Winter Issue 2011

Winter 2011

CHANGING

CHILDREN’SLIVES… CHANGINGAGENERATION NewSong in India

in this issue 4

Changing Children’s Lives…Changing a Generation

Winter 2011 vol. 53 no. 1 Our Vision Holt International is dedicated to carrying out God’s plan for every child to have a permanent, loving family.

Christian music group NewSong recently traveled to India

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Around the Globe

12

From the Family

16

Post-Adoption Is that the baby you wanted?

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Adoptees Today 13-year-old Allison discusses her life-changing experiences at Holt adoptee camp and encourages others to join her on next summer’s adventures

Christian music group, NewSong, spent an emotional week in India, visiting Holt’s programs and witnessing the desperate need that exists for children and families in the region's most impoverished cities.

Dear Readers I met 13-year-old Allison at the Holt adoptee camp in Corbett, Oregon. On the last day of camp, Allison and her fellow campers were eager to talk to me about their fun-filled experience on the week-long adventure. When I asked the group — gathered around picnic tables, signing memory books — what their favorite part of camp was, each had a similar response. “I come to camp to connect with other adoptees,” said 9-year-old Adele. “So I don’t feel so alone.” Allison said: “[Camp is] a great way to share a special bond with another adoptee.”

Every summer Holt International welcomes Holt adoptees and non-Holt adoptees alike to seven camps around the country. Run by trained adult adoptee counselors, the camps allow young adoptees, ages 9-16, the chance to learn more about themselves, discuss adoption, race and identity issues and, most of all, have fun. “My daughter doesn’t talk to me about issues she may be facing,” one mother said. “It’s nice to know she has a place to go and people to talk to.”

As the parents attend a Q & A session with the camp counselors, I continue to talk with the campers. Some of them even offer me a chance to look through their memory books. I peek through a few of them and see many phrases and words I don’t understand. Some campers are referred to by nicknames. Some sentences seem to be written mostly in symbols. When I question their meaning, uncontrollable laughter

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / W i nt e r 2011

is all I get in return. They don’t want to tell me, and that’s OK. The thoughts and words are special to them, prized memories from their time at camp. “This is what adoptee camp is all about,” I think to myself. I may try and understand the adoptee experience, but only they know the true meaning and, for a week, they can come together and experience life with people who understand.

Is your child interested in connecting with other adoptees? To learn more about

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 Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Romania, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, the United States and Vietnam.

President Kim S. Brown Senior Vice-President Phillip A. Littleton Vice-President of Policy & External Affairs Susan Soon-keum Cox Vice-President of International Programs Dan Lauer Vice-President of Finance & Administration Kevin Sweeney Vice-President of Adoption Services Lisa Vertulfo Senior Advisor David Lim Senior Executive Jian Chen Holt International magazine is published quarterly

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 Managing Editor Ashli Keyser Senior Writer Robin Munro Graphics Chloe Goldbloom Subscription Orders/Inquiries and 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 Ashli Keyser at 541/687.2202 or ashlik@holtinternational.org.

Copyright ©2011 by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. ISSN 1047-7640

Holt adoptee camp and day camp, go to www.holtinternational.org/camp.

Read Allison’s story on page 17.

Hear it in their words... go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2rah_Ki0oY to watch a Holt adoptee camp video.

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Ashli Keyser |

P.O. Box 2880 (1195 City View) Eugene, OR 97402 Ph: 541/687.2202 Fax: 541/683.6175

Managing Editor

directions Give and It will be Given to You A Letter of Gratitude to Holt sponsors

Luke chapter 6, verse 38 says: “Give and it will be given to you.”

loving, permanent family

As we enter a new year, it’s important for us at Holt to remember

or be reunited with his

the blessings that 2010 brought and the blessings yet to come in

or her birth family, I

2011. Among these blessings comes the knowledge that you, as a

hope that you will

Holt sponsor, have given the gift of a better life to a child in need.

welcome

Because of generous sponsors, children in Holt – supported care centers and family preservation programs receive food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, safety and love.

To current Holt

sponsors, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Last month, the Christian music group NewSong — who recently returned from a trip to India with Holt — set out on their sixth Winter Jam tour, inspiring thousands of concertgoers to sponsor children in Holt’s care. Joining the Christian band were many other popular Christian music artists and special guest speakers, including Tony Nolan and Holt adoptee Robert Moore.

Last year, over 10,000 attendees committed to sponsoring a child, and we hope many more will sign up this year.

Kathy Brown, a volunteer at a Winter Jam concert in West Virginia, had this to say about her emotional experience:

child

another

into

your

heart and continue your sponsorship commitment.

Words

cannot

ex press

t he

gratitude I feel for

people

like

you,

who

have

so

generously

answered the call to help a child in need.

Your

compassion and support

has

Last Saturday, we had the privilege of working at

given precious children hope

the Holt sponsorship table before, during and after

for the future. I hope the joy

the concert. Since this was only the second concert

that you have given to a child

of 2011, there were a lot of children available for

will also be given to you as you

sponsorship. When I saw the children's pictures

look at their beautiful photos

on the table, I became overwhelmed thinking

and know that you are helping your sponsored child to survive

about the many little ones out there who were just

and grow.

waiting for someone to help them. Throughout the

If you are currently not sponsoring a child, I would encourage

night, a lot of people came and picked up a child's

you to research just how a child’s life can be changed by your

card. Some of them decided to sponsor a child,

$30–a–month commitment.

and some didn't. Seeing vulnerable children's cards being placed back down on the table was very difficult to watch. I hope and pray that each

Kim S. Brown |

President

concert brings people – and lots of them – who are willing to sponsor a child in desperate need of help.

Go to www.holtinternational.org/sponsorship for more information. Thank you for your generous support.

I hope that, as Holt sponsors, you will continue to be a blessing in your sponsored child’s life and should your child find a

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I pray for that too, Kathy.

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / W i nt e r 2011

CHANGING

CHILDREN’SLIVES…

CHANGINGAGENERATION

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Through long-standing partnerships in India, Holt works to improve the lives of children and families in this poverty-stricken country. Christian music group NewSong recently traveled to India to view Holt’s work and received a firsthand glimpse of how loving, attentive care, child sponsorship support and family preservation efforts can change lives forever.

The children line up at the window. For the last few weeks, they’ve eagerly anticipated the arrival of the four performing artists who make up the Christian band NewSong.

