The orphanage we work with in Haiti is a very busy place, but they feel grateful to all who serve their children and staff in many ways, especially those who continue to work so hard to make adoptions in Haiti a reality. However, our Haiti orphanage still faces challenges every day. Below are a few updates on issues Haiti still needs help with:
- Help Haiti Act of 2010 to pass - Senator Sessions in Alabama is the hold up on the bill moving forward. This Bill would allow adoptive parents whose children came home under Humanitarian Parole to apply for citizenship immediately. Under the current law, families must have custody of their child for two years before they can apply for citizenship. To help adoptive families contact Senator Sessions office and urge him to move Help Haiti Act of 2010 forward. This is a very important issue for families with children home on humanitarian parole. Without citizenship, Haitian children could face deportation under a variety of circumstances. The Haiti orphanage asks everyone concerned to be active in working toward gaining these important rights for all of our children as quickly as possible.
- Medical attention for children - The orphanage has received many tragic stories of children in need of medical attention since the earthquake. Currently, there are 69 children in the orphanage; four of those children have special needs. The orphanage, along with your help, needs to continue to work hard to provide them with the medical attention they need and place them with loving families.
- Bean shipment to be released - To date, a bean shipment in Haiti is currently being held at port. Haiti has people starving to death and authorities won't release their bean shipment. As you may remember, a full paid shipment of beans was provided by farmers in Canada. Once the beans arrived in port, Haiti was required to pay for the shipment's release. Some money has already been paid toward the release of this shipment, but currently, no release has been made and weekly checks are happening. This release would greatly help the orphanage.
- Rent - The orphanage was told after the earthquake that they could deduct the cost of the new wall from the rent. The cost of the wall is $10,000. But, the landlord has decided that the orphanage can only deduct 60% of the cost from the rent. The Haiti orphanage is still in need for funds to be provided in October when the rent is due again.
- Generator & Inverter – The orphanage’s generator is on its last life. The inverter was hit by a storm and no longer works. The orphanage received funds for the inverter and batteries, thanks to a generous donation, but estimates for a new generator in Haiti is $18,000 US. The orphanage needs to find a way to purchase a new generator in the US and have it sent to Haiti for the orphanage.
- Shipping - Due to the difficulties getting shipments released, the orphanage is only taking donations that can be carried in.
As you read this update we ask that if you feel able and willing to help, to please do so with a donation. Please be sure to denote "Haiti Donation" in the "In Honor of" field.
The orphanage still needs every bit of help. With your help, we can make a difference!
