September-October 2013

September/October 2013

Hope Future

To Give You and a

Reflecting on 20 years in China

Celebrating the 2013 Graduates!

in this issue 4

A Generation Lost and Found

September-October 2013 vol. 55 no. 4 Our Vision A world where every child has a loving and secure home.

Holt staff reflects on 20 years of international adoption and child welfare work in China.

8

Celebrating the Class of 2013!

14

From the Family Through determination and strength of character, a Holt adoptee graduates high school.

16

From the Field With Holt support, a struggling family in Thailand makes smart decisions for their future.

FRONT COVER: When Holt began working in China 20 years ago, most of the children placed for adoption were healthy, infant girls.

Today, there is often a greater need for families to adopt boys.

Dear Readers Every morning for the past few months, I have opened my email to discover a new batch of submissions for the 2013 graduate issue of the Holt magazine — the issue that you are now about to read, featuring yearbook-style photos and updates on Holt adoptees who recently graduated from high school or college. I cannot express just how much I have enjoyed reading about each and every graduate’s diverse interests and talents, accomplishments and goals. It is such an affirmation of the work we do every day at Holt to see these extraordinary young adult adoptees leading such full, happy lives. And I cannot think of a better way to start my workday than to an inbox full of Holt graduate submissions!

As you look through the yearbook pages of the magazine, you may notice a common trait among many of this year’s graduates. In 1996, Holt saw the first big wave of adoptees join families from China. Seventeen years later, many of the children who came home in that

In 1955 Harry and Bertha Holt responded to the conviction that God had called them to help children left homeless by the Korean War. Though it took an act of the U.S. Congress, the Holts adopted eight of those children. But they were moved by the desperate plight of other orphaned children in Korea and other countries as well, so they founded Holt International Children’s Services in order to unite homeless children with families who would love them as their own. Today Holt International serves children and families in Cambodia, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Thailand, Mongolia, Uganda, the United States and Vietnam.

President & CEO Phillip A. Littleton Vice-President of Africa & Haiti Programs Dan Lauer Vice-President of Finance & Administration Kevin Sweeney Vice-President of Adoption Services Lisa Vertulfo Vice-President of Development Jack Wharfield Vice-President of Policy & External Affairs Susan Soonkeum Cox Vice President, Asia Programs David Lim Vice President, China Programs Jian Chen Holt International magazine is published by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc., a nonprofit, Christian, child welfare organization. While Holt International is responsible for the content of Holt International magazine, the viewpoints expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the organization.

Creative Services Director Brian Campbell Creative Services Manager Laura Mathews Managing Editor Robin Munro Writer/Editor Ashli Keyser Writer/Editor Billie Loewen

year are now graduating high school. In fact, almost half of this year’s Holt graduates are from China!

As Holt placed our first adoptee from China in 1993, this year also marks 20 years of inter-

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / S e pt e mb e r/O c t o b e r 2013

national adoption and child welfare work in China. In this issue, we take a look back at the past two decades of serving children and families in this east Asian country. So much has changed both culturally and economically in China over the past 20 years that our China program today hardly resembles the program our staff developed in the early 1990s. Most of the children who came home in those early days were healthy, infant girls — the same girls whose lovely faces now appear in the pages of this magazine. Today, the vast majority of children waiting for families in China are older or have minor special needs. Many of them are also boys.

Although much has changed, we still have a clear and compelling purpose in China. In the coming years, we will continue to develop programs for vulnerable children in China.

Subscription Orders/Inquiries & Address Changes Send all editorial correspondence and changes of address to Holt International magazine, Holt International, P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402. We ask for an annual donation of $20 to cover the cost of publication and mailing inside the United States and $40 outside the United States. Holt welcomes the contribution of letters and articles for publication, but assumes no responsibility for return of letters, manuscripts or photos.

Reprint Information Permission from Holt International is required prior to reprinting any portion of Holt International magazine. Please direct reprint requests to editor Brian Campbell at 541/687.2202 or brianc@holtinternational.org.

Copyright ©2013 by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. ISSN 1047-7640

We will continue to seek loving adoptive families for the children who need them. And one day, years from now, I hope to open my inbox to another generation of Holt graduates from China — a generation of sparkling young adult adoptees, most of them with special needs, many of them boys.

2

Robin Munro |

Managing Editor

Coated stock: Grey=PMS 409c Red=1807c P.O. Box 2880 (1195 City View) Eugene, OR 97402 Unoated stock: Grey=PMS 409u Red=187u Ph: 541/687.2202 Fax: 541/683.6175

directions How Far They’ve Come Celebrating the 2013 Holt graduates

A group of adoptees pose in front of the Temple of Heaven on Holt’s 2012 tour of China. Almost half of the adoptees featured in this year’s graduate issue are from China.

What a joy it is to share with you the 2013 graduate issue of Holt International magazine! It always warms our hearts to see what extraordinary young men and women Holt adoptees have grown up to become. It also validates our mission in a way that nothing else truly can.

For every child we place in a loving family, our prayer is simply that they lead a happy, peaceful life and that they have every opportunity to reach their full potential. While we are certain they will go on to accomplish many great feats, this year’s graduates have taken one giant step toward their goals; they are now on their way to achieving all they are capable of in life! Of the small part we played in helping them get there, we feel tremendously proud.

In this issue of Holt International magazine, we also reflect on 20 years of international adoption and child welfare work in China. While we often focus on the future and the continuing need in the countries where we work, it’s good to look back every once in a while and remember how far we’ve come. Over the past two decades, we have helped to effect lasting change for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children in China. Many have benefitted from the foster care programs we helped the government develop for children living in institutional care. Because of Holt-supported family strengthening programs, many have been able to remain in the loving care of their families. And

through the extraordinary efforts of our China team, many have joined loving adoptive families overseas — including a significant number of this year’s graduates.

As we watch the Holt graduates go on to bright futures and brilliant careers, we also recognize the vital importance of continuing to provide services for adoptees and their families. It is our ethical obligation to serve the tens of thousands of adoptive families we have helped create, and we continue to invest greater resources into our post adoption services department. At any time, adoptees and families can reach out to our post adoption services staff for assistance or guidance with anything from birth search and documentation services to heritage tours and opportunities to connect with fellow adoptees.

The graduates are an extraordinary testament to the power of a loving, permanent family, and they continue every year to inspire us in our work. We wish them the greatest success as they embark on the next phase of their lives.

As it says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Phillip Littleton | President & CEO

A Generation

Lost and Found ­

In 1993, Holt began placing children from China in loving families in the U.S. Here, our staff reflects on 20 years of international adoption and child welfare work in China — including the many Chinese adoptees who are now coming of age, graduating high school and beginning the bright futures we always hoped for them.

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / S e pt e mb e r/O c t o b e r 2013

ABOVE AND LEFT: When Jian brought this baby to her mother in 1995, she was very sick from her time in orphanage care. Fifteen years later, Jian is delighted to see her again on Holt’s 2010 heritage tour of China — now a beautiful young woman named Paige Roberts, pictured here with her mother, Terri.

Every year, Jian Chen leads a group of adoptees on Holt’s annual heritage tour of China. Most of them she hasn’t seen since the day their parents took them home from China to the U.S. — since they were just babies among thousands of other babies waiting for permanent, loving families. With few exceptions, all of them are girls from China’s first generation of adoptees, placed within the first ten years. Some came home as early as 1993, the year that Holt began placing children from China. The following year, Jian joined Holt’s staff as an assistant and interpreter. She now serves as Holt’s vice president of programs in China.

