy. This is appalling:
"The only way to describe Haiti right now is a living nightmare. The lack of coordination and the practicalities of traveling from the Embassy to the airport and back to the orphanage makes it impossible to work with any efficiency and we can accomplish very little. Today we spent over 3 hours trying to get to the Embassy with 15 children – 14 under the age of two – and then spent 9 hours at the Embassy. We walked out with few parole visas and were advised that DOS had left for the evening so we would get our adoption visas the next day. After risking my life to enter an extremely damaged building to recover files and lugging them to the Embassy it was frustrating to say the least to have accomplished so little. In addition, I know I will need to stay up all night tonight to go over 40+ cases to assess the documents and to organize them, all while under a tent and using a flashlight. We are too scared to try to sleep inside and who can sleep anyway when every little noise or jar wakes you up in fear? The conditions are unfathomable and I cannot understand why we do not have a centralized location to serve these orphans – those already established as being in need of a family before the earthquake. I am so thirsty, but cannot drink as often as I would like because we are running out of water and I cannot take what the kids may need, although we came into Haiti with more than enough for us, we have to share what we have.
I have to stay strong here and not fall to pieces but the situation is truly impossible and is leading to unnecessary delays and continued and increased risk to children already established before the earthquake as orphans (as well as MANY others). I have so many fears – another aftershock that woke us so roughly on Wednesday morning and a wall tumbling down on our heads, children starving, the orphanage being looted as the frustration continues to grow regarding the delay in distributing supplies, children dying from sickness (almost all the children here have a deep cough and we have few meds. to offer), and ultimately, what other diseases will result from the conditions here.
The children are sleeping outside on soiled mattresses and in wet sheets – there are not enough diapers for them to be used as needed. They are scared to death and will cling to anyone who reaches out a hand. All of the people who experienced this horrific catastrophe seem to be suffering from post traumatic stress – quite understandably – and yes, I am qualified to diagnose.
I am having such a hard time seeing that orphans are once again being used as political pawns in spite of this monumental tragedy. I am standing in the midst of a nightmare where I am thirsty and hungry and scared – but I have a US passport and eventually I have the chance to go home to a warm bed, plenty of food and people who love me. When did common sense exit the entire equation regarding children’s welfare and establishing what is in the best interests of a child? How many children must die unnecessarily in the midst of this crisis because of bureaucratic red tape when simple and temporary solutions are not that difficult? But, I guess I should expect this – because we are dealing with very poor orphans and how high on the priority scale do they fall? When I initially heard about the US response to the orphan crisis in Haiti I was SO PROUD. I was so grateful that Obama was our President, Hilary Clinton was our Secretary of State and that for once we were going to get this right. Unfortunately, it seems that the US has again bowed to outside pressure to be politically correct and back down from what we know to be morally right. I do not think there is any person with an ounce of compassion who could view this situation and not believe that immediate and decisive action is necessary to save the children of Haiti. Enough will die without us contributing through inaction and inefficiency.
Please pray for all of us here. We need it desperately."
At Hope For Families - we encourage you to contact your Senators, US State Department, and Congressmen. We, like other agencies, feel we have a plan to help free up this political nightmare for the children of Haiti. Over 20,000 people are now dying every day in Haiti from the secondary infections and sickness that is setting in. We have presented a detailed plan to help free up the process to representatives of the Haitian Government. We anxiously await their response. It is our opinion that in NO way is it better for an orphan child to remain in Haiti than to be orderly processed to an international adoptive family. Please join us in calling for action.
The ISS (international Social Services) of the UN, is petitioning to have all adoptions from Haiti ordered to cease! Our own embassy in Haiti, although not destroyed and fully functioning, is still demanding that every adoption file be in perfect order before they allow a child to leave the country for the United States. They refuse to use common sense in any aspect of their dealings - this from an orphanage worker, who reported to us yesterday, on the ground in Haiti.