They’ve prepared songs and dances for Eddie, Russ, Matt and Billy, and can’t wait to do a little performing themselves.

When the vans pull up and the guys step out, the children squeal with excitement.

As NewSong begins to climb the stairs, the children call out “mama, mama!” – the word for uncle in Marathi, the main Indian dialect used in the city of Pune, India. A staff member here, at the Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK) care center, hands Russ a guitar, brought from home. The children beg them to sing Jingle Bells and Old MacDonald, and the guys proceed to belt them out with great gusto. But their biggest hit requires audience participation: “If you’re happy and you know it.” The children catch on quickly, and begin to sing along, mimicking the guys’ clapping, stomping gestures. When the song ends, the children cry, “Encore!” Not to disappoint their fans, the guys repeat “If you’re happy,” this time picking up the pace and challenging the children to sing faster.

Although this is the band’s first time visiting Holt’s programs in India, NewSong has observed similar scenes in its 6-year partnership with Holt – traveling first to China in 2006, and Korea in 2007. Feeling led by God – and inspired by Holt’s mission to serve vulnerable children – the Christian music group began sharing Holt’s message while on tour in 2005, inspiring thousands of concertgoers to take part in Holt’s child sponsorship program. A main component of Holt’s work, sponsorship provides children in care with food, clothing, education, warmth and love. NewSong’s initial efforts to promote this vital program have since expanded into the 4-month concert series Winter Jam – Christian music’s largest annual tour, featuring award-winning artists and motivational speakers.

Trips to view Holt’s work have given NewSong members an emotional firsthand look – a window enabling them to describe the needs of children, and to convey to their audience the tremendous impact of sponsoring a child.

BrianCampbell |

Creative Services Director

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“I am amazed at the effort and work of Holt International, and the support system these children receive through sponsorship,” says Eddie Carswell, co-founder of NewSong. This year, NewSong continues to share this message with Winter Jam audiences.

SERVE

“Holt’s long, rich history working with our two main partners in India has demonstrated the significant impact local agencies can have in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable, orphaned and abandoned children around the world,” explains Jennifer Goette, Holt’s director of programs for South & Southeast Asia.

Today, BSSK cares for approximately 150 children in care centers and foster care programs. Many of the children eventually join families in India. For others, particularly older children and children with special needs, international adoption is the best avenue to a permanent, loving family – and remains a significant component of Holt’s work. For all children in care, sponsorship is the vital link – providing the basic support and nurturing care needed for their healthy development.

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HOLT'SWORK

HOLT’S WORK WITH BSSK AND VCT — A LONG AND RICH HISTORY At BSSK, their impact is brought to life as children in care – all benefiting from sponsorship – invite the visiting NewSong members into their happy world. Laughing, pushing swings, catching children at the bottom of slides and spinning the merry-go-round, Matt, Eddie, Billy and Russ play as naturally as the rest of the kids. At points, many children are content to simply sit with some of the guys as they pause to regain strength for continued playtime. Fatherly instincts kick in when some of the children climb up in the laps of Eddie and Billy. Hugs, laughs and silent prayers are shared with bouncing children.

Formed in 1979, BSSK has since become Holt’s largest partner in India. In 1988 Holt helped establish a second partner agency in Bangalore – Vathsalya Charitable Trust (VCT). Both VCT and BSSK have cultivated exceptional models of attentive, loving care – care that enables children to grow and thrive, and ultimately join adoptive families. In the years since their founding, our partners have helped thousands of children find permanent families through domestic or international adoption, and established model social service programs, including foster care, family preservation, long-term care for children with special needs, and educational sponsorship to help children attend and stay in school.

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As NewSong’s day at BSSK draws to a close, the band members pile into vans. "What a blessing it is to be with these kids today,” Russ says, as his head flops against the seat in exhaustion. “This is why we came – to be with these kids and to learn about Holt's care for them."

The Christian music group NewSong made their first trip to India with Holt in September. While there, the group toured care centers run by Holt’s dedicated partner agencies, BSSK and VCT, and spent time with the enthusiastic and energetic children. “What a blessing it is to be with these kids today,” said group member Russ Lee. NewSong shares Holt’s message of child sponsorship during their Winter Jam tour — a 4-month concert series sponsored by Holt. Today, BSSK cares for 150 children — all benefitting from child sponsorship. Page 7: Through microfinance loans, start-up supplies, nutritional and educational support, BSSK and VCT work to keep struggling families together and strong. Shveta (CENTER) received tailor training through the program. She is shown here honing the skills that allow her to provide for her family.

The guys pause outside the doorway of a family in BSSK’s family preservation program, where a woman named *Shveta answers the door. With gracious gestures, she welcomes the NewSong members into her home. The guys politely remove their shoes and enter the home’s one room – roughly 8 feet by 12 feet in size. They stand beneath a corrugated tin roof, which, heated by the sun, has turned the room into a sauna. But the guys — eager to hear Shveta’s story — don’t seem to mind the heat as they listen to Shveta talk and Roxana translate.

Day laborers, Shveta and her husband worked when they could.

In India, the average day laborer earns an annual income of roughly 4,000 rupees, or less than $100 a year. To help support the family, their two children quit school to work. With day-to-day survival the main concern, the dream of education for their teenaged son and daughter was fading fast. Then BSSK stepped in.

LOV

The van stops at the mouth of a back alley neighborhood, where Billy, Eddie, Matt and Russ step out with Roxana Kalyanvala, BSSK’s director. As they wind through the alley, the NewSong members begin to notice the houses that line these narrow streets – tiny, one-room dwellings with makeshift doors composed of wood, sheet metal and tin roofing. Food is being prepared in doorways, over open fires in the middle of the narrowing pathways — the same paths where laundry, animals and pedestrians pass by in uninterrupted streams.

In the alley outside, Russ and Matt pause and glance around, seeking the answer.

“The folks of Holt International are the feet and hands here on the ground,” says Eddie. “They come in here and do what they can for these kids to have a better future.”

VATHSALYA CHARITABLE TRUST (VCT) — SPONSORING THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN

SPONSORINGEDUCATION

FAMILYPRESERVATION

THE HANDS AND THE FEET — FAMILY PRESERVATION WORK IN INDIA

Traditional music blasts out of a makeshift shrine to Ganesha – a deity worshiped in the Hindu religion. It’s festival season in India and people from all over the surrounding regions have traveled to Bangalore to be with family and participate in the celebration. Families have scraped together their meager wages and purchased idols and treats for the elephant god – the Hindu god of success.

