March-April 2013 Issue

Mar/Apr 2013

Gift of Motherhood The

Celebrating Holt moms near and far

Your Honor ith a rw Mothe Hope!

Gift of

in this issue 4

Let's Hear it for the Moms

March-April 2013 vol. 55 no. 2 Our Vision A world where every child has a loving and secure home.

Two adoptive moms share their stories

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From the Family Opening your heart to the children who wait: how sponsorship changed Charlotte's life

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Gifts of Hope Holt's 2013 Mother's Day gift catalog

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Adoptees Today Holt employee and adult adoptee Jordan Love shares his "love" story

Dear Readers

FRONT COVER: Holt celebrates all kinds of mothers on Mother’s Day — adoptive, birth and foster mothers. On the cover, we feature Patchara, a foster mother in Thailand.

During the devastating 2011 monsoon season, Patchara never left her foster children. “They are my family,” she said.

The spring issue of Holt International magazine has officially become our “Mother’s Day” issue. As you read through this special publication, we hope you enjoy the heartfelt family stories that help to illustrate the joys and hardships of motherhood.

In keeping with this “mother” theme, I thought it appropriate to share a little news with all of you. In June, my husband and I will welcome our first child, a son, into the world.

Due to this new and exciting “development” in our lives, I will be scaling back my hours at Holt, and our very capable and talented senior writer, Robin Munro, will take over the managing editor responsibilities.

I’m extremely excited to begin this new adventure and also feel blessed to be able to continue my relationship with Holt International as well as our Holt families and friends.

I can remember the first waiting child I ever advocated for when I started at Holt four years ago. Her name was “Melissa,” a 13-year-old from China who was just about to lose her adoption eligibility. Deep into job training and learning the ropes, it took me a while – too long – to grasp the severity of Melissa’s situation, to grasp the importance of my job. I wrote about Melissa on the blog and shared her story, and that was it. Then, two months later, as I was busy with the “day-to-day,” the late John Aeby, Holt’s former director of communica-

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

tions, came in to my office to inform me that Melissa had a family. Through advocating efforts and prayers, Melissa found her family in the nick of time. “It may not have seemed like much,” said John. “But you were a part of that.” After John left my office, I prayed, thanking God for putting me in this position. Finally, I got it.

Today, especially as I wait to welcome my new little one, I feel even more of a responsibility for the children who wait for families – most of them children with special needs, children like the ones featured on page 27. I can’t wait for each of these children to know the joy of having a mother — a mother to wipe their tears and give them a goodnight kiss.

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 International 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 Ashli Keyser Senior Writer Robin Munro

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 Brian Campbell at 541/687.2202 or brianc@holtinternational.org.

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

I know their day is coming, and I pray that it comes soon.

We at Holt wish all of you mothers and mothers-to-be out there a happy and hopeful Mother’s Day!

Ashli Keyser | 2

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 With My Own Eyes Mother’s Day Gifts of Hope

TOP: Holt President Phil Littleton shares a picture of his family with his sponsored child, Mali, her twin sister, Kanya, their mother, Lawan, and Holt Sahathai Foundation staff.

LEFT: Phil with Mali, Kanya and Lawan

Every morning, I see *Mali’s photo on my refrigerator at home.

For the past 2 years, my wife, three children and I have sponsored Mali’s care in Thailand through Holt’s sponsorship program – providing her most basic necessities, and helping her to grow and thrive. As Holt president and CEO, it means so much to me – and to my family – to be a part of this little girl’s life, and to give back to Holt in this special way. Mali lives with her mother, twin sister, *Kanya, and other extended family members. For two years, my family has been linked to Mali, praying for her from a distance and longing to provide her with hope and a future. By the grace of God and through our sponsorship support, we pray that she can grow in a safe and loving environment.

Just a couple weeks ago, I traveled to Thailand, the Philippines and Korea and got to meet Mali in Thailand – a moment that I will never forget. I was able to hold Mali and tell her about my family, including my daughter, who is just about her age. She smiled at me, clasped her hands together and thanked me for being her sponsor.

And I am happy to do my small part.

As we approach Mother’s Day, I think about mothers like Lawan. Her strength and dedication are an inspiration. And while my sponsorship support helps provide for her daughter, she is the person on the ground, doing the hard work.

In honor of mothers like Lawan, I challenge each and every one of you to support a mother – and, in turn, a child – in Holt’s care by providing a Mother’s Day Gift of Hope. By giving the gift of vocational training or livestock to a struggling mother, you are not just helping a mother, you are coming alongside a whole family.

I pray for all the mothers out there who are struggling to provide for their children. I pray that each of us, through sponsorship support or through a Gift of Hope, can help these women at some of the most desperate times of their lives – so that they, too, can one day live independent of Holt’s services and provide the best life possible for their children.

Give a Mother’s Day Gift of Hope today!

Phillip Littleton | President & CEO

*names changed

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

It means the world to me to be able to support Mali. But as president and CEO of Holt, I see the bigger picture. During our visit, Mali’s mother, *Lawan, shared her personal goals with me.

Lawan told me that she would like to continue her education in the civil service – giving her the resources and skills she needs to one day care for her children independent of Holt’s support.

Helping families become self-reliant and stable is always the

ultimate goal of Holt’s family strengthening programs. I was extremely moved to hear Lawan’s plans for the future, to hear of her dedication to her two girls and to hear of her ambitions to continue with her education.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE Two adoptive mothers share their stories

She Let me Be Her Mother

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

Meeting your adopted child is not always sunshine and rainbows, as adoptive parent Kristen Cook can attest. But getting through those tough first months can often lead to greater understanding and a better, more rich, relationship I boarded a plane with my husband on November 29th, 2011, bound for China and ready to meet my daughter. “My daughter.”

Eight years earlier, that phrase would have sounded completely strange, but now it made perfect sense. I was sure. I was ready.

I, of course, will never forget the day we met Naomi. I remember seeing her for the first time. A door opened in the back of the room, and there she was. Then, I held her. The feeling was indescribable. I didn’t have to wonder anymore about how tiny her feet were, what she smelled like, or how she would feel in my arms. I knew. We had been waiting for this day for years. And here she was.

It turns out, however, that our daughter didn’t exactly share the same sentiments for me, as I did for her. Initially.