The UN is afraid of human rights violations - their official position is that they feel it is better for the child to stay in his / her country of origin than to be adopted or fostered outside the country. They are officially referring to the tragedy of the Indonesian tsunami. Here is an Email from a orphanage worker yesterday that tried to get some orphans processed at our embassy. This is appalling:
"The only way to describe Haiti right now is a living nightmare. The lack of coordination and the practicalities of traveling from the Embassy to the airport and back to the orphanage makes it impossible to work with any efficiency and we can accomplish very little. Today we spent over 3 hours trying to get to the Embassy with 15 children – 14 under the age of two – and then spent 9 hours at the Embassy. We walked out with few parole visas and were advised that DOS had left for the evening so we would get our adoption visas the next day. After risking my life to enter an extremely damaged building to recover files and lugging them to the Embassy it was frustrating to say the least to have accomplished so little. In addition, I know I will need to stay up all night tonight to go over 40+ cases to assess the documents and to organize them, all while under a tent and using a flashlight. We are too scared to try to sleep inside and who can sleep anyway when every little noise or jar wakes you up in fear? The conditions are unfathomable and I cannot understand why we do not have a centralized location to serve these orphans – those already established as being in need of a family before the earthquake. I am so thirsty, but cannot drink as often as I would like because we are running out of water and I cannot take what the kids may need, although we came into Haiti with more than enough for us, we have to share what we have.
I have to stay strong here and not fall to pieces but the situation is truly impossible and is leading to unnecessary delays and continued and increased risk to children already established before the earthquake as orphans (as well as MANY others). I have so many fears – another aftershock that woke us so roughly on Wednesday morning and a wall tumbling down on our heads, children starving, the orphanage being looted as the frustration continues to grow regarding the delay in distributing supplies, children dying from sickness (almost all the children here have a deep cough and we have few meds. to offer), and ultimately, what other diseases will result from the conditions here.
The children are sleeping outside on soiled mattresses and in wet sheets – there are not enough diapers for them to be used as needed. They are scared to death and will cling to anyone who reaches out a hand. All of the people who experienced this horrific catastrophe seem to be suffering from post traumatic stress – quite understandably – and yes, I am qualified to diagnose.
I am having such a hard time seeing that orphans are once again being used as political pawns in spite of this monumental tragedy. I am standing in the midst of a nightmare where I am thirsty and hungry and scared – but I have a US passport and eventually I have the chance to go home to a warm bed, plenty of food and people who love me. When did common sense exit the entire equation regarding children’s welfare and establishing what is in the best interests of a child? How many children must die unnecessarily in the midst of this crisis because of bureaucratic red tape when simple and temporary solutions are not that difficult? But, I guess I should expect this – because we are dealing with very poor orphans and how high on the priority scale do they fall? When I initially heard about the US response to the orphan crisis in Haiti I was SO PROUD. I was so grateful that Obama was our President, Hilary Clinton was our Secretary of State and that for once we were going to get this right. Unfortunately, it seems that the US has again bowed to outside pressure to be politically correct and back down from what we know to be morally right. I do not think there is any person with an ounce of compassion who could view this situation and not believe that immediate and decisive action is necessary to save the children of Haiti. Enough will die without us contributing through inaction and inefficiency.
Please pray for all of us here. We need it desperately."
At Hope For Families - we encourage you to contact your Senators, US State Department, and Congressmen. We, like other agencies, feel we have a plan to help free up this political nightmare for the children of Haiti. Over 20,000 people are now dying every day in Haiti from the secondary infections and sickness that is setting in. We have presented a detailed plan to help free up the process to representatives of the Haitian Government. We anxiously await their response. It is our opinion that in NO way is it better for an orphan child to remain in Haiti than to be orderly processed to an international adoptive family. Please join us in calling for action.
Wednesday Evening January 20,2010 Haiti Orphan Update
January/Wednesday/2010 19:13
This Blog was created to offer you the most up to date information issued by the US State Department and Haitian Authorities concerning the adoption process in Haiti. Please check back often, or save as a favorite to get an update. Thanks, Hope For Families Adoptions, Inc Read More About the Haiti Earthquake from our Orphanage:
Haiti Adoption Update
January/Monday/2010 21:31
There is Hope For Haiti's Orphans!