“I wanted the opportunity to bring them back,” Jian says of the children she helped find homes for in the 1990s. “To escort them back to China and see how healthy and delightful they are — how strong and positive about their life — that touches me.”

Three years ago, on the 2010 tour, Jian reunited with yet another group of girls adopted from China. As usual, Jian was struck by how radiant and full of joy they all were. But on this tour, one girl in particular stood out to Jian. Like the other girls, she was quite

4

beautiful, with shiny black hair, high cheekbones and a lovely smile. But that’s not what struck Jian most. Although 15 years had passed since she last saw her, Jian vividly remembered this girl.

She remembered that as she handed her to her mother for the first time in 1995, Jian was saddened to see several giant boils on the scalp and chin of this otherwise beautiful baby.

Like so many of the children Holt placed from China in the early 1990s, this girl suffered from the poor care she received in an orphanage. At the time, China was experiencing the highest rate of abandonment since the government first implemented its one-child-per-family policy in the late 1980s. Historically, families in China were very large — with a typical family having as many as ten children. “People are encouraged as a culture to have more children,” explains Jian, who grew up in the southern province of Guangxi. But as China’s population began to grow out of control, the government developed the one-child policy as a solution.

While reasonable in theory, the one-child policy had one very unfortunate and unintended consequence. Instead of having

A group of Chinese adoptees in traditional dresses on the 2010 heritage tour of China.

As most of the children placed in the 1990s were healthy, infant girls, tour participants are almost all girls. Paige Roberts stands second from the right in the back row.

fewer children — and facing extreme consequences if they failed to comply with the policy — families abandoned children that would not in time support their family. As parents in the countryside traditionally rely on sons for retirement support, they preferred to keep children born male.

“One or two children were coming into the orphanage every day, sometimes four or five,” Jian says. Orphanages became overwhelmed with children, most of them infant girls laying two or three to a crib. Overcrowded and underfunded, the orphanages soon became breeding grounds for infection. Boils, skin rashes and scabies were common, and often exacerbated by malnutrition.

In January of 1995, when Jian first traveled with Holt, she saw for herself the child welfare crisis occurring in her native China.

“The first trip to China really shocked me,” she says. “I still have the picture in my head. Everywhere you looked, there were babies, babies, babies, babies.” With too few caregivers to feed the babies, they lay in cribs or beds with bottles propped for them to drink from. The smell of urine and feces hung heavy. And as it was midwinter, the orphanage staff sealed the windows tight — trapping both the heat, and the smell.

“It was silent and it smelled horrible,” says Holt’s senior director of adoption services, Susie Doig, of one orphanage she visited in the late ‘90s. “The babies needs weren’t met, so they just stopped crying.”

At the time that Holt began recruiting for a Chinese interpreter, Jian was busy raising her children and not interested in full-time work. But at the urging of a friend, she responded to the ad in the paper. When Holt called her to set up an interview, Jian was shocked to discover a link between this little town where she lived in the U.S. — and the small city where she grew up in China.

“When I told the person on the line that I was from Nanning, he screamed!” she says. Holt’s first adoption program was in Jian’s hometown.

“I knew this city inside and out,” she says. “I knew the government officials, had all the info. I knew this was something meaningful for me.”

What Jian did not yet know, however, was how huge an impact Holt would have on the lives of thousands of children in China.

To Jian, international adoption was still a foreign concept. “I didn’t know adoption. I hadn’t seen enough,” she says. Although Holt’s social workers had identified loving families who were all well equipped to parent, Jian felt exceedingly protective of the children. In the beginning, when Holt staff united children with their adoptive parents in China, she wondered if they were going to have a peaceful life in the U.S. “I just knew we had to get these kids out of the orphanage,” she says.

Despite misgivings about displacing children from their birth culture, Jian knew all too well what it feels like to be separated from your family. Jian was just 8 years old when the Cultural Revolution swept through China. To avoid the fighting in the city, her parents sent her to the countryside to stay with distant rela-

5

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l .o r g

At Holt, our nascent China team began feverishly recruiting families to adopt from China — often with little more information than a name and a picture of the child. “There was such a hurry to get them out,” says Jian. Many of the children were so sick and malnourished when their parents came to China to bring them home, Jian worried they might not survive. “Sometimes,” she says, “I would lay in bed at night and wonder…what if they don’t make it?”

Before Jian joined Holt’s staff in 1994, she knew very little about international adoption. After coming to the U.S. in 1986 on a college scholarship, she settled with her family in Eugene, Oregon — the small college town where, in 1956, Harry and Bertha Holt founded what has become the world’s largest international adoption and child welfare organization.

ABOVE: In the 1990s, many orphanages in China were so overwhelmed and understaffed that children would spend much of the day sitting over pots. In foster families, they received the one-on-one care so vital to their healthy growth and development. tives. “It was painful,” she says. “That kind of feeling — of uncertainty and fear — it was carved in my bone and my heart. I don’t want any child to have that kind of feeling.”

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / S e pt e mb e r/O c t o b e r 2013

In the decade that followed Holt’s first rush to find families for children from China, the process became much more smooth and systematic, and families throughout the world began opening their hearts — and homes — to “China’s lost girls.” Because of Holt’s history and experience with international adoption, the Chinese government sought Holt’s assistance when refining their process. “Early on, China reorganized and became a pretty efficient process,” explains Susie, who from 1995 to 2005 worked as a member of Holt’s China team. “China felt like a country really committed to finding families for kids.”

While many children found families through adoption, orphanages in China continued an ongoing struggle to care for the many more children who came into care every day. Food and other resources remained scarce, and caregivers few. But gradually, as Holt developed a stronger relationship with China’s government, our staff began allying with local officials to improve the quality of care for children living in institutions.

Early on, Holt recognized the importance of developing a solid in-country staff. “We realized it was more effective to have a local staff versus ex-pats working with the orphanages,” Susie says.

“Not only did they speak the language, but it wasn’t an outsider coming in and telling them what to do.”

In 1996, Holt helped Guangzhou orphanage develop a special baby care unit where infants at risk of dying received urgent medical care. Two years later, Holt helped the orphanage in Nanchang establish their first foster care project — providing a family-like alternative for children in institutional care. In the ensuing years, Holt replicated this model for children throughout China — a

6

model of affectionate, attentive care to nurture children’s growth and development while they wait to join permanent families.

“Getting them out into the community and finding foster families to care for them was truly transformative for the children,” says Susie.

“They loved the children, and were so proud — every family,” says Holt’s director of adoption services for China, Beth Smith, of her first visit with foster families in 1999. “They provided total care for the children.”

Still, Jian worried. While the quality of care improved for children in China, Jian worried about the children who had joined families in the U.S. “Like parents worry,” she says, “I worry.”

Through the years, Jian had seen and interacted with many young Chinese adoptees at Holt family picnics and other gatherings. Her worst fear never came to pass; not only did they survive, they were now thriving in their families. “I saw the children are happy — always running around,” she says. But what about when they are older, she wondered. How will they feel about abandonment?

How will they feel about adoption?

Between 2002 and 2006, more than 30,000 children from China joined adoptive families overseas. By this late date, news of China’s abandoned girls had become widespread among hopeful adoptive families. But during the same time period, a dramatic shift began to occur.