China was hard. Naomi was not my number one fan. I honestly didn’t have many expectations for this trip and considered

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myself prepared for anything. Typically, I’m the one scouting the nearest exit on a plane. Always prepared. This was different. I don’t think anything can prepare you for being rejected by your child after you have waited so long to become a mother. I was not able to do anything for her. I couldn’t hold her, feed her, touch her or change her. Today, I, of course, can laugh at the fact that she would wipe off my kisses, but at the time, it was not a laughing matter. Thankfully, she liked my husband, who ended up doing almost all of the caregiving in China. I can’t lie. I was a bit jealous.

Here’s an illustration for you: Day number two in China will most likely go down as one of the strangest days of my life. All of the families in our province made a trip to a grocery store. Naomi, of course, did not want me pushing the cart. Our guide decided this would be an opportune time to explain to her that I was her

MOMS ­

RIGHT: Naomi helping her mom blow out the candles. Naomi and Kristen have come a long way in their relationship!

new mother. By the time the whole ordeal had come to an end, I think we had the entire grocery store watching us. Do you know what it’s like to be one of the only white people in a store, having someone tell your Chinese child that you are their mother, while 50 other Chinese people stare at you. Let’s just say it was not on my “bucket list.”

The one thing Naomi would do is play with me. I engaged her at every moment she would let me. Constantly engaging a child who wants little to do with you is extremely exhausting emotionally. I kept trying to remind myself of all the things she was going through. It was a crash course in selflessness that I honestly didn’t always succeed at. In all likelihood, I was her fifth female caregiver in 21 short months. No wonder she didn’t trust me. She had been through more than most adults in her short little life.

I will never forget the day Naomi first reached for me. We had had her for almost a week and were out to dinner with the other adoptive families in China. Naomi was sitting with my husband and, for some reason, she held out her arms to me. She let me hold her and feed her the rest of the meal. I could draw you a picture of that restaurant. I felt like her mother for the first time that day. I couldn’t feel the tension in her muscles or the palpable anxiety I felt the other times I tried to hold her. For brief moments in China, she would let me in.

I am now somewhat grateful for the experience I had with Naomi in China. My path to motherhood was far from what I ever envisioned. I take comfort in knowing that Naomi was meant to

be my daughter, and I was meant to be her mother. We both had to choose to love and accept one another. We both had to fight through painful and uncomfortable experiences to get to where we are today.

All relationships are complex and people are not perfect, whether it’s a mother and daughter, a husband and a wife, a brother and sister, or whatever. Ultimately, at some point you have to choose to love the other person, and hope that they will make the same choice. That’s the hard part. Our time in China will most certainly not be the only time that my daughter rejects me. It won’t be the last time our relationship is tested. One day, in her teenage years, she will slam a door in my face and tell me she never wants to talk to me again. I am hopeful that during that time, I will remember where we’ve been.

Today we are light years from where we started. Naomi is the most resilient and loving person I've met. The joy that comes from knowing she chose to let me in and be her mother is like none I've ever experienced.

Kristen Cook |

Omaha, Nebraska

Speaking in a “Mother” Language Abraham came home to the Herstons two years ago. A hearing-impaired child, Abraham had no means of communication and found a special bond with his also hearing-impaired dad, Steven. Right away, the family began teaching Abraham sign language and Jamie Herston began to connect with her son in her own special ways prevent effective parenting. I received a response from Holt that if we were willing to adopt a child who was also deaf, most countries would be open to working with us. So, we sent in our application and began praying.

About two weeks after submitting our application, we were asked by Holt’s waiting child assistant if we would be interested

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

We began the adoption process in October of 2011, after I had received a recommendation of Holt International from a friend who had researched adoption. I sent an email to the agency, inquiring which countries would be open to working with my husband and I. Given that my husband is deaf, we worried that other countries would view his deafness as a disability that would

in looking over the file of an older, hearing-impaired boy from India. We were cautiously optimistic. We didn’t want to get our hopes up, but the minute we saw Abraham’s face, we knew he was our boy.

A week later, on November 3, 2011 to be exact, the Waiting Child committee at Holt met to discuss Abraham’s future. That same afternoon, I received a call that we had officially been matched with him. We will never forget that day. Because my husband is deaf, we knew that getting Abraham home in a timely manner was key. Due to the fact that he was an older child, his timeframe for successfully learning language was growing thin. We had to get him home fast, so that he would not miss his opportunity for learning language.

Exactly one year to the day after being matched with Abraham, we got on a plane to India. We felt a myriad of emotions and asked ourselves many questions. Would he recognize us from the pictures we sent? Would he run to us, happy to finally meet us face to face, or would he run in the opposite direction, knowing he had seen our faces before but scared to death of who we were?

While I would like to say that he ran to us with open arms, it was clear that his reaction to us was similar to how we were feeling about meeting him, nervous. When we entered Abraham's room, he smiled a smile that told us he recognized our faces. He walked towards me and allowed me to pick him up. I had prayed in the weeks leading up to travel that God would give me the grace to control my emotions the first time I held Abraham. I didn’t

Abraham has been home for three months. He has gone from having no means of communication, to having a sign language vocabulary of over 150 words. He is able to tell us what he needs and that he loves us.

want to scare him by sobbing uncontrollably. God answered my prayer. While I felt the emotions and tears of joy creeping up into my throat, I suppressed them, giving Abraham just a slight hug and a reassuring, friendly smile.

I tried to hand Abraham to my husband, Steven. This is when Abraham showed his fear. We had been warned that Abraham might not be used to a male presence. This proved to be true.

So on that first day, Steven patiently and sweetly kept a distance from Abe, so that Abe could determine when he felt comfortable and ready to engage Steven.

We were taken to the YMCA School for the Deaf, where Abe attended classes. On the bus, Abe sat between Steven and I, allowing me to hold his hand. When we arrived at the school, Abe proudly guided us through the room, lightly slapping our arms to get our attention. He showed us various drawings and crafts that he was clearly very proud of, but couldn’t express to us through words. On the way back to Abe’s care center, we practiced the sign for “pretty” and played pretend with his butterfly craft, making it fly and hearing Abe laugh for the first time as the butterfly “flew” and gave him “kisses.”