This blog is designed to keep you up to date on changes that affect adoptions out of Haiti. We would encourage you to read this information to better understand why NO adoptions can be processed in Haiti at this time. We also encourage you to Email us with your questions as we are receiving thousands of calls each day and our phone lines are overwhelmed. Thanks and God Bless you as you open your heart to these wonderful orphans!
This situation WILL change, and as it does, we will tell you how to be positioned to adopt should the Haitian Authorities begin to process new applications.
Supplies backing up at terminals
January/Monday/2010 18:51
Just a quick note that we have received word that supplies other than medical supplies, are backed up at the airport and shipping terminals. Do NOT send common support items without first checking to see if they can be accepted and transported within the island. There is a worry that supply points will be backed up and items be stolen, rather than transported to needed areas within the island. There are now 170 flights per day flying into the airport
Update on the situation for January 17
January/Sunday/2010 08:19
Good Morning everyone,
(EMail message from Haiti workers)
I was on the phone at 5:AM with Jacmel. Everything is well. The oldest kids were already on their feet to get ready to go on the streets for evangelism and to pray for people. They plan to do so every day. Yesterday they went out to pray for many people on the streets and at St Michel Hospital they prayed and encouraged the ones suffering. Edese and Elise are the ones going to Nursing school this year, they took with them at our home pharmacy anything they think that could help others and they distributed them to the people in needs. Yesterday, Ellen our friend from ORA International visited and brought them some foods for the day which was a big relief for us here. She reported that the kids are well, they were singing, laughing and playing. My sister finds a place where she can purchase foods and we can pay after. She also arranged and sheltered about 10 other people going without food and no place to stay. The kids are so happy and so strong in their faith.
Kathy and other friends in PA are looking for possibility to see how they could arranging with some charter plane from Florida to Jacmel directly. I am tempted as well to fly through DR but the road has blocked from Port au Prince to Jacmel. Will keep you inform of any possibility in the next hours. Just want to let you know that God is control and we are so thankful for your prayer.
(EMail message from Haiti workers)
I was on the phone at 5:AM with Jacmel. Everything is well. The oldest kids were already on their feet to get ready to go on the streets for evangelism and to pray for people. They plan to do so every day. Yesterday they went out to pray for many people on the streets and at St Michel Hospital they prayed and encouraged the ones suffering. Edese and Elise are the ones going to Nursing school this year, they took with them at our home pharmacy anything they think that could help others and they distributed them to the people in needs. Yesterday, Ellen our friend from ORA International visited and brought them some foods for the day which was a big relief for us here. She reported that the kids are well, they were singing, laughing and playing. My sister finds a place where she can purchase foods and we can pay after. She also arranged and sheltered about 10 other people going without food and no place to stay. The kids are so happy and so strong in their faith.
Kathy and other friends in PA are looking for possibility to see how they could arranging with some charter plane from Florida to Jacmel directly. I am tempted as well to fly through DR but the road has blocked from Port au Prince to Jacmel. Will keep you inform of any possibility in the next hours. Just want to let you know that God is control and we are so thankful for your prayer.
Efforts to Create Humanitarian Parole for Orphans
January/Sunday/2010 06:50
Apparently the Haitian government has lifted all exit requirements that formerly blocked orphans from leaving Haiti. Now JCICS is attempting to negotiate with US State Department to set up a new immigration policy called, "humanitarian parole" in order to get children out of Haiti. Parole is not in place at this time but we hope our government will allow this asap to save the lives of many children.
Humanitarian Parole
It is Joint Council's position that the U.S. government should immediately grant humanitarian parole to all children being adopted by U.S. citizens. At present, Joint Council is appealing with the U.S. government, specifically the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to issue humanitarian parole for any child that has been referred to an American family. Humanitarian parole, if granted, would eliminate the need for a visa. Humanitarian parole would also minimize the paperwork and possibly eliminate the need to find documents, which have been destroyed in the earthquake. Given the urgent needs of the children, the fact that the Haitian government has lifted all exit requirements and that the children have adoptive families, we believe that humanitarian parole is the most humane solution to this crisis. Please note that Joint Council has not received confirmation for humanitarian parole but we are working diligently towards that end. When and if humanitarian parole is granted, we will publish the information widely.
