Holt Picnics 2005

March/April 2005 Vol. 47 No. 2

Bearing Gifts to Korea Tsunami Aftermath: Aid for Thai Children

05.03 HF1.indd 33 2/23/05 11:39:26 AM From Your Heart to Your Home

Fulfilling the dream of a family. Adoption from China and other countries.

www.holtinternational.org 1-800-355-HOLT

05.03 HF1.indd 2 2/23/05 11:36:12 AM MARCH/APRIL 2005 VOL. 47 NO. 2 HOLT INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S SERVICES P.O. Box 2880 (1195 City View) Eugene, OR 97402 Ph: 541/687.2202 Fax: 541/683.6175 OUR MISSION Holt International is dedicated to carrying out God’s plan for every child to have a permanent, loving family. In 1955 Harry and Bertha Holt responded to the conviction that God had called them to help children left homeless by the Korean War. Though it took an act of the U.S. Congress, the Holts adopt- ed eight of those children. But they were moved by the desper- Photos clockwise from top left. On the cover, a boy in care at the Jeonju Baby Center in Korea— ate plight of other orphaned children in Korea and other countries related story p. 18. Top right: Tim and Wynter Chauvin with Marit on adoption day, story p. 22. as well, so they founded Holt International Children’s Services Next: Holt President Gary Gamer in Thailand after the tsunami, story p. 8. Next: Mary Beth in order to unite homeless children with families who would love LaRocca visits Korea, story p. 18. Bottom: Ray and Mary Masterson with Malia, story p. 28. them as their own. Today Holt International serves children and families in Bulgaria, China, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Korea, Mongolia, the Philippines, Romania, Thailand, the United COUNTRY FOCUS States, Uganda, Ukraine and Vietnam.

After the Tsunami 8 PRESIDENT & CEO Gary N. Gamer Donor money goes to help children and families VICE-PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS & SERVICES Carole Stiles in Thailand. VICE-PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT Phillip A. Littleton VICE-PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY Susan Soon-keum Cox INSPIRATION VICE-PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Kevin Sweeney BOARD OF DIRECTORS Led by a Child 18 CHAIR James D. Barfoot VICE-CHAIR Julie Banta PRESIDENT EMERITUS Dr. David H. Kim SECRETARY Steven Stirling MEMBERS Donna V. A young teenager with Down syndrome leads her Bailey, Kim S. Brown, Lawrence R. Cahill, Wilma R. Cheney, Clinton C. Cottrell, Will C. Dantzler, A. Paul Disdier, Rosser B. mother through Ilsan—and shows the Korean Gift Edwards, David L. Hafner, Claire A. Noland, Janet E. Peterson, Team another way of seeing. Jeffrey B. Saddington, Shirley M. Stewart HOLT INTERNATIONAL magazine is published bimonthly by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc., a nonprofit Christian child FROM THE FAMILY welfare organization. While Holt International is responsible for the content of Holt International magazine, the viewpoints expressed in Life is Good 22 this publication are not necessarily those of the organization. A couple who adopted two daughters from China EDITOR John Aeby sing the praises of their experience—on CD. MANAGING EDITOR Alice Evans ASSISTANT Sara Moss No Smile of Face 24 SUBSCRIPTION ORDERS/INQUIRIES AND ADDRESS CHANGES Send all editorial correspondence and changes of address to Well-meant advice to send her baby back to Korea Holt International magazine, Holt International, P.O. Box 2880, did not deter this committed mother. Eugene, OR 97402. We ask for an annual donation of $20 to cover the cost of publication and mailing inside the United States and $40 outside the United States. Holt welcomes the contri- bution of letters and articles for publication, but assumes no ADOPTING responsibility for return of letters, manuscripts, or photos.

REPRINT INFORMATION Signs of the Times 26 Permission from Holt International is required prior to reprinting any Sign language is a great tool for children with spe- portion of Holt International magazine. Please direct reprint requests to editor John Aeby at 541/687.2202 or [email protected]. cial needs, but also for children who are dealing ARKANSAS OFFICE with a whole new spoken language. 5016 Western Hills Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204 Ph/Fax: 501/568.2827

CALIFORNIA OFFICE ADOPTEES TODAY 3807 Pasadena Ave., Suite 115, Sacramento, CA 95821 When an Adoptee Adopts 28 Ph: 916/487.4658 Fax: 916/487.7068 MIDWEST OFFICE SERVING IOWA, NEBRASKA AND EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA A Korean adoptee adopts two girls from China. 10685 Bedford Ave., Suite 300, Omaha, NE 68134 Ph: 402/934.5031 Fax: 402/934.5034

MISSOURI OFFICE/KANSAS OFFICE DEPARTMENTS 203 Huntington Rd., Kansas City, MO 64113 Ph: 816/822.2169 Fax: 816/523.8379 122 W. 5th St., Garnett, KS 66032 Holt History 4 [email protected] Dear Readers 5 OREGON OFFICE Capitol Plaza 9320 SW Barbur Blvd., Suite 220, Portland, OR 97219 News & Update 5 Ph: 503/244.2440 Fax: 503/245.2498 NEW JERSEY OFFICE Around the Globe 6 340 Scotch Rd. (2nd Floor), Trenton, NJ 08628 Family Tree 12 Ph: 609/882.4972 Fax: 609/883.2398 COPYRIGHT ©2005 BY HOLT INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S SERVICES, INC. Easy to Love 14 ISSN 1047-7640 Neighborhood Calendar 30 Directions 31

05.03 HF1.indd 3 2/23/05 11:36:24 AM Holt history: Looking back 50 years

The Seed from the East God confirmed the Holts’ faith to adopt children from Korea.

by John Aeby, o hesitation. woke up about 3 this morning. I have been thinking Director of It’s a remarkable indication of their so much about whether to go down to Tague first or Communications faith that after their momentous deci- just get some of the kids at Seoul so we could get the sion to adopt eight children from Korea, red tape started sooner, kind of leaning on my own HarryN and Bertha Holt immediately purchased understanding I guess. So I prayed that the Lord an airline ticket. Even though they understood would show me from His Word. Then I turned on that it hadn’t been done before and that the laws the light and just opened the Book. It opened at the didn’t support adopting this many children from 43rd of Isaiah, and out of all God’s wonderful Word, overseas, the Holts decided that Harry should these words came up at me: identify the children and that Bertha work out the legalities in the United States. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring During June and July Hesitation, however, finally caught up with thy seed from the east, and gather thee of 1955 Harry Holt depended upon his Harry at a stopover in Tokyo. (In 1955 prop- from the west; I will say to the north, Give sense of God’s leading to choose the eight children driven airliners took three days to make the trip up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring the Holts would adopt. from the U.S. West Coast to Korea.) Harry later my sons from far, and my daughters from This photo foretells Harry’s understanding told Bertha that he began to wonder if the idea of the ends of the earth; Even every one that that institutionalized children need loving adopting was simply his own and not God’s will. is called by my name: for I have created physical contact to help Wracked with doubts Harry turned to God’s direc- him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, them develop, a con- cept that continues to tion and his own faith to continue. The following I have made him. be a hallmark of Holt International’s care of is an excerpt from his letter home. children to this day. I just had to get down and weep before the Lord. Grand Hotel Tokyo I know that some would say, “This is written for June 2, 1955 the Jewish nation,” but this morning it is for me. … It is almost 7,000 miles the way we came and The Word of God is active and living. the vibration gets one awful tired. I got through about 3:30 yesterday and laid down on the bed for With all my love a few minutes, and the next thing I knew it was 9 Harry Daddy o’clock. So I just went to bed without any supper,

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05.03 HF1.indd 4 2/23/05 11:36:26 AM news & update

