Hurricanes Hurt Haiti Families

An emerging need to feed children and support families in Haiti

A mother and daughter enrolled in Holt International's family preservation program in Montrouis, Haiti, Fall 2007

Hurricane Ike hit Haiti like a one-eyed giant, without mercy and with full wild gusto. Children were already starving; families were already struggling to make ends meet in this island country of depleted soil and little natural food supply. The people of Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, had already suffered the blast of Hurricane Gustav and the rains of Hannah. But God is merciful through the Holy Spirit, even if nature cannot be. We ask you to join us in helping these poor families, in the name of Jesus: "I was hungry and you gave me food... I was a stranger and you took me in." (Matthew 25:35)

Holt International works to help the poorest of the poor in Haiti. Single mothers and parents often make the difficult decision to relinquish a child because they are unable to provide adequate nutrition. In 2006 in conjunction with Rotary International and Rotary Clubs in Haiti and Florida, Holt launched Fanmi Ansanm (Family Together) centered in the village of Montrouis, north of Port-au-Prince and about a half hour from the Holt Fontana Village. The heavy rains and storm damage from three recent hurricanes have made it harder than ever for these single mothers and families to feed their children.

If you would like to help Holt International in its efforts to provide assistance to families in Haiti, click here. More on Holt's work in Haiti.

Earthquake Hits School in Longchuan

Holt China Country Director Bi Jianjun comforts a child at a Longchuan elementary school last spring. This little girl was sad because she could not go home for the weekend. An earthquake recently affected schoolchildren in Holt care in Longchuan.

You may have seen photographs of children from Longchuan, China, in other Holt publications--beautiful children in ethnic costumes playing traditional gourd flutes provided by Holt donors and an Altrusa Foundation club in Longview, Washington. The children we wrote about attend an elementary school in Longchuan and are friends, siblings and neighbors of children who attend a middle school in Longchuan that was damaged by an earthquake on September 3. More than 60 children who attend the middle school are supported through our Holt Sponsorship Program. Holt support helps provide them with food, an educational and travel stipend, and housing at the school.

They come from families who are ravaged by heroin addiction and HIV/AIDS in this Golden Triangle region along the Myanmar border. But they have the promise of a hope and a future through education.

The Longchuan middle school attended by these children sustained heavy damage during the earthquake that struck in early September. Holt China Country Director Bi Jianjun reports: "The dining room completely collapsed, eight rooms of girls' dormitories were knocked down and the 64 girls in these eight rooms have to squeeze into other girls' dormitories. Big cracks opened in both the music classroom and the dancing classroom, which now cannot be used. Twelve of the teachers' houses were knocked down and the teachers and their families have to live in tents. With the help of the local Civil Affairs Bureau, the school is building more tents to prepare for the aftershocks. Our local staff Sarah and Midu will continue to report the situation there and will identify the children's urgent needs."

Learn more about sponsoring a child in China or another Holt country.

Back to School

11-year-old Kara with little sister, Megan.

As the school year is just getting under way, I have yet to meet my daughter's teachers. I wonder what they think of Kara? Are they as amazed of her intelligence as I am? Or are these feelings of amazement reserved just for parents, as a base to brag about? Do they struggle daily, as I do, trying to answer her inquisitive questions? How do they handle her boredom?

I wonder all this because my daughter has planned out her life--in great detail. She has spent time checking into colleges, paying close attention to curricula, location, cost and post-graduation employment opportunities. She has requested, yes requested, applications. Her next plan is to look into available scholarships, and she plans on receiving many. She has maintained all A's without a blink of an eye. She has participated in extracurricular activities, such as soccer, band, piano lessons, 4-H, church-related activities and every chance to help those younger than she. And yet every step of the way she has maintained a normal balance in life, remembering to be a kid, too. She has many friends, none who know what they want to be when they "grow up." Living in the rural area that we do, many have not heard of choosing colleges, planning for the future and so on.

My husband and I are very proud of her. We could not have asked for anything more. We strive daily to give her the family values and lessons to continue on this road to life. She has had to deal with much more than most her age already. And we feel that she can handle anything that comes her way. She is a strong, independent, intelligent and very determined young lady. Many professionals admire her, encourage her, and stand back amazed at the conversations they hold with her. Many smile and are filled with pride, knowing they helped to mold this young lady into who she is today.

And although we hoped she would take her future seriously, we never thought it would begin just yet. Read more...

--Kathy Booms / Ruth, Michigan

Learn more about adopting a child through Holt International

Celebrating Picnics and Ambassadors

Presentation of Molly Holt Award.

Despite the threat of a hurricane, this year's Holt Family Picnic in New Jersey proved a great success. Highlighted by the presentation of the Molly Holt Award to Holt International ambassadors George and Michele Smith, the picnic entertained 21 Holt families at all stages of the adoption process. Hurricane Hannah was making its way up the eastern U.S. coastline at 25 mph with the possibility of arriving in New Jersey the same time as the picnic, bringing with it an estimated 3-5 inches of rain and winds up to 50 mph. Holt staff and local picnic coordinators knew the impact on attendance was a given, but the wind and rain held off until 2 p.m. The kids didn't seem to notice a tropical storm was on the way--they hit the playground equipment as quickly as possible. Most families set up their picnics in the covered pavilion, which made for great interaction and mingling. Families included those whose children are grown adults and those just considering adoption through Holt--with all stages in between. A panel of adult adoptees shared their adoption stories and fielded questions from parents. The presentation of the Molly Holt Award to George and Michele Smith, local picnic coordinators, offered a special highlight. The award is given each year to one family or individual for selflessly volunteering their time and service with loving care and concern to help homeless children around the world. George and Michele Smith are adoptive parents of a son, Colin, from Korea. For the past 14 years, George and Michele have led the picnic planning committee in New Jersey. Read more...

--by Sally Dunbar, Family Recruitment Specialist

Family Preservation in Uganda

Fiona's mom learned new and better farming methods through a training program supported by Holt International.

At only 3 years of age, little Fiona has witnessed more than her fair share of hardship. As the youngest of seven children, all abandoned by their father, Fiona lives in a one-room mud house with her entire family. They have no plumbing, no electricity, and very few resources. Completely dependent on small-scale agriculture, Fiona's mother had almost given up hope when Holt's partner in Uganda, Action For Children (AFC), stepped in to make a difference in Fiona's life.

Through a training program directed by Action For Children, Fiona's mother learned new and better farming methods. She and her children have gained access to medical care through AFC's community health clinic. The family has started a piggery project, which has brought in enough money for Fiona's mother to enroll all of her children in school. And, Fiona has begun attending the Early Childhood Center at Jolly Children's Academy, another AFC project.

Remarkable strides have been made in the family's living conditions. Although Fiona and her family are still living in the same one-room mud house, with continuous advice and guidance by AFC her mother made 400 bricks in April, which will be used to construct a permanent home for her family.

Your gifts of love to Holt International have made this success story possible. As Holt continues to work with Action For Children, more families will be helped. The need is great, but with your help, we can make a difference in the lives of hundreds more children in Uganda, children just like Fiona. Thank you so much for your heart of love and compassion, and for all you do for the children who so desperately need our help.

Click here for information about sponsoring a child in Uganda or other Holt countries.

Click here to support children in Uganda and other Holt countries who may be waiting for permanent families.