9 Mar 2010
NPR: In Haiti, Quake’s Orphans Long For A Home
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A group of teenage boys who lost their families and homes in Haiti's Jan. 12 earthquake have formed a brotherhood of sorts, and are helping one another survive. They live in a Port-au-Prince park with no shelter and no adult supervision. The boys have washed and worn the same clothes they were wearing the day of the quake.
March 9, 2010
Debbie Elliot
Haiti is a country of children. Half the population is under 18 years old. And since the earthquake, it seems kids are everywhere — carrying water buckets, pushing wheelbarrows full of rubble, flying kites and playing with toy cars amid the tents that are now homes.
There also are many children who are alone, orphaned since the Jan. 12 quake that killed more than 200,000.
In a park near the airport road in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, a group of teenage boys are huddled around a radio, listening to Creole rap music. They are not related, but have formed a brotherhood in the disaster. Five of them are living in the park without shelter — or adult supervision.
“After the earthquake, all of us came here to sleep,” 16-year-old Luckson explains through a translator.
Their homes and neighborhoods collapsed in the earthquake. “All my family died,” Luckson says.
Jean, also 16, can’t find his family. “Me, I heard they are somewhere, but I don’t know the place,” he says.
The boys do odd jobs to earn money, like fixing cars that break down on their way to the airport. They share food and try to survive with what little they have, washing out the same clothes they’ve been wearing since the earthquake.
UNICEF estimates that more than 20,000 children lost their parents in the quake and its aftermath. Relatives or neighbors are caring for many of these children. Others, such as the boys in the park, are fending for themselves.
Humanitarian groups are working to track the separated children and reunite families when possible. The children’s names are entered into a searchable database with information about where they used to live and whether they have relatives in the countryside.
Registering Children, Reuniting Families
Late on a recent Friday afternoon, a team of social workers came to register the teenage boys living the park. The workers took photographs and promised to return Monday morning to take them to an orphanage, where they would be cared for and would be able to resume their studies until caregivers can be found.
UNICEF officials say they have registered more than 300 children so far and reunited about a dozen families. It takes detective work, says Marie de la Soudiere, coordinator of UNICEF’s program for separated children in Haiti.
Until caregivers are located, the agency tries to place kids temporarily in orphanages or designated child-safe tents in the spontaneous camps where earthquake victims have settled. Soudiere says there is danger in the chaos of disaster.
“You can take children [who] are lost, and nobody will even find you,” says Soudiere. And you can take advantage of desperate parents “who don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, because their lack of knowledge that aid is coming … then they just say, ‘Take my child,’ ” she says.
Even before the earthquake, Haiti had more than 300,000 orphans. Destitute parents gave up some, and in the worst cases, handed the children over to wealthy families as servants, known asrestaveks in Creole.
Since the earthquake, the government has tightened its watch on child trafficking and temporarily halted adoptions, a move supported by key humanitarian groups.
“No one has the right to take a child out of this country,” says Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. She says good intentions don’t always result in what’s best for a child.
“You hear frequently in the States, especially, ‘Well, but we can provide for them so much better.’ Where do you draw that line then? So this summer, when it’s really hot and the kids in the ghetto or neighborhoods where they don’t have air conditioning, are we going to pluck those kids and take them to parents who have air conditioning because they can provide for them better?” she asks.
“No one has the right to decide where a child should be except that child’s family,” Stern says.
No Safety Net For Families
But some say the crackdown on adoptions is misplaced.
“In a perfect world … I would love to see international adoption stopped,” says Dixie Bickel, who runs the orphanage God’s Littlest Angels, about 45 minutes outside of Port-au-Prince. “I would love to see Haitians take in and adopt a child without making it a slave in their home,” she says.
Bickel is an American nurse who has lived in Haiti since 1991. There are about 60 children staying at the orphanage now, mostly infants and toddlers she has taken in from other orphanages that were destroyed by the earthquake.
Bickel is frustrated by what she sees as hostility toward orphanages like hers.
“Nobody says a thing because mothers give up their kids in the U.S., because we know they can’t take care of their kids,” she says. “But in Haiti, it’s made to look like it’s an illegal trafficking situation because the mother says, ‘I would rather give up my baby than see it die in my arms.’ ”
Bickel says that until the cultural system in Haiti changes to support families with children, institutions like hers are crucial.
Some U.S. senators, including Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu, believe the influx of international aid after the earthquake provides an opportunity to build a modern child welfare system in Haiti.
“The problem is there’s no safety net of support services in Haiti,” Landrieu says. “And it causes many parents to want to or to be forced to or encouraged to abandon their children.”
For now, UNICEF’s Soudiere says her agency is trying to get emergency assistance to families in crisis.
“If it’s a bit of food and a tent so be it, because it’s criminal that money should be spent on a child in an orphanage, separated from the family, where a quarter of that amount of money could maintain that child at home,” she says.
Shattered Hopes
On Monday morning, the teenage boys living in the Port-au-Prince park are up early, backpacks on, waiting for the social workers to return for them.
“It makes me so happy that I have a chance today,” sings 15-year-old Steve. He says the group wanted to get back to school so they will have a future.
