Our Vision | A world where every child has a loving and secure home.
She’s 7-years-old and while her verbal communication skills are limited, you always know what she wants, what she likes and what she doesn’t like. She’s good at expressing her emotions. She really loves to color and draw and she’s always down for an adventure — whether it’s a picnic in the park, a piggy-back-ride through the zoo or a hand-in-hand walk to see the sights.
With the help of local police, media, volunteers and Holt staff in China, adoptee Kylee Bowers becomes the first Chinese adoptee placed through Holt to reunite with her birth family using DNA testing. This story has been translated from the original Chinese version written by Holt’s staff in China and published in Chinese media.
On the morning of July 1, 2018, accompanied by her adoptive mother, 18-year-old adoptee Kylee (Liang Jing Lang/Zhong Feng Min) reunited with her birth family at Guangzhou Baiyun airport. There to witness this exciting and emotional moment were Holt’s vice president for our China Program, Ms. Jian Chen, local police officers, members of the media and volunteers from the Chinese NGO Bao Bei Hui Jia. Continue reading “Dream Come True – Holt Adoptee Reunites With Her Birth Parents in China”
I was born in Korea and named Hong Soon Keum. When I was 5 years old, I was adopted and came to the U.S. Here, I became Susan Gourley. I also became a daughter, sister, cousin, and a part of the community that was now my home. I did not have American citizenship by birth, but through adoption, I acquired both a family and the nationality of my adopted country. Continue reading “Share Your Citizenship Story!”
Anticipating becoming parents, we were aware how much we would be learning… What we didn’t expect was how much we would learn about ourselves and the beauty adoption holds. Sure, the paperwork and fundraising were time-consuming and waiting to hold her tested our patience tremendously. But we constantly reminded ourselves that as parents, you do everything possible for your child. We also constantly reminded ourselves about what she was going through.
We had to stay strong for our little one. We knew how brave and scared and lost and hopeful she would be when we would meet her for the first time. We held on to that and fought every day, prayed every day for our daughter. We met amazing people with true compassion for others and felt God’s grace through His work, using those around us. All our hearts were healed through adoption. Our little one’s heart has been through so much, and yet she lights up the room with her giggles and joy.
We are truly grateful for the staff at Holt. With the timeline and tedious paperwork, we had tremendous support that allowed us to focus on our daughter … Without them, we feel strongly the days would have felt longer, the travel would have been scarier, and our family would never be complete.
Not only are we parents to our beautiful daughter, but we are forever changed due to the beautiful journey adoption holds.
Every day, she chooses to trust and love us more and more. She is brave, she is chosen, and she is SO, SOOOO LOVED!
Jessica Burmeister | Adoptive Mom
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Because of sponsors like you, Claudette’s children are learning math, science, reading and writing. They study music and eat a hot lunch every single day. But without you, none of this would be possible. Whether your sponsored child lives in Haiti, or somewhere else, thank YOU for all you do — each and every day!
This 2-year-old is very affectionate and loves to be held and cuddled. Her caregivers love her, and she gets along well with the other kids in the orphanage. Vera is gentle, easygoing and fun to be around! Continue reading “Vera needs a family!”
NPR Morning Edition reporter and Holt adoptee Ashley Westerman reported a story about international adoption — its beginnings, issues that have arisen and the current outlook for children who are orphaned or abandoned. In part two, she shares about her own personal reunion with her birth mother. Thank you, Ashley, for covering such a complex issue with clarity and accuracy!
Part 1:
Part 2:
Adoption and keeping families together has been pivotal to Holt’s work for over 60 years. Whether through strengthening families around the world, domestic adoption within a child’s birth country or international adoption, this work will continue until every child has a permanent, loving family.
All the buildings were painted a light yellow on the outside, and some other pastel color on the inside. There were palm trees all over, and some old playground equipment in the corner. I kept thinking to myself that it seemed so pleasant! However, the more I thought about it, I also realized that even the nicest orphanage with calming colors and committed caregivers is still no place for a child. Every child deserves to be loved and given the personal attention that only a family can give. Continue reading “Heide Needs a Family!”
We are SO excited about Holt Adoptee Camp this year and can’t wait to introduce you to your amazing counselors! If you’re going to camp this summer, get to know your counselors a bit ahead of time and get excited about meeting them soon! More than anything, they’re looking forward to meeting YOU!
Sometimes, it seems like international adoption is in a constant state of flux. And there’s so much information circulating out there that it’s hard to determine what’s accurate and current, and what’s no longer true. So, to help you out, we compiled 7 things you should know about international adoption right now. Continue reading “7 Things to Know About International Adoption”