From our many, many meetings with Members of Congress, the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, you should know that your government is working diligently and with great compassion to find a solution which will help get the children into safe, permanent and loving families as quickly as possible.
If anyone is in the process of an existing adoption then JCICS requests that you register it:
Joint Council is also working with the U.S. government to determine the impact of the devastation on the adoption process. Given that the coming days will be rightly focused on rescue efforts, it will take days if not weeks to fully assess the impact on adoptions and develop a plan to move forward with specific cases. Information on the adoption process will be published within the next few weeks.
Register my Haiti adoption with Joint Council - to enter the necessary information. To access the database, click here.
https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/JointCouncilonInternational/OnlineDonation.html
Humanitarian Parole
It is Joint Council's position that the U.S. government should immediately grant humanitarian parole to all children being adopted by U.S. citizens. At present, Joint Council is appealing with the U.S. government, specifically the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to issue humanitarian parole for any child that has been referred to an American family. Humanitarian parole, if granted, would eliminate the need for a visa. Humanitarian parole would also minimize the paperwork and possibly eliminate the need to find documents, which have been destroyed in the earthquake. Given the urgent needs of the children, the fact that the Haitian government has lifted all exit requirements and that the children have adoptive families, we believe that humanitarian parole is the most humane solution to this crisis. Please note that Joint Council has not received confirmation for humanitarian parole but we are working diligently towards that end. When and if humanitarian parole is granted, we will publish the information widely.
From our many, many meetings with Members of Congress, the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security, you should know that your government is working diligently and with great compassion to find a solution which will help get the children into safe, permanent and loving families as quickly as possible.
If anyone is in the process of an existing adoption then JCICS requests that you register it:
Joint Council is also working with the U.S. government to determine the impact of the devastation on the adoption process. Given that the coming days will be rightly focused on rescue efforts, it will take days if not weeks to fully assess the impact on adoptions and develop a plan to move forward with specific cases. Information on the adoption process will be published within the next few weeks.
Register my Haiti adoption with Joint Council - to enter the necessary information. To access the database, click here.
https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/JointCouncilonInternational/OnlineDonation.html
Confirmed staff and kids are OK
January/Saturday/2010 21:21
Daniel was able to speak to Jacmel and confirm that the kids and staff are okay!!! They have been camping outside for the past few days and are running low on food and water. Daniel and I have also heard from most of our brothers and sisters and they are also alive and well! In need of supplies but safe! We were able to speak to Ernst's family and they are safe as well! So is Jean and his family!
Please continue to keep Henri and his family in your prayers. We have not been able to reach him but will continue to call!
Praying,
Please continue to keep Henri and his family in your prayers. We have not been able to reach him but will continue to call!
Praying,
Good News from the Orphanages
January/Saturday/2010 09:24
It was a time of Praise to the Lord this morning when I was able to speak with the children in Jacmel. Despite living and sleeping outside the buildings, they have found refuge in prayer and are safe. They need food and many other conditions need to be improved right away, but they tell me they have not lost hope.
Renel was in school downtown when the building collapsed. He is one of the 3 students who made it out alive. He is injured, but doing much better now. Fafane, our niece that we have raised as our own child, is a student at a university in Port au Prince that collapsed. She is alive, she was able to borrow a phone and call us this morning. We are still praying and waiting to hear from Henry and his family.
In addition to the damage to the Girl’s Home in Jacmel, we just got news through the school principal that the church and school building in Marbial collapsed. We haven’t heard anything yet of the 340 school children and the rest of the school staff. We have not heard from the other schools or churches either.
Please continue to pray!!!
Please continue to pray!!!