But today, individuals moved by a different God journey into the depths of the Bangalore slum.

Following VCT Director Mary Paul, the NewSong members make their way through the rough alleys.

Joining them are a group of school-aged girls in VCT's child sponsorship program – a program that keeps young girls in school when families cannot afford their education.

Today, these girls will show Mary Paul and NewSong where they live.

One girl, *Seveta, momentarily pauses to observe the half-clothed children running through the alley and women washing clothes in pans filled with dingy water.

The alley smells of waste.

Leaning close to Mary Paul’s ear, Seveta whispers, “I’m ashamed to show these men my home. It’s much too small

With Holt support, BSSK and VCT work to keep struggling families together, providing nutritional, educational and medical support, and often microloans to help families rebuild their lives. As with children in care, child sponsorship is key to meeting the needs of children in family preservation.

“How does a family live on less than $10 a month?” Matt whispers as the group leaves Shveta’s home. Pausing, he lets the thought sink into his heart. “What did these children eat for less than $100 a year?”

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BSSK provided tailor training for Shveta and employment leads for her husband. Through sponsorship, our partner agency was also able to provide the resources needed for the children to continue school.

CHANGE

home environment for sponsored children. They also enable children to focus more on their studies. Although VCT provides the tools for success, it’s up to the children to make the best of the support given – an often difficult task as most students have to balance schoolwork with responsibilities at home.

for them.” Mary Paul, smiling, encourages Seveta to carry on, but only if she is comfortable. Seveta rocks her head from side to side – a common gesture of agreement in India.

Mary Paul serves as a mentor for young women and girls, like Seveta, in the surrounding communities. In a society that sees women as less than men, Mary Paul is a pillar of strength and support. She provides girls with the confidence to grow and strive for something better, and shows them the possibilities that exist when they go against the societal grain of Indian culture.

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / W i nt e r 2011

Seveta guides her guests into the small but tidy, one-room home she shares with her parents and sister. Practicing her ever-improving English skills, she begins to tell her story. Though Seveta’s sister attends college, her parents could not afford to continue Seveta’s education. Because of her father’s alcoholism, her mother has also become the family’s principle provider. With Holt’s help, VCT stepped in, providing Seveta with the uniform, books, paper and other supplies she needs to attend school.

Seveta’s circumstances are not uncommon. In India, children often drop out of school to help earn income for their families.

Educational sponsorship through VCT’s family preservation program enables many children like Seveta – most of them girls – to remain in school. Families of sponsored children also receive access to a family health clinic, nutrition program, women’s support groups and i nc ome - g e ne r at i ng projects, including microloans for small businesses. In sum, these services help create a safe, stable

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Seveta proudly shows her grades to Russ and Billy, both impressed with her willingness to work so hard.

“There are still so many more we could serve in just this area,” says Mary Paul, exiting the house. "In the Indian culture, when you send a boy to school, you change his life and that continues to be so important. But when you send a girl to school, you can change an entire generation."

When a girl receives an education in India, she will often share what she’s learned with other girls in the community, encouraging them to reach for more.

Leaving the alley, Russ looks back to see Seveta standing in front of her home – her neat school uniform in sharp contrast to her meager surroundings.

“It’s almost like she doesn’t belong there,” says Russ. “When she finishes her education, she won’t. She will have so much more than this.”

“This is what we do,” Mary Paul responds. “God gives us the will and courage to do this work one child at a time.”

Almost on cue, the celebration music abruptly stops. A smile curls the corners of Russ’ mouth.

“Let’s make it more than one at a time, if we can,” he says, with a tone of fierce determination.

Holt International’s child sponsorship program is the best way to support the continuing efforts of our partners in India to provide for children and families in need.

Go to www.holtinternational.org/sponsorship to sponsor a child today!

ABOVE: Russ shares a moment with a child at VCT. BELOW: An important component of VCT’s family preservation work, educational sponsorship allows children — mostly girls, like Seveta (shown on the left with NewSong) — to remain in school.

Rebecca Moore, an adoptive mother of four Holt kids and Winter Jam volunteer, shares about her volunteer experience, and what it means to give her time to these important concerts.

How many times have you volunteered at Winter Jam? RM: We have volunteered at the last four Winter Jams. This will be our 5th!

What has inspired you to get involved with Winter Jam? What keeps you volunteering year after year?

RM: We are so blessed by Holt’s work, and by the children themselves. Year after year Holt staff works to give every child a home. The children need to be strong as they struggle with loss, waiting for a family, and then facing a new life in a strange land. The least we can do is work one night a year!

Why do you feel it’s important to give your time to help out at the concerts?

RM: About three years ago we were working at Winter Jam when we saw our daughter’s face among those children on the table. We have four Holt kids in our family. These kids were once sponsored by someone whose gifts provided them with food, shelter and care while they waited to join our family. Those were long waits. Two of our adoptions took over 2 ½ years each, so knowing the children were cared for during that time was so important to us.

What does volunteering at a concert involve?

RM: It’s easy. Volunteers man the Holt tables, helping people to choose a child to sponsor and fill out the sponsorship applications.

It’s fun to help them choose a child. Women take it very seriously.

Men often ask the volunteer to choose for them. The majority of people come at intermission so the rest of the concert volunteers can take turns watching the show.

What is the atmosphere like at the concerts?

RM: Fun and fast–paced! We enjoy the excitement of the concert.

It does get fast during intermission when all those people come to the Holt tables!

Have you ever received feedback from families who have sponsored a child at a concert? What did they say?

RM: Many people who sponsor come back in subsequent years and tell you how much they have enjoyed their sponsored child. They enjoy letting volunteers know how their child is doing or how many years they have been sponsoring. I’ve also run into people in my community who have told me they started sponsoring at a Winter Jam concert. My hairdresser, for instance!

How does it feel to be able to give your time to this cause?

RM: It feels great! How can you beat it? You have fun and get to give at the same time! I’ve done other fundraisers for orphans, a 5K for instance, that were much harder! Four of our children have participated and they enjoy the experience too. We have two sponsored kids of our own, but we can’t sponsor them all. This is a way for us to give more.

What would you tell families who may be considering volunteering at a concert this year?

