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10 Ways Holt Donors Changed Kids’ Lives in 2019

You did some truly amazing things in the lives of children and families this past year.

As Holt sponsors, donors, volunteers and advocates, you gave your time, money and energy to make sure as many children as possible could grow up with the love, stability and opportunity they deserve. And because of you — because of your kindness and generosity — 283,212 children and families in 14 countries around the world received the life-changing care and services they needed in 2019!

Seriously, you’re amazing. And we’re so incredibly thankful for you.

Just to give you a glimpse, here are 10 specific ways that your heartfelt giving changed the lives of children and families in Holt programs last year:

You helped kids. LOTs of kids!

Continue reading “10 Ways Holt Donors Changed Kids’ Lives in 2019”

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A Dispatch From The 2019 Korea Gift Team

While traveling on this year’s Korea Gift Team trip with Holt, adoptive mom and donor Seri Boettcher kept a travelogue to tell her friends and family about the programs she visited and the children, families and individuals she met. 

Holt staff member Amanda Baca holds a child in care during the 2019 Korea Gift Team trip.
Holt staff member Amanda Baca holds a child in care during the 2019 Korea Gift Team trip.

Holt Morning Garden Shelter

We travelled back to Seoul yesterday afternoon after a VERY moving morning in Daejeon (where we spent the night) at the Holt-sponsored Achimddeul Mother and Child Shelter. It seems with every Holt trip I’ve taken, there is one day that just hits me emotionally and I truly did not anticipate it would be this day on this trip. Continue reading “A Dispatch From The 2019 Korea Gift Team”

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With an Open Heart and an Open Mind

special needs adoptionAs you begin your adoption journey, one small step beyond your comfort zone may be all that stands between you and your future child. But openness in adoption looks different for every family. 

So, you want to adopt! After months, or maybe years, of deliberation and prayers, you’re ready to move forward. Maybe you’re still at the very beginning of your journey, researching agencies and reading every adoption blog post you can find on the internet. Or maybe you already have an agency and are eagerly awaiting the next step. Either way, your life is about to change forever.

Continue reading “With an Open Heart and an Open Mind”

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He Makes Everyone’s Life Better

In honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month — and children with Down syndrome around the world who are waiting for their permanent, loving families — we want to share about Jaxon. This sweet 4-year-old joined his adoptive family eight months ago, and he has enriched their lives more than they ever imagined.  

When Amy Kalani first met Jaxon in China, she thought she’d have no trouble finding him a family.

Although now the director of Holt’s Korea adoption program, at the time, Amy worked with Holt’s China program. When she met Jaxon, she was in China visiting orphanages and meeting children so that she could get to know them — and better advocate for them individually upon returning home.

Out of the dozens of children she met, Jaxon stood out to her the most.

Amy meeting Jaxon in China in March 2017
Amy Kalani meeting Jaxon in China in March 2017.

Continue reading “He Makes Everyone’s Life Better”

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Carter Still Needs a Family!

UPDATE: We shared about Carter in 2018, but he still needs a permanent, loving family of his own! Since that time, he completed the fifth grade and improved his soccer skills. Carter also shares that he hopes to be a martial artist one day — combining his love for competition and physical activities.

Carter excels in his science and history classes, and he can memorize material with ease. He is a talkative and extroverted boy, making him a natural leader in class! When he faces a problem, Carter solves it quickly and always asks for help when he needs it.

Carter is sweet, gentle and helpful to those around him. He enjoys gardening and harvesting the home-grown vegetables at his care center, and he also likes to take care of the younger children.

At 11 years old, Carter dreams of having his own parents and siblings one day. He hopes to be cared for and loved by his adoptive family, and he can’t wait to make memories with them!

Continue reading “Carter Still Needs a Family!”

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Cole Still Needs a Family!

UPDATE: We shared Cole’s story in 2018, but he is still waiting for a permanent, loving family! Since that time, Cole’s cognitive, social and language development have significantly improved. At school, Cole enjoys reading, memorizing and asking a lot of questions for better understanding. His teachers share that he has made remarkable progress!

His sense of humor is apparent, and he loves to build relationships and laugh with his peers. More recently, he has enjoyed playing with cars and reading books. He also loves reading and learning about animals!

Cole is increasingly independent and confident with his motorized wheelchair. But even though he can move from place to place, Cole dreams of walking one day. His curiosity is stronger than ever before, and he hopes to explore the world around him by foot.

A Special Blessings grant is available to help the right family bring Cole home!

Continue reading “Cole Still Needs a Family!”

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Rowan Still Needs a Family!

UPDATE: We shared Rowan’s story in 2018, but he is still waiting for a family! Since that time, Rowan has continued to work hard in school — especially in math, history and geography. Rowan’s teachers say that he’s the best student in class, and he’s always eager to learn. His love for learning and speaking English also continues to grow — grasping any opportunity to practice his vocabulary.

His health has also improved with yearly checkups and maintenance medication. Still full of energy, Rowan loves to interact with others, play games and dance to music. But he also enjoys being in a quiet space, where his caregivers say that he often reflects about his day.

Rowan looks forward to having a loving, permanent family of his own. One of his favorite memories was when he saw his friend go home with her adoptive parents — hoping that, one day, it will be his turn.

A $7,000 Special Blessings grant is available to help the right family bring Rowan home!

Continue reading “Rowan Still Needs a Family!”

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Share Memories of Molly Holt

 

Molly Holt, daughter of Holt founders Harry and Bertha Holt, passed away early in the morning on May 17, 2019 in Ilsan, Korea. She was 83 years old. 

In South Korea, Molly was known by many names, from the Mother Teresa of Korea to the Mother of all Korea’s Orphans. Although she devoted her life to caring and advocating for children and adults with developmental and physical needs in Korea, she leaves a legacy that is felt around the world.

If you would like to share memories or photos of Molly Holt, please email them to photosubmission@holtinternational.org. Photos and memories will be shared on this blog as they come in.

Donate In Loving Memory of Molly Holt

Read more about Molly’s incredible legacy.