CEO, Kim Brown observes the loving and attentive caregivers at Nanchang

by Kim Brown

When I bent over a crib at the Nanchang Orphanage baby unit recently and found a cute, sparkly-eyed baby looking back at me curiously, I couldn’t help smiling.  It’s very satisfying to feel good about where a child is and the quality of care they’re getting. The baby unit had eighteen infants that day with eight or so caregivers. Wearing fresh clean smocks, they went about the constant but unhurried business of making sure each baby was: rocked, fed, cleaned up or just talked to. You seldom see any of these caregivers without a baby in her arms.

It’s fun work I’m sure, but there is an earnestness about the baby unit, too. Several of the babies have a cleft lip and palate, and their care requires a combination of skill, vigilance and attention to detail. Watching the caregivers, it’s easy to see the personal investment these women are making into the lives of the children. That personal investment is something that you can’t just pay for. It’s all about finding people who truly love children. Read the rest of this entry »

Jennifer and Jonathan are united with their daughter through the China Child of Promise option

By:  Ashli Courtright, Managing Editor

“After growing increasingly tired and discouraged by the wait time of a Chinese adoption, my husband and I decided to research Holt’s China Child of Promise option,” says Jennifer.

Just two months after switching from the standard China adoption process to the China Child of Promise program, Jonathan and Jennifer were matched with Kira, who’s minor, correctable need will be considered cured after one surgery.

Jonathan and Jennifer are just one of many families who have chosen to expand their options and adopt through Holt’s China Child of Promise Program.

This program matches prospective adoptive parents with children who have minor and correctable needs ranging from: missing or extra digits, cleft lip/palate, club feet, and minor heart conditions.

The children in the China Child of Promise Program do not have any identified life-long health or learning disabilities, and their ‘special need’ can often be corrected with surgery, if it hasn’t been corrected already. It is still strongly suggested, however, that the child material be thoroughly reviewed by a medical professional who has experience in reviewing international child reports.

“After the surgery and a few follow-up appointments, Kira’s health issue will be considered cured, and she will only require a yearly check-up to monitor,” says Jennifer. “Her life expectancy will be normal, and there are no restrictions on her diet, activities, or abilities.” Read the rest of this entry »

Foster parents provide secure, loving care for a boy with a delicate condition

by John Aeby, Director of Communications

Nanchang, China–There was a strange sound-quiet–when Holt International CEO, Kim Brown, and I first arrived at the Nanchang Group Foster Home. Of course… it was Tuesday afternoon and school was in session. Still, we thought we’d take a quick look around and come back after the children returned from school.
The Group Home’s six apartments provide a family environment for up to 36 children–children who once lived in the adjacent orphanage. Simple, orderly and clean–the neatly-made bunk beds, desks and toys placed out of the way here and there confirmed the presence of children. But without their activity, the apartments seemed quite empty, rather spartan. And so when we entered one particular room and found a school-age boy at home during the day, it came as a bit of a surprise. Wrapped in a heavy coat and surrounded in an oversized chair with piles of quilts, I thought the boy might be sick and kept home from school. A handsome little boy with a solemn expression, he turned a toy over in hands, manipulating its parts while cartoons played on the TV–multitasking.  “This boy has hemophilia,” says Lisa Xu, Holt’s program coordinator for Jianxi Province. Suddenly the coat and quilts make sense. In the restricted world of a child with hemophilia, Read the rest of this entry »

Concert-goers respond to the needs of homeless children

Winter Jam 2009, a concert tour featuring several Christian artists, continues to be a major force in raising awareness and support for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children overseas.

With only 10 days left in the 2009 concert series, Winter Jam will finish its nine-week tour on March 15.  During the tour so far thousands of people have decided to help a child through Holt International’s sponsorship program.  Despite the difficult economic conditions, tour goers’ compassion and generosity have surpassed expectations.  Speakers, Tony Nolan and Kim Deardorff, have offered hope and helped pave the way for orphaned and abandoned children to be given the assistance they desperately need.

A recent newsstory out of Tennessee reports on Winter Jam 2009’s record-breaking series.  Also, see locations and venues for the final remaining concerts and sign up to volunteer to help concert-goers as they select children to sponsor.

Alpha Omega News

NASHVILLE, TN—March 3, 2009—“The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular,” well established as Christian music’s largest annual musical tour, is defying today’s challenging economy by notching yet another record-breaking year. Still in progress, Winter Jam 2009’s average nightly attendance increase of more than 4 percent over last year’s record-setting pace is highlighted by the recent stop in Greensboro, NC which boasted an unprecedented Winter Jam turnout of more than 20,000 people.

Despite escalating prices due to the current economic climate, Winter Jam has continued its commitment to the unique “no tickets” policy, which allows fans to pay $10 at the door for admission. Hosted for the 14th consecutive year by Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist NewSong, Winter Jam 2009’s headliner is reigning “GMA Artist of the Year” tobyMac. The Spectacular also welcomes special guests Hawk Nelson, current “GMA New Artist of the Year” Brandon Heath, Francesca Battistelli, Stephanie Smith, pureNRG and featured speaker Tony Nolan. The Afters, BarlowGirl and Family Force 5 are also performing at select Winter Jam dates. The 35-city tour, which launched in early January, will conclude at the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN on March 15. Read the rest of this entry »

Mansour Masse recently spoke to the Holt Headquarters staff about ‘keeping the faith’ for the children.

By: Mansour Masse, Holt Haiti Director

What strikes me the most about working at the Holt Haiti program, as I talk with people and we share our stories, is the dedication and passion they have for doing this work. That’s personally what keeps me going.

When you have people who are so dedicated, so motivated to help kids, like we have in Haiti, it is just overwhelming. Sometimes we get discouraged, but we always find a good reason to start over. The kids go home to be with their permanent families, and that’s what keeps us going.

When I was hired at Holt, I told them this is not only a job for me.”Wow, this is a God-given opportunity for me to make a difference,” I thought, and I don’t think that I could ask for anything better than that. It’s not about money; it’s not about a job, because we all struggle daily in Haiti.

Adoption processing for kids has been extremely difficult recently. It takes a long time, but this is something that I do with my heart and I am very passionate about what I do. Whenever the kids enter the village, Read the rest of this entry »