Tag Archives: Haiti

Making Those Tough Parenting Decisions

One of the hardest parenting decisions my husband and I have had to make just occurred. We have spent the last couple of weeks talking about it, finding out more information and most definitely, praying about it. Our 17-year-old son asked if he could be part of an upcoming missions’ trip to Haiti. Now you have to understand that we were completely shocked by this. Our son is a homebody, has two good friends, rarely goes anywhere other than work and has never once participated in an outside activity at church. We tried to feel him out…why did he want … Continue reading →

Helping the Children of Haiti

As happened after the 2008 earthquake in China, adoption agencies have had numerous phone calls from people offering to adopt earthquake orphans. As I mentioned in my earlier blogs, children orphaned in a natural disaster or war are usually not free for adoption for a period of anywhere from six months to a year. The infrastructure must be repaired enough to ensure that family members have had the opportunity to locate children. So what can be done to help the children? First of all, remember that there are many children, in our own country and abroad, who are eligible for … Continue reading →

Updates on Haiti Relief

Simon Cowell has stepped up to help the victims of the devastating Haiti earthquake. Although time is running out for rescue efforts, help is still needed in aiding the survivors and rebuilding. Cowell is going to do what he does best – make a record. He has chosen to re-release REM’s single “Everybody Hurts.” REM’s manager, Bertis Downs, has said the band will waive all royalty rights for the song and that the band is touched Cowell chose their song. Reportedly appearing on the single will be Paul McCartney, Susan Boyle, Elton John, Coldplay, Take That, Robbie Williams, N-Dubz, Leona … Continue reading →

Celebs Offer Haiti Relief

Mary Ann and I have blogged about social consciousness as a part of green living and following the horrific 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, several celebrities are stepping up to help. Definitely putting their money where their mouths are (or in this case, their hearts) is Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. While I would expect Brad and Angelina to donate – they definitely have a history of being an altruistic couple – I was very happy to read that they donated $1 million dollars to Doctors Without Borders. This team of medical professionals has dispatched staff, including surgeons, to Haiti to … Continue reading →

Who are the Birthparents Who Place Children for Adoption, Part Two

Part One of this blog talked about countries where societal reasons are often the prevalent ones for placing children for adoption. This blog, Part Two, will deal with why children might be available because of economic hardship or being orphaned. The term “orphan” is misleading in international adoption. The U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS, formerly the INS) defines an “orphan” as either one whose parents are dead, or whose “sole surviving parent” has relinquished custody. “Sole surviving parent” is also something of a misnomer. In some countries, if the couple is unmarried then the father is not … Continue reading →