Resuming Haitian Adoptions Through Standard Process

The Haiti government has requested that the United States provide them with a final list of orphans being considered under the Special Humanitarian Parole Program for Haitian Orphans. As a result, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will stop accepting new requests for consideration under the special program as of April 14, 2010, and will resume regular processing of intercountry adoptions.

USCIS believes the vast majority of adoption requests for orphans who meet the criteria of the special program have already been submitted. Since January 18, USCIS has authorized parole for more than 1,000 orphans under the special program, and as of April 5, approximately 340 cases are still being considered. The unprecedented program included safeguards to ensure that each child granted parole was truly available for adoption and had been matched to a suitable U.S. citizen for adoption.

To read the fact sheet from USCIS, click here.

Special Haitian Humanitarian Parole Ending

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will stop accepting new requests for parole under the Special Humanitarian Parole Program for Haitian Orphans effective April 13, 2010, because the Haitian government has requested that the United States bring the program to a close. While USCIS believes that the vast majority of requests for special parole have already been submitted, any remaining prospective adoptive parents or adoptive parents will have until April 14, 2010, to submit a request under the special program.

To date, more than 1,000 Haitian orphans have been approved for travel to the United States to join their adoptive families under this expedited process.

To read the fact sheet from USCIS, click here.

Travelers log - Day 4 in Haiti

Tom fitting a patient with reading glasses.

Kathy teaching a family how to open a bottle of vitamins.

Kathy, Tom and Christel checking patients in.

Angela, Pastor Mike and Sean preparing the room for a new patient.

Angela and Tom working together.

Today we worked in the clinic again doing a variety of tasks, including taking and recording patients' temperatures and weight, fitting people for eyeglasses, applying scabies ointment and keeping the clinic as tidy as possible with the volume of people coming through the doors. 185 patients were served by our team.

The highlight of our day was a short trip to Rivers of Hope orphanage where we were able to talk with Rachoul about the operation and HOLD THE BABIES.

The facility is beautiful and is just like a home. It has a living room, dining / sunroom, a large bedroom / playroom with bunk beds, cribs and a play area that opens onto a patio. The grounds are well-kept with several connecting outdoor areas, including a small toddler-sized playground.

But the most beautiful aspect is the children. They are so happy and content in their environment with their extended family. There are 4 nannies, 3 onsite at all times caring for the children. We enjoyed spending time with the kids and got to hold most of them, including Christopher.

Thankfully, 6 of 7 babies are matched with families. Rachoul is looking forward to the arrival of 5 new babies this week. We are hoping to meet some of these new faces before we return to the US on Saturday.

We delivered suitcases full of supplies that, in Rachoul's words, "made my day." She gave us all big hugs and was so pleased with the soy milk, vitamins, baby food and diapers. The orphanage shelves are fully stocked again and she was thrilled.

We're Getting Closer To Our $3,000 Goal!

We've received 43 donations, totally $1,795. Thank you for your prayers and financial support, as Jen and Kathy prepare for the trip to Haiti. Please continue to share information about our non-profit organization with friends and family who have a heart for providing for orphans. Can't wait to share information with you about the trip to Haiti!

Thank You For Your Support!

We've had 30 different donors provide $1,480 so far, as of Monday morning. Thank you, one and all! We're moving toward our goal of $3,000 or more from 50 or more donors. We're so thankful for the opportunity to be part of Global Giving. We're also getting excited about the opportunity to travel to Haiti very soon!

Thank you for your prayers and financial support. Please share our link with family and friends who have a heart for orphans who haven't found their forever families, yet.

Global Giving

The Red Thread Promise has a wonderful opportunity, and now the work begins! We need your help! Global Giving is an organization where donors are matched with organizations doing work on behalf of children and families in need. Global Giving has reviewed The Red Thread Promise, and has allowed us to join their program, but to remain with Global Giving, we need to raise $3,000 from 50 different donors by May 11th!

We would appreciate any donation that you are able to provide. Due to needing multiple donors, you can see that a donation of $5 is as important as a donation of $25. Each will help us to meet the goal of raising $3,000 with a minimum of 50 donors by May 11th.

Please click on the Global Giving button on the sidebar to add your support to our mission in Haiti. Thank you!

You Can Support Our Trip to Haiti by Supplying...

items such as Children's Tylenol, Infant Tylenol, Children's Motrin, Desitin, Lotion, Soap, and Toothpaste. For friends and family that follow our blog, you know our contact information to get items to us. To our new friends, that we haven't met in person yet, please post a comment and let us know how to contact you. We'll let you know where to send the items so we can have them packed before leaving for Haiti.

Heading to Haiti!

Kathy and Jen, two board members from The Red Thread Promise, are heading to Haiti soon. We learned of Rivers of Hope Orphanage, located in Manothe, Haiti, through a friend who is in the process of adopting from Haiti. Jen and Kathy will be meeting with Rachoul, the Director of Rivers of Hope, in person, to assess the needs of the orphanage, and determine if TRTP can provide support. While they'll be packing light, they're taking several suitcases filled with supplies for the orphanage. The priority will be medical supplies, and we'll also be sending personal hygiene items. The biggest goal of the trip is to determine the needs, and develop a plan for supporting the infants and toddlers who live at River of Hope. You can donate by clicking on the Global Giving button on the top, right, sidebar. Thank you for your support, whether it is a prayer for this trip, or a donation.