Holt Makes Music Seven Christian groups or solo artists recently joined Holt International’s newly formed artist Dear Readers affiliate program. The program allows artists to convey Holt’s global mission during their perfor- “She’s my daughter,” concludes Vicki Pitts Caine mances, providing audience members a chance in her article about adopting Holly from Korea to become a Holt sponsor. Sponsorships help in 1980 (page 24). “That’s the only answer support homeless and at-risk children until their placement in permanent families. needed.” Through the years Holt International has Readers may go to the listed websites to obtain more information about the artists currently enjoyed remarkable success in helping homeless signed to the program, including dates for when children, but of course the greater portion of the they will be performing in your area. credit should go to the parents. The parents’ daily devotion, unconditional love and immoveable commitment give children the foundation of belonging they Eighth Day www.eighthdaymusic.com Nate Sallie www.natesallie.com need above anything else. Holt International believes in the power of parents’ Ashley Glass www.ashleyglassmusic.com love to provide the most important things in children’s lives. And so our efforts Kelley Rees www.kelleyrees.com to do “what’s best for the child” is nearly always focused on a family. Joyce Wagster www.joycewagster.com Rick Marcotte www.rickmarcotte.com Adoptive parents often speak of or write about their children with a timeless David Hooten www.davidbhooten.com kind of love. Even though they begin “bonding” with their child sometime dur- ing the adoption process such as when they receive their assignment photo- “We’re delighted by our new affiliation with these artists,” remarked Phil Littleton, Vice President of graph, they usually have difficulty recalling a time before they loved their chil- Marketing & Development for Holt. “We believe dren. From the parents’ perspective, their children have always been a part of they will bring the same quality and integrity to their lives. This love and commitment of adoptive parents for their children is their representation of Holt that they’ve become truly marvelous and inspiring. known for in their concert settings.” International adoption is a profound event in the lives of children and their families. A child, born thousands of miles away, becomes bound into the Nancy’s Notions hearts of parents from another culture on the other side of the world. And yet, Nancy Zieman, host of the weekly Public together they are simply a family—a child and parents who belong to each Broadcasting Station program, “Nancy’s Notions,” other in nearly every way that all other parents and children belong to each selected Holt International to receive proceeds other. from her program’s auction this coming May. In this way adoption is a very normal kind of process. But somehow it’s As part of the program’s annual “Sewing Weekend always very special, unique and personal for each and every parent, each and Expo” to be held in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, the auction portion of this event will offer items every child. representing “Nancy’s Notions” 20th anniversary. Even when adoptees adopt, as expressed by Mary Masterson (page 28), these The Expo will take place May 5, 6 and 7. For more information about the Sewing Weekend adoptee parents cannot expect their children to experience adoption issues in Expo, see the website: nancysnotions.com the same way, or have the same successes and challenges. It’s especially grati- fying for us at Holt when adoptees appreciate adoption enough to extend it to Nancy Zieman and her husband adopted a child another generation. from Korea more than 20 years ago. Not only each generation, but each individual family, must find their own way to creating a family that works. Every adoptive family is in some way Birthday Commitment a pioneer, venturing out in faith—just as Harry and Bertha Holt did in 1955. Children and staff at Bertha Holt Elementary Though today, adoptive parents have a wealth of resources and the experienc- School in Eugene, Oregon, celebrated what would es of others as a guide, the individual relationship between parents and their have been Grandma Holt’s 101st birthday on children is a unique creation. We never tire of telling the stories of families February 4 by making a commitment to sponsor a child in Thailand. The child is currently in care and their children. Each one has a special value. at Holt’s partner agency, Holt Sahathai. We at Holt International are thoroughly privileged to have a part in all of In addition, the Parent Support Group at the these remarkable lives. school is also raising funds for Holt’s tsunami —John Aeby, Editor relief efforts in Thailand. ■

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age ranges for any adop- tive applicants interested in adopting one of the older girls mentioned above. Although childless cou- ples are preferred, families with up to three to four chil- dren are also accepted. At least one parent is required Haiti to make a five- to seven- day trip to get their child at the end of the process. olt International is ready to begin pro- Above: These seven Travel by both parents is strongly encouraged. Holt girls—shown here at cessing adoption applications for Haiti, expects the timeframe to be about 12 to 18 months their recent Christmas one of our newest country programs. party—will soon be from the time a family first applies until they travel Children are being cared for at Holt ready for adoption from to bring their child home. Holt’s newest coun- HFontana Village located approximately two hours With only four of 12 documents requiring nota- try program, the Holt north of Port-au-Prince on the Haitian coast. Seven Fontana Village in Haiti. rization and authentication, Haiti dossier docu- girls ranging in age from 7 to 12 years are currently Right: Holt Fontana ments are fairly easy for adoptive applicants to put Director Mansour Masse. in care in the village, with a 4-month-old girl the together. Once a child has been matched with a most recent arrival. Holt’s new country director, family, legal processing is expected to take an aver- Mansour Masse (MSW), has worked hard to find age of five to seven months to complete prior to out as much background and social history about family travel. each girl as possible. Most of these children will soon become eligible for adoption. More children will come into care at the Village Ecuador throughout the year, mostly boys and girls in the birth to 4-year age range. As this happens, adoptive ollowing 18 years of service to children families will be needed. and families in Ecuador, Holt International To adopt from Haiti couples must be married made the difficult decision to phase out pro- for five years and be between 30 to 50 years of age, grams and services in this South American with one applicant at least 35 years of age. Single Fcountry by the end of 2005. Holt’s programs in women 35 years of age and older are also accept- Ecuador have been of the highest quality, with a ed. Haiti will likely be more flexible with upper capacity to serve more than 100 children annually.

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Unfortunately, instability in adoption processing and seemingly endless changes in government structures continually challenges our ability to make timely placements of children needing per- manent, loving families. Holt crisis intervention, family preservation, foster care and post adoption services are model programs in Ecuador, and the staff’s expertise will be missed throughout Holt’s network of partners worldwide. Especially difficult will be the impact on Holt’s 25 foster families who have dedicated the past eight years caring for children as they awaited permanent homes of their own. Holt remains dedicated to the 25 chil- dren currently in care and will continue services until each case has been successfully resolved. China

hen Liu Hai Fu lived in an orphanage, he was withdrawn and sad. Following place- ment in a foster family and surgery for Wcleft lip, he sports a big smile and happiness lights environment within a family. Holt works with orphan- Above: Liu Hai Fu up his eyes . ages around China to bring the kind of healing love before surgery. Left: After surgery and place- Holt launched foster care projects in China 10 years into an institutionalized child’s life that only a family ment in a foster family. ago to provide orphanage children with a loving home can provide. ■

Oregon Waiting Children In Oregon many children in state foster care are waiting for adoptive homes. Agencies reduce fees for the adoption of a child in state care, and financial assistance may be available. To learn more, call the Special Needs Adoption Coalition at The Boys and Girls Aid Society at 877/932-2734 x 2392, or DHS at 1-800-331-0503. Also visit www.boysandgirlsaid.org and www.nwae.org for information and photos of waiting children. Singles and couples are encouraged to call.

Skyler, age 7 Skyler continues Nikolina, age 16 In many ways a to search for a family to call his typical teenager, Niki enjoys contem- own. While parenting him will be porary music, spending time with challenging, it will also be great- friends and trying new hairstyles ly rewarding for the right family. and makeup. A talented writer, she Skyler’s two sisters have already is athletic and loves to swim and found an adoptive home. He loves to play basketball. Quick-witted with visit them in their rural setting and a great sense of humor, Niki enjoys delights in seeing all the barnyard volunteering and helping with regu- animals, especially cows. lar maintenance work. She is affec- Skyler has multiple challenges tionate and loving but knows her that will likely follow him through boundaries. life. He has been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Severe abuse left Niki with many emotional scars. High and is developmentally delayed in all areas. Medication school attendance has been sporadic because of her emo- helps Skyler to more successfully deal with his ADHD related tional ups and downs; however, she is attending more classes behaviors. He also takes medication for petit mal epilepsy, and someday hopes to be able to help teens who have also although his foster mother of over three years indicates that experienced abuse. Niki receives a variety of services includ- she has never witnessed a seizure. ing psychotherapy, group and recreational therapy, and Due to Skyler’s impulsiveness, constant supervision is medication management. essential to ensure his safety. He attends a day treatment She shares a close relationship with a brother adopted program where he receives help with his various delays. In with her from Bulgaria, even though they are not biological spite of his difficulties, Skyler is a sweet, lovable child. He is siblings. It will be important for Niki to maintain contact funny, happy and engaging. with him as well as with other extended family members. The adoptive family for Skyler needs to provide structure, Niki needs a family who can advocate for her, provide firm limits and have realistic expectations. Helping him to security and commit to visiting her in a residential treatment maintain a connection to his sisters is also essential. Skyler is facility before final transition to a new home. She has shown a special little boy who deserves a permanent family. He will resiliency and made great gains in recent months. More than give back what he demands in a genuine, rewarding way. anything, she longs to be part of a loving family. ■