Due to greater family planning and compliance with the onechild policy, families began to have fewer children — causing fewer overall cases of abandonment. Meanwhile, China’s growing economy (along with high rates of infertility) helped spur a rapid growth in domestic adoption — allowing children in care the opportunity to grow up in the country and culture of their birth.

Since 1998, Holt has helped develop foster care as an alternative to institutional care for orphaned and abandoned children in China — ensuring they receive the nurturing attention they need to grow and thrive, and later join permanent families through adoption.

At Holt, it might have seemed as though our work in China was done. As a result of these changes, many more children either remained in the loving care of their families or joined adoptive families in China. But it soon became clear that despite a rapid decline in abandonment and growth in domestic adoption, many children remained behind — growing up without a family in one of China’s social welfare institutes.

The children who now need international adoption to have a family are often older or have special medical needs, many of them minor conditions that can be managed or corrected with surgery. Ironically, many of the children now living in China’s social welfare institutes are also boys.

With increasing fervor over the past five years, families have come to embrace the changes in China adoption — welcoming children with special needs into their homes. As Beth recently wrote in an article on the changes in China adoption, “To see families shift their vision from a ‘little girl with pigtails’ to a 2-yearold boy with a cleft lip or an infant with a minor heart condition, and report back eight months later that they’re completely in love with their child, is truly amazing.”

“Over 95 percent of the children were healthy girls,” Beth says, “but there were always a few with special needs.” Today, Holt places hundreds of children with special needs from China every year.

As our adoption program has evolved to meet the needs of children with special needs, so has our child welfare work shifted to care for children now in greatest need of support — children living in poverty outside of China’s social welfare system. “That’s the group of children we are reaching out to now because there are fewer children in the orphanage, and government support for the orphanages is so much stronger,” Jian says. For these children, Holt provides educational support to help them reach their full potential — as well as resources needed to remain in the loving care of their birth families.

Jian may never stop worrying about children in need in China.

But 20 years after she first tentatively placed a child in her adoptive mother’s arms, Jian no longer worries about whether that was the right decision. She feels absolutely confident that adoption was the best solution for that first generation of Chinese adoptees, as well as those placed in the years since. Every time she meets another vibrant group of adoptees on a heritage tour, or looks through the graduate issue of the Holt magazine, she grows more and more certain. “They may have issues down the road,” she says, “but now I know, their adoption was very positive.”

Robin Munro | Managing Editor 7

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l .o r g

In many ways, Holt’s China staff was uniquely equipped for the challenge of finding families for children with special needs.

Since the early 1960s in Korea, Holt has made extra effort to find loving homes for children with mental, physical or developmental needs. When our programs expanded to other countries, including China, we did the same. “At Holt, we placed special needs kids from the very beginning — whenever there was an opportunity,” says Jian.

Looking back, Holt's China team is proud of the work they have accomplished over the past 20 years. Many of the programs Holt staff developed have had a tremendous impact on homeless and vulnerable children, and today serve as models for other child welfare organizations working in China. But the focus will always be on the children who still need our help. “Group homes and foster care are working,” Jian says, “but China still has a long way to go in caring for children.”

Class of 2013

CONGRATUL Andrews, Sara

Baber, Anthony

Barnhart, Elisabeth

Bazzoli, Ellen

Bicksler, Molly

Biluck, Ian

Bishop, Victoria

Blodgett, Jessica

Bonk, Sara

Booker Spicer, Ona

Boyer, Abby

Brown, William

Bruce, Janine

Buchanan, James

Cassin, Laurel

Andrews, Sara — Grass Valley, CA; honors, honor graduate, cross country, softball, sprit week coordinator, homecoming court, yearbook. (India)

National Honor Society, presidential scholarship, music scholarship, leadership scholarship. Plans to major in music at the University of South Alabama. (China)

Baber, Anthony — Rochester, MN; Plans to major in biology and health science at Taylor University in Upland, IN. (Korea)

Blodgett, Jessica — Clinton, OK; top 10 percent of class, academic scholars, band, soccer, color guard, choir, showing alpacas. Plans to major in psychology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. (China)

Barnhart, Elisabeth — Omaha, NE; National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, theater, Merry High Singers, All Saints Church youth group. Plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha. (China) Bazzoli, Ellen — St. Charles, IL; choir, student council, musicals. Plans to attend Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. (China) Bicksler, Molly — Lebanon, PA; orchestra, chamber orchestra, chorus, Key Club, S.T.A.R. mentoring program, Big Brother/Big Sister, National Honor Society, teacher’s assistant, Key Club recognition, S.T.A.R. award, Wellesley College book award, student nursing award, C.L.E.A. senior grant award. Plans to major in nursing at Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences. (China) Biluck, Ian — Delran, NJ; varsity baseball, National Honor Society. Plans to major in biology at Rutgers University in Camden, NJ. (Korea) Bishop, Victoria — Mobile, AL; yearbook editor, youth symphony choir, Key Club, Girls State representative,

Bonk, Sara — Billings, MT. Booker Spicer, Ona — Lutz, FL. (Korea) Boyer, Abby — Virginia Beach, VA; choir, band, jazz band, praise team, art show award winner, diploma with highest honors. Plans to major in nursing at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. (China) Brown, William – South Barrington, IL; soccer, Late Night Blues jazz group, college choir, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Outstanding Musicianship award, performed as a vocalist with the Chicago Pops Orchestra. Bachelor’s degree in music from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. Recently recorded a PBS Christmas Special, a new " A Christmas Carol.” Will star as Truy in Miss Saigon this fall at the Paramount Theater in Chicago. (Korea) Bruce, Janine — San Jose, CA; Doctorate of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley.

(Korea)

Buchanan, James — Riverside, CA; Young Life and Wyld Life leader, basketball, AP scholar, Golden State Seal merit diploma, President's Award of Educational Excellence-gold. Plans to major in business in the business honors program at the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics at California State University in Fullerton. (Korea) Cassin, Laurel — Galloway, NJ; plans to major in psychology at Richard Stockton College in Galloway.

(Korea) Castranova, Daniel — Pennington, NJ; National Art Honor Society, J.V. soccer, art crew for school plays, art editor of the yearbook, merit scholarships to the Pratt Institute, Tyler School of Art, Parsons School of Design and MICA. Plans to major in illustration at the Pratt Institute in New York City. (Korea) Chew, Julia — Tampa, FL; homeschool graduate; hobbies include designing and sewing clothes, art, photography, and nature. Plans to continue her clothing business, Xiaolin Design. (China) Chubick, Alex — Auburn, NE; Bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN; member of Africa Partners with Medicine.

Plans to work in a laboratory and then pursue a PhD. (Korea)

ATIONS! LATIONS! Castranova, Daniel

Chew, Julia

Chubick, Alex

Chubick, Nikki

Cochran, Darcy

Dettling, Aparna

Dickinson, Emily

DiCredico, Liana

Dixon, Ellen

Dowell, Morgan

Dunham, Kelsey

English, Gabrielle

Etter, Mishael

Frederickson, Mari

Frey, Katherine

Chubick, Nikki — Auburn, NE; cheerleading. Plans to major in elementary and preschool education at Northwest Missouri State University in Marysville.