Running low on food
January/Saturday/2010 08:25
About an hour ago, Vanessa and Marlaine were able to use Skype to talk to 2 of the older boys from Jacmel! They had walked to Cyvadier Hotel and logged on to the internet on a computer there.
Please continue to pray that we get help to them and Jacmel as soon as possible. It was good to hear their voices but the situation is getting worse very quickly. They are okay for now and have water, but have run out of food.
Please continue to pray that we get help to them and Jacmel as soon as possible. It was good to hear their voices but the situation is getting worse very quickly. They are okay for now and have water, but have run out of food.
Open Letter to those wishing to adopt in Haiti
January/Friday/2010 21:18
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your interest to adopt an orphan affected by the recent Earthquake in Haiti. We want you to know we have personally read your inquiry, and if you supplied information to us about your specific situation, we will start a file for you and begin to reference your information as the situation in Haiti becomes more clear. Here is what we know as of this time:
1) Out of 18 ministry (Government entities) buildings in Haiti, all but three were destroyed in the earthquake. Important Government leaders such as the courts chief justice and others have been killed.
Most records related to adoptions in Haiti have been destroyed. Much of the record keeping in Haiti was manual, and as such, no backup exists.
2) This is still a recovery operation. Initial assessments show loss of life and property to be catastrophic. There are no flights into Haiti other than rescue and humanitarian until (our sources say) at least Friday the 22nd of January. There is extremely limited communication to the island.
In America, we have a "can do" attitude which is great. As such, we would normally expect answers to our questions in reasonable time frames - such as one or two days. In this case, we may be talking MONTHS. That is right - months. Let me explain why:
In order to adopt a child into the United States, a number of things have to be accomplished. One important step is to confirm that a child has been orphaned and is adoptable. If that were not the case, then folks would quickly be selling and stealing human life for monetary transactions. In the case of Haitian orphans - the Haitian authorities must be able to be organized enough to process a child. Right now - that is impossible, and considering the current infrastructure in Haiti - at best it is hard to even guess when there will be any functional structure to the adoptive process.
At a minimum, the birth records and immigration information is buried at the bottom of tons of concrete and dust. In most cases, for young newly orphaned children, a new birth certificate and origin would have to be recreated in Haiti for the children before they can even be considered as orphans. Imagine a 2 year old wandering through the streets with no parents. Both have been killed and no one knows the child. Clearly they are of Haitian origin, but the child cannot recite his / her name and there is no date of birth or address. That is just such a child that needs to be adopted - yet without the most basic information of birth date, parents, name and address, there is currently NO system in place to facilitate the adoption within Haiti.
As a result, Hope For Families founder, Dr. Kenneth Brown, and CEO, Paul Munsie, are meeting with representatives of the Haitian Government this coming Monday, January, 18,2010. At this meeting, we will be recommending emergency adoptive procedures for the proper identification of Haitian orphans, and the creation of a database and processing facility to enable the children to be saved into adoption.
We are blessed with the opportunity to be able to communicate so freely with those connected to the Haitian government. We hope to be a solution to the challenge, as we have a background in international adoptions.
We will present our idea of an emergency framework that may be used to help get this critical situation of Haitian earthquake orphans under control. We will update you as this process continues. We will also be looking to the US State Department to offer adjustments in immigration policy to allow such a plan to proceed. We believe we have keen insight into the problem and offer practical executable solutions that can be accomplished in a short timeframe.
In the meantime, hundreds of you have expressed an interest to help or adopt orphans from Haiti's earthquake disaster,and we appreciate that very much. We know your heart hurts for these children, as do our own hearts. As fellow American's we want to make a positive difference.
You can do so by being patient to adopt a Haitian child, praying, and sending donations to an organization of your choice. Most of the orphanage children are sleeping outside right now as they have no safe shelter to seek. We are praying for them and are working to send supplies an donations to the orphanage staff in Haiti that we work with. We will update you as the situation changes in Haiti and will let you know of any substantial changes regarding immigration and the US State Departments reaction to this crisis.