“Me, what I would like is every one of us to have something to do,” he says. “Like if this one could be an engineer, this one could be a doctor, it would be great.”
But something is amiss. Two of the boys do not show up. Over the weekend, they left with foreigners offering food and money. The others didn’t have details, but think they went to a hotel downtown. They are surprised their “brothers” did not return to meet the social workers.
The social workers arrive late, and with bad news. The orphanage won’t take the boys because they are too old. The plan now is to give the boys a tent in one of the settlement camps throughout the city.
The smile fades from Luckson’s face. He doesn’t like the idea.
“We will always stay [here] until we find someone [who] is not lying so they can help us really,” Luckson says.
He sits down on one of the brick garden walls that has been his home since the earthquake. In his pocket is a folded piece of notebook paper, with a poem neatly written in English:
My name is Luckson
I’m sixteen years old
My mother and father’s dead
I don’t have no one to help me
I don’t have nobody in haiti
My sister and my brother’s dead
I’m sleep in the street
I don’t have no one to take care me
Please lets me go whith you
I need adoption.
Please help me.
please let me know what i can do to adopt!!!!!
barbara wolfe
March 10th, 2010 at 6:41 pmpermalink
My husband and I are both doctors. We have 4 children, ages 6-12. We would welcome any child in need from Haiti, but do not wish to go through 3 years of red tape to do so, when they are in such great need now.
Angela Riley
March 10th, 2010 at 7:03 pmpermalink
Barbara, the adoption info-pack can help you get started:
http://www.MyHaitianAdoption.org/downloads/
I’ll email you this same link.
God Bless.
Richard Pickett
March 11th, 2010 at 6:41 ampermalink
Angela,
If we don’t step in for these children, who will?
Here’s a passage that really compels me to help:
Proverbs 24
11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Here’s one more:
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
That “Pure religion” can more accurately be translated “pure ceremony”. We think of the church service as a ceremony, James is telling us the real ceremony is to take care of orphans and widows in their time of need.
And of course there are the many that instruct us to love.
If we don’t help these children, who will?
Our love for our adopted children goes far greater than the $30k we spent and the 5 years it took to bring them here.
God Bless.
Richard Pickett
March 11th, 2010 at 6:52 ampermalink
I am really at a loss for words when it comes to the people that are in charge of children’s rights.
How is ok for a newborn/toddler to be in an orphange NOT bonding with a care giver. This child is going to grow up not being able to bond with anyone.
I personally would gladly care for any child placed in my home, even if it were on a temporary basis and the bio family later found. Anything to get these children out of this horrible situation. We are foster parents by the way and have cared for numerous children.. all very much loved.
Are agencies stepping up and waiving their fees for Haitian adoptions so more people can afford to adopt? If not, WHY NOT? My husband and I make a very livable wage, however, we can not afford 20-45,000 to adopt.
There is a greater need here now… people need to step up an do the right thing for these children. The children are the future of this world. They need to be taken better care of.
I whole heartedly disagree with this Stern person. Truly someone that is out of touch. My opinion.
God help and bless the children of this country.
T Reagan
March 11th, 2010 at 10:34 ampermalink
I would love to adopt. My husband and I have beem married for four years now. I am 24 and he is 30. I guess we have a five year wait based on thier restrictions, that is really too bad that they make the age so high!
Katelyn
March 11th, 2010 at 3:22 pmpermalink
Katelyn,
I think you’ll find that the age limits will be waved. Although they are law I have seen them not be enforced. And now that they have this great tragedy and need help with so many children I’m sure they will be making changes.
Don’t give up!
You can start by sponsoring a child and getting your dossier together. The info pack will help you get organized (on the downloads page).
Let me know how I can help!
Richard Pickett
March 11th, 2010 at 4:44 pmpermalink
My husband and I also do not have a lot of money, but would welcome one of these children into our hearts and home. It would do as much for us as for the child……., we also would like to start the process?
Renae
March 11th, 2010 at 7:05 pmpermalink
I WOULD LOVE TO ADOPTED FROM HAITI I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP AS MUCH AS POSS BILE IW TEACHER FOR SIX YEARSANT TO ADOPT A INFANT OR TOODLER GIRL I NEED HELP TO GET STARTED MY HEART IS REALLY IN THIS I LOVE CHILDERN I WAS A PRESCHOOL TEACHER FOR SIX YEARS I NEED THE RIGHT AGENCY TO HELP ME I WILL NEED HELP WITH MONEY SOMEONE PLEASE CALL ME AT 614 371 -0502 I CANT HAVE CHILDERN OF MY OWN I WANT TO HOLD ONE OF THESE CHILDERN IN MY ARMS SOME DAYSOON I NEED MORE INFORMATIONPLEASE help
theacarter
March 11th, 2010 at 8:26 pmpermalink
How hard it is really to qualify to be an adoptive parent? How long is the process? There has been a lot on the news about how difficult it really is.
Dianne
March 11th, 2010 at 8:32 pmpermalink
It’s not that hard to be an adoptive parent. The qualifications are listed in the adoption info-pack. You can download it from the “Downloads” page. Let me know if you have any questions after reading that section (it’s pretty small, I think less than one page).