(Korea)

Dixon, Ellen — Springfield, OH; National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity volleyball and tennis, youth group. Plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion. (China)

Friesen, Andrew — Poulsbo, WA; Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and philosophy from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. Plans to work in Minneapolis. (Korea)

Cochran, Darcy — Bolivar, MO; Summa Cum Laude graduate, National Honor Society, student body secretary, FCCLA, Missouri Scholars Academy, yearbook, soccer. Plans to major in biology and chemistry at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. (China)

Dowell, Morgan — Waukegan, IL.

Gaule, Elizabeth — Waunakee, WI; yearbook editor, concert choir, French club, dance, Cum Laude graduate. Plans to major in business communication and marketing at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. (China)

Dettling, Aparna — Bridgton, ME. (India)

DiCredico, Liana — Deptford, NJ; student library association president, National Honor Society, Spanish honor society, SADD officer, photography club vice president, Model United Nations, book club. Plans to major in neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University.

(China)

English, Gabrielle — Portsmouth, RI; competitive gymnastics, National Honor Society, Language Honor Society, peer tutor, peer mentor, honor roll.

Plans to major in biology at Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA. (China) Etter, Mishael — McKinney, TX; Plans to major in business at the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AK. (China) Frederickson, Mari — San Antonio, TX; National Honor Society. Plans to major in science at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin. (China) Frey, Katherine — Marietta, GA; marching band, flute, track and field. Plans to major in business at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.

(Korea)

Gendron, Kimberly — Hampton, NH; highest honors, varsity soccer captain, varsity basketball captain, track, youth group leadership team, missions trips to New Orleans and New York. Plans to major in prephysical therapy/exercise science at Grove City College in Grove City, PA. (Korea) Givens, Briana — Omaha, NE; lettered in soccer and cross-country. Plans to attend Iowa Western Community College. (China) Greening, Chloe — Reynoldsburg, OH; student council, orchestra, National Honor Society, valedictorian.

Plans to major in health and rehabilitation sciences at Ohio State University in Columbus. (China) Heidtke, Maya — Palatine, IL; varsity cheerleading, National Honor Society. Plans to major in civil engineering at Valparaiso University in Indiana. (China)

9

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l .or g

Dickinson, Emily — Logan, IA; volleyball, track, basketball, National Honor Society, peer helpers, Key Club, science club president, class vice president, valedictorian, choir, show choir, band, marching band majorette, musical lead, 4-H club president, county council president, 2012 Fair Queen, 2013 National 4-H Congress Design team, camp counselor. Plans to major in nursing at Midland University in Fremont, NE. (Korea)

Dunham, Kelsey — Brush Prairie, WA; varsity soccer, varsity basketball, National Honor Society. Plans to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene. (Korea)

Class of 2013

Friesen, Andrew

Gaule, Elizabeth

Gendron, Kimberly

Givens, Briana

Greening, Chloe

Heidtke, Maya

Heldwein, Samuel

Jeffers, Marilla

Johnson, Gerald

Johnson, Sarah

Jones, Amie

Kaiser, Kathryn

Kendig, Claire

Kerr, Mekenzie

Lacny, Joseph

Larson, Anna

Latarski, Spencer

Lesser, Frederick

Levering, Sara

Lizer, Rogette

Heldwein, Samuel — Ojai, CA; choir, marching band, track, golf, musical theatre. Plans to study to become a paramedic at Ventura College in Ventura, CA. (Korea) James, Jade — Parkdale, OR. (not pictured) Jeffers, Marilla — Bakersfield, CA; ballet, piano, theatre, worship band, string quartet, honor orchestra, piano awards, California MTAC State Convention, President’s Award for Educational Excellence. Plans to major in communications-business. (China) Johnson, Gerald — Lake Oswego, OR; varsity soccer, city league basketball, elementary school tutor, Young Life. Plans to major in business administration at Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga. (Korea) Johnson, Sarah — Marietta, GA; marching band, concert band, wind symphony, J.V. and varsity soccer, Macy's 2012 Great American Marching Band, Atlanta CV drum and bugle corps. Plans to major in physical education at Jacksonville State University in Alabama.

(China) Jones, Amie — Hopkinsville, KY; cheerleading, tennis, student government, National Honor Society secretary, Spanish National Honor Society vice president, yearbook, academic team, Key Club vice president/ editor, movement club, prom court, basketball, home-

coming queen. Plans to attend the honors program at Murray State University in Murray, KY. (China) Kaiser, Kathryn — Marshall, MN; National Honor Society, marching band, varsity softball captain, band, speech, peer helping, ambassadors, yearbook editor, Rotarian, tutor, intramural sports, student council choir, knowledge bowl. Plans to major in English and communications at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. (Korea) Kendig, Claire — Canton, OH; National Honor Society, National Forensics League speech and debate, Model United Nations, student council, Perry Service League, mock trials, theater and musical productions, symphonic winds, percussion ensemble, marching band, 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Queen, President's Award for Educational Excellence. Plans to major in pharmacy at Ohio Northern University in Ada. (China) Kerr, Mekenzie — Omaha, NE; National Honor Society, student council, Mayor's Youth Leadership Commission, Purple Feather Distinction, editor-inchief of The Register newspaper, first place best news story at UNO Journalism Conference. Plans to major in journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

(Korea)

Lacny, Joseph — Lexington, KY; Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Five-time Dean’s List recipient. Has accepted an engineering position at Big Ass Fans. (Korea) Larson, Anna — Indianola, IA; symphonic band, jazz band, orchestra concertmaster, a cappella choir, show choir, drama club treasurer, theatre crew secretary, National Honor Society vice president, International Thespian Society, large-group speech, service corps, Mu Alpha Theta, Des Moines youth symphony, Meyer orchestra, 4-H. Plans to attend 4-year college and major in music education and theatre. (Korea) Latarski, Spencer — Eugene, OR; International Baccalaureate, ultimate frisbee team captain. Plans to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene. (Korea) Lesser, Frederick — Millburn, NJ; Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Teaches English in Masan, Changwon, South Korea. (Korea) Levering, Sara — Silverton, OR; peer court, student government, speech and debate, tennis, lettered in swimming, certified lifeguard. Plans to major in nursing at Whitworth University in Spokane, WA. (Korea)

McKillip, David

McManamon, Catherine Minor, Abigail

Nielsen-Sheffield, Elizabeth Oliverius, Miranda

Pomykalski, Emily

Powers, Rebekah

Ranhotra, Tara

Reber, Timothy

Regier, Hannah

Riley, Russell

Robertson, Robyn

Schaeffer, Abigail

Selin, Mia

Sharpe, Tori

Shattuck, Audrey

Smith, Jenny-lin

Soule, Rachel

Martinsen, Kim

McCusker, Emily

to major in engineering at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. (China)

Lizer, Rogette — Reinbeck, IA; vocal, speech, cross country, hip hop, drama, cabaret, academic letter, honor student. Plans to major in cosmetology and massage at La James College of Cosmetology in Mason City, IA. (Haiti)

Minor, Abigail — Eugene, OR; Certificate of Advanced Mastery in Culinary Arts, honors diploma, National Honor Society, varsity softball, varsity volleyball, GSUSA Silver sward. Plans to major in Asian studies and history at Seattle University in Seattle, WA. (China)

Martinsen, Kim — Ocala, FL; Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies from South University in Tampa. Plans to work in gastroenterology. (Korea)

Nielsen-Sheffield, Elizabeth — Geraldine, MT; speech, drama, National Honor Society, student council, science club, honor choir, U.N.I.T.E. Plans to major in computer science at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT. (Korea)