Paul Munsie, CEO. Hope For Families Adoption and Counseling Services, Inc
1) Out of 18 ministry (Government entities) buildings in Haiti, all but three were destroyed in the earthquake. Important Government leaders such as the courts chief justice and others have been killed.
Most records related to adoptions in Haiti have been destroyed. Much of the record keeping in Haiti was manual, and as such, no backup exists.
2) This is still a recovery operation. Initial assessments show loss of life and property to be catastrophic. There are no flights into Haiti other than rescue and humanitarian until (our sources say) at least Friday the 22nd of January. There is extremely limited communication to the island.
In America, we have a "can do" attitude which is great. As such, we would normally expect answers to our questions in reasonable time frames - such as one or two days. In this case, we may be talking MONTHS. That is right - months. Let me explain why:
In order to adopt a child into the United States, a number of things have to be accomplished. One important step is to confirm that a child has been orphaned and is adoptable. If that were not the case, then folks would quickly be selling and stealing human life for monetary transactions. In the case of Haitian orphans - the Haitian authorities must be able to be organized enough to process a child. Right now - that is impossible, and considering the current infrastructure in Haiti - at best it is hard to even guess when there will be any functional structure to the adoptive process.
At a minimum, the birth records and immigration information is buried at the bottom of tons of concrete and dust. In most cases, for young newly orphaned children, a new birth certificate and origin would have to be recreated in Haiti for the children before they can even be considered as orphans. Imagine a 2 year old wandering through the streets with no parents. Both have been killed and no one knows the child. Clearly they are of Haitian origin, but the child cannot recite his / her name and there is no date of birth or address. That is just such a child that needs to be adopted - yet without the most basic information of birth date, parents, name and address, there is currently NO system in place to facilitate the adoption within Haiti.
As a result, Hope For Families founder, Dr. Kenneth Brown, and CEO, Paul Munsie, are meeting with representatives of the Haitian Government this coming Monday, January, 18,2010. At this meeting, we will be recommending emergency adoptive procedures for the proper identification of Haitian orphans, and the creation of a database and processing facility to enable the children to be saved into adoption.
We are blessed with the opportunity to be able to communicate so freely with those connected to the Haitian government. We hope to be a solution to the challenge, as we have a background in international adoptions.
We will present our idea of an emergency framework that may be used to help get this critical situation of Haitian earthquake orphans under control. We will update you as this process continues. We will also be looking to the US State Department to offer adjustments in immigration policy to allow such a plan to proceed. We believe we have keen insight into the problem and offer practical executable solutions that can be accomplished in a short timeframe.
In the meantime, hundreds of you have expressed an interest to help or adopt orphans from Haiti's earthquake disaster,and we appreciate that very much. We know your heart hurts for these children, as do our own hearts. As fellow American's we want to make a positive difference.
You can do so by being patient to adopt a Haitian child, praying, and sending donations to an organization of your choice. Most of the orphanage children are sleeping outside right now as they have no safe shelter to seek. We are praying for them and are working to send supplies an donations to the orphanage staff in Haiti that we work with. We will update you as the situation changes in Haiti and will let you know of any substantial changes regarding immigration and the US State Departments reaction to this crisis.
Paul Munsie, CEO. Hope For Families Adoption and Counseling Services, Inc
A HFF client Orphanage in Haiti before and after the earthquake
January/Thursday/2010 14:56
| Orphange School were Melissa Lives (before and after earthquake) |
Haiti Earthquake Update as of 01/14/2010
January/Thursday/2010 11:16
We spent the day trying and still cannot communicate with anyone at the children's homes, but we continue to rely on the information that Daniel got last night from Pastor Quenolt. We want so much to thank all our friends for their love and prayers and for standing with us. We have started getting news of really close friends that have lost their homes, family members, and even their lives. A longtime pastor friend in Carrefour whose wife used to be my prayer partner died in his house along with 5 family members. We don't know if his wife was there. We have heard of other ministers, like Pastor Benite Jeune, who have lost their churches and school buildings, but thankfully made it out alive.
I have attached a few pictures of Jacmel (taken earlier today) that Laura Griffies led us to.
