Eleven-year-old Pauly is kind-hearted. He is eager to help others and dreams of becoming a firefighter when he grows up. Continue reading “Pauly Needs an Adoptive Family!”
Luli’s Heart is Healed, Because of You
This year, Holt’s generous donors raised over $159,360 for the Molly Holt Fund for Children With Special Needs! And because $40,000 was doubled by a generous match, a total of $199,368 will go toward lifesaving surgeries, specialized treatment and nurturing care for children with medical or developmental needs. Continue reading “Luli’s Heart is Healed, Because of You”
Back to School, Around the World
All around the world this year, school will look different due to COVID-19. But whether children are physically in a classroom, or learning from home, your gifts will help children continue to learn and stay safe from early marriage and forced labor during this time of global crisis. Here are the current back-to-school plans in each of the countries where Holt kids live!
Whether a child is the daughter of migrant workers in India, lives near the Red Stone garbage dump in Mongolia, or has Down syndrome in Vietnam, education is vital to helping every child overcome poverty and reach their potential in life. It is also a cornerstone to the help that you provide through Holt.
But what about this year? What does back-to-school look like during a global pandemic?
Confronting the COVID-19 Pandemic Through Adaptability, Partnership and Innovation
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented challenges before the children, families and communities Holt serves. As already vulnerable populations struggle to adapt to the economic and social disruption of this global crisis, critical work in family strengthening, orphan care, and domestic and international adoption has taken on new dimensions.
While not typically an “emergency response” organization, dedicated Holt staff in deep collaboration with long-time partners have reacted with agility and innovation to meet emergency needs as well as continue delivering holistic services and care for orphaned children and vulnerable families across our country programs. The following are brief illustrations of how Holt teams have adapted to meet shifting needs in response to COVID -19.
The Children Left Behind
When a news story broke in China about children who died by suicide after their parents migrated without them, it became clear this was more than a crisis of poverty. It was a crisis of loneliness and loss.
Luan doesn’t blame her parents for leaving. She loves them and forgives them for doing what they did. She even goes to visit her mom sometimes.
“I don’t know why she left me,” she says of her mom, “but I don’t blame her or hate her.”
Luan is among an estimated 60 million children in China who are growing up without their parents — left behind in rural villages in the care of elderly grandparents or relatives who struggle to provide for them on their own meager resources. In some cases, parents leave their children when they divorce, or when they remarry and their new spouse won’t accept children from a previous marriage. But most parents leave when they migrate to cities in search of work. They leave out of poverty, out of desperation. Continue reading “The Children Left Behind”
George Needs a Family!
Social and joyful George is waiting for a permanent, loving adoptive family.
At 15 months old, he holds up his head, rolls over and holds objects and toys himself! He is not yet using language and communicates through smiles and facial expressions. He loves to play with his caregivers, who describe him as active, extroverted and always ready with a laugh, especially when he is tickled and teased. He enjoys being around other people and thrives when he is accompanied by someone he loves.
The best fit for George is a caring family that is open to his special needs, including Down syndrome, and that can provide him with the support and resources he will need as he grows up.
Could you or someone you know be the right family for George? To learn more about George, please email waitingchild@holtinternational.org.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, some adoption-related travel has been delayed. But the need for families is as great as it has ever been. If you are interested in adopting, don’t hesitate to request info or apply today!
Pandemic-Proof Care for Children
Ping urgently needed surgery. But due to COVID-19, he couldn’t travel from his orphanage to receive care in Beijing. That’s when Holt China staff, generous donors and local doctors stepped up to help — working remotely to ensure he receive the medical care he needed!
Three-year-old Ping lives in an orphanage in China and is a favorite among his caregivers and friends. He loves to give big hugs and greetings to everyone he meets. He is an amazing little boy.
Like many kids living in orphanages in China, Ping also has special needs. He was born with deformities in both of his wrists and hands. Two of his fingers were misplaced and he couldn’t move them, and his wrists bent all the way towards his thumbs.
Despite his limitations, he adapted and did his best.
“Even though he has special needs on his hands,” his orphanage caregivers share, “he tried his best to grab and eat fruits and dumplings.”
But Ping deserved to have the best care, and best future, possible. And doctors recommended that he receive surgery to help correct his hands and wrists.
Update: How You’re Helping Children & Families During COVID-19
From giving emergency food, water and medical supplies to supporting tele-counseling and more, you are doing amazing things to help children and families during this global health crisis. Here are the latest updates from the field.
Over the past few months, we’ve received lots of questions from you about how the coronavirus crisis is affecting children and families you help around the world.
In many ways, their lives may look similar to yours right now: children are home from school, parents are out of work or trying to find ways to work from home, they’re staying home — or wearing a mask when they have to go out in public. Parents and Holt staff in the field are teaching and reminding kids to “Wash your hands!” and “Don’t touch your face!”
But for children without families and families in poverty — the children and families you support — the effects of this coronavirus pandemic could have been devastating.
We’ve shared a lot about these needs, and you can read more about them here.
While the crisis is still ongoing and children and families will continue to face needs in the weeks and months to come, right now we want to share some good news…
Because of you, to date, our staff tell us that not one child in our programs has gotten sick from the coronavirus. Children who were hungry now have food. Families in crisis are getting the help they need!
Here are just some of the amazing updates on children and families you’ve helped since this crisis began:
Continue reading “Update: How You’re Helping Children & Families During COVID-19”
Just Look at These Smiles: Photos From International Day of the Child 2019
Every year on June 1, the International Day of the Child, Holt sponsors and donors help throw a massive party for children in our programs around the world! For children who have so little — children living in poverty with their families or in orphanages or foster homes without a family of their own — your generous gifts create a day of abundance, laughter, silliness and fun.
Just look at the smiles on the faces of these kids at last year’s parties… YOU made this happen. You have a beautiful heart, and we’re so grateful for you.
Continue reading “Just Look at These Smiles: Photos From International Day of the Child 2019”
Derek Needs an Adoptive Family!
Derek is a sweet and shy boy who prefers to be with his caregivers to meeting new people. He loves eating steamed buns and is described as having a “great appetite.”
Derek has hearing impairment in both ears, and hasn’t had access to therapy or learned sign language, so he has difficulty communicating his needs. He also has some other medical needs and a seafood allergy.
Once comfortable, Derek loves to play with toys and sit in the rocking chair. This precious boy needs a family that can provide the love and resources he needs to thrive!
Could you or someone you know be the right family for Derek? For more information and to see more photos and videos, please visit his photolisting profile or email us at waitingchild@holtinternational.org.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, some adoption-related travel has been delayed. But the need for families is as great as it has ever been. If you are interested in adopting, don’t hesitate to request info or apply today!