Reber, Timothy — Columbia, NJ; soccer, stage crew, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Future Business Leaders of America. Plans to major in theater arts production at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. (Korea)

Oliverius, Miranda — Cheyenne, WY; National Honor Society, concert, pep, jazz and marching band, choir, ballet and lyrical dance, National Piano Guild diploma, All-State Band Outstanding Senior award, band and academic letters, Kiwanis Stars of Tomorrow, National Society of High School Scholars. Plans to major in global studies and accounting at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. (China)

Riley, Russell — Omaha, NE; Plans to major in music performance at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. (Korea)

McCusker, Emily — Omaha, NE; national merit finalist, Nebraska Young Artist award, Mu Alpha Theta math honorary, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Nebraska School Activities Association academic allstate award. Plans to major in engineering at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. (China)

McManamon, Catherine — Steubenville, OH; Cum Laude graduate, LeadersNow International Service award, tennis, youth ministry. Plans to major in business at Franciscan University of Steubenville. (China)

Pomykalski, Emily — Cross Plains, WI; National Honor Society, student council, softball. Plans to major in kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

(China) Powers, Rebekah — Kissimmee, FL; International Baccalaureate program, varsity tennis, best buddies president, scholarship to University of Alabama. Plans

Regier, Hannah — Dallas, TX. Plans to major in photography at John Brown University in Arkansas.

(China)

Robertson, Robyn — Collierville, TN; honors graduate, dancer, volunteer. Plans to major in business at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. (China) Schaeffer, Abigail — Green Bay, WI; all-state volleyball, choir, publications. Plans to major in business and marketing at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. (China)

11

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l .o r g

McKillip, David — Somonauk, IL; Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and Associate’s degree in human resources from Virginia College in Alabama.

Plans to pursue opportunities in the criminal justice field. (Korea)

Ranhotra, Tara — Acworth, GA; Plans to major in early childhood education at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. (India)

Class of 2013

Spies, Meika

Stephenson, Hannah

Stieneke, Adam

Tanabe, Solana

Temte, Elizabeth

Thomas, Anita

Toulantis, Elizabeth

Tyler, Hannah

Vicidomina, Victoria

Wasek, Emily

Watanabe, Mika

Weaver, Karl

Weinstein, Claire

Weiss, Meilenn

Welchert, Nathan

Selin, Mia — Snohomish, WA; Plans to “follow where God leads... with exuberance, fervor, and faith.”

(China) Sharpe, Tori — Sun Prairie, WI; honor roll, academic award, MLK award, volleyball captain (state), track & field (state), mock trial, National Honor Society vice president, Key Club, link crew, founding member of Athletes Committed, ski club, softball, basketball, destination imagination global finalist coach, missions trip to China, Special Olympics volunteer, lifeguard.

Plans to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. (China) Shattuck, Audrey — Sioux Falls, SD; National Honor Society, orchestra, dance team. Plans to major in communication studies at Gustavus College in St. Peter, MN. (China) Smith, Jenny-lin — Hamilton, MT; cross country, track, Key Club president, class secretary for student council, National Honor Society, academic allstate, Hugh O’Brien Youth Conference 2011, Montana Girls’ State Legislation 2012, KPAX Student Service award, coaches’ appreciation, choir. Plans to major in international studies at the University of Montana in Missoula. (China) Soule, Rachel — Bloomville, NY; soccer, dance team, cheer squad. Plans to continue working. (India) Spies, Meika — Muscatine, IA; cheerleading, dance, band, color guard, National Honor Society, Silver Cord volunteer program, honor roll. Plans to attend Coe College in Cedar Rapids. (Korea) Stephenson, Hannah — Roanoke, VA; beta club, Latin club, science club and honor society, Mu Alpha Theta, VA math league, English Honor Society, history club and honor society, tech team, prevention

club, academic team, wind ensemble, marching band, AP scholar with distinction. Plans to major in biomedical engineering at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. (China)

Vicidomina, Victoria — Metairie, LA; volunteer, cheerleader, discus college scholarship award, national order of the Elks Lodge 30. Plans to major in architecture at University of Lafayette in Louisiana. (China)

Stieneke, Adam — Cherokee, IA; honor roll, basketball statistician, first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Silver Cord award for community service. Plans to major in accounting and bookkeeping at Western Iowa Technical Community College. (Korea)

Wasek, Emily — Fuquay Varina, NC; North Carolina scholar, National Spanish Honor Society, honors graduate, National Honor Society chapter founder, president of Amnesty International at Fuquay Varina High School. Plans to major in international studies at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. (China) Watanabe, Mika — Sparks, NV; top-20 graduate, honors diploma, classical pianist. Plans to major in biology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. (China)

Tanabe, Solana — Sacramento, CA; National Honor Society, California scholarship, Federation Lifetime member, presidential academic award, Rio Americano H.S. outstanding student awards and distinguished scholar award, School of Sacramento Ballet merit scholarship. Plans to major in public relations at the University of Texas in Austin. (China) Temte, Elizabeth — Oregon, WI; swimming, orchestra, chorus, district and state solo and ensemble festival. Plans to major in psychology at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins. (China)

Weaver, Karl — Davenport, IA; cross country, track, orchestra, academic all-conference honors, National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, academic scholarships. Plans to major in prephysical therapy at Central College in Pella, IA. (Korea)

Thomas, Anita — Dayton, OH; tennis, choir. Plans to major in occupational therapy at Ohio University in Athens. (Thailand)

Weinstein, Claire — Richmond Hill, GA; choir, musicals, voted “most memorable.” Plans to major in early childhood education at Savannah Technical College in Savannah, GA. (China)

Toulantis, Elizabeth — Dacula, GA; graduated from Liberty University. Plans to pursue a Master’s degree in social work/gerontology at the University of Pittsburgh. (Thailand)

Weiss, Meilenn — Walker, LA; soccer team (manager), honor roll, perfect attendance. Plans to attend Baton Rouge Community College and study liberal arts. (China)

Tyler, Hannah — Sikeston, MO; Generation Joshua, piano, drama, mission trips. Plans to major in accounting at Three Rivers Community College in Sikeston.

(Vietnam)

Welchert, Nathan — Tucson, AZ; Bachelor of Arts degree in global business and public policy from the University of Maryland University College in Adelphi.

Plans to retire after 22 years of honorable service in the United States Air Force and pursue an embassy position in the Foreign Service. (Vietnam)

adoptees today On the 2013 Holt heritage tour of China, Grace met Ms. Pong, the woman who first handed her to her mother when she was adopted in 1999.

BELOW: Grace with her sister Lili and parents, Dennis and Patty. Huddled under a raincoat, Grace and her mom stand in the same spot where Ms. Pong united the two of them 14 years ago.

Finding Peace in Hunan During Holt’s 2013 heritage tour of China, adoptee Grace Fogland blogged about her experiences — including visits to her orphanage and finding site in Changde, Hunan.

Wednesday, June 26, was a day of traveling on an airplane to my home province, Hunan. There were two other families with girls also from Hunan, so it was a smaller group that traveled all together.

