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
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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!