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05.03 HF1.indd 7 2/23/05 11:36:39 AM After the Tsunami Rebuilding Shattered Lives in Thailand

When Holt President and CEO Gary Gamer visited Thailand in late January, he struggled to make sense of the destruction wreaked by the tsunami—and the pain and suffering that came with it. But Gary’s faith restrengthened as he witnessed the outpouring of aid—and the skillful, caring help of the Holt Sahathai Foundation staff. pon witnessing pain and suffering on Holt Sahathai Foundation by Gary N. Gamer a mass scale, it is only natural to proj- I was in Thailand to meet with our sister organi- President & CEO ect yourself into the situation and ask zation, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF)—and to how God fits into this. My recent trip check on the use of our donor’s support. Several of Uto Thailand evoked these emotions within me as their staff arrived on the scene the day the tsunami I stood in the middle of destroyed towns relating struck. Two social workers in the south raced to see Holt Sahathai social to children and families whose lives were turned what they could do to help, and then a third arrived workers gave kites to many of the children in inside out by the tsunami. to work with teenagers. Executive Director Jintana affected areas—helping The Old Testament book of Job comes to mind, Nontapouraya, who early on after the disaster was to heal their hearts by and you find yourself asking God the same set of interviewed live on CNN by Larry King, took me to engaging them in play. questions. “Do you see this suffering? How can this see the sites where Holt is working. happen to so many blameless people?” Right now HSF is in the program-gearing-up But as I traveled along the devastated southwest mode: establishing relationships with necessary coast of Thailand, my own faith as a Christian was officials and organizations such as schools and other strengthened. I witnessed a tremendous outpour- assistance groups, getting lists of affected house- ing of help, and the sharing of humanity in helping holds, beginning to meet with families and children, other people by people of many faiths and nation- putting staff and volunteers in place, and securing alities. Although I don’t think we’ll ever know the an office. The casework will grow as those systems “whys” of a disaster like this, I do know I felt the fall into place. presence of Christ who also suffered but also cares Currently the work is centered in two adjoin- so deeply with the afflicted. ing provinces: Pang Nga—the hardest hit area in

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05.03 HF1.indd 8 2/23/05 11:36:42 AM Thailand—and just over the border in Ranong Province. HSF will prioritize working with children who have lost parents or caregivers, and families that have lost their homes and jobs. HSF has also identified working with teenagers in camp as a After the Tsunami major unmet need. Staff delivered immediate emergency food, but they also provided kites and organized other fun activities for the kids. HSF staff are magnets to kids. When a child gives them any space, they offer friendship and start connecting with them. That’s the hallmark of Holt International and its partners. Friend of the Boy with Scarred Legs The most moving conversation I had came quite unexpectedly, at a school in Ranong Province, in a largely Muslim community. HSF is working with that school because a school is a center of com- munity life. Once they get the endorsement of the educators, HSF is then able to interact with whole families. Out of about 300 children in that school, seven One of the Muslim fami- lies in Ranong Province were killed, about ten lost their parents, and 35 lost receiving help from HSF their homes. Ten families lost fishing boats. Many social workers. others suffered in some other way. One of the children had scars on his legs. I asked grandparents both died in the tsunami, so the chil- him if I could talk to him, and Jintana suggested dren were now living with an aunt and uncle who that he bring along one of his friends to hang out already had several kids of their own. The uncle with in the conversation. They were third or fourth was a fisherman who did not want to go back to fish- graders. He told us he was in a boat, and the wave ing. The aunt and uncle wanted to help, but they came. He went overboard but held onto a plank. had lost their house and were in a temporary shel- The water burst through structures, barbed wire ter. They did not have any money, so how could and other impediments. More people perished and they support the five or six kids they already had, were lost because they went through a meat grinder let alone their cousins? of sorts as they washed through the villages in the Their situation illustrates the complexity HSF gush of water. caseworkers are dealing with. The uncle wants to The boy had some pretty hefty wounds that were move away from the ocean and start a new life in on the fast track of healing, but it’s clear it was a a different kind of occupation. How can they hook painful experience. him up with a new occupation? Ultimately, in Then Jintana turned to his friend and said, “What order to take care of those children he has to have about you?” I didn’t realize it at the time, but this work, let alone the other responsibilities that go little boy lost his father. His father was a fisherman, along with being their parent. and he wasn’t so lucky. We were all emotional as he Educational sponsorship will be a key interven- told us the morning the tsunami struck was the last tion, as will vocational training for the uncle and time he saw his dad. grief counseling for the whole family. HSF first has to make the connection with these people and In Ranong others like them, then they become their advo- In Ranong, the main partners for HSF will be the cate and help them get the kind of assistance they district authorities, school officials, and—because a need. They have to talk these things through and significant number of households are of the Islamic let people know that they care about them and will faith—the Muslim leadership. A major piece of help them. They have to brainstorm how they can HSF’s work will be to advocate for families to access work through these problems. HSF is uniquely grants and loans from the government so that equipped in Thailand and known to have those homes can be rebuilt and fishermen can go back kinds of capacities, and it’s exactly what these fami- to work. However, many hesitate to move back to lies need. seaside areas or go back to work in fishing. HSF will offer support to grandparents and other Pang Nga Province relatives caring for children who have lost parents, The fishing area of Ban Nam Kim in Pang Nga was and ensure that children receive proper educational smashed by the tsunamis, leaving some 1500 people and other support. Although the government is dead or missing—about one-third of the popula- committed to helping these families, government tion—and 70 percent of the housing destroyed. workers cannot provide the kind of emotional sup- Most residents relocated to a nearby settlement port that HSF is uniquely qualified to do. camp called Bang Muang. These two locations are I met two children who had already been liv- the most visible non-tourist centers of the tragedy, ing with their grandparents because one parent and HSF is one of many organizations with a pres- had died and another had abandoned them. Their ence at the camp.

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05.03 HF1.indd 9 2/23/05 11:36:44 AM These young boys from the fishing region of Pang Nga play amid rubble left by the tsunami.

Besides working with children and families, said a prayer for that person, and for everybody HSF identified a special need to work with teenag- touched by that whole situation. You can imagine ers in those camps, counseling them and helping the person running away from the wave—you see them find positive activities. Long time HSF social the foreigners still wandering around in the rubble, worker Kru Mon (Ticha) Nanakorn is heading up lost in thought, bewildered how this could happen. this effort. She is a prominent advocate for youth And you think of all the Thai people in the fishing in Thailand, and she has been given a leave of villages that were affected, and that little shoe was absence from her work in Bangkok with troubled symbolic of it all. It represented the sanctity of teenagers there, to provide these services. The that place. In the distance I could hear a funeral main concern for the youth in Bang Muang is to procession going on right along the coastal high- involve them in meaningful activities that will way that the waves ravaged. keep them out of trouble and involved in helping others—all geared toward addressing their emo- Aftermath tions from the disaster. Kru Mon’s own family When you witness the aftermath of a disaster the suffered from the tsunami just down the road from magnitude of the tsunami, what you see is almost the camp, when her brother’s car was swept off the incomprehensible. Sometimes a small thing is road and he lost his wife and three relatives. what brings it home. For me, it was that pair of shoes. The Parable of the Shoes What redeemed the experience for me, what On my last full day in Thailand, I was standing allowed me to walk away and journey back to at Khao Lak Beach in Pang Nga Province, one of Oregon, was the knowledge of the capable hands the most severely hit tourist areas. I was talking God has working in those devastated areas. I may to Jintana when I spotted two shoes. They were not understand the disaster, but I do have faith in black leather women’s shoes with heels, lying restoration—in God’s love for humanity, and in right there in the dust. And I picked one up, and it humanity’s willingness to help others in need. I had its heel partially torn off, just sort of dangling took solace in seeing the resilience of a culture, in there. witnessing fortitude and grace in rebuilding, coop- I’m a guy who collects things. I wanted to take erating, working together. I witnessed individuals that shoe with me as a remembrance of the trag- working with each other, agencies collaborating edy. together and with governmental structures, and I brought the shoe to the pickup truck and laid it how so much of the whole world is focused on in the back, and Jintana said, “Gary, I want to pray restoring hope to these people. about this. I want to pray if it’s okay to do this.” HSF is there to help children and families pro- And so we sat there, and we prayed—each in our gressively rebuild their lives. They are committed own way—and it just came to both of us that this to staying for three years—and your support helps was not a good idea. So I went back alone and laid to provide the necessary means to do this. ■ it down right where I was and got on my knees and