RM: Just do it! It is a great way to spend a fun evening as a family and do something for the fatherless. If you have been touched by Holt’s work, consider giving this one night to the kids. It’s easy, fun and it will mean so much to the children’s quality of life to be provided for as they wait for their forever family.

For six years running, Holt has teamed up with Christian music group NewSong to raise awareness of the thousands of homeless children overseas.

Help us reach new sponsors at each concert! It's easy and fun!

Get FREE entry and a FREE CD when you volunteer to sign-up sponsors and pass out info at Winter Jam 2011! We need 100 volunteers at each concert – so bring a friend! Your 4-5 hour commitment can change a child's life forever...Go to www.holtinternational.org/winterjam to find a concert near you!

LEFT: The Moore family. Robert (19, India), Rebecca, Jeff, Martine (12, Haiti), Gabrielle, Nephtalie (6, Haiti) RIGHT: Brother and sister, Rob and Nephtalie. Rob, a Holt adoptee from India, is currently on tour with Winter Jam, sharing his adoption story. Nephtalie came home to Rebecca Moore and her husband, Jeff, on a humanitarian parole visa after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Rebecca Moore is a dedicated Winter Jam volunteer.

To Be Blessed With Child A Holt mom uses her talent and passion for dance to raise funds for BSSK When I was a student of film in India, I had my first introduction to the process of adoption. In order to graduate we had to research and write a script about any subject dear to us. There had been a lot of press about single mother adoptions then, and I decided that was going to be my subject. So I set about researching orphanages in and around New Delhi, and spoke to the directors to try and visit and do research for my script.

I had a huge advantage being a student, as I was given access to not just the administrative areas but to the very children themselves. It was here that I met a young girl who left an indelible impression on me by grabbing hold of my arm and not letting go – she just smiled at me and said “ma." I was only 21, but I promised myself that one day, when I was more stable financially, I would adopt a child.

Fast forward to 2003. My husband and I had been through the grueling process of infertility treatment with no results. We had decided a long time ago that we would go only so far in the medical realm and then plunge into the adoption process. I couldn’t believe that the promise I made years ago was about to be fulfilled.

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My husband and I were of Indian origin, so India was our country of choice. A really dear friend of my husband had adopted his first child from Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK) and raved about the place; after some digging, we too were sold. So, in mid-December, we formally applied to Holt to adopt a child from BSSK India.

The wait was of course agonizing, but nine months later we got “The Package” from Holt with the pictures, video and information about our child. It was one of the most special moments in our married life as we sat in my husband’s office watching the video of our little boy to be! That was the beginning of our connection to BSSK, with the adoption of our son in 2004.

Subsequently, in 2007, we adopted our second child, a little girl from BSSK as well.

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I teach classical Indian dance and when we were leaving to receive our son, my dance school threw a surprise baby shower for us. It was very touching as I never thought of myself as the expectant mother in the traditional sense. While I was there I found out that two of my students, whom I knew were adopted from India, were also from BSSK! Their father, Phil, was part of a fusion jazz band called Natraj. So that’s when I got the idea to use my talents as a classical Indian dancer to work with Natraj and raise money for the organization that fulfilled our dream to become parents.

When I talked about this idea with my husband, he was as excited as I was. The children, now 6 and 4, ran to their piggy banks and pulled out $10 each and gave it to me saying, “Amma, please give this to the children at BSSK” – as a mother I couldn’t have asked for more. My children were my first donors!

Phil and I talked about collaborating, wherein I would perform my dance to their music. We had a trial run in March 2010 to see how my dance and the band would gel.

We had a sell–out show and the creative collaboration was brilliant.

So, the official date was set for September 25, 2010 at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, MA. Putra Poutra Bhavathu – To be Blessed with Child – was performed to raise money for BSSK. We managed to raise fifteen thousand dollars, and there has been interest generated to bring the show to other venues as well – which is extremely exciting!

We are truly blessed to have our children, who never cease to inspire and surprise us, and to the wonderful folk at BSSK who are remarkable in the work that they do, day in and day out, to help these beautiful children unite with their forever families!

Jayshree Bala Rajamani | Lexington, Massachusetts ABOVE: Ranjit and Jayshree Rajamani, with their children Surya (left) and Mayari.

around the globe The Philippines

Haiti January 12th marked the one-year anniversary of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti and killed an estimated 230,000 people. We remember those who lost their lives, the thousands of children now orphaned and the millions of people left homeless and still struggling to survive.

In the past year, Holt helped hundreds of distressed families get back on their feet as the dangers of hurricanes and cholera outbreaks threatened families' valiant efforts to restore their lives.

By the grace of God, many families are slowly turning their circumstances around. Holt International humbly asks for your ongoing prayers, and that God will continue to guide us in our efforts to help these children and families where we can. Holt gives thanks for the support that you so generously provided in 2010.

We still have a lot of work to do in Haiti, but with your ongoing assistance and prayers, we will continue to make a difference for the Haitian people as they bravely carry on with the monumental task of rebuilding their city, and rebuilding their lives.

In early 2011, Holt will introduce a pilot adoption program for older children in the Philippines. Ambassadors, selected by Holt, will travel to the Philippines in March to meet a group of older children waiting to be adopted.

After interacting with and getting to know the children, the ambassadors will return to the States and advocate for their adoptions. Holt looks forward to sharing more information about this special program in the months to come. Many healthy, older children are waiting for families in the Philippines right now. It is our hope that this program will offer valuable information to families considering older child adoption and help bring these beautiful children into permanent homes.

Uganda Holt International is actively recruiting families with a pioneer spirit for a pilot adoption program in Uganda. Since 2003, Holt has partnered with Ugandan non-profit Action for Children to provide desperately needed family preservation services to children and families in Uganda impacted by HIV/AIDS, malaria, poverty, and a lack of food resources. Through the “Moses Project," Holt finds families for children who have been abandoned or are no longer able to remain with their birth families. Go to www.holtinternational.org/uganda to learn more about adopting from this country. For additional information, please contact Stephanie Gibson at stephanies@holtinternational.org or Jennifer Dalton at jenniferdalton@holtinternational.org.

Guatemala

Please keep the children and families of Haiti in your hearts and in your prayers.

Go to www.holtinternational.org/gifts to give a Gift of Hope for Haiti.

Go to www.holtinternational.org/sponsorship to sponsor a child in Haiti today!