Abraham has been home for three months. During that time, he has gone from having no means of communication, to having a sign language vocabulary of over 150 words. He can sign short sentences, tell us what he needs and that he loves us.

Before learning about Holt, we thought that having children would not be a reality for us. But our prayer was answered, and we were blessed with the most amazing little boy. Our family has settled into our new normal. After having 10 weeks home with Abraham, I went back to my job as a high school teacher at the Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD). Abraham is a student in the preschool program there; it’s very reassuring for him to know that I am close by. Abe and I enjoy our morning rides to school. As I drive, I can hear and see him looking out the window at the trees and birds, signing the signs for each of them – things that just three months ago he had no names for. When I look at him, I am truly amazed at how far he’s come. I love seeing the joy on his face now that he knows he can communicate.

built a truly amazing bond. Through Steven’s gentleness and love, Abe has learned to trust Steven, and Abe’s love for his dad is evident on his face every time Steven enters the room. Steven has helped Abe develop a love for football and basketball and many hours are spent outside playing catch or shooting hoops. Abe is particularly fond of basketball, and Steven and I have worked to foster that love through watching games as a family, playing basketball, helping Abe shoot, and attending our first NBA game as a family. Because they are both deaf, Steven and Abe share a special bond that a part of me will never understand. While I am fluent in sign language and can communicate effectively with my husband and son, I will never fully be able to understand that special connection they feel.

When we realized God had Abraham in his plans for us, I felt immense joy. But like other mothers who have adopted, I faced questions that were sometimes hurtful. Other women would ask me why I was adopting an older child. ‘Wasn’t I sad that I would miss out on all the baby moments?’ I would just smile and say, “God’s plan for everyone is different." I would say those words, but inside I would indeed wonder if they were right. Would I miss out on being the mother of an infant? That question was answered the first day we met Abraham. I felt immense joy watching him do the simplest of tasks—putting on his new clothes, eating a French fry for the first time, giving me a kiss on the cheek and trying on daddy’s sunglasses. At the end of the day, he would climb up in my lap and let me rock him to sleep. At that moment, I knew that not only did I not “miss” any of those newborn baby moments, but that God was giving us our own special moments.

Every day since coming home, God has continued to give us more special moments. There are hard days, there are exhausting days, but we forget those days quickly. The wonderful, happy days far outweigh the tough days. Of all the emotions we’ve felt over the past months—the fear, the joy, the happiness, the exhaustion and the frustration—what I feel most is blessed beyond measure that God chose me to be the mother to this sweet, loving, happy little boy.

While Abraham was initially fearful of Steven, they have since

Jamie Herston |

Cedar Bluff, Alabama

RIGHT: Jamie Herston thought she would never become a mother. Today, she is able to wrap her arms around her son, Abraham.

from the family

Opening Your Heart to the Children Who Wait

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

Robin and Randall Bridgeman brought their daughter, Charlotte, home in 2010. Born with a congenital heart defect, Charlotte’s care in both Korea and the United States was extensive. But through the support and prayers of her family, and a little help from some unknown friends along the way, Charlotte came home and is now a happy and healthy 3-year-old.

My daughter, Charlotte, is one of my greatest joys.

She is the spirit of our family, a child whose very presence will bring a smile to your face. She is our child who sings and dances her way from room to room, rather than merely walking. Looking at Charlotte now, one would never guess that her life got off to a bit of a rocky start. You see, my precious daughter was born with a congenital heart defect (CHD), which means her heart had to work very hard to do its job. Tasks that you and I take for granted, such as eating, took a lot of energy for Charlotte, and, as a result, she struggled to thrive during her first year of life.

We were matched with our daughter via Holt’s waiting child program in early November 2009. Though our daughter’s initial paperwork suggested a minor CHD, the pediatric cardiologist

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suspected after receiving her paperwork that we were looking at something more serious. Within a week of receiving her paperwork, we got an update confirming the doctor’s suspicions; we were looking at a heart defect that, while likely correctible, was more significant and would most certainly require open heart surgery.

I still remember the wait to bring her home. Over the next few months after getting her referral, additional issues cropped up. Each update seemed to bring more difficult news and more uncertainty for our sweet baby. While Charlotte’s medical needs presented some risk and there were a number of “unknowns,” we were certain of one thing: she was our daughter, and we were committed to her. With that in mind, we waited and worried and waited some more.

We finally got permission to bring Charlotte home in late April of 2010. She was beautiful, yet petite, not even on the growth chart. She tired easily. Generally speaking, I think everyone who met her would agree that she was having a rough go of it. In addition to her known issues, as a result of the heart defect, she had developed some ancillary issues related to nutrition that needed to be addressed.

We spent the next several months working with the doctors and clinicians at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to address her feeding and nutrition issues and to determine a game plan for addressing her CHD. In mid-September 2010, Charlotte underwent open heart surgery. The surgery was a complete success, and Charlotte’s heart defect was fully corrected. Though Charlotte will need periodic follow-up, both her surgeon and pediatric cardiologist expect her to have a normal lifespan with no restrictions on her activity.

Open heart surgery was like a rebirth for Charlotte. Our child who once struggled to engage with people, who never smiled, and who seemed so unhappy, blossomed almost overnight. Literally within days of getting out of the hospital, Charlotte had energy and joy to spare. For the first time, we saw her smile. We were so happy for her!

An Unexpected Blessing A handful of months following Charlotte’s surgery, I was looking through Holt’s website and spent some time lingering on the sponsorship page. We had been longtime supporters and proponents of Holt's child sponsorship program, but had never really considered the possibility that either of our children were a part of the program. On a bit of a whim, I sent a message to the sponsorship team asking them if either of our children had been sponsored. I received a reply saying that while our son was not part of the program, yes, in fact, our daughter had been sponsored. Not only had she been sponsored, she’d had several sponsors supporting her.

It’s hard to describe the feelings I had upon finding this out. Grateful.

Blessed. Humbled. To find out that several families had each chosen to generously make a financial commitment to a child they did not know, who lived half a world away, to help ensure she got the care she needed…we were beyond touched. Those funds helped cover things like her echocardiograms and other diagnostic testing in Korea. Those funds helped her stay in a loving foster care environment. Those funds helped ensure she got the care she needed while she waited for a family.