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05.03 HF1.indd 10 2/23/05 11:36:46 AM Photo: Above, Thai children—many from School Children Found Many Ways to Help the Muslim commu- nity—hold the prayer chain of doves made by Gary Gamer’s Sunday School class in Eugene, Oregon. Gary wanted them to know there are Christian children in the U.S. who care. Drawings from school children in Pennsylvania. Top message: Dear Friends, I hope that you didn't get hit by the tsunami. Middle: We heard about the tsunami. I want to So many comments came in with the dona- money to help other children.” make you happy by tions in response to our plea for tsunami vic- Here are some of the drawings and mes- making this card. tims that there’s no way to individually recount sages her children put together—which Holt Bottom: Dear Friends, We are so sorry that the them here. We are grateful for the outpouring International will send to Thailand. tsunami hit. I wish I can of love and energy on the part of all those who help you. gave so much from their hearts. Among our givers were a surprising number of children. One 4-year-old showed up at our reception desk with a paper bag full of coins—she had collected $191. She started with $8.73 from her piggy bank—and then asked friends and relatives to match her gift. Several groups of school children also gave. One teacher from Yardley, Pennsylvania, sent a check for $350. ”My first grade students decided to bake and sell cookies to the other primary grades in our school,” she wrote. ”The parents, teachers, and children all participated with pleasure and great anticipation of raising

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05.03 HF1.indd 11 2/23/05 11:36:55 AM family tree

Left and right: Miller, 9, and Morgan Pfunder, 9, China, with nieces Simone, 3 (cen- ter), and Phoebe Laws, 21 months (bottom)—Eugene, Ore.

Left to right: Stella Veldkamp, 6, Guatemala, and Anna Gallaher, Above: Holly Grace Pettijohn, 2, China— 7, Korea—Des Moines, Iowa. Lakewood, Calif. Right: Manisha, 17, and Deepali Westeren, 12, India—U.S. Armed Services.

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Jadyn Cummins, 2, China, with dogs Bailey and Zephyr—Sioux Falls, S.D.

Zoe Yong Mei Haralambidis, 1, China—Elmwood Park, Ill. Christine Streible, Korea, with husband Allen—Bowling Green, Ky.

Send your photos to Family Tree! Mail original color prints to: Holt International Magazine Family Tree P.O. Box 2880 Eugene, OR 97402 Please send glossy photographic prints or e-mail high resolution digital images. We cannot use studio photos or prints from digital files.

Jesse Hickman, 21 months, Philippines—Cincinnati, Ohio. Timothy Hoekstra, 14, Vietnam—Ripon, Calif.

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05.03 HF1.indd 13 2/23/05 11:37:27 AM See more children at www.holtinternational.org/waitingchild

Princess Joy Born in the Philippines, July 29, 1996 Princess Joy likes to dance and play with friends. Her mental age is assessed as that of a 5-year-old, and she does well in her studies. Although she has strug- gled with poor control of her impulses, she is now more disciplined and helps her foster family with household chores and errands. She is careful with her belong- ings, bathes herself, and shows good table manners.

Naseema Born in India, May 13, 1996 Naseema is a loving, affectionate girl who loves to listen to stories, paint and color. She came into care in November 2003 and went through a time of grieving for her family but has adjusted well in foster care. She interacts well with her foster family, enjoys playing with the other foster children, and is very attached to her fos- ter mother. She is now learning some English, how to read and write, and enjoys learning new things.

Dattatray Born in India, September 19, 2001 Intelligent and cheerful, Dattatray has good social skills and cognitive development. He knows his caretak- ers’ names and loves to be cuddled by them. He has Princess Joy arthrogryposis including bilateral severe clubfoot; hip, children knee, and wrist flexion deformities; right torticollis and contractures of his thumbs. In physical therapy he is with special needs highly motivated and has improved greatly. He can walk and run without support and has become quite talkative. He loves playing active games and sharing aren’t hard to adopt,they’re… his treats with other children.

Kyung-Ah Born in Korea, September 24, 2004 Kyung-Ah loves to be held and smiles in her sleep. She was born premature and weighed 4.8 pounds. There may be some genetic concerns, and she has absence of septum pellucidum (ASP), septo-optic dysplasia and lobal type holoprosencephaly. She turns her head toward In this section we introduce children who are wait- sounds and stares at the television screen. She is ing for adoptive families. They may be older, have doing well in the care of her foster family. medical conditions or be part of a sibling group. Each child is very special with much to offer the family who accepts one as their own son or daughter. The children shown here represent just a few of those who need parents. Because Holt’s website provides a more complete listing and can be updated daily, we ask you to view additional children at www.holtinternational.org/waitingchild. If you would like more information about a par- Dattatray ticular child, please contact Laurel Anderson in our Waiting Child Program. She would be happy to share more information with you. You can request a Waiting Child Packet either by calling the Waiting Child Program at (541)687-2202 or through our website. These descriptions of waiting children are based on information available to Holt from caregivers and medical personnel in the children’s country of origin. Holt can- not guarantee the accuracy of these descriptions or that the medical and psychological diagnoses of the children are correct or complete.

14 March/April 2005 Naseema

05.03 HF1.indd 14 2/23/05 11:37:31 AM See more children at www.holtinternational.org/waitingchild

Howie held or given attention. Born premature at 30 weeks, Born in China, August 25, 2002 she weighed 2.7 pounds, had intraventricular hemor- This outgoing, active boy enjoys playing outside with his rhage, respiratory distress syndrome, and anemia, peers. He came into care at 6 months old and had sur- for which she is being treated. In January she was gery for congenital meningocele soon after. His devel- assessed at a 1- to 2-month-old level, she could briefly opment was delayed at first due to his medical condi- lift her head and had reached 8.4 pounds—a good tion, but he has shown great improvement and can now weight gain. walk and run without help and speak several words. He no longer seems affected by the meningocele. Eun-Ho Born in Korea, December 13, 2003 Bharath An easy-going boy who likes to look at himself in the Born in India, February 20, 1998 mirror, Eun-Ho laughs when his foster mother claps his Bharath makes friends quickly and interacts well with hands together. He suffers frequent respiratory infec- peers. He also gets along well with his caretakers and tions and is noted to have hypotonic muscles that are follows their instructions. After coming into care his getting better with physical therapy. He has mild devel- communication skills improved. He is learning to write opmental delays, and his birth mother had mild mental numbers and the alphabet, speaks his native language retardation. He is happy when he sees other children. Printing photographs well and speaks some English. Bharath enjoys playing of waiting children in cricket and learning new things. lively, full color has Parker been made possible Born in China, October 12, 2000 through a donation Parker enjoys receiving praise and from the Cassani Kent is well-loved by his foster family. He Born in SE Asia, August 12, 2003 family. On behalf of This sweet baby boy smiles happily is being treated for bilateral clubfoot and is a hepatitis B carrier. He walks the children… when given attention and knows his thank you. foster family members from strang- without help, and his physical develop- ers. Born full term, he weighed only ment is otherwise normal. This sweet 4.6 pounds. Kent receives treat- little boy enjoys playing outside ment for blocked tear ducts but has with his toy car, and he normal eyesight. His development attends kindergarten, is delayed, but he recently made where he relates well to good gains in cognitive development the other children. and can follow simple instructions.