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With adoption suspended since 2008, Holt’s primary focus in Guatemala has been to keep children in families or family-like settings, and out of institutions. To further this goal, Holt secured in 2009 a three-year, private grant to remodel the system of child welfare services in Guatemala. By providing training and technical assistance, Holt aimed “to reduce the inflow of children into institutions, to reduce the time they had to stay there, to successfully reunite them with their families and to then monitor their wellbeing,” explains Sarah Halfman, Holt’s program director for Latin America, Haiti and Romania. In October 2010, Halfman joined an independent consultant on a mid-term evaluation of the project, traveling to two of the three project sites. The project has proven successful in several key areas, from establishing an effective model for expediting child cases to engaging communities to participate in the welfare of children. “We’re doing amazing work with the child management system in Guatemala,” says Halfman. The model has been created. Now, the challenge stands to take it to scale throughout the country.

from the family Journey of Hope to Gemma After adopting Ava, a China Child of Promise, in 2008, the Yarger family found Gemma, an older child, on Holt's Journey of Hope photolisting This time, however, the proverbial cart was in front of the proverbial horse. Rather than do the paper chase and then wait to be matched, we’d already matched ourselves with this girl. We felt a real sense of urgency, knowing this little girl in China was awaiting an imminent adoption. We wanted to get to her as quickly as possible.

I imagined a giant looming clock with an incessantly ticking second hand.

Let the freak-out commence.

We hadn’t even begun another dossier, nor had we any experience with the new Hague process, so we were decidedly apprehensive about what was to come.

What did come almost made us throw in the towel. Notably:

What compels veteran adoptive parents to adopt again? For us, it was a sense of incompletion. Despite our best efforts to proliferate the Earth with children – we had five at the time of our second adoption – we still felt our family wasn’t quite complete.

After a year home with our first adopted daughter, Ava, we weren’t even settled yet. But then my wife April found a face – just a face on Holt’s photolisting of a girl in the Journey of Hope China program. She knew, one day, they’d be united.

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / W i nt e r 2011

That’s how strong and immediate the connection can be. It was just a matter of convincing me to adopt again.

After bringing Ava home, we quickly realized that we were getting a little old to manage such a large family – especially with an energetic toddler still in diapers. If we adopted again, we knew the child would have to be a little older.

April showed me the photolisting bio of the 8-year-old cutie she hoped to adopt. I admire my wife’s big heart and, trusting she’d already considered all possible ramifications of introducing another child into the family, I agreed. By now accustomed to a family in constant growth, our kids also mostly took the idea in stride. After the high-energy experience of Ava, however, they were definitely relieved to find out we were planning to adopt an older child.

We’d done it… We had decided to adopt again.

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1.

Selecting a child does not guarantee a match with that child. We would have to submit to paperwork and interviews to prove that we not only understood what we were getting into with an older child, but that we had the resources and support to help her adjust to life in America. It was highly possible, we also learned, that one or more families would request the same child.

2. Adoption law in our state precluded us from reusing our former home study, which we had just completed in our final post-placement visit. What should have cost us nothing cost us $2,500!

3. We launched a fundraising campaign for the dossier and China fees. To give back to our donors, we held a raffle with some tangible items they had donated. Consequently, our online payment provider cut off our account! This set us back weeks while we worked it out.

These are just a few of the small setbacks that nearly cost us our sanity. But through prayer and the thought of this deserving child in China, we persevered.

Some time ago, a wise man told me that God rewards leaps of faith. Adopting again was among the best decisions we’ve ever made.

On October 25th, 2010, we gathered as a group of families in the Adoption Registry Center of Guangdong Province. Within minutes, our daughters were introduced to us. We’d dreamed about them, we’d had imaginary conversations with them, we’d adorned our shelves and computers with their pictures, we’d prepared their room, their closet, their suitcase. We’d loved them

from the moment we knew they were our daughters. Here now, unceremoniously delivered, were our daughters.

Bai Jie Ya, now Gemma, uttered her first words to us in English through an ear-to-ear smile: “Hello, my name is Gemma.

Nice to meet you.” To say the joy was indescribable is an understatement.

While Gemma’s Orphan Visa processed – a requisite and time-consuming step – we spent the time in Guangzhou getting to know Gemma as best we could. Our journey is chronicled in depth at www.myadoptionwebsite.com/ourgemma.

Our experience with Gemma was much more positive than stories we’d heard about other older child adoptions. Holt very methodically helps older children separate from their known world and prepare for an international adoption. Among other things, they learn about cultural differences between China and America, what it means to be part of a forever family, how to cope, and very importantly, how to say goodbye. Holt was definitely the right agency to partner with in this endeavor.

From the outset, we were able to interact with Gemma, even if mostly one-way. We were allowed to ask her questions and send her things. Several times we had letters translated to send along with gifts, which Holt verified she received. We were even able to send video footage of an ordinary day in the life of our family.

The net result: Gemma came to us well adjusted and ready to go.

She experienced only minor grief while in China, and little to none once home in America. We have gone to great lengths to continue her heritage experience, including Mandarin classes once a week and frequent visits with Cantonese and Mandarin-speaking friends. I would encourage anybody considering adopting an older Chinese child to strike up conversations with Chinese people you meet prior to traveling. Ours have rapidly become generous and helpful friends, enabling Gemma to fully express herself through

translation. It also enabled us to take care of the important items, such as learning about her preferences for food and sleeping arrangements, the kind of student we can expect, and working on certain corrections in her manners.

We don’t expect any new real surprises out of Gemma. Like everyone, she has personality quirks. Our chief concern was her ability to express love, gratitude and other emotions in a healthy way. In China, I worried that I might actually face some attachment problems with Gemma. Ava had attached to me immediately, but it took Gemma a while to warm up. I now understand that this is a cultural difference between China and America. Chinese people do not show affection the same way Americans do. Once aware that it’s wholly acceptable here, many will definitely show affection. Gemma delights in spontaneously saying, “I love you,” and frequently gives hugs and kisses. Now instead of one daughter tackling me at the knees when I come in the door, I have two, and I’m in love with these beautiful girls from across the sea.

If you are considering adopting an older child from China, don’t delay the decision any longer.

There are all too many of them and they want and need you now.

You and your child will be blessed in ways you can’t yet imagine.

