Adoption Wednesday - The Babies In Haiti

Hey Y'all:

I know I am always talking about domestic adoption but with the earthquake in Haiti I began to think about all the children who are going to be without families. Just looking at the pictures of the littlest victims makes me so sad.

So I did what I do best and that's search the web for information on these little ones. Here's the skinny. As is typical adoption is DIFFICULT to say the least but the adoption of children who a affected by a natural disaster is even more difficult. You see there is no way to prove that the children are actually orphaned. Especially if they are small and cannot communicate. It could be that a child was living at home in Haiti with their grandparents or another family member while there parents went to another country (typically the US) for a better life and were going to send for their child when there finances allowed. In this case the child cannot be put up for adoption but if there is no proof that the child is without family - well you know the rest.

Now specifically for Haiti and the babies that were affected on January 12th it's even worse.... according to InterCountry Adoption Office of Children's Issues U.S. Department of State

Haitian law does not allow for a Haitian child to travel to the United States to be adopted. Therefore, prospective adoptive parents must obtain a full and final adoption under Haitian law before the child can immigrate to the United States. Prospective adoptive parents can expect a lengthy process to adopt a child in Haiti. 

Furthermore specific to the Earthquake...

During times of crisis, it can also be exceptionally difficult to fulfill the legal requirements for adoption of both the U.S. and the child's country of origin.  This is especially true when civil authority breaks down or temporarily ceases to function.   It can also be difficult to gather documents necessary to fulfill the legal requirements of U.S. immigration law.  There are many ways in which U.S. citizens can help the children in areas of natural disaster or conflict.  For example, individuals who wish to assist can make a financial contribution to a reputable relief or humanitarian organization working in that country.  

At this time it is important that we donate to the humanitarian organizations that work in the country and most importantly PRAY for the babies.

Here are three reputable organizations.

Save the Children

Habitat for Humanity

UNICEF

Until next time...

MUAH!

The Beginning of Birth Pains

Hey Y'all:

My heart is heavy today.
I've been surfing the web and have seen many pictures of the devastation in Haiti. No doubt the death toll will be extremely high. My prayers and thoughts are with all those who are here in the states and feel helpless and especially to those in Haiti right now.

The title of this blog is from Matthew 24:8. I am a Christian and besides praying when I heard about the earthquake, this passage of scripture stood out to me.
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³As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
 ⁴Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,^[a]' and will deceive many. ⁶You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸All these are the beginning of birth pains.

 I truly believe that this is one of the signs. These things however sad and unfortunate, MUST happen before Christ can return.

I'm praying for you my readers and I hope you are praying for me as well.

Here are a few ways I pulled from NewsOne.com you can help the victims:

Donate $$ via text message:
1. Donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (Wyclef Jean’s Foundation) by texting “Yele” to 501501 (the amount will be charged to your cell phone bill) or visit www.Yele.org and click “Donate.”
2. Donate $10 through the U.S. Dept. of State:  text “HAITI” to “90999″ and $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross, charged to your cell phone bill.  Or call (800) RED-CROSS.
Donate $$ via the Internet or US Mail:
1. Save the Children. Donate at savethechildren.org or make checks out to “Save the Children” and mail to: Save the Children Income Processing Department, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, Conn. 06880
2. UNICEF. Go online to unicefusa.org/haitiquake (site may load slowly) or call (800) 4UNICEF.
3. Direct Relief International. Donate online at directrelief.org.
4. Mercy Corp. Go online to mercycorps.org or mail checks to Haiti Earthquake Fund, Dept. NR, PO Box 2669, Portland, Ore. 97208 or call (888) 256-1900
NEED INFORMATION?

Americans seeking info on family in Haiti, call toll free 1-888-407-4747.

Until next time...
MUAH!