“To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.”—Ecclesiastes 3:1
The following is a glimpse of Holt’s work in Haiti since the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake…..
A time to embrace……
Three weeks after the earthquake, Holt Fontana Village staff in Haiti gathered around to say goodbye to 21 children leaving the Village to unite with their permanent families in the United States. The children, already matched with adoptive families prior to the earthquake, had their adoptions expedited and have been home for 4 months.
“When the talk of Humanitarian Parole Visas started, Scott and I were afraid to believe that Manel’s case would qualify. Within days, however, we received phone calls from our senator’s office, the governor’s office, and from our social worker telling us to believe it,” said Laura Conners. “When Manel’s eyes met mine for the first time, and I heard him yell “Mommy!” the anxiety of the last two years melted away as he jumped into my arms. A miracle had happened….read the rest of the Conners family’s story
A time to Love….
21 children had departed Holt Fontana Village and only four children remained in care, giving Holt the opportunity to protect and care for children affected by the earthquake. Through the hiring of additional Village staff and the completion of new houses on the property, Holt welcomed 40 orphaned and vulnerable children into Holt Fontana Village.
“Appropriate permanency planning services will be provided for the children including family tracing and search for kinship care placements,” says Dan Lauer, Holt Vice President of International Programs.
22 of the 40 children are currently receiving temporary care at the Village while their family members stabilize and can prepare a better home for them. With the loss of housing and income, many families are struggling to care for their children, and Holt is happy to provide these children protection, love and stability while their families get back on their feet.
A time to Build…..
The destruction of Port-au-Prince left thousands of people without homes or food to give their children. Many families fled the area to take refuge with family members in neighboring cities like Montrouis, the location of Holt’s Family Preservation project, Fanmi Ansanm (Family Together). Due to the increase in household size and the additional strain on family members to provide for their loved ones, Holt has increased our support of family preservation in Montrouis by adding 100 additional families to the program. Holt also rented office space in the southern city of Jacmel, the second largest city to be hit by the earthquake, and we have began assessing the needs for the families in this area and determining who is most at risk. Food assistance and counseling will be the immediate priority for these families.
A time to Heal…
For six months the people of Haiti have struggled to come to terms with the events of January 12th. Holt has remained in Haiti every step of the way, in this time of grief, helping to bring this devastated country some relief and, most of all, doing all we can to help the vulnerable children affected by this terrible tragedy. With the unyielding commitment and support of Holt Haiti Director Mansour Masse, Holt will continue to work in Haiti and help the children and families in their time of need—a time of great loss and great sorrow, but also a time for healing and hope.
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