It’s been almost 3 years since we brought our daughter home. Charlotte is healthy and thriving. She loves to sing and dance. She has energy, personality and charm to spare. I sometimes just sit back in wonder at how far she has come. I am still humbled and grateful for the role Holt played in matching us with each other. I am profoundly thankful to her sponsors for supporting her. I am blessed beyond measure to be her mom.

Robin Waterstradt Bridgeman |

Tualatin, Oregon

TOP FAR LEFT: The Bridgeman family: Randall and Robin, with children, Jake, 5, and Charlotte, 3 (both adopted from Korea).

FAR LEFT: A photo of Charlotte shortly after she came home to the Bridgemans.

RIGHT: Charlotte wearing a hanbok. Once frail and struggling with nutrition issues due to her heart condition, Charlotte has since blossomed — full of energy and a healthy appetite!

BOTTOM: Charlotte and her older brother, Jake.

CATCH the VISION in INDIA! Adventure Awaits…

It is with great excitement that we introduce plans for Holt’s next vision trip! In November 2013, we will lead a group of enthusiastic Holt supporters to India. And we want YOU to join us on this amazing adventure!

Are you a Holt child sponsor? Adoptive family or adult adoptee? A Holt donor or just someone who is interested in Holt’s work and wants to learn more? Then this trip is for you!

On this once-in-a-lifetime trip, you will have the opportunity to interact with children in care, meet families in our family strengthening program, and learn more about Holt’s work in India.

For more information and to sign up, go to

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

http://www.holtinternational.org/tours/india/vision.php

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HOLT INTERNATIONAL

GIFTS OF HOPE

Honor Yo ur Mother w ith a Gift of Ho pe!

www.holtinternational.org

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p

Vocational Training In countries around the world, Holt works to strengthen families by giving them the tools and resources they need to support their children. In some cases, Holt helps provide job skills training for parents struggling to make ends meet – many of them single mothers. In India, Holt equips many struggling mothers with induction cookers or sewing machines they can use to run small businesses selling meals and sewn items. This Mother’s Day, give the gift of vocational training and startup resources to an at-risk family overseas – helping loving families stay together, and children grow and thrive.

Suggested Donation Amount: $100

2.

Medical Procedures for Children Give a gift that lasts a lifetime! Many of the children relinquished into Holt’s care have disabilities or special medical needs. When children receive the medical attention they need, not only are they more likely to thrive, they are also more likely to find adoptive families. Your gift of a cleft lip and palate repair or surgery for a congenital heart condition can change a child’s life forever.

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

Suggested Donation Amount: $300

3.

Protect a Child from Deadly ­Diseases Many of the families Holt serves can’t afford basic healthcare for their children – care that can safeguard a child against life-threatening illnesses. Your gift will provide basic treatments, tests and immunizations against preventable childhood diseases.

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Suggested Donation Amount: $75 per child

Most popula r gifts!

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Sturdy Shoes and Boots Imagine walking to school or gathering food and water with only a pair of homemade, cloth shoes. Without sturdy shoes, children’s feet are defenseless against injury or parasites. We wish you could hear the squeals of delight when children open boxes of brand new shoes and boots!

4.

Warm Clothing for Children in Care Many children enter Holt’s care in nothing but tattered rags, exposing them to weather and disease. Your Gift of Hope will help provide climateappropriate clothing and other personal items for children in need.

Suggested Donation Amount: $40 per child

5.

Help Furnish Holt’s Childcare Centers with Beds, Cribs, Bedding, Linens and Toys Many of Holt’s programs are short on beds, cribs, bedding, linens and toys for the children. Your Gift of Hope will help us provide a refuge for children in greatest need.

Suggested ­Donation Amount: $50 per child

Suggested Donation Amount: $20 per child

9.

School Supplies for At-risk Children In many of the impoverished regions Holt serves, education is a child’s best hope of escaping a life of poverty and despair. But many families can’t afford the fees, textbooks and supplies children need to attend school. Your Gift of Hope will help a child attain an education, and a brighter future!

Suggested Donation Amount: $25 per child

10.

Education for School-aged Girls in India Over half of all girls in India don’t finish primary school, most because they lack money for fees, books, uniforms and supplies. Help one girl in Holt’s India programs achieve her goals – support one year of her education!

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

Suggested Donation Amount: $100 per ­student/per year

11.

­Education for ­Orphans in China The Nanning Educational Support Project provides food and educational assistance for orphans living with their grandparents or other extended family in southern China. Often, extended family can barely afford to care for extra children in their home, much less pay for education. Your Gift of Hope can help keep children in school, and with their families.

Suggested ­Donation Amount: $50 per student and family/per month

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13.

12.

Urgently Needed Infant Diapers, Clothing and Personal Items for New Children in Care

Life-Saving Food In recent years, the cost of food worldwide has risen sharply, putting many impoverished families at greater risk of malnutrition. Your gift can provide

Most children in Holt’s care own little more than

basic grains, vitamin and mineral-enriched biscuits,

the potential within them. Your gift will deliver

infant formula, powdered milk and other nutritional

basic necessities to one new child in care for one

supplies, helping families and children in Holt’s

month – necessities like brand new clothing,

care to weather this growing food crisis.

diapers, blankets and other personal care items.

Suggested Donation Amount: $50 per child 14.

Suggested Donation Amount: $35 per family

An Egg a Day For children in our partner’s care in India, eggs are a valuable source of protein and an essential part of their diet. Your Gift of Hope can provide ten children with one egg every day for one month!

Suggested Donation Amount: $30 per month per child

15.

Shinshicho Hospital Construction In 2009, Holt upgraded a small clinic in Ethiopia, tripling the number of people who receive treatment every year – most of them children. The clinic, however, remained ill equipped to provide more advanced treatment such as surgery and hospitalization.

To meet the needs of this community, Holt committed to funding the construction of a full maternal-child hospital. Once complete, the Shinshicho Mother and Child Health Center will provide acute, quality care for a region of 250,000 people, saving the lives of many who would never otherwise receive treatment.

Suggested Donation Amount: $1,500

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

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Cows and Donkeys Save Families A cow’s milk, fertilizer, calves and meat can quickly strengthen a family’s financial stability and help them escape hunger for good. Donkeys help transport grains, vegetables and other crops to market, easing the burden on many subsistence-farming families in Ethiopia and Uganda.