Sean Yarger |

Colorado Springs, Colorado

FROM TOP LEFT: Preston, April (mom), Gavin, Soren, Sean (dad), Ava, Keaton and the Yarger family’s newest addition, Gemma

ADOPTING A CHILD FROM CHINA TO BUILD 3WONDERFUL WAYSYOUR FAMILY… Holt International offers three options for you to consider when adopting a child from China. We encourage you to explore each one, and let Holt's dedicated and knowledgeable staff help and guide you in determining which option is right for you.

To learn more go to

www.holtinternational.org/china

to get her when the Lord allowed. We prayed for the wall of the political practices to be chiseled away so we could be united with our daughter. Little did we know the walls of Haiti would literally have to fall in order to bring our daughter home.

The moment the earthquake hit, and the news broke out, our lives changed forever. From the hundreds of phone calls and emails, to the requests for interviews, we knew we were a part of something much bigger than ourselves. We had faith that our daughter would be coming home to us soon.

It was with fear, relief and overwhelming joy that we made the trip to Florida to receive Paulande (Mazie Grace) on February 2nd.

Love…Deeply and Intentionally Once shy and withdrawn, Mazie Grace has blossomed in the arms of her loving family

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / W i nt e r 2011

After three long years sitting smack dab in the middle of the adoption process, and the lingering political hold we were in to adopt Paulande Jean from Haiti, the wait is over. The catastrophic earthquake in Haiti left thousands destitute while, at the same time, presented blessings of relief to those waiting to bring home their precious children. We were one of them.

In July 2006, we began the process of adopting from Haiti in order to teach others what love looks like, deeply and intentionally.

We were matched with a 9-month-old girl with a variety of health issues stemming from lack of nutrition and health care. Nurtured back to health at Holt Fontana Village, she soon became part of their family.

While visiting Haiti, we fell in love with the country and started mission work in the local orphanages. We visited Paulande twice while we were there and noticed she seemed somewhat withdrawn and shy. Sensing she just needed to be loved, we stayed and played on our visits and told her we would be back

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I can hardly believe it has been a year since our lives changed forever. When Mazie Grace came into our lives, our hearts changed forever. No more longing to see her. Now we get to hold her. No more tears of anticipation for her arrival. Now only cheers of joy.

Mazie has a darling and determined personality. Her headstrong tendencies and the walls she had built up were the biggest challenges we faced. After weeks and weeks of affirming, and rocking, and disciplining, and laughter, Mazie, one day, took a deep breath. On that day, she finally beamed with smiles, hugs and a million " I love you’s.” It was like, in the deepest part of her soul, she knew it was safe now and she would be okay. That's when we knew we had made it through the first big round of adoption adjustment.

Now as we tarry on in our day-to-day journey together as a family, we have a new “normal.” This precious little 4-year-old is thriving and curious, independent and loving life all over the place. Our cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing together. Our home is filled with the miracle of raising Mazie. The outlook on her life offers her possibilities that do not end. And of course, our ultimate goal is to teach this precious child of God what intentional serving looks like, and how she, too, can and will make a difference in the lives of others.

Sandi Polzin |

Cadott, Wisconsin

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Mazie’s brother, Ben, Ben’s wife, Sarah, Mildred the Yorkie, Sandi (mom), John (dad), Chase (brother), and Mazie, with dog, Carin.

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

Lebanon, PA gardner, 5 (China) — Lindsey Zhuo-Ping Bom ) — Kennewick, WA ina (Ch 5 James Batayola, DJ, 8 (Guatemala), and eigh, NC mos. (Ethiopia) — Ral Ayden Tirfe Seymour, 16 — Athena, OR ea) Kor m fro Bet ts, 2 (both Mason, 1, and Nathan nati, OH n, 16 (Korea) — Cincin Cassidy Hye Jin Layma — Los Angeles, CA na) Chi m fro th (bo 5 , rtz Kira, 7, and Talya Schwa n and Carrie and nna hiopia), with parent s Bre Hezekiel Laf fer ty, 3 (Et OH t, Ken — and Andrew siblings Grace, Patrick he, 5 Martand Soham Delwic and 7, l, ma Malachi Nir [8] WI , eld nev (both from India) — Bar Gif ford, 2 and Mia Marie Mi-jeong John Thomas Jae -ha, 4, [9] Lead, SD (both from Korea) — ina) — McKeesport, PA (Ch 6 rk, Cla ie Ann [10] to: Mail original color prints ine Holt International magaz OR 974 02 P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, at holtinternational.org/submissions or upload digital photos

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post–adoption Is That the Baby You Wanted?

Holt adoptive mother Jane Ballback shares her post–adoption stories Sometimes children act out their fear and grief and sometimes they give it words. I was so glad that so often my son Brandon gave it words, because he became my guide into the feelings and fears of his other two adopted siblings who were not expressing a great deal of what they were feeling. I’m forever grateful for all of the lessons Brandon presented me.

He gave me a really interesting lesson when the kids were in preschool. My twin boys, Brandon and Jaik, were about five and Stacee was about three, and we were attending the preschool end-of-the-year party.

That day I simply sat on the sidelines and watched all three of my children play on the playground when a little three-year-old girl found me. I had noticed her wandering around and assumed she was lost. Before I could talk to her and ask where her mom was, I needed to calm her fears, so I simply pulled her onto my lap and gave her a piece of my cookie. I then said, “Let’s go see if we can find your mom.” She was now calmed down, and we started walking around to find her mother, who was frantically looking for her. I handed her off to her mother and didn’t think another thing about it.

As I was driving home from the party, Brandon’s little voice came from the back seat and said, “Mama, is that the baby you wanted?

I thought, what in the world? I asked, “Brandon, what did you say?” He repeated, “Mama, is that the baby you wanted? She has brown curly hair and she looked just like you!”

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / W i nt e r 2011

I had a very difficult time driving the rest of the way home as my brain raced to comprehend what he was asking. I thought, is he wondering if I had any sort of buyer's regret? I also wondered if the other two were thinking about that as well.

As soon as we got home I sat all three of my kids down, and I said, “I’ve told you this story many times, but I’m happy to tell you the story again. Your dad and I had a lot of choices when we decided we wanted to adopt children. All we knew is that we wanted children that we could love. We didn’t care what color they were and we didn’t care where they came from — we knew we were ready to welcome children into our lives. So, despite the fact that we are never going to look like each other, Mom and Dad will always love you with all of our hearts! We would choose you again and again…and we simply could not imagine life without you! So, no Brandon, that little girl was not the baby that I wanted. You three are the babies that I wanted.”