The next day, the families split up to go to their respective orphanages and finding sites. My family and I spent three hours driving — in the pouring rain — to Changde, my home city. Since my original orphanage was torn down, we went to the newer orphanage that was built after I left. I met the director, Wang Guanhua, and assistant director, Ms. Pong. They had my file, and I had the opportunity to read it for the first time. It had my health record in it, as well as the pictures that my family had sent several years ago that showed me growing up over the years. It was pretty neat to know that they had kept the photos we sent them when I was a kid. The only other documents in my file were papers that confirmed my adoption. It was really cool to see them, though, since that is the only link to my health records when I was young — and essentially one of the only links to my first two years in China.

A wonderful chance encounter happened later during our meeting at the orphanage. We had prepared a photo album that had both old and recent pictures of my family and me in it, and when we handed it to Mr. Guanhua and Ms. Pong, Ms. Pong immediately recognized herself in one of the photos! She was the woman who handed me to my parents during the adoption process, while I clutched onto her for dear life. After 14 years of wondering who the woman in the photo was, it was almost surreal to meet her!

Both Ms. Pong and Mr. Guanhua were incredibly nice, and after we signed their guestbook — which was red, China's lucky color

— she and the director showed us around the orphanage. Sadly, almost all of the children were boys with special needs.

It was so sad to see them in an orphanage, but the people there took good care of them. The children really enjoyed the chocolate rocks we brought as gifts for them, and some of the kids kept coming back for more. The orphanage and the children reminded me of how lucky I am to be blessed with two wonderful adoptive parents.

After touring the orphanage, Ms. Pong accompanied my family to my finding spot. Originally, my family and I had thought that my finding spot was in some remote area by the river since we had hired somebody to find more information about the first two years of my life, but Ms. Pong told me I was found by the Poetry Wall. It was also by the river, but it was more populated, more beautiful and not as depressing as the original finding spot. The Poetry Wall is the longest poetry wall in the world, and it is filled with tons of Chinese poems.

It was so pretty, and it was amazing to visit the spot where my birth parents left me, and know that it was a peaceful and wellpopulated place.

Grace Fogland |

Omaha, Nebraska

from the family

Despite significant challenges, including more than 12 surgeries in 19 years, Rachel Tejaswini Soule was determined to graduate — even if it meant working harder and attending school a little longer.

LEFT: Rachel in her graduation photo. In high school, she participated in soccer, dance team and cheer squad.

ABOVE: Rachel while still in care at BSSK in India. Here, she is about 2-and-a-half years old.

RIGHT: Larry and Amy Soule with their children. From left: Lydia Vedvatee, Larry, Matthew Sanjay, Rachel Tejaswini, Amy, Rebekah Sheetal and Joshua Dhiraj.

Life Belongs to Her Holt adoptive parents Larry and Amy Soule reflect on the determination and strength of character that brought their daughter Rachel to her graduation day.

Once upon a time, in Holt’s November/December 1995 HI Families magazine, there was an article written by Holt’s late communications director, John Aeby. This article was titled, “Tejaswini Progresses, Thanks to BSSK and Holt Supporters.”

Beside the story was a picture of a sullen little girl with big, expressive eyes and wavy hair. Her name was Tejaswini. As the story went on, John wrote how this little toddler wasn’t flustered by roadblocks, but preferred to go right through them — as care-

givers observed when another little one parked his body in front of her while she was on her bike. Since her arrival at Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK), Holt’s legacy partner agency in India, she had become quite “determined” and had “grown a lot in confidence and ability,” the article stated. Even then, Tejaswini was noted to go after what she wanted until she got it.

After reading her story, we knew that God had called us to bring this child home to be a part of our forever family.

from the family This description of our daughter as a toddler is an absolutely accurate reflection of our daughter Rachel Tejaswini today.

Rachel came home to us in November 1996 at 35 months old.

She was escorted over by a wonderful volunteer from Holt.

Unfortunately, she got very sick on the flight, and upon arrival, was sucking her fingers upside down! Although she was sick, she was very aware of her surroundings. She didn’t utter a peep! She didn’t need to — those expressive eyes said it all. When we found out she had developed pneumonia, she was admitted to the hospital for a week. Even there, she never uttered a thing. She didn’t cry or fuss. She was an excellent patient — allowing the doctors to poke and prod her. It was as if she knew she needed to get healthy to be able to race into her new life.

And boy did she race into life! When we came home from the hospital, she decided to let loose with all her pent-up emotions.

She yelled and squealed, sometimes in happiness, other times with frustration — but always with determination. Over the years, Rachel required multiple surgeries on her face to correct her midline dysplasia; she was born without a nasal bridge or septum in her beautiful face. Several of the surgeries were to correct cleft lip and palate, as well as fistulas, which are holes in the hard palate of her mouth. She had rib cartilage placed within her midline to create a nasal bridge and a tiny piece of ear cartilage to make a columella — or “tip” to her nose — both of which were necessary to help her breathe through her nose. Most importantly, the surgeries would help her breathe well.

All in all, Rachel has had over 12 surgeries in her 19 years of life, and each time, her resolute nature and strength of character has amazed both us and her doctors.

This strength in attitude has taken Rachel through many difficult times. She struggles with a pretty significant learning disability. She also received speech language services to help not only with learning English, but also to help with resonance (sound) differences she had due to her midline dysplasia. She has become a very eloquent, clear speaker today. Whenever Rachel encounters a “block,” she always looks for a way to get over it — refusing to go around or take another route. She is determined to reach all of her goals — even if they seem unobtainable.

Nothing will stop our beautiful, strong daughter! When she becomes frustrated, we remind her of the obstacles that she has already overcome. She has come so far and grown so much.

Rachel has been part of soccer, cheerleading, dance and drama clubs. She loves to be the center of attention, and she loves things to be structured and consistent. Rachel is at her best when she knows what is expected of her and what she can expect from others. She deserves it! Rachel puts her best self forward each day,

expecting roadblocks that she will simply move through.

As we prepared for Rachel to graduate from high school, we reflected on the many things this young woman has gone through in her short life. There were points in time where we weren’t sure this day would come. Rachel, however, never wavered during these times. She wanted to graduate, even though it meant she would have to work much harder, attend school a little longer and receive much more support. Of course she succeeded! When Rachel sets her mind to something, she will not be deterred. She will find a way through!

We’ve been blessed to have the resources to help make Rachel Tejaswini’s life as successful as possible. We pray that she finds further success in whatever direction she chooses. Rachel wants to work, have friends, drive her own car and have her own apartment some day. With support, we know she can accomplish these self-set goals.

Many, many thanks go out to all the support staff at Holt as well as BSSK for caring for this young lady and for allowing her to become a part of our family — a family five children strong, all from BSSK, that has grown to know each other, support each other and most of all love each other. Rachel has had a strong support system in her family, from her schools and most of all from God. She is now expected to enter a blended work program where she can flourish and move through road blocks with determination!

Her determination has led her to achieving many milestones and her high school graduation is certainly one of the biggest!

We are reminded in Luke 18:16 to, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Rachel will not be hindered. Life belongs to her!

Amy Soule |

Bloomville, New York

from the field

Dreaming Of Their Future

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / S e pt e mb e r/O c t o b e r 2013

With the guidance of a Holt-supported networking group in Thailand, one struggling family begins to make smart decisions for their future.

In a tiny beach community on the Gulf of Thailand, tucked into the palm trees, is a concrete block house where the Wattana* family rents a room. The peaceful, almost idyllic landscape provides little hint of the difficulties faced by many families in the area due to underemployment. The fishing industry employs nearly all of the local residents, but income is often sporadic and seasonal. For many families in the area, daily survival is a challenge.