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Suggested Amount: $150

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Little Chicks Make a Huge Difference Within a few months of birth, chicks become chickens and begin laying eggs.

Eggs provide protein and other vital nutrients for growing kids, and extra eggs and chicks can generate income for a small family business.

Suggested Amount: $50

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Pigs and Goats are Like Money in the Bank Within months, piglets grow to weigh a couple hundred pounds – bringing a big payoff at the market. Goats are also a smart investment, as they thrive in extreme climates and arid landscapes, while fertilizing the ground with their manure. Not to mention the nutritious milk they supply a family every day!

Suggested Amount: $100

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

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Start a Farm Help fill a barn full of animals for struggling families in one of Holt’s family preservation programs. Your gift of chickens, pigs, goats, cows and donkeys can give parents the means to care for their children, and lift families out of poverty for good!

Suggested Donation Amount: $300 per month per child

20.

Sponsor a Child Change a child’s life this Mother's Day! Depending on your sponsored child’s needs, your support can go toward everything from nutritious food and warm clothing to safe shelter and attentive, nurturing care.

Suggested Donation Amount: $30 per month per child

21.

Foster Care for a Vulnerable Child A more nurturing alternative to institutional care, foster care provides the loving, personal attention children need to grow and thrive. Holt strives to place as many orphaned and abandoned children in foster care as possible while they wait to rejoin their birth families or join loving adoptive families.

Typically, $85 – less than $3 a day – will cover one month of care for one child.

$85 per month per child

[1]

Fridge [2]

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[6]

Park, KS hina)— Overland Sean Reed, 7 (C s, 5 (bot h from Logan William Zander, 2, and [2] , NJ Korea) — Sussex hiopia) 7 (bot h from Et and Benjamin, 3, , et ol Vi

[3] n Evan, 13, ity, w ith childre Bradd and Char months in 20 , [4] es m Lauren Ki Et han, 10, and Columbia, TN photo (China)— s, 4 ie, 3, and Bate w ith sons, Brod n ow Br ck Ni TN , ro [5] a) — Mur freesbo (bot h from Kore homa City, la Ok )— ller, 5 (Viet nam Ke a m Em [6] OK

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prints to: Mail original color gazine ma al on ati Holt Intern , OR 97402 ne ge P.O. Box 2880, Eu os at ot ph l ita dig d or uploa rg/submissions holtinternational.o

post adoption A Different Kind of “Mother’s Day” Story Attachment: Let’s Just Cut to the Chase

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

Before we brought Minh home, I read a lot about adoption and attachment. I knew the signs of anxious attachment. I knew of a lot of activities to foster attachment. And I knew that it was unlikely our son would fall head over heels in love with us. These were important things to know, but something vital was missing in everything I read. All of the material dealt with attachment of the child to the new parent. Very little was mentioned about the attachment of the parent to the new child. It never occurred to me that this was something to be concerned about. I liked children, and I loved my children. Our new son was, by all reports, handsome and intelligent. Why would there be a problem?

As I waited for our paperwork, I continued to read about adoption. Most of these accounts were of the ‘hearts and but ter f l ies’ variety.

The new parents fell instantaneously in love with their new child and aside from a few bumps here and there, life seemed to be heading to happily every afterward.

While I certainly didn’t go looking for the hard stories, they were not easy to just come across.

From what I knew as

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we headed out on our first adoption journey, parents fall in love with children, but children may take a while to fall in love with parents.

This all goes to explain why I was completely blindsided by what actually happened. Not only did I not fall instantly in love with my new son, his transition made it very difficult for me to even like him. And because I didn’t know that parents can have as much difficulty attaching to children, I also had a heaping dose of guilt and failure to go along with these incredibly unexpected feelings. We all made it through those traumatic first weeks though, and I’m convinced it was solely through God’s grace that we did so. Back on home soil, Minh and I began a dance together that would eventually make us truly mother and son.

It took me a very long time to realize that focusing on my attachment to him was just as important.

As I look back over the past few years, I am struck by how much emotion follows action. The more I behaved as though I loved Minh, the more love I was able to actually feel.

My first inkling that what I was experiencing was more normal than anyone let on came across in an essay by Melissa Fay Green, in which she describes her first experience with adoption. Finally, someone described what I had been feeling! Perhaps there wasn't something wrong with me. I have since had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Green and was able to thank her for her life-saving essay.

My autographed copy is not something I'll be parting with. As I began to mention my difficulties with this part of adoption, I slowly began to hear others' difficult journeys, which all began to sound remarkably similar. The theme running through all

RIGHT: Parents Jud and Elizabeth with children, Maggie, 19, Blaine, 16, Alice, 14, Phoebe, 11, Thanh Minh, 9, Duncan, 8, Kiet, 5, and Gigi and Lena, 2.

post adoption

of them was the burning, gut-wrenching question of, "Will I ever love this child as they deserve to be loved?"

In the beginning of my relationship with Minh, I was convinced that it was his attachment that needed all the work. If I could just get him to the right place, then I would be able to fall in love with him. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it took me a very long time to realize that focusing on my attachment to him was just as important. As I look back over the past few years, I am struck by how much emotion follows action. The more I behaved as though I loved Minh, the more love I was able to actually feel. I needed to hug and kiss him, play games with him, smile at him, and think positive thoughts about him just as much as he needed me to do those things. Even today, I must be vigilant to be sure we both experience positive interactions. It is too easy to fall into old patterns.

out about how it wasn't all rainbows and happy trees at first. Let's cut to the chase. It can be hard to learn to love a child you have

If you're wondering how Minh and I are doing these days, I can honestly say we're doing well. There are still times we butt heads, but perhaps because in many ways we are remarkably similar. For better or worse, I think Minh is as stubborn as I am, and it's not always pretty. But I love him...really, truly love him...stubbornness and all. A few months ago I had a very telling dream. In my dream I discovered that we were merely Minh’s foster family and that in a few days he would be leaving to join his adoptive family. I was devastated. I couldn't figure out how this could happen. I thought I was going to get to see him grow up and always be a part of our family. It was one of those dreams where I cried and cried — the kind that are a relief to wake from. It was a great relief to wake from this particular dream, both to know that it wasn't real and to know that I had finally found a permanent place in my heart for this little boy.