The adoption process can be difficult, the difficulty is in Haiti. But with perseverance it will get accomplished. If God puts it on your heart to adopt he will make it happen. You do your part, he will do all of the rest
Richard Pickett
March 11th, 2010 at 10:36 pmpermalink
Thea,
Have you gone through the adoption info-pack on the downloads page?
We will be posting the children available for adoption shortly, and we’ll send an email to let you know.
In the US you need a to get a qualified social services agency give you a homestudy, from Haiti you need a lawyer. You don’t need some big expensive agency.
Richard Pickett
March 11th, 2010 at 10:50 pmpermalink
Renae,
To start the process check out the adoption info-pack on the downloads page. It will help you understand the process and get started.
I could say “it doesn’t cost much to do an adoption” because cost is relative. What is too expensive to one may seem like nothing to someone else.
And what is a life worth? How can we say what would be too much when compared to the wonderful change in the child’s life and also in the parents?
Maybe I should write an article on that line of thought…
Anyway, I look forward to any other questions you may have,
Richard Pickett
March 11th, 2010 at 11:11 pmpermalink
Richard,
I had written before. I am with you on this process. I do believe that children who have parents should be supported to take care of them, but the reality is that many many children before the earthquake and now after do not have living parents. Why, if the paperwork is correct, would they not let at least those children find homes so that orphanages can start using their means to reach out to the families who need help and provide outreach services that keep children with their families, but help to provide for them in this great humanitarian crisis. I am in Haiti now, and I am overwhelmed by the devastation. Is it true that the United States has put a ban on adoption for the next two years from Haiti? I have been hearing rumors, but can’t find anything like that on the state.gov website. Thank you so much for helping me with this process!
Sarah Rideout
March 12th, 2010 at 1:23 ampermalink
Sarah,
I haven’t heard any rumor about there being an adoption ban. Keep in mind many rumors fly around during times like this. There were many many different rumors flying around when I was in Haiti. The biggest one was that the US had a policy to not transport orphans out. Yet I flew out with mine and they continued to fly after I left. Until something is formally announced I wouldn’t put a lot of credit in it.
Think about how the US would politically sustain this policy. It would be impossible.
Who is the “they” in this question (so I can help answer it): “…would they not let at least those children find homes so that orphanages can start using their means…”
It’s a pleasure to help you and others in this process, please let me know how I can better help you.
Richard Pickett
March 12th, 2010 at 6:40 ampermalink
My husband, my 5 year old daughter, and I have so much love to give to children in need. We are a young family (late 30′s early 40′s) and would love to help! We badly want more of our own children, but have been unsuccessful, so adoption and/or fostering has been something we both agree on. Please let me know what we can do!!!
Erin
March 14th, 2010 at 7:37 pmpermalink
Hello Erin,
To get you started, have you downloaded the adoption info-pack? It helps explain the adoption process as a whole.
Right now adoptions are not being processed in Haiti, but Haiti will soon open back up. In the mean time there is a lot you can get done on the US side to be prepared for when they open back up, the info-pack will help lay that out.
Please feel free to contact me as you have questions. I’m here to help you as much as I can.
Richard Pickett
March 14th, 2010 at 10:30 pmpermalink
My husband and I also do not have a lot of money, but would welcome one of these children into our hearts and home. It would do as much for us as for the child……., we also would like to start the process?
Amy
April 18th, 2010 at 11:37 pmpermalink
I WOULD LOVE TO ADOPTED FROM HAITI I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP AS MUCH AS POSS BILE IW TEACHER FOR SIX YEARSANT TO ADOPT A INFANT OR TOODLER GIRL I NEED HELP TO GET STARTED MY HEART IS REALLY IN THIS I LOVE CHILDERN I WAS A PRESCHOOL TEACHER FOR SIX YEARS I NEED THE RIGHT AGENCY TO HELP ME I WILL NEED HELP WITH MONEY I CANT HAVE CHILDERN OF MY OWN I WANT TO HOLD ONE OF THESE CHILDERN IN MY ARMS SOME DAYSOON I NEED MORE INFORMATIONPLEASE help
Amy
April 23rd, 2010 at 11:06 ampermalink
Hello Amy,
I got your message on the Haitian Adoption website.
I have a list of children that are available for adopting through one of the orphanages I’m working with. Would you be interested in getting started?
Thanks and God Bless,
Richard W. Pickett, Jr.
http://www.MyHaitianAdoption.org
P.S. Have you downloaded the journal from my trip to Haiti:
http://www.myhaitianadoption.org/trips/journal-earthquake-rescue-jan-23-feb-2/
Richard Pickett
April 24th, 2010 at 2:11 pmpermalink
Hello Amy,
I have a list of children that are available for adopting through one of the orphanages I’m working with. Would you be interested in getting started?
Thanks and God Bless,
Richard W. Pickett, Jr.
http://www.MyHaitianAdoption.org
P.S. Have you downloaded the journal from my trip to Haiti:
http://www.myhaitianadoption.org/trips/journal-earthquake-rescue-jan-23-feb-2/
Richard Pickett
April 24th, 2010 at 2:17 pmpermalink