The Wattana family was referred to Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), Holt’s partner in Thailand, nearly three years ago. At that time, Mae and Farid Wattana were struggling to make ends meet with their combined income of about $300 per month. They were already supporting two of their parents and three children when Farid’s father developed cancer.

Then they found out Mae was pregnant with twins.

Concerned about the family’s financial situation, village leaders referred the Wattanas to HSF staff, who began making home visits to provide support and counseling. HSF paid a small fee for the children to attend preschool, and subsidized the cost of powdered

16

milk for the twins — an expensive item in Thailand. They also enrolled Mae and Farid in one of HSF’s local support groups.

Here in this small fishing village of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, HSF has developed a variety of social support groups as a way to bring together children and parents facing the same challenges. Groups have catchy titles such as the “Fabric for Life Group” or the “Kids Love Plants Club,” in which participants learn to grow vegetable gardens to diversify their family’s diet with inexpensive, healthy food. Some of the groups help participating families to generate income. Members will teach a skill, or help others create a product to sell. When the “Trust Savings Group” formed last August, the 19 participants worked together to develop a group savings plan, with each member contributing 1THB – or 3 cents – per day. As the fund builds, the group may decide to lend the money to each other individually, or create a group income-generating plan.

The HSF social support groups also help foster valuable networking skills. Families become more engaged with their com-

from the field Three years ago, Holt Sahathai Foundation, Holt’s partner in Thailand, began providing counseling and support to the Wattana family — pictured here outside their home in a small fishing village.

In that time, they have saved more money than they ever have before. Their children have stayed in school. And for the first time, they have dreams for the future.

munity — giving them a network to rely on if they need help with, for example, transportation or childcare. While participants support and encourage each other, they also feel a greater sense of responsibility to improve their own circumstances. When one family overcomes a challenge, they share the steps they took to achieve their goal with the rest of the group. In that way, when one family succeeds, every family succeeds!

Mae attends a social support group meeting twice each month, which has helped her to make good decisions and seek help when she needs it.

Since Petch was born last year, HSF has continued to support the family. As Petch has had some ongoing health problems, HSF has helped the family access transportation and provided other assistance to help them care for his medical needs. The twins attend a preschool nearby, which HSF supports through teacher training and capacity-building activities. At the preschool, chil-

Holt child sponsors help support the children’s education as well, providing funding through HSF for school uniforms and supplies — and ensuring for families like the Wattanas that economic barriers don’t prevent their children from attending school.

While daily life can be a struggle, Mae is hopeful about the future. At the moment, Mae and Farid have $175 in savings — which is more money than they have ever been able to save before. “Without HSF, it would have been very hard to raise my children, but I believe my children reflect the love and care that Farid and I provide,” says Mae. “We have tried our best to keep the family together.”

Mae smiles as she says, “For the first time, we have dreams about our future.”

Jennifer Goette |

Director of Strategic Initiatives

* names changed

17

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l .o r g

Mae recalls the day when she discovered she was pregnant again. At the time, her twins were less than one year old. It was a shock. With tears in her eyes, she says, “I was desperate. I thought about terminating my pregnancy, but HSF helped us to figure out a way to care for another child. HSF is the reason this family is together.”

dren participate in stimulating educational activities. This vital early learning opportunity also helps children develop valuable social interaction skills.

adoptees today

LEFT: Kathryn Kaiser, Annie Detweiler and Sarah Lutjens were all born within a couple weeks of each other in March 1995. They came home to their adoptive parents on July 11, 1995.

BELOW: Seventeen years after they arrived in the U.S., the girls and their mothers reunite at Kathryn’s home in Minnesota. From left, Annie and Kay Detweiler, Sarah and Janelle Lutjens, and Kathryn Kaiser with her mom, Sheryl.

Coming Full Circle Three Korean adoptees reunite for the first time since they came home to their adoptive families in the U.S. We have a connection that others may not understand, but to us, it’s who we are. About 18 years ago, the three of us were given up for adoption — a choice we will forever be grateful for because it brought us to the lives we live today. We, 4-month-old Korean babies, arrived to our new loving families in Des Moines, Iowa and quickly parted ways. Annie started her new life in Iowa while Sarah and I traveled to our homes in Nebraska. As the years progressed, my family and I moved to Minnesota.

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / S e pt e mb e r/O c t o b e r 2013

Our families stayed in touch through Christmas cards every year. I’d open the envelopes and see these faces that really didn’t mean much to me other than my “gotcha day” buddies. Years passed and technology advanced. We all joined Facebook and added each other as “friends,” although we were still just strangers with this connection that none of us really understood. But we knew it was always there. We started chatting and that led to exchanging phone numbers and texting away. As time progressed, so did our curiosity. Cyber “friends” just didn’t cut it anymore.

We decided to take matters into our own hands. We concluded that too much time had passed and we needed to officially reunite. To find a date that worked for all of us was challenging, but we finally came up with a time that worked with our chaotic schedules. Thank goodness we were so determined — a trait we figured came from our adoptive parents, who had shed blood, sweat and tears years ago to complete the process that would allow them to call us their “daughters” (not to mention the cramping they endured in their hands to fill out all the paperwork).

One weekend last July, Annie and Sarah came with their moms to my small town in Minnesota. The initial reunion was

18

a tad awkward, but we quickly became extremely comfortable around each other. The first night, we stayed up late to just talk about everything and anything. We all felt like we could talk about our past and relate to each other in a way that no one else could. I, personally, talked to them about certain topics I wouldn’t even consider bringing up with anyone else.

On Saturday, we explored the wonderful attractions around the area and continued bonding. They met some of my friends and everything went so well that time flew by too fast. Before we knew it, the girls and their moms were hopping into their vehicles to journey back to their homes. Ever since, we’ve remained immensely close. We talk about the amazing weekend that made us grow as individuals because we had this chance to swap stories. Now, Annie is going to head off to Marquette University in Wisconsin in the fall. Sarah’s journey will continue in Omaha at UNO. As for me, I’ll start a new chapter at Augustana College in Sioux Falls. Our personalities may be opposite at times, but our lives have never been more connected — especially as we all graduate this May and begin a new phase of our lives.

Kathryn Kaiser |

Marshall, Minnesota

w a it ing c h il d re n

These and other children need Josie adoptive families Bor n: 06.18.0 4, Chi na Once, one of Josie ’s frien ds stepp ed on Aaron, Ethan and Mick an ant,

