Siding with ‘the Least of These’ Hanging by her foster mom’s side, Mei’s slightly embarrassed grin and sparkling dark eyes spoke of the secure place of acceptance and belonging she now occupied. Nestled under the foster mother’s arm, Mei’s disability presented no barrier to the closeness shared by this mom and daughter. Had Mei remained in the orphanage, this scene would have looked very differently. I have seen hundreds of Mei’s in orphanages. Even in the best of institutions, their eyes seem to be always searching. And when they smile, something is missing. But for Mei—now in the care of a foster family—her world had been transformed.
South Korea
Oftentimes Holt’s first order of work is to get children out of institutions and into a family environment—sometimes for survival sake— and always to help children achieve their potential in life.
Vietnam
Cambodia
Guatemala
To the Front of the Line As I spoke with foster parents at the “Love of the Heart” group home in Nanchang, China, I watched a toddler hovering over bountiful bowls of fruits, nuts and candies—perhaps more with the idea of their use as playthings than for consumption. The tableau stood in vivid contrast to many situations I have witnessed—scenes where children who had lost their parents were last in line to receive basic needs. As I watched the little boy, I felt the presence of Jesus, and in my spirit I felt His admonition for us to side with “the least of these.”* One of the most satisfying parts of my life is working with a committed group of people worldwide who endeavor to move the least of these to the front of the line. At Holt, we do this by uniting children with families, enabling them to enjoy the manifold blessings that come from being someone’s son or daughter.
China
Tears welled up in one foster mom’s eyes as she pointed to the photograph behind her of a girl she had fostered. The girl recently left, adopted by a family in America. Yes, these were tears of pain because she and her husband loved and missed the girl so much. But they were also tears of hope for this child, tears that we all share in the profound joy of knowing we have made a difference in a child’s life.
Philippines
Ukraine
A Shared Vision Holt International connects people who share a vision for homeless children, a vision first expressed by our founder Harry Holt some 50 years ago: “Every child deserves a home….”
2006 Annual Report
The foster mom I met in China reminds me of Harry Holt. Like him, she is bringing children out of the shadows and into the open, ensuring that their basic needs are met. Her caring extends to children whose special needs may hinder their adoption. But because of her devotion, they are escaping the dehumanizing specter of institutionalization. This nurturing provided by the foster mom and others like her also offers a great start for children who will be adopted. Foster parents’ faithful, nurturing hands help these children take their first steps toward life in a permanent family. Such dedicated care characterizes the values that define Holt International’s work to this very day, every day.
Haiti
India
Kazakhstan
Holt International
As you look over our annual report summary, please realize that for thousands of children Holt helped in 2006 through adoption and other efforts to unite children with families, devoted people like our foster mom in China and compassionate people like you enabled this to happen.
is dedicated
to carrying out God’s plan for
The needs of children have brought together a world of people who have taken hold of Holt’s mission to help homeless children, and for this I am truly grateful.
every child
to have a
permanent,
loving family.
Gary N. Gamer President and CEO * from Matthew 25:45
Thailand
North Korea
Uganda
Mongolia