1/19/2010
Our deepest appreciation to all families who are stepping forward to indicate their willingness to help the children of Haiti: it is imperative to understand that at this time, there is no way to confirm that a child is truly an orphan and in fact they may just be separated from their parents. It is not ethical to offer a child for adoption without confirming their permanent status of having no parents or relatives to care for them. The most immediate need is to provide for basic food, water, and shelter of those who have lost their homes.
Please visit the links below to better understand why adoption from Haiti is not possible at this time and how you can help.
Thank you, the staff of Tree of Life Adoption Center
http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=687
Adopting a Child From Haiti Post Earthquake http://www.creatingafamily.org/blog/ This week's show, Jan. 20, is on Adopting a Haitian Orphan. There is much confusion right now on how to adopt children from Haiti, when will this be possible and how long will it take. What about adoptions that were already in progress before the earthquake. Our guest list is still in a state of flux, but it looks like we'll have on someone from the US State Department, the Citizenship and Immigration Services, Holt International, and Dillon International. We'll be talking about current cases as well as the future of adoptions from Haiti.
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1/13/2010
Haiti Update: we have several families in process to bring their child home from Haiti and the recent earthquake has certainly made conditions in the country and orphanages very challenging. As of noon today we know only that the children where unhurt and that there is damage to the physical buildings in which the children live. We are accepting donations which will go directly to the orphanage from Tree of Life if you are motivated to provide any funding. Please see our Donation link and highlight ‘Haiti’ as you complete the form
To make a donation please click here.
HAITI PROGRAM
We have waiting baby girls, sibling groups and a beautiful five year old boy! Please contact us to start the process to bring one of these in need home to your family!
Haiti is a democratic country located in the Caribbean, 50 miles east of Cuba and about 600 miles southeast of Florida. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The majority of Haiti’s 7.5 million citizens live in extreme poverty. A former French colony, the country’s official languages are French and Creole.
The predominant religion is Roman Catholic. Almost all Haitians are descendants of Africans who were brought to Haiti as slaves.
Haitian children available for adoption live in orphanages and placement centers. The children are tested for Hepatitis, HIV, and TB, Malaria and Sickle Cell. Infants, toddlers and school age children are waiting for families. Two ways of locating “your child”; choose a waiting child with the assistance of one of our coordinator’s; some are pictured on our web site, others may not be posted as of yet. Children are admitted to the orphanage as space is available so the waiting children may change on a regular basis. Or an adoptive family may complete their home study; obtain USCIS (formerly INS) approval, and Haitian dossier documents. Once the dossier has been translated, authenticated, and submitted to Haiti, families will then receive referrals of children who meet the age and gender criteria they have requested. The more flexible the family is in regards to gender, age, health, etc, the sooner the referral of the child. After a family accepts a referral, one parent can travel to meet the child. Once the adoption is completed(typically 18 to 24 months following submission of dossier to the country), one parent may return to Haiti to bring their child home, or the parent may hire an escort to bring their child home(keeping in mind that if you have not visited your child prior to the completion of the adoption your child will need to be 're-adopted' in the US and will not become a 'automatic' citizenship upon entry to the US) Trips are generally 3 to 5 days in length.
Haiti prefers that adoptive parents be married and at least 30 years old. Single women are also allowed to adopt from this country.
If you have additional questions about adopting a child from Haiti, please feel free to e-mail us at info@toladopt.org.