Jee-Sun Jee-Sun Born in Korea, October 1, 2004 Jee-Sun stops crying when she is Bharath

Kent

Eun-Ho

Kyung-Ah

Parker Howie www.holtinternational.org 15

05.03 HF1.indd 15 2/23/05 11:37:41 AM from an orphanage

Letter from NANHAI These letters between a young adult who lives in an orphanage in China and our Jiangxi Province site manager reveal the friendship and affection between a child in care and a Holt staff worker. Teacher is a term of respect. cared for us was complete in every way, especially ear Teacher Yu: you, who always felt so close to our hearts. You When I was speaking with Teacher didn’t say that much, but always you were think- Ding, she mentioned you and said ing of us, about whether we were hungry or tired. youD sympathized with me because I was having a I think it’s the typical caring of real parents, right? hard time not being able to walk. Yes, during that Although I don’t have anyone who is especially time I really didn’t know if I could make it at all, close to me, because of what you have done for maybe only through my own bravery. But now, me, it feels just like what it must really be like to it’s different. My life has become so much easier be the child of a caring parent. I know you cannot and more colorful, and I can take care of myself. get material benefit as a return for your actions, At the same time, I can help others who are in but I’m guessing the spiritual reward must be high, even tougher situations. All of this has come and we love you even more because of this. about through your loving care. It wasn’t until just tonight that I grasped the I remember that day when we were knitting fact that I really do have no family. (By family, I some sweaters; everyone was talking about Dr. mean just a basic normal one with a mother and Chen. Someone said Dr. Chen had come to the father.) But I have found a special warmth that I orphanage. We had all just taken our lunch break bet you could never find even in a family. This from our knitting work, and I stayed behind a little warmth has come from you and all those who Above: Nanhai knits in longer. Teacher Ding continued to talk to me about her wheelchair amidst have shown me kindness. a backdrop of tote bags the problems with my legs. I answered her that On behalf of everyone in the knitting group, produced by the knitting group. Opposite page my legs were just hopelessly incurable, and that’s warmest regards, your student, Nanhai ■ bottom right: Cathy Yu all. But she kept encouraging me to go see the on a dock in China. doctor. I argued with her about this. Suddenly, she just wheeled me in to the doctor. This way ear Nanhai, hello! turned out to be the best opportunity I could have D After I finished reading your letter, I had. My legs received the treatment and care that felt so moved. At the same time, I had to ponder they really needed. Like this, my luck was closely my own self deeply and ask myself: Where have linked to your dedicated service. In anyone’s life, I not done well enough? Where could I have still there are so many things worthy of our thanks. done better? Where haven’t I taken care of you How can I ever express my feelings! The only like I should? thing I can do is to do my best in everything I do! To speak from my heart, I’m especially grate- Also, there was that time we took the trip to ful to Holt for giving me this chance to work for Shanghai. The way you and the other teachers them. It’s through them that I had the opportu-

16 March/April 2005

05.03 HF1.indd 16 2/23/05 11:37:44 AM 2005 Holt Heritage Camp A safe, fun place for International Adoptees 9-16 years old. Come share your common experi- ences while learning about the cul- ture, traditions and history of your birth country. You can make support- ive friendships with other adoptees and find a mentor in an older adopt- ee who serves as your counselor.

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Name (please print): Address: City, State & Zip: Post Office Box 2880 • Eugene OR 97402 (541) 687-2202 [email protected] Phone: ( ) www.holtinternational.org

continued from previous page nity to go to the orphanage and get to know all of you, to know that there is a group of people like those in the orphanage—a group that needs love and assistance so much. At the same time, Holt helped me realize that in the world there are so many people who care about this. They are all exerting their utmost to send you their love and warmth. These good people don’t really distinguish one country from another, or one race from another, or one gender above another, or one age above another. Those who have money, give their money; those who have ability, give of their abilities. Among these are also all the staff people of Holt. Actually, your letter is a kind of measurement and encourage- ment for our work. We’ve gotten real happiness from receiving your proof. That’s all for this letter right now. Wishing you happiness and enjoyment in everything you do! Teacher Yu ■

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05.03 HF1.indd 17 2/23/05 11:37:48 AM inspiration

Led by a Child Mary Beth LaRocca’s faith and love led her mother on a journey to Korea.

Story and photos usan La Rocca had seen the ad for the drome, cerebral palsy, and other special needs. by Alice Evans, Gift Team trip on the same page that If Susan could go with the Holt Gift Team, Managing Editor held the article she wrote about her she would take along Mary Beth, her 13-year-old daughter Meradi in the Sept/Oct issue daughter with Down syndrome adopted from Sof Hi Families. She cut it out and put it on her Korea at age 2. But the trip had an Oct. 15 dead- refrigerator door. line, and Susan did not have the $2200 fee needed “Oh Lord,” she remembers praying. “If I for one person, let alone double the amount for could go anywhere I wanted, it would be on this two. Above: Mary Beth LaRocca, 13, Jemison, Gift Team trip to Korea. I wouldn’t want to go The day after Susan put the ad on her refrig- Ala.—adopted from on a Caribbean cruise. I wouldn’t want to go to erator door, Mary Beth looked at the picture she Korea—carried gifts to her foster mother and Europe to see all the luxury. I would want to go keeps on her wall of Sun, the child she spon- to children in the care of Holt-Korea. Center: to Ilsan.” sors at Ilsan. As Susan remembers, Mary Beth Mary Beth runs toward Susan, the mother of four grown birth chil- suddenly announced, “I am going to give Sun Molly Holt and two Ilsan residents. dren and 10 adopted children with special needs, Christmas.” She persisted with it for days. three of whom she adopted through Holt, has a “I encouraged her to pray about it. I told her, special love for Ilsan, the facility built by Harry ‘If Jesus thinks you will be lost or hurt, then he and Bertha Holt outside Seoul, Korea, on land just won’t give you the money.’ south of the Demilitarized Zone. Dedicated to “Mary Beth’s prayer was very direct,” says long-term care, Ilsan offers a model program for a Susan. “She said, ‘Jesus, money, ticket, airplane. meaningful, joyful life for people with Down syn- Go see Sun.’ Then she said, ‘Amen’ and giggled.

18 March/April 2005

05.03 HF1.indd 18 2/23/05 11:37:53 AM inspiration

“A little child shall lead them.” Isaiah 11: 6 (KJV)

Led by a Child

“Her mind is simple, but her faith is strong. the morning, in the morning, in the morning.’ She never doubted.” Well, she has no concept of time, and I knew that Clockwise from bottom left: Susan could be days and days. and Mary Beth peer he next day, Susan spoke to her local “When the money didn’t come before through the window of one of the cot- Chamber of Commerce. “You don’t Thanksgiving, I wasn’t sure what would happen. tages. Top left: They get donations from them,” Susan says. stop to visit with an But the day after Thanksgiving, a friend called Ilsan resident. Top “You might get a mug, or a plaque.” But and said, ‘we raised the money for your trip.’ Two right: Mary Beth‘s Tsomething different occurred this time. When sponsored resident, days past the deadline, and I didn’t know if it Sun, onstage with one she left the meeting, Susan had enough dona- of her cottage mates would still be possible. It was down to the wire.” at the Ilsan Christmas tions to exactly cover the cost of one ticket. They made their flight, traveling from Party. Bottom right: Mary Beth takes off Susan had already missed the deadline, how- Birmingham, to Chicago, to Tokyo, to Seoul—a on her own to explore ever, and she still needed another $2200 for a sec- Ilsan, with Susan not long time in the air and waiting around in air- far behind. Mary ond ticket. She called the Holt office, explained ports. By the time they arrived at their hotel in Beth was with other people like herself, what was going on, then asked how long Holt Seoul a little before midnight, Susan and Mary her mother says, and could hold a place open. "Until the day before Beth were both a bit frazzled—but they hadn’t lost she felt right at home. Thanksgiving,” she was told. a bit of their enthusiasm. “Mary Beth knew she couldn’t go to Korea “I was being led by a child,” Susan says. “Mary without me, and so she prayed again,” says Beth showed me that Jesus likes simplicity. Do Susan. “She calls me Nunna, and she prayed, not allow life, mind, spirit to become so compli- ‘can’t go without Nunna.’ After that, she said, ‘in cated that you cannot receive what Jesus wants