Elizabeth Curry |

Evanston, Illinois

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

So, if these experiences are actually quite common, why don't we, as an adoption community, talk about it more and more openly? I notice on blogs and message boards that it is not a subject commonly talked about. But if someone asks a question about it (and often that someone is feeling horrible and ashamed because of their feelings), the flood gates open and story after story comes

adopted, especially one that is past babyhood. It takes time. And by 'time,' I don't mean a few weeks or even a few months. I'm talking years. I think we get impatient and expect everything to fall into place right away, but how often does that happen with anything?

adoptees today

A “Love” Story How a “special needs” adoptee turns his labels into opportunities In the past year, I have really felt more of a tug to speak about my life. Since I have dwarfism and stand at only 3 feet tall, most of the conversations I have about my life have to do with that. But lately, I have had a strong desire to discuss my other source of individuality – the fact that I am a Korean adoptee.

I can only talk about my own experience. I understand that all adoption stories are different and have their own difficulties and joys. I don’t want to tear down anyone else’s experiences. I just want to tell my story – my “Love” story.

I was found abandoned in the streets of Ilsan and was brought to the Ilsan center, where I stayed until I was adopted at 4 years old. During my time at Ilsan, I was placed in the "Love" house and was cared for by wonderful housemothers, including Molly Holt.

Ilsan is where physically and mentally disabled children stay, receiving specialized care until they can, hopefully, be adopted.

These children are called "special needs." And I am proud to say that I am a special needs adoptee.

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

The Love Family My parents Dwayne and Jackie Love lived in Pleasant Hill, Oregon and had previously adopted a sibling group and an older child from Korea. My mother had seen my picture in Holt International magazine, called up my dad while he was working as a truck driver and said that she had found their next son. She called Holt International and inquired about me. Apparently I was in hot demand, because another family was in the process of adopting me at the time. Fortunately, the other family decided not to go through with the adoption, and after a couple of weeks, my mother got a phone call asking her if they were still interested in me.

My parents made a lot of adjustments upon my arrival home.

Adding a new member is always hard, but because of my dwarfism, I also had some physical limitations that would require surgery. From the age of 5 to 21, I underwent 13 surgeries. A lot of my

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childhood was spent at Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland, Oregon—having surgery, recovering from surgery, or having the doctor tell me that I needed another surgery. My mother never left my side during those times. As much as I feel my childhood might have been stolen because of all the surgeries, all that time was spent with my lovely mother, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

My parents are both Caucasian and had two birth children before they started to adopt. About a year and a half after I was adopted, they fostered my older sister, Trisha, who is mentally handicapped. They later adopted her. My parents went from being a family of four, to a family of nine in just over two years.

They always told us that our birth parents loved us and chose to give us a better life by making the hard decision to put us up for adoption. I never have to question that. I believe it to be true.

Throughout my life – from birth to the orphanage – there was never a gap in love. I always had a certain sense of protection that never made me question my identity. My birthmother knew she couldn’t take care of me and made the hard decision to give me up. Could she have gone about it in a different way? Sure. I was found wandering the streets of Ilsan. For how long, I’m not sure.

But I have to believe that my birthmother didn’t have a choice.

My adoptive parents have always been open and honest with me about my past and my adoption, answering any and all questions.

They made me who I am today, and that’s all that matters.

As much as these next few words might be a little controversial, I’m going to say them anyway: by adopting me, I believe my parents saved me. I know a lot of people who would be offended by that statement and disagree with me, saying that I could have had a successful life in Korea with my birthmother. My parents would never claim that they saved me, and would probably say that I’ve blessed them just as much as they’ve blessed me. But listen to what I’m saying. By adopting me, my parents were able to provide

adoptees today me with access to quality medical care – care that I needed to survive. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Today, I am in a place where I am more accepted and have more opportunities to grow and succeed – opportunities that, because of my disability, I would have never had in my native land. This is why I believe my parents saved me.

They gave me the best opportunity to be successful and accepted.

Being disabled and only 3 feet tall is hard to explain. But this is my life. I don't know any different. For me, the shortest and best way to explain it is like this: imagine requiring special assistance in every part of your life. From a stool to help you reach the bathroom counter, to pedal extenders and a booster seat to help you drive, to asking strangers to reach something at the grocery store. I am very fortunate to live an independent life, but I constantly need help by something or someone to get through my day.

As I look at the landscape of international adoption and observe how it’s shifting toward special needs adoption, it’s my desire to be a voice for those adoptees, and to share my experience with them. I am never going to be shy or ashamed about the labels I am given. I am a Korean Adoptee. I am disabled, and I am a special needs adoptee. But, even with these labels, I am not any less of an American, or any less of a member of society. All of those labels define who I am as a person as much as my last name defines me as a member of the Love family. But I am not going to let those labels pigeonhole me or allow me to make excuses for what I can or cannot do. I know that through these labels, I have been given a voice, a platform to speak about my special situation.

One person I cherished the most during my short time in Korea was my physical therapist at Ilsan, who I was able to see for several days when I traveled to Korea two years ago. Because of my disability, I spent a lot of time with her. I had a lot of pictures of this lady when I was adopted and was able to have those photos explained to me. She told me that she would take me on special trips. She expressed how grateful she was to see me as an adult and how well I turned out. This amazing woman loved me without condition.

I could tell you that I have been successful because of my own drive and determination. But that would be disingenuous. I have been successful because of the people who have cared about me. The people who gave me a little bit of themselves. From my birthmother and my housemother, to my physical therapists and my parents. I am a reflection of all of them. My success comes from them. I thank them for their sacrifices, and hope that I can make them proud – showing them how much a “special needs” adoptee can accomplish in this life.

By Jordan Love |

Eugene, OR

Jordan’s story can also be seen in “The Holt Alumni Enews,” Holt’s enewsletter for adult adoptees.

To read this and other adult adoptee stories, go to http://holtinternational.org/holtalumni/blog/

RIGHT: Jordan as Santa's elf and the "red M&M" at Holt Christmas parties in Eugene, Oregon · Jordan tries on a band member’s hat after watching a traditional Korean celebration during the “Happy Together” tour in Korea.