Josie

Payton

k ic M , n a h t E , n o r Aa

and Josie was very sad. “Teac her,” she said, Bor n: 09.22.98 (tw ins) and “I want to bring it home and take care of him.” The 03.2 7.00, S.E . Asia teach er replie d, “The ant will bite you.” Josie said, Aaron, Ethan and Mick are a healt hy siblin “He will g group not bite me because I will treat him well, in need of their forever famil y. They came and he will into care treat me well also.” Josie has been with a after their paren ts died and their older siblin gs foste r famwere ily since she was two mont hs old. She was no longe r able to care for them . Upon comi born with ng into cleft lip and palate and has recei ved servi ces care, they were all treated for a non- infec tious from the form Amit y Foun datio n. Her lip and palate were of tuberculos is and are all healt hy now. corre cted The oldes t befor e her secon d birth day and her deve boys are twins, both descr ibed as natur al leade lopm ental rs. miles tones have been on targe t. She is good They enjoy group dance routines at their care at makcente r. ing frien ds, has a vibrant perso nality, and she Aaron enjoy s schoo l and his teach ers said he is eage is doing r well in schoo l. Josie need s a famil y who will to learn. He know s some Engli sh word s, and supp ort does well her throu gh the grief she may expe rience in math . His favor ite color is blue and he woul d like when she to leave s the foste r famil y she has been with be an artist or a pilot. Aaron’s twin, Ethan for many , also likes years . Her adop tive famil y shou ld have the schoo l and helps youn ger child ren with their work resou rces . to supp ort her educ ation al need s and treat He is prote ctive of his broth ers, and woul d any posalso like to sible medi cal issue s that may arise. be a pilot when he grow s up. The youn gest broth er, Mick , is a fast learn er, and easily comp rehen ds lesPay ton sons in schoo l. He is well- behaved and comp letes Bor n: 09.17.03, S.E . Asia his home work on his own. He loves spen ding time Payto n has been in care since he was one with his older broth ers, and going to the librar mont h y old, after his moth er died of comp licati ons to read book s. Mick likes to play with cars, from HIV. truck s, Payto n has teste d nega tive for the disea se. robot s and airplanes. His favor ite color is green He lives and with a group of nine boys between the ages he woul d like to be a scien tist or astro naut of 5 and when he 9. He can be shy at times, and need s time grow s up. These lovin g broth ers woul d do best with to adjus t to new peop le and envir onme nts, but he a famil y who has expe rience paren ting also enjoy s past their spen ding time with his peers . He is soft- spoke age, who can help them main tain their relati n and onsh ip swee t. Payto n was born with Crouzon with their older siblin gs, and who are know synd rome, ledgeable whic h has affec ted the deve lopm ent of his abou t the impa ct that inter natio nal adop tion skull. He can has crani osyn ostos is, whic h requi red recon have on older child ren. Previ ous adop tion struc tive expe rience surge ry, and his docto rs suspe ct he will need is prefe rred. at least one addit ional surge ry. He also has mild heari ng loss * Due to requirements in the siblings in his right ear. Payto n likes to run, jump , and play. birth country, we can only post Desc ribed as brigh t and quick to learn, group Payto n can photos of them with other chil dren. read and write, and comp lete doub le-di git addit ion and subtr actio n probl ems. He is neat and organ ized, Brecken but does need some help to build his self-c onfid ence.

Color ing and reading are a few of Payto Bor n: 04.29.05, Afr ica n’s favor ite activ ities. He recei ves therapy to treat tortic When Brecken’s birth fathe r disap peare d, his ollis and birth unclear speec h, and woul d do best with a moth er was unab le to raise him alone famil y who . Brecken has expe rience with older child adop tion recen tly visite d an ophth almo logis t for exces sive and who redcan provi de him with any medi cal care ness of his eyes and irrita tion. He is being or therapy treated for he need s. an eye allerg y, but is other wise in good physi cal and ment al healt h. Brecken is very active and socia ble, and enjoy s playi ng with his peers and watc hing movi es. He atten ds schoo l and excels at dance and poetr y. He has a good relati onsh ip with his caret akers and show s conce rn for the youn ger child ren at the cente r. Brecken need s a famil y who is expe rienced in older child adop tion and unde rstan ds the impa ct of grief on deve lopm ent, emot ional regulation , trans ition and acade mic learn ing. An ideal famil y will keep him in conta ct with frien ds and relati ves, have acces s to any medi cal care he may need, and shou ld also have a plan for how to communica te effec tively with Brecken durin g the trans ition.

Brecken

Fo r mo re inf orm ati on on oth er waitin g childr en ad op tin g the se an d , con tac t Erin An de rso n at ­e rin a@ ho ltin ter na tio nal.o rg ww w. ho lti nt er na tio na l.o rg /w ai tin gch ild /p ho to lis tin g

updates Somewhere Between

Winter Jam

A recently released film about adoptees is reining in awards and reviews filled with praise.

“Somewhere Between” is a moving documentary that follows four very different teen girls adopted from China at very young ages. Each young woman goes through a unique process of exploring and developing her identity as a transracial adoptee. The film presents the challenges and complexities of growing up as a minority in a majority family, and how each teen copes with these issues. Sunday Silver, Holt’s director of post adoption services, said the documentary “is an important film for adoptive parents and prospective adoptive parents to view, as it gives them an opportunity to see and hear what adoption and culture means to adoptees.”

Holt is excited to announce that in 2013, we will once again partner with Christian band NewSong to advocate for Holt child sponsorship during the upcoming Winter Jam tour! Since 2006, NewSong has helped find more than 50,000 new sponsors for vulnerable children around the world. We are looking for volunteers to help sign up sponsors at each concert! If you are interested in volunteering at a concert in your area, please contact us by visiting www.holtinternational.org/winterjam. We look forward to seeing you at one of Winter Jam's 11 fall concerts, or more than 50 winter and spring shows! Watch for tour dates at www.newsongonline.com, which NewSong will announce in October.

At Holt, we recognize the vital importance of providing services for adoptees and their families throughout their lives, and we continue to invest greater resources into our post adoption services department. At any time, adoptees can reach out to our post adoption services staff for assistance or guidance with anything from birth search and documentation services to heritage tours and opportunities to connect with fellow adoptees. For more information, go to www. holtinternational.org/adoptees.

Fall Tour: Ontario, CA • Las Vegas, NV • Glendale, AZ • Boise, ID • Portland, OR • Sacramento, CA • Fresno, CA • Rio Rancho, NM • Colorado Springs, CO • Lubbock, TX • Ft. Worth, TX

Holt Events The upcoming Holt gala dinner and auction in Portland will take place on November 9.

All proceeds from the event will benefit children in Holt’s care in Korea, in honor of Molly Holt. The event will take place at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s New Jersey gala will take place on September 28 in Princeton. All proceeds will benefit the Special Needs Adoption Fund, which helps families overcome the financial barriers that often come with adopting a child with special needs. As a special treat, Christian music artist Karyn Williams will perform at the event! Visit karynwilliams.com/ adoption/ to learn more about Karyn’s connection to adoption and to Holt.

For more information about Holt events visit www.holtinternational.org/events.

ne ig hb orh o ca lenda r o d

IOWA

September 22, Eldridge —Holt Family Picnic at Park, 11 AM – 3 Scot t County PM

GEORGIA

Oc tober 20, Met ro Atlant Lutheran Church a-Marietta—Holt Family Picnic at of the Resurrect ion, 3 PM – 6 PM

NEW JERSE

Y

September 28, Princeton— Ga la Dinner and Au the Special Need ction to be s Adoption Fund . Westin Princeto nefit Forrestal Village n at , 5:30 PM

OREGON

November 9, Po rtland— Gala Di nner and Auctio ting children in n benefitHolt’s care in Ko rea. Portland M Downtown Wat arriott er front, 5:30 PM

Get the Info :

For Holt Adopte e Camp and Fam ily Picnic inform Pame Chow at pa ation, contac t: mec@holtinterna tional.org For Events inform ation, contac t: Shonna Wells at shonnaw@holti nternational.org For Holt Heritag e and Adult Adop te e Tour informatio tact: n, conSara Higgins fo r China tour s: sarahiggins@ho ltinternational.o rg Paul Kim fo r Korea tour s: paulk@holtinter national.org For Vision Trip in formation, cont ac t: Sally Doughert y at sallyd@holti nernational.org

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l .or