www.holtinternational.org 19

05.03 HF1.indd 19 2/23/05 11:38:05 AM inspiration

to give you through to be with the rest of the group, hearing what one simple prayer.” Molly had to say. But it was as if Jesus was saying to me, please slow down. I made a profound deci- n Korea, first sion to slow down—and let Mary Beth see Ilsan came a visit to through her own eyes.” the Holt-Korea Eventually, Susan and Mary Beth ended up office in Seoul, in the Ilsan gymnasium with the rest of the Gift whereI Susan, Mary Team—to bring presents to Sun, her sponsored Beth and other mem- child, and the other residents of Ilsan, and to par- bers of the gift team ticipate in the Christmas Party. cuddled babies and “I was really struck by the fact that usually in met with Mr. Lee, a public place I’m nervous about Mary Beth being President of Holt- lost in a crowd,” Susan says. “And there we were Korea. They also in a gymnasium full of people, and I knew Mary attended a luncheon Beth was safe. I knew if she walked away from for long-time foster mothers, where Mary Beth me and I became separated for a period of time experienced the grand surprise of a reunion with that she would be in the one place on this earth the foster mother she hadn’t seen since she left that I wouldn’t have to worry about her.” Korea more than a decade earlier. Mary Beth looked at ease on stage, participat- “I could tell Mary Beth remembered her,” Susan ing with many of the cottage groups as they per- says. “Mary Beth made this long, intense eye con- formed skits and songs. “I was very touched that tact and looked at her so lovingly. I know she the director included her, took her by the hand was remembering that voice, that face, because and tried to make her feel comfortable and a part that woman loved her. And I just had the great- of everything. She sang and danced and gestured, est feeling of gratitude well up in me that she had experiencing with them that wonderful feeling of been loved like that, and had been taken care of being celebrated for who you are just the way you by someone who had such a tender heart.” are, just the way God created you. To see her up

Above: At Holt-Korea‘s When they got to Ilsan, like the rest of the there with them was very poignant.” luncheon to honor fos- donor group they went ter mothers, Mary Beth is reunited with the fos- on tour with Molly ter mother who cared for her for two years. Holt, visiting the Hall of Memories and the Bottom: Mary Beth passes out the Gift graves of Bertha and Team‘s presents at Jeonju Baby Center. Harry Holt. “We were all at the gravesite Opposite page: Susan holds a toddler with together, and then, as Down syndrome at the Jeonju Baby Center. “As we began heading down I walked toward her, the hill to see other Mary Beth said, ‘She needs you, Nunna.’ In buildings, Mary Beth other words, ‘You need to take care of this one grabbed hold of my for a minute.‘ And she hand and insistently seems to intuitively understand that other pulled me down the hill Down‘s children are like her. It was as if in another direction.” she were saying, ‘Look, The rest of the Gift Nunna, this one looks just like me, and so I‘m Team went one way sure she needs you.’” with Molly, while Susan and Mary Beth went another. “She was rushing from place to place, experiencing Ilsan the way she needed to,” says Susan. “I wanted

20 March/April 2005

05.03 HF1.indd 20 2/23/05 11:38:14 AM inspiration

Holt Heritage Tours Motherland Tour June 26 - July 8 Family Tour June 28 - July 10*

Susan added many people to her prayer list after visiting Korea—the young woman who is director of the Salvation Army Home for Unwed Mothers in Seoul, the director of Ilsan and the residents she met, children at the Jeonju Baby Home. “I told many children ‘I will pray especially for you.’” At the Jeonju Baby Home, Susan remembers a little boy to whom she gave candy. “I was watching his eyes and his anticipating at that sweetness. You could see his little mouth getting ready. And yet before he grabbed it, he kissed me. I have seldom Come along been so touched by such an expression of gratitude and tenderness—before popping that candy in his mouth like any other kid would do.” to Korea with Susan and Mary Beth brought Christmas to Sun—and many other children in Korea, as well as to the older residents of Ilsan. But when Susan our returned home, she wanted most to offer a home guides or find homes for the children who touched her *For up-to-date information including date or price changes heart most, little ones with Down syndrome— log onto www. holtinternational.org. three young boys at Ilsan, all about 7 years old, and Motherland Tour currently $2800 - $3000. Family Tour several infants and toddlers at Jeonju. currently $3700 - $3900. Applications due no later than “I believe that impaired children, their bodies May 1. Please contact Sue Mills at 541.687.2202 or are just the shells we live in on this Earth,” she [email protected] for more information. says. “Even though they may be impaired their spirits are intact. And so when they are fed spiritu- ally they receive sometimes better than intelligent, complicated, busy people ever could.” Of all the Holt-supported facilities the Gift Team visited, Susan especially treasures her time in Ilsan, praising the harmony and sweetness she found there. She went to Korea as a gift-bearer, and carried gifts from others, but the greatest gift she carried came from the one who answered Mary Beth’s prayers. “I appreciate so much God funding this trip and giving me this opportunity. All the people at home who gave me a donation of clothing or money or candy...I really enjoyed telling the children, ‘Some people in Alabama, they love you.’ I guess the thing I enjoyed most was to tell the children, ‘Jesus loves you.’” ■

www.holtinternational.org 21

05.03 HF1.indd 21 2/23/05 11:38:28 AM from the family

Life is Good Even the difficult parts of adopting from China enrich the lives of new parents.

fter Holt’s orientation She had been with the same foster family since she with 13 other families entered China’s childcare system and had just been in our travel group, we separated from them for the first time that morning. flew to Wuhan to meet She had not slept on the long bus ride to the city, we our daughters.A The first of many bus were later told. trips and waits allowed us to start to get We were the first to be called forward and handed to know the other parents in our group. Several our daughter. She was placed in her mother’s arms by By Tim and Wynter were back for their second child. They graciously a caregiver we barely even saw. At the time we only Chauvin— answered all the questions we rookies had. had eyes for Marit. Our daughter just stared at us for Nacogdoches, Texas In Wuhan things started to go pretty quickly. We a few moments. Then she started to cry—and was made it to the meeting room in good order but with quickly joined by the other 13 children. We cried too, our nerve endings exposed and hearts pounding. The and for a short time all was just a confused, loud and officials in charge were efficient but also showed a chaotic maelstrom while each family waited to speak genuine concern for the children who were about to to the orphanage director about the specific care and enter our care. history of their own daughters. Top center: Tim and We didn’t fully understand the speech we heard but Eventually it was our turn. Marit had fallen asleep Wynter Chauvin with the gist of it was clear enough: “We are putting these out of sheer exhaustion and we were able to have a long Marit at Mao’s summer children in your care. We would love to keep them quiet talk with the director, who left us with the strong home. Left: Marit feeds Mom. here but cannot. We need you to love and care for impression that he put the welfare of the children in them in our stead and we expect you to do a good job. his care first and foremost. And, from now on, you will be part of the family of The next few days were a blur of meetings, required China. Welcome.” We particularly liked that last part. photos, diaper changes, long walks along the Yangtze, After a short time the babies were brought into the museum visits, baby food roulette (what would she eat room, and we all tried to pick out our child based on today?) and washing baby bottles. Marit went right to the months-old photos. At the end of the line there Mom but shunned Dad for several days. Dad washed she was. Those big brown eyes showed both confu- clothes and bottles and did his best to support Mom sion and fear, or maybe it was more like apprehension. while she tried to cope with a baby for the first time in

22 March/April 2005

05.03 HF1.indd 22 2/23/05 11:38:34 AM from the family

her life. Those initial days together were magical but frustrating, invigorating yet exhausting, with moments of calm punctuated by chaos. All in all, we had a glori- Daughters of China ous experience. Marit began to accept and even show signs of lik- Tim Chauvin‘s CD, ing her new situation. We learned that we could live Winds of Change, without sleep for long periods of time and still love includes a tribute to each other when we were both totally exhausted and stressed out. We had a new person in our lives but all international adoption, that really did was bring us closer. “Daughters of China.” Eventually we made our way to Guangzhou and This is the chorus: the White Swan Hotel. We spent the next five days becoming ever more bound as a family. Lunches at The daughters of China they fly across the Lucy’s, time in the playroom, walks around the island seas, and time together were just what we needed. While we Off to unseen places and possibilities. were there, we celebrated our daughter’s first birthday They are gifts to those who cherish them by going to our Consulate appointment, picking up the By those who just could not. adoption papers, and leaving from the airport we had Acts of hope and faith and love Above: “Daughters first set foot in three weeks earlier. After a tearful good- That we never will forget. of China”—Marit and bye to May, our beloved Holt guide, we flew toward Los Mattie Chauvin. Angeles, where, due to the magic of the International by Tim Chauvin (www.timchauvin.com) Dateline, it was still our daughter’s birthday when we arrived. After a short wait the Immigration officer welcomed our daughter as “America’s newest citizen.” less hours in each day than we really need. We watch Not too shabby for a first birthday. as ours daughters grow and blossom, and we marvel Two years later we returned to China and brought at the miracles they really are. Each day we say a home our second daughter, Mattie. silent thank you to the birth parents who, in doing Our two amazing daughters now fill our lives with the best they could, gave us our family. We only wish more joy and frustration than we thought possible. we could meet them someday so that we might thank Our home is beginning to show all the wounds two them in person and let them know it is all working children can inflict, and we seem to always have a few out just fine. ■

whoever welcomes a little child... welcomes Me —Matthew 18: 5 (NIV) “Welcome” a child through sponsorship.