I am flying out this Saturday to Haiti. I do not know what I will see or if I will be able to get through Port-au-Prince to visit Carrefour and then Jacmel, but please keep me in your prayers.
God Bless,
This is what we have just received from a friend in Jacmel.
Things are bad in Jacmel. Hospital fell. Three hotels have fallen. Many schools, churches and businesses. Many dead. One of our Nannies mom lost her house. Jacmel airport is closed. UN has set up temporary shelter for 1,000's of people. PAP is closed to commercial traffic. The airport terminal was damage. The control tower is inoperational. It's really bad. The new hotel by the airport fell in. It was called "Peace of Mind". Jo and I ate at the Montana at 7:00 AM the day of the quake. The road to Jacmel is crashed in at least one place. Just tell everyone to keep Haiti in their prayers!
I have attached a few pictures of Jacmel (taken earlier today) that Laura Griffies led us to.
I am flying out this Saturday to Haiti. I do not know what I will see or if I will be able to get through Port-au-Prince to visit Carrefour and then Jacmel, but please keep me in your prayers.
God Bless,
This is what we have just received from a friend in Jacmel.
Things are bad in Jacmel. Hospital fell. Three hotels have fallen. Many schools, churches and businesses. Many dead. One of our Nannies mom lost her house. Jacmel airport is closed. UN has set up temporary shelter for 1,000's of people. PAP is closed to commercial traffic. The airport terminal was damage. The control tower is inoperational. It's really bad. The new hotel by the airport fell in. It was called "Peace of Mind". Jo and I ate at the Montana at 7:00 AM the day of the quake. The road to Jacmel is crashed in at least one place. Just tell everyone to keep Haiti in their prayers!
Special Earthquake Statement
January/Wednesday/2010 21:32
Special Earthquake Statement by Hope For Families:
We know that hundreds of you are coming to this site as a result of your desire to offer help in light of the recent tragedy in Haiti. Some of you wish to adopt Haitian Orphans and others want to donate time, or money. Some folks just have no idea how to help, but feel that they need to do something.
There is no doubt that there will be thousands of new orphans created as a result of the earthquake and aftermath. At Hope For Families, we are uniquely positioned to work with the authorities in Haiti as they become reorganized and we will do our best to keep you up to date on the Haiti Blog so that you can better understand what is happening in regard to the logistics to adopt and how you may best help with this tragic situation.
In the meantime, we request you call this special phone number below to reach us in regards to the Haiti situation. And, if you would be so kind, please Email us your basic information such as your name, address, contact phone numbers so that when we are able to get information out of the country in regards to either changing timelines on Haitian Adoptions, US State Department changes in immigration policy for Haiti, or any other factor that may affect a Haitian adoption we may be able to forward it to you.
The special Email address is Haiti@hopeforfamilies.org, or you may call us at 772-429-3334. Thank you and may God bless the people and children of Haiti.
We know that hundreds of you are coming to this site as a result of your desire to offer help in light of the recent tragedy in Haiti. Some of you wish to adopt Haitian Orphans and others want to donate time, or money. Some folks just have no idea how to help, but feel that they need to do something.
There is no doubt that there will be thousands of new orphans created as a result of the earthquake and aftermath. At Hope For Families, we are uniquely positioned to work with the authorities in Haiti as they become reorganized and we will do our best to keep you up to date on the Haiti Blog so that you can better understand what is happening in regard to the logistics to adopt and how you may best help with this tragic situation.
In the meantime, we request you call this special phone number below to reach us in regards to the Haiti situation. And, if you would be so kind, please Email us your basic information such as your name, address, contact phone numbers so that when we are able to get information out of the country in regards to either changing timelines on Haitian Adoptions, US State Department changes in immigration policy for Haiti, or any other factor that may affect a Haitian adoption we may be able to forward it to you.
The special Email address is Haiti@hopeforfamilies.org, or you may call us at 772-429-3334. Thank you and may God bless the people and children of Haiti.