You will find yourself repeating your children’s stories and your choices over and over again. And if you don’t have a child that

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Jaik, Stacee and Brandon prompts you to do so as Brandon did me, it is very important that you do so anyway. One good way is to keep their picture albums up to date. Most parents do this, of course — it’s a typical thing that families do.

Steve and I literally kept their baby books documented from their arrival home, to their first year, their second year, their third year, etc... We would spend a great deal of time choosing what pictures went in the books and talking about our experiences.

I was recently organizing my picture cupboard because I’m posting a lot of pictures on my blog, and I ran across these original baby books along with other picture albums created over the years. These books were tattered and torn from constant handling, constant looking and constant remembering. Even today I’ll find my kids — even in young adulthood — occasionally taking that walk down memory lane. It’s a really good way to continue to tell the story and to continue to remember how special they are and how loved they are. *You can read more of Jane’s post–adoption blogs at www.holtinternational.org/blog/category/post-adoption

Jane Ballback |

Newport Beach, California

adoptees today A New Beginning...

A Powerful Connection Thirteen-year-old Allison discusses her life-changing experiences at Holt adoptee camp and encourages others to join her on next summer’s adventures My name is Allison Fuchs. This summer was my fifth year attending Holt camp in Oregon. When I was younger, I had a lot of unanswered questions in my mind — some were more important than others. This year, I finally realized that many of my questions should be asked.

I think Holt camp is very important for adoptees. It teaches us that there are other people our age who have faced the same problems we have. It’s a great way to share a special bond with another adoptee.

...I think of all adoptees as my extended family

The most rewarding part of camp is seeing how dedicated the staff is. Making sure the campers have fun and learn who they are is the staff’s number one goal. To top it off, they don’t get paid for any of it! I truly admire the level of commitment they give.

Adoptee camp helped me so much in everyday life. It helps me make new friends every year and has helped me realize that it wasn’t my fault I was adopted. This was always something I wondered until I asked it at camp. I finally understood that it is never the adoptee’s fault. Never.

I want to tell adoptees that they are special to me. Even if I don’t know them, I still feel very passionate about them.

I think of all adoptees as my extended family. It’s a terrific feeling and I hope they feel the same way. I think every adoptee should attend Holt camp. You don’t even have to be adopted through Holt to go! If you attend, you will have a chance to ask all the questions in your head about adoption and have your questions answered! I think every adoptee who attends camp has a great experience and leaves with a connection so powerful that they feel the need to come back — a connection that lives in every adoptee’s soul.

My fondest memory of Holt camp is meeting Michael Tessier. He is on the leadership staff.

Something just mentally clicked when we met.

The first thing I

remember him doing was smile. His smile made me feel like I was being welcomed home. It made me feel like I belonged at camp. That was five summers ago. Over the years, Michael and I have become pretty awesome buddies. Michael is one of the camp veterans and has been on staff every year except one since I have attended camp. He is so dedicated to Holt that he works there year–round!

Everyone should have a chance to start over, to have a new beginning. Adoption means just that. Everyone is always saying that they feel sorry that I was adopted, but my answer is always: don’t be sad. Be happy for me. It’s a blessing to be able to live the life I live. It’s not a curse; it’s a new beginning. I truly am thankful for Holt. Adoptee camp has unearthed many answers for me and has given me friends. I look forward to it every year. I actually met my best friend at Holt camp. Her name is Lila Grace. She has the purest heart and can accomplish almost anything when she sets her mind to it. She is a great friend to have. I want to thank everyone who has helped make camp such a wonderful experience for me. It’s a memory that will last a lifetime.

Connect with other adoptees (9-16 years of age) at a Holt adoptee camp this summer….go to www.holtinternational.org/camp

Allison Fuchs

“Adoptee camp has unearthed many answers for me and has given me many friends,” says Allison (right) of her camp experience. Allison attended camp for the fifth time last year. She’s shown here at camp with her friend, Addie.

updates Molly Holt to Be Honored Guest at Event in Omaha The upcoming Omaha auction event will commemorate Holt International’s 55th anniversary of serving homeless children – a legacy of love that began at the Ilsan Center in Korea. Since Holt’s beginning, many children with special needs at Ilsan have gone home to wonderful, permanent families. This year, all proceeds from the auction in Omaha will be designated to update the Ilsan Center and provide ongoing, quality care for the children and other residents.

Molly Holt, Ilsan director and daughter of Harry and Bertha Holt, will be the honored guest at this year’s auction on March 19th. Visit www.holtinternational.org/events for more information and to RSVP or contact Sandi Mehl at sandim@holtinternational.org. See the neighborhood calendar, to the right, for date, time and location information.

University of Oregon Graduate Volunteering at Holt Sahathai Foundation University of Oregon graduate Ally Tritten is currently in Thailand volunteering at Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), helping to assess and find families for children with special needs.

With a family and human services degree under her belt, Ally, along with the HSF team, plan to assess 80 special needs children in hopes of finding each of them a permanent family. Holt International has already started looking for adoptive families for some of the children. “The children are truly special souls," says Ally. “They show me how to live life in ways I have been close-minded to and open my eyes to the idea that when you have a challenge in life, you can adapt and create new ways to interact with the world.”

For more information on Holt’s Waiting Child program go to www.holtinternational.org/ waitingchild Go to www.holtinternational.org/blog/thailand to read Ally’s blogs from Thailand

President Obama Signs Two Important Adoption Acts

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / W i nt e r 2011

President Obama has approved two important pieces of legislation affecting adoptive families — the Help HAITI Act, signed into law December 9th, and the Adoption Simplification Act, signed November 30th. The Adoption Simplification Act helps ensure the safety of adopted children. Previously, the U.S. required all children adopted from Hague Convention countries – including China, Thailand, the Philippines and India – to receive all their vaccinations before entering the U.S. Delivered all at once, these immunizations can be unsafe to young children. “It’s good public health,” Susan Cox, Holt director of public policy and external affairs, says of ensuring everyone receives routine vaccinations against infectious diseases. “But not for babies.”

With the passage of this act, all children 10 or younger – adopted from any country – may wait to get their shots until after they enter the U.S. Delaying immunizations has one additional effect on the adoption process – an effect important to every parent and every child eager to be united as a family. “It means the children won’t have to wait so long (to enter the U.S.),” says Cox. The Adoption Simplification Act includes one additional provision.