Sponsor as a family... and give your child the joy of helping another child thrive. Around the world orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children need food, shelter, clothing and medi- cal treatment... all things your spon- sorship of $25 per month will help provide. Choose a child to sponsor from our website: www.holtinternational.org/sponsorship or call 800/451-0732.

P.O. Box 2880 Eugene, OR 97402

www.holtinternational.org 23

05.03 HF1.indd 23 2/23/05 11:38:43 AM from the family

No Smile of Face Troubling signs could not deter this mother’s love and commitment for her daughter. he governmentgovernment caseworkercaseworker askedasked us,us, By Vicki Pitts Caine— ““AreAre youyou suresure youyou wantwant toto keepkeep Fresno, Calif. her?” EvenEven r repeatingepeating the r remarkemark now now,, onT the eveeve of her 23rd23rd birthday, saddens me.me. TearsTears sting my eyes eyes.. Ok-ja, her giv givenen name name,, meant JadeJade.. She is true ttoo that name—a magically polished Asian jewel,jewel, but one you cannot look into.into. She is opaque.opaque. She will not let you see the hurts of her past. “Y“Youou may wantwant toto reconsider,”reconsider,” the caseworkercaseworker warned us. AccordingAccording toto a roughrough translationtranslation on her pr pre-e- adoptionadoption papers,papers, sheshe likelike otherother childrenchildren inin orphanages “had no smile of face.” “No.“No. WWee wwantant herher,”,” my husband and I echoed. WeWe arrivedarrived early at LAX airport in January 19811981 and joined severalseveral other waitingwaiting parentsparents at the gate.gate. Finally, the childrenchildren appeared,appeared, carried by KoreanKorean travelerstravelers who agreedagreed toto bring our preciousprecious gifts.gifts. NamesNames werewere called. WristbandsWristbands read. We waited. Right: Vicki and Holly Then, we saw her. My husband rushed of every man she saw, especially her father. When Caine on arrival day at LAX. Drawing by Brian onto the ramp to retrieve his new daughter, Holly. We he tried to pick her up, she stiffened into a plank. Campbell. took the stiff little package all dressed in red. Her face Sleeping was in 45-minute intervals from which she was the same color, marked with blotches. Her chubby awoke white-knuckled, hanging onto the crib, scream- Above: Holly with sister Heather, also adopted body seemed to reflect she had been taken care of, but ing. I’d enter the room and she’d throw herself back- from Korea. when I took her to the women’s room and undressed wards. Her raspy screams revealed a deep voice far too her, I realized she wasn’t so healthy. She had on two low in vocal range for an infant. I discovered she had Opposite page: Holly in 1999 and Holly’s place- sets of thick winter garments. In her new sleeper, she most likely been hit across the throat. ment photo, 1980. was thin and frail. To clear up her ear infections, the pediatrician put She didn’t like to be held. She pushed against me her on antibiotics for eight weeks. He judged the gash with all her might. I wanted to cuddle her and kiss on her head to be superficial, but it wasn’t. I sent a away her fears. It was all I could do to hang on to her. courier to Korea to find out about what I observed as a She wanted nothing to do with her father. The best three-corner tear in her skull, but the orphanage had he could do was offer her little pieces of food. She forgotten her. wouldn’t touch his hands, but when he put food on the That was about the time I perfected the four-hour a table in front of her, she slowly brought the morsels night sleeping habit I kept for many years. She bonded to her mouth. Otherwise she showed no reaction and with me first, still pushing off and not letting me hold certainly “no smile of face.” her until one day she fell asleep against my shoulder, exhausted from her battle with the sandman. After er first orphanage physical indicated that that, she’d at least let me carry her without pushing. she should be 18 months old. I didn’t She’d been here about two months when we made this concur. She couldn’t walk or talk, could first breakthrough. Of course, when we got home and hardly sit up and didn’t cry a tear, just I tried to lay her in her crib, the sleeping was over. Hscreamed. When I later learned the Korean word That night, I started sleeping on her floor, then moved for mother, Omma, I realized she had cried out to a spare bed in her room, and finally back to my own several times for her biological mother. I’m glad I room when she was out of the crib. But she joined me didn’t know. It would have broken my heart. there often, curled up next to me. She was malnourished, had ringworm, a three-inch, The first visit from the California state caseworker recently healed gash on the back of her head and fear proved an ordeal. That’s when he asked us, “Do you

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05.03 HF1.indd 24 2/23/05 11:38:48 AM from the family

want to keep her?” It wasn’t the first time we’d heard offer. That’s another reward. I’ll always have someone it. Doctors, friends and acquaintances all asked the to share the sparkle and excitement of childhood. same question. If I’d been the person I am today, I would have told them she wasn’t merchandise to be he’s who she is. Just like I’m who I am. She’s returned at whim. But I was young and kept my con- made me part of who I am and I hope that victions to myself. And for that, I was rewarded. there is some of me in her. There has always been a controversy on adopted children as hen a child comes into your life, either Sto whether they bring with them traits from their by adoption or birth, you have many biological parents and we adoptive parents develop expectations. You want them to be those traits—or the children are a clean slate on happy, grow strong, do well in school which we write. I see a little bit of both. Naturally, andW have a good life. That’s the dream of every par- Holly brought along characteristics from her bio- ent. But when your child is different, the dreams logical family, to whom I’ll forever be grateful for get turned around. You restructure those dreams placing her with the agency when they no longer and hone them to fit the child. could care for her. I’ve helped make her who she My little jewel never did well in regular classroom is, too. activities. She sat mostly, and took it all in. In second She’s a lighthearted child with a grand sense of grade she entered special education classes. She was humor. Sometimes I’m not sure if she really is trying either too loud or too quiet, but did well and was well to be funny or if it just comes out that way. She loves liked. On many occasions teachers, children or other to tease. She also thinks she’s always right, and tells parents treated her unfairly. But we plodded along, you so when she is. Another little reward, she makes she and I. me laugh. I tried to help her understand that she needed to Am I glad we kept her? Of course I am. That was love people, even if they caused her pain. She has the never the question. Have I accepted her for who she trust of a little child to this day, and if her feelings do is? Yes. She’s my daughter. That’s the only answer get hurt, she heals almost instantly. That’s one of my needed. ■ rewards. I could never get a firm diagnosis exactly what her problems entailed. I don’t know if the doctors were afraid they’d upset me, or if they truly didn’t know. One doctor told us she was mentally retarded. The diagnosis delivered a certain measure of sadness, but tests show that she’s borderline. And that’s okay. Everyone has her place. And her place is fine with her. She has a childlike quality that will never leave her. She’s like an elf at Christmas. She’ll eat ice cream with me when no one else will, and we hardly drive by a McDonald’s without stopping. Movies and popcorn are her favorite treat, and she and I enjoy all Disney can Loving the Child You Have The power of some adoptive parents’ love and typical for adop- commitment to their child is truly inspiring. I never tive parents to be cease to be moved when I am privileged to be a fully informed of any known medical conditions, part of this amazing process. We recognize, how- accidents, or abuse that may have occurred in the ever, that each family is unique, and that not all child’s history. Our partner agency, Holt Children’s families may be able to manage the challenge of Services of Korea, has an exemplary foster care sys- parenting a child with significant special needs. Holt tem, in which the babies are placed in loving foster is committed to making sure that prospective par- homes with trained foster families. This alternative ents have all the information that is available, and to orphanage care is clearly in the best interests of we take great pains to make sure that the family is the child, is instrumental in enhancing the baby’s fully aware and prepared for the potential issues that overall development, and is especially important in a particular child may have later in life. We strongly the formation of successful early attachments with recommend that adoptive parents take all medical caregivers. Although the child will certainly grieve and social history on their child to their pediatrician the loss of the foster family members, the establish- or specialist for evaluation. If you feel that you have ment of these patterns of attachment will eventually room in your heart to parent a child with special be transferred to the relationship the child develops needs, you are welcome to contact our Waiting with the adoptive family. Child Program. —Pat McConnell, MSW The Holt International staff does not believe that the events described in this article are representative Director of Social Services, Korea Program of current orphanage practice in Korea. Rather, it is

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Signs of the Times Using Sign language can ease your child’s transition into your home.