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

TOP LEFT: Jordan with his family, the Loves · Jordan reunites with his physical therapist at the Ilsan center in Korea.

Heritage tour for adoptees and their families * * * June 24 - July 7, 2013 * * *

For more information and to reserve a spot, go to:

http://www.holtinternational.org/tours/korea/ or contact Paul Kim at paulk@holtinternational.org for more information.

Note: This tour is open to all Korean adoptees and adoptive families, regardless of placing agency.

In February, Holt International President and CEO Phil Littleton and Brian Campbell, creative services director, traveled to the Philippines and toured a single mothers home supported by Holt. The following is Brian’s account of their emotional experience Smiling faces greet Phil Littleton, Holt president and CEO, and I as we pass through the gates of Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF). A longtime partner, KBF has provided a wide variety of services to children and families of the Metro Manila area for over 37 years. This morning, KBF director Cherrie De La Rosa shares a PowerPoint presentation, discussing the comprehensive services.

The presentation begins with a single word, “Mothers.”

how little she should move her baby. The volunteer, smiling and speaking in encouraging tones, guides the mother's hands over the blankets until only the baby’s jet-black hair and sweet little face can be seen.

The young women at this home receive life skills training in an effort to better prepare them for life with a child. A lone housemother and a few volunteers guide the women, some as young as 16, in housekeeping methods such as cooking and making beds.

“His Children will Have Refuge” – Proverbs 14:26

“Brian, do you know why we begin here?” she asks in a teacher-like tone. “If you are going to do what is best for the child,” she says, “it will start with the mother.” KBF supports a holistic family approach to serving children in some of the poorest areas of Manila. “Today we will show you our single mothers home, Cherrie continues, “a place where young mothers can come and be provided with a safe and loving home for themselves and their babies. We provide support and healing on a social and spiritual level. Many come to us from such difficult circumstances, and we are here to love them and help them heal.”

We observe a KBF volunteer sitting on a couch with a new mother, teaching her how to swaddle her newborn. The young mother reaches over her child and tucks the blankets around her baby with care and caution, still uncertain of just how much or

As our tour comes to a close, I come across a 3-week-old baby lying in a bed. She has little mittens over her hands and a bright little blanket covering her. On top of the blanket is a rosary. Our guide tells me that this baby’s mother is always praying for wisdom for herself and her situation.

Before we leave, the new mother stops by me and asks for a photo of her with her newborn. A sweet, yet sad smile passes across her face. "She is struggling as to what she should do," translates the housemother. “Her future is uncertain.” I fumble, not knowing what to say to the struggling mother. As the housemother walks away from us, the new mother standing next to me begins to cry. I don’t know what to say to her. Would she even understand me? Putting all of my apprehensions aside, I simply ask her if we can pray together. And that’s what we do.

I don’t know what this young mother’s future holds or where she and her child will end up, but on this day, I know that she is with people who will lovingly encourage her, support her and pray for her.

By Brian Campbell |

Creative Services Director

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

After the moving presentation, Phil and I travel through town a bit and arrive at the single mothers home. In the tidy courtyard are several potted plants and vegetables. A table of goods crafted by the mothers is just outside the door. Baskets, dish soap and other handcrafted items are displayed in neat little patterns. As we walk in, I notice the wide age range of these young women.

Our guide begins to share their emotional stories. Some are here due to abuse by a family member, others have been left by boyfriends, and others have stories that are still too difficult for them to share. Babies, some just a couple of weeks old, are in the arms of their mothers.

I am humbled by the extraordinary efforts of the volunteers here. These caring individuals serve as loving guides for these women in the most trying times of their lives.

updates Are you Graduating in 2013?

The deadline to submit a graduate photo for the summer issue of Holt International magazine is July 1st. If you are an adoptee and are graduating from high school, college or vocational school in 2013, fill out a graduate form and submit your photo at www.holtinternational.org/gradsubmissions. Short stories from graduating adoptees, or their parents, are also encouraged. Contact Robin Munro at robinmunro@holtinternational.org

Gala and Dinner Auction in Omaha and New Jersey!

What’s so Special About Holt Adoptee Camps?

Find out this summer! Every year, Holt welcomes Holt adoptees and non-Holt adoptees alike to five adoptee camps around the country. Holt camps are the only resident camp designed for young adoptees. Run by trained adult adoptee counselors, these week-long camps allow adoptees the chance to learn more about themselves, discuss adoption, race and identity issues and, most of all, have fun. For more information about adoptee camps in your area, see the calendar below, or visit www.holtinternational.org/camp

The upcoming Holt gala dinner and auction in Omaha will take place on April 20th. All proceeds from the event will benefit children in Holt’s care in the Philippines and the Special Needs Adoption Fund. On September 28th, join Holt in New Jersey for the gala auction benefiting Holt’s Special Needs Adoption Fund. The fund helps bring children with special needs home to their families. For more information about upcoming Holt auctions in your area, see our calendar below or visit www.holtinternational.org/events

www.holtinternational.org/camp

ne ig hb orh o ca lenda r o d

CALIFORNIA

July 28-August 1, 2013, Ca for adoptees 9-16 mp Rockin U—Holt Adoptee Camp year s old (day ca mp is July 31)

GEORGIA

July 21-25, 2013 , Calvin Center— Holt Adoptee Ca adoptees 9-16 ye mp for ar s old

NEBR ASKA

April 20, 2013, Om aha — Gala Di nner & Auction, Suites, La Vista, Embassy 5:30 PM

NEW JERSE

Y

August 4-9, 2013 , Camp Louemm a—Holt Adopte adoptees 9-16 ye e Camp for ar s old (day cam p is August 8) September 28, 2013, Prin benefit Holt’s Sp ceton — Gala Dinner & Auctio n to ecial Needs Adop tion Fund. Wes Princeton at Fo tin rrestal Village, 5:30 PM

H olt I nt e r n at i on a l / M ar ch-Apr i l 2013

OREGON

July 14-18, 2013 , Camp Angelos— Holt Adoptee Ca adoptees 9-16 ye mp for ar s old (day cam p is July 17)

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WISCONSIN

July 7-11, 2013, Camp Lakotah — Holt Adoptee Ca tees 9-16 year s mp for adopold (day camp is July 10)

Get the Info :