Families who’ve adopted from Hague signatories may now adopt their child’s siblings, up to 18-years-old. Previously, the cut-off age was 16.

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neighborhood calendar California

July 31-August 4 | Dobbins — Holt Adoptee old (day camp, August 3)

Camp for adoptees 9-16 years

Georgia

for adoptees 9-16 years old

July 24-28 | Hampton — Holt Adoptee camp (day camp, July 27)

Iowa

July 24-28 | Okoboji — Holt Adoptee Camp (day camp, July 27)

for adoptees 9-16 years old

Nebraska

Auction to raise money for the March 19 | La Vista — Holt Gala Dinner and Embassy Suites, 5:30 pm, with Vista La care, in ren child Ilsan Center and special guest, Molly Holt

New Jersey

August 7-12 | Sussex — Holt Adoptee Camp (day camp, August 11)

Oregon

July 17-21 | Corbett — Holt Adoptee Camp (day camp, July 20)

Wisconsin

July 31-August 4 | Wautoma — Holt Adop old (day camp, August 3)

for adoptees 9-16 years old

for adoptees 9-16 years old

tee Camp for adoptees 9-16 years

Get the Info

ct: For Holt Adoptee Camp information conta org or go to onal. rnati ltinte Steve Kalb at stevek@ho p /cam al.org www.holtinternation For Event Information contact: i Mehl at Events and Corporate Relations Direc tor Sand sandim@holtinternational.org For Holt Heritage Tour information contact: rnational.org, Lisle Veach for China tours: lislev@holtinte rnational.org or, tinte @hol Katy Bogart for Korea tours: katyb Adoptee tour: Adult Korea ny Betha Courtney Rader for the Holtl.org tiona courtneyr@holtinterna

Another breakthrough for adoptive families – and 21 Holt families in particular – occurred December 9th. Nearly one month shy of the one-year anniversary of Haiti’s massive earthquake, Obama signed into law the Help HAITI Act, ensuring citizenship for every child brought to the U.S. from Haiti on humanitarian parole visas.

Following the earthquake, the U.S. issued these visas to approximately 1,000 children already matched with adoptive families – including 21 children living at the Holt Fontana Village, the care center Holt supports in Haiti. Unlike children adopted through the usual process – who are automatically naturalized – these children faced years of waiting for the legal protections entitled to U.S. citizens. Among the children to become citizens are Nephtalie, Mazie Grace Jean, who joined the Polzin family in Wisconsin (see her story on page 14), and Sthainder, who lives with his family in Oregon.

w a it ing c h il d re n Travis

These and other children need adoptive families

Bor n 7/27/04 — Afr ica

A cheerful little boy who love s toys, Trav is came into care a few days after birt h. He was admitted to the hospital once for neonatal sepsis and, in May 2010, received treatment for malaria . He has also tested positive for HIV. Trav is is now in kindergarten at the care cent er and is developing quite well. He easi ly adapts to many environments, is lear ning to jump rope and loves to sing. Trav is is wait ing for a family that is comfortable with his diag nosis and can prov ide him with the ongoing med ical care he need s.

Travis

Hui-seong Bor n 2/16/07 — Korea

Hui-‐seong

Willow

This cute todd ler is curr ently in foster care. Born prematur e, he was relinquished by his birt h mot her in May 2009.

Upon adm ission into care, he received treatment for TB, and has since undergone ileostomy repair surgery and care for grade-2 bilateral hyd ronephrosis and an enlarged hear t. Develop mentally on target in all areas, Hui-seon g speaks in full, clear sentences and regu larly attends preschool. A quick lear ner, he can count to ten, knows his colors and animals, and memorizes books his fost er mot her reads to him – often reciting them back to her. Hui-seong’s foster mot her describes him as a very sma rt, obed ient and respectful boy. He has two older foster brot hers and his foster mot her believes Hui-seong would like to have siblings. A fan of books, miniature cars and legos, Hui-seong also has a girlfriend, who he thinks is beautiful.

This char ming guy would thrive in an experienced fam ily with access to the med ical resource s he needs.

Rohith Bor n 12/20/09 — South Asi a

This happy little boy is alwa ys excited to see his caregiver — and now he needs a special family. Born preterm at 3.5 lbs, Rohith was found to have intrauterine grow th retardat ion. In and out of the hospital unti l Febr uary 2010 , he has received treatment for seps is, anemia, gast roenterit is and lactose intolerance.

This past summer, he also underwent surgery for an ileostomy. Roh ith does, consequently, have some grow th and developmental delays. He can roll onto his side and move his arms and legs, but his ileostomy has prevented him from rolling over. Rohith would do best in a family comfortable with his spec ial needs and able to prov ide him with any future med ical care or therapies he may need.

Willow Bor n 10/13/02 — Southeast Asia

Outgoing and curious, Willow plays well with other children, follows inst ruct ions well and likes play ing outdoors . Found in a rice field at birt h, she joined a foster family when she was 4. At first, she struggled emotionally and had frequen t outburst s, which have since subsided.

Although developmentally on target, Willow has a shor t attention span and took time adjusting when she began school. Her speech, though sometimes unc lear, has improved with ongoing spee ch therapy.

Willow needs a family who has parented past her age, is knowledgeab le of older child adoption issues, and has access to the therapies she needs. She would do best as the youngest child at home, or as the only child of parents whose older children have already left hom e.

For more infor matio n on adop ting these and other waiting child ren, conta ct Erin Mower at erinm @hol tinter natio nal.o rg www.holt inter nati onal .org /wai ting child /pho

R ohith

tolis ting

Post Office Box 2880 Eugene, OR 97402

Change Ser vice Reques ted

NOT TO HELP IS TO HURT...

Sponsor a child today! www.holtinternational.org/sponsorship or call 888.355.HOLT

April 14-16, 2011

...three generations of international adult adoptees

Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW Washington, DC

Acknowledging the collective wisdom of the international adult adoptee community to the field of adoption, Holt International and Adoptees for Children present an International Forum in Washington D.C! This two-and-half-day event features appearances by: t International adoptees & their spouses t Child welfare & adoption experts t International adoption ministry officials t Leaders of international non-governmental organizations

This meaningful forum seeks to build on 55 years of international adoption experience, moving forward to strengthen the collective intercountry adoption community.

Adult adoptees and adoptive families are especially encouraged to attend this historic and meaningful event!

For more information and to register, go to www.holtinternational.org/conference/internationalForum