Haiti Earthquake Upate 01/13/2010
January/Wednesday/2010 15:39
We are putting together as many containers as possible to have sent to Haiti. I am in contact with some shipping services and will have more information soon on the first date we will be able to ship out materials. We have started to buy what we can and encourage everyone to help us by donating or sending supplies to the address below, as soon as possible.
Based on news reports and contact with some in Haiti, these are some of the immediate needs:
· Water
· Food
· Medical Supplies
· Clothes
Contact:
Hope For Families
Renaissance on the River
Corporate Center
130 South Indian River Dr., Suite 301,
Fort Pierce, Florida 34950
We plan to bring teams in as soon as possible, but we cannot send teams down until we have more information and know people can get in. Right now the focus is getting supplies and immediate aid to the people. We don't have details yet on transportation (air or road), but we will keep anyone interested in going down updated.
We are purchasing as much supplies as quickly as possible and if you can help immediately, please contact me for Direct Transfer information.
We continue to call Haiti constantly and will let you know as soon as we've gotten through to the people in Jacmel, Carrefour and other cities.
Please keep praying,
Based on news reports and contact with some in Haiti, these are some of the immediate needs:
· Water
· Food
· Medical Supplies
· Clothes
Contact:
Hope For Families
Renaissance on the River
Corporate Center
130 South Indian River Dr., Suite 301,
Fort Pierce, Florida 34950
We plan to bring teams in as soon as possible, but we cannot send teams down until we have more information and know people can get in. Right now the focus is getting supplies and immediate aid to the people. We don't have details yet on transportation (air or road), but we will keep anyone interested in going down updated.
We are purchasing as much supplies as quickly as possible and if you can help immediately, please contact me for Direct Transfer information.
We continue to call Haiti constantly and will let you know as soon as we've gotten through to the people in Jacmel, Carrefour and other cities.
Please keep praying,
Haiti Earthquake Update 01/12/2010
January/Tuesday/2010 22:56
I just hear that Jacmel was hit, just like everywhere else. There is no electricity, no communication, so we are still trying to get in touch with everyone. We are trying to see what we can do. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Haiti Earthquake Report
January/Tuesday/2010 18:37
Dear Friends and Families,
I get inform that a major earthquake struck just off the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince this afternoon. I have little information about the extent of damage from the quake, which had a reported magnitude of 7.0. I have told that houses had crumbled both sides of the streets. It seems that the suffering inflicted on the nation is likely to be "catastrophic. The only thing we can do now is pray and believe God for His help.
Thanks for your urgent prayer!
I get inform that a major earthquake struck just off the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince this afternoon. I have little information about the extent of damage from the quake, which had a reported magnitude of 7.0. I have told that houses had crumbled both sides of the streets. It seems that the suffering inflicted on the nation is likely to be "catastrophic. The only thing we can do now is pray and believe God for His help.
Thanks for your urgent prayer!
Earthquake Hits Haiti
January/Tuesday/2010 18:34
Haiti was hit by an enormous earthquake registering 7.0 on January 12,2010.
Update as of January 13,2010 - As a result, the children in the orphanage are shaken up and quite scared. Early reports say thousands of Haitians have been killed, and one of the orphanage boys are hurt with the extent of the injuries unknown. Walls collapsed at the girls dormitory and there is extensive damage. There is no power, most bridges are collapsed so travel is very difficult. We are trying to get communication and US staff are traveling there as soon as flights permit. We need your donations and items of food and water which we will forward on to the ministry there.
We will update you as news is received. May God restore the children and their caregivers in Haiti!
Update as of January 13,2010 - As a result, the children in the orphanage are shaken up and quite scared. Early reports say thousands of Haitians have been killed, and one of the orphanage boys are hurt with the extent of the injuries unknown. Walls collapsed at the girls dormitory and there is extensive damage. There is no power, most bridges are collapsed so travel is very difficult. We are trying to get communication and US staff are traveling there as soon as flights permit. We need your donations and items of food and water which we will forward on to the ministry there.
We will update you as news is received. May God restore the children and their caregivers in Haiti!