For Holt Adopte e Camp informat ion, contac t: Pa pamec@holtint me Chow at ernational.org For Events inform ation, contac t: Shonna Wells at shonnaw@holti nternational.org For Holt Heritag e and Adult Adop tee Tour inform tact: ation, conSara Higgins fo r China tour s: sarahiggins@ho ltinternational.o rg Paul Kim fo r Korea tour s: paulk@holtinter national.org Cour tney Yo ung for adult ad optee tour s: cour tney y@holti nternational.org

w a it ing c h il d re n Greg and Theo

o e h T & Greg

Bor n 5.13.98 and 7.17.00, Afr ica These healt hy broth ers were relinq uishe d last year by an aunt who cared for them after their moth er passe d away and their fathe r left. Both paren ts were repor tedly HIV posit ive, thoug h Greg and Theo have both teste d nega tive. The boys atten d schoo l and are repor tedly doing quite well. Greg ’s favor ite subje ct is physi cs. The broth ers love sculp ting and playi ng socce r.

These hand some youn g men get along well with their peers and adult s and are deve lopm ental ly on targe t.

They have both expre ssed intere st in being adop ted some day. A poten tial famil y shou ld have expe rience with older child adop tion, have acces s to role mode ls and cultu ral diver sity, and unde rstan d the impa ct of grief and loss on child deve lopm ent.

Paul

Paul

Th es e an d oth er ch ild ren ne ed ad op tiv e fam ilie s Moriah

Bor n 12.23.2005, SE Asia Moriah is an adora ble little girl who respo nds well to posit ive reinfo rcem ent and thrives on the atten tion of adult s. It is expe cted that she will flour ish in the right home. When Moriah’s fathe r left, her moth er place d her in care in 2008 and then legally relinq uishe d her for adop tion in 2010. Moriah is gene rally healt hy but has signi fican t vision impairmen t. She was born blind and had laser treat ment on her eyes as an infan t. She seem s to have some very limite d near- sighted vision . Her left foot is also abno rmall y deve loped, and she was unab le to walk until she was three. Her gross moto r skills have since impr oved, and she can now walk , climb and run, as witne ssed by the waiting child progr am mana ger on a Marc h 2011 visit. Moriah loves to dance. Thou gh noted to be stron g-willed, she has a swee t and cute perso nality overall. Moriah’s ideal famil y will have expe rience with visual impairmen t, and will be able to struc ture their lives and home aroun d this special need . Moriah has a $5,00 0 Spec ial Bless ings Gran t from Holt and Holt fees have been reduced.

Bor n 11.30.2011, NE Asia Baby boy Paul was born at 34 week s and rema ined in the hosp ital for a mont h to be treated for prem aturity, cyan osis and sepsi s. His birth moth er repor tedly smoked and drank throu ghou t the pregn ancy.

Durin g his most recen t check-up, Paul was asses sed Yankee to be at an 8-9 mont h gross moto r deve lopm ental level, and Bor n 5.28 .2006, Chi na 5-6 mont h level in all other areas . He is able to craw l, Yankee was admi tted to the city orph anag sit up and pull to a stand ing posit ion. In e on May Febru ary, a 15, 2010. After a check up, medi cal staff neuro sono gram noted that he has a germ estim ated inal matr ix his date of birth and diagn osed him with 21-tr hemo rrhag e and a parav entri cular cyst. isomy He has synd rome. Acco rding to careg ivers in the continued to have brain abno rmali ties in orph anag e, follow -up Yank ee’s moto r deve lopm ent is on targe t altho tests . In Septe mber 2012, his neuro logy ugh his follow up ment al deve lopm ent is delayed. Yankee noted that he has a deep tendo n reflex and is very selfthat he is suffic ient desp ite his delay s. He can walk , and go sligh tly spast ic. Well baby check s also note up and that he has down stairs witho ut assis tance. He can also cross ed eyes, for whic h he has begu n occlu dress and sion therapy. feed hims elf. Yankee curre ntly studi es in his Paul is in need of a famil y who is comf ortab orph anle with the age’s special educ ation class room . He can unkn owns regar ding his brain abno rmali ty recog nize the and who can beat of musi c and dances with other child ren. Altho provi de him with any medi cal care that he ugh may need .

Yankee does n’t speak often, he unde rstan ds what is being expre ssed and will follow instru ction s. Yankee has recen tly started enun ciatin g word s, and can now greet other s. He is descr ibed as a natur al extro vert. He can also be stubb orn and impa tient at times , but calm s down easily. He loves when other s speak softly to him.

When careg ivers ask him to help out with daily chore s, he does so with a delig htful and helpf ul heart . This swee t and helpf ul little boy is in need of a lovin g famil y comf ortab le with his cond ition and able to provi de any therapies he may requi re.

Moriah

For more inform ation on adopting these and other waitin g childre n, contac t Erin e rina@h oltinte rnatio nal.

Ander son at ­ org

Yankee

www. holtin terna tional .org/w aiting child/photo listing

Post Office Box 2880 Eugene, OR 97402

Change Ser vice Reques ted

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2013 CALIFORNIA

GEORGIA

NEBRASKA

OREGON

May 19th • Sacramento Area Royer Park 12:30PM – 3:30PM

October 20th • Marietta Metro-Atlanta Lutheran Church of the Resurrection 3:30PM – 6:00PM

July 13th • Omaha Cooper Memorial Farm 11:00AM – 3:00PM

August 3rd • Eugene Camp Harlow 11:00AM – 3:00PM

NEW JERSEY

July 13th • Portland Area Cook Park – Scheckla Pavilion 11:00AM – 3:00PM

June 1st • Southern California Mason Regional Park 11:00AM – 3:00PM June 8th • Bay Area Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area 11:00AM – 3:00PM COLORADO June 22 • Denver Belleview Park 10:30AM – 2:00PM

KANSAS/MISSOURI June 8th • 77th Place and Delmar Harmon Park 11:00AM – 2:00PM IOWA Date TBD • LeGrand LeGrand Community Park 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

June 30th • Flemington Deer Path Park – Overlook Pavilion 11:00AM – 3:00PM

TEXAS May 4th • Dallas Coffee Park 10:30AM - 2:00 PM Date TBD • Houston Northampton Lake Community 10:30AM – 2:00PM