By Pat McConnell, MSW first learned about using Sign language for hear- was with us some of the time, communication could be Director of Social ing children after my first daughter was born. difficult. Knowing some Sign language proved to be an Services, Korea Because of a developmental disability, she had advantage. At least we could do some simple signing a language delay. We were fortunate to be con- together. I began thinking about how valuable Sign Inected with a federally funded program called language could be in helping adoptive families ease Early Intervention Services, which provided us with the transition when the parent and child didn’t share regular visits from a developmental specialist as a common language. Ideally, parents should learn well as a speech pathologist to help us enhance our some key phrases in their child’s language, at the very child’s development and language acquisition. The least. But there is no doubt in my mind that learn- developmental specialist said that using simple Sign ing some signs together with your child can enhance language could be helpful in our situation. communication as well as the budding parent-child “We want to teach children to feel successful in their relationship. communication with others, and to learn that com- As it turns out now, years later, Sign language is municating is fun. When children get their needs met touted as being helpful even for typically developing Above: Selina, 11, signs more easily, it reduces frustration. It helps the child children. Those of us who have been close to children sleep. Opposite: Joseph, enjoy communicating, and, in this way, can actually or have ever learned a foreign language know there is 12, a Korean adoptee, assist in speech acquisition.” a frustrating stage where a person can understand what signs cat. Naomi, 6, also a Korean adoptee, I was skeptical. Wouldn’t there be a risk that our is being said, but can’t quite put the words together to invents her own sign. daughter would rely on signing and not want to speak respond. In other words, at this point your receptive later? language (what you understand) is better than your Sure enough, we learned what I affectionately call expressive language (what you can say). “toddler sign,” and our family could communicate sim- Some people say that this phenomenon is what ple thoughts about foods, animals, potties and all such produces the “terrible twos”: children are frustrated things immanently important to toddlers. We bought because they know what you are saying, but are not a copy of The Comprehensive Signed English Dictionary quite able to converse with you. Not surprisingly, and enjoyed looking up new words to try. this is the developmental stage in which signing can Four years later we adopted our son. He was 5 be most helpful. This stage occurs for all children years old, spoke fluent Korean and some Spanish, but regardless of whether they are typically developing or not English. Likewise, we didn’t know much Korean. not, and it will recur if your child is learning a new Although we had a patient and skillful interpreter who language, including Sign.

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esearch shows that learning Sign has advan- tages for typically developing, hearing chil- Rdren without second language issues: Resources • Sign language may develop more of the brain Signs of the Times than spoken language because it uses the hands Certainly, many Holt families have used and eyes in addition to the ears and mouth. Some studies indicate that children who learn Sign language to help ease their child’s Sign have an easier time learning to read, and transition into their adoptive family. Many have higher math scores than those who don’t. of our social workers routinely recom- • Children seem fascinated with signing, and mend signing when a family is adopting enjoy using it. Think about the delighted faces of children you know as they gleefully gesticu- an older child. If you think it might be late the movements for the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” helpful in your case, you should speak to and the like. your social worker, or refer to one of the • You can communicate when it may not be appro- resources listed below. Your public library priate to speak out loud. • You can communicate something privately with- is a good resource, too. in your family when others are present. Books • You can communicate with the Baby Sign Language Basics, by Monta hearing impaired. Think how much more helpful it Z Briant is for a child who has a speech delay, Sign with Your Baby, by Joseph Garcia intelligibility problem, or has been First Signs at Home, by Stanley Collins, transported into a totally different envi- Garlic Press ronment where no one speaks their language! Caring for Young Children: Signing for Day Care Providers and Sitters, Some tips: Garlic Press • Start small. Start with just a few The Comprehensive Signed English useful signs. You don’t need to learn the entire Signed English language. Dictionary, Gallaudet University Press • Take cues from your child. Depending on your child’s age, personality and Websites interests, you will use different signs. If your child is www.babysigns.com enraptured with a picture of a giraffe, or with eating spaghetti, learn the sign together. www.signingbaby.com • Use the spoken word at the same time as the www.signingtime.com: have videos available for sale sign. This will reinforce the spoken word and www.MyBabyCanTalk.com: online Signing dictionary assist in the transition from signing to English. www.sign2me.com: have videos available for sale Remember that typically developing children will pick up a new language very quickly. • Don’t give up. There may be a period when an Early Intervention Services older child doesn’t say much at all. This will Early Intervention Services, a federally funded program designed to most likely happen as soon as the child realizes work with families in assisting their child’s development, are available that using the language they are accustomed to to those whose children meet the criteria. The services will be tailored isn’t working. Some people say that during this to your child’s needs, and may include but are not limited to devel- quiet time, the child is assimilating the new lan- opmental specialists, speech pathologists, physical and occupational guage. They may start chattering away in English therapists, audiologists, and so on. Your pediatrician or social worker in short order. can help you decide if a developmental assessment is needed for your • Keep it fun. Remember you want the child to feel child, and refer you to the Early Intervention Services in your area. successful in their efforts at communication. ■

SAMPLE TODDLER SIGNS Word Sign Think of Milk open and close one or both fists milking a cow Eat bring hand to mouth and tap lips bringing food to mouth Drink bring “c” hand to mouth in a short arc bringing cup to mouth Dog 1. Pat thigh 2. Pat thigh, snap fingers traditionally calling a dog Daddy tap “5” hand to your temple a few times the temple area signifies male signs Mommy tap “5” hand to your chin a few times the chin area signifies female signs

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When an Adoptee ADOPTSADOPTS A Korean adoptee who adopted two girls from China reflects on the special challenges of second generation adoption— across cultures.

s one of the ries of my visits to orphanages By Mary Masterson “first wave” of in Korea during my Motherland Clackamas, Ore. Korean adopt- Tour, feeling those children cling ees, I now find quietly to me when I held them Amyself reflecting more for the brief time we were there upon the challenges and and knowing they may not go issues that adoptive chil- to “forever homes.” During dren might have than I that bus ride to the orphanage ever did when I was grow- I thought about the possible ing up. Part of this “awaken- scenario of my experiences ing” in myself is due to my while I was in an orphanage, recent participation in local and how I might have felt Adult Adoptive social gath- when whisked away from Above: Mary Masterson in China on the day erings and the 1999 Korea my familiar surroundings. she received her first Motherland Tour that I took Even though I was three daughter, Malia. Center: through Holt, but also because when I was adopted, I do Malia soon after coming home. of becoming an adoptive not remember anything parent. from my time before being We brought Malia home in adopted. I’m not sure if my August 2002. Last September daughters will remember anything my husband and I took Malia either, because they were 12 and 14 months old with us when we traveled to China to adopt our when we adopted them. second daughter, Meiling Jean ShuFen. We are As I watch my two girls interact, I hope they now starting to settle into a comfortable but hectic will eventually become good friends so they can routine and our new family dimensions. appreciate sharing and discussing their common Of the two trips to China, the first was the heritage and family background, being adopted more emotional for me because we visited Malia’s from Hunan, China. orphanage. The experience brought back memo-

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s an adult adoptee raising adopted girls, I recognize I may have special challenges. I want to avoid making the assumption that the experiences I’ve had as an adoptee will Abe the same for my girls. I grew up in a supportive and accepting community, and I didn’t have to expe- rience the pain of discrimination for not fitting in. I have not felt a driving need to find my birth family. But I need to accept, with an open mind and sup- portive heart, if my girls’ experiences as they grow up are different from mine. My reasons for wanting to participate in an adult adoptive group were more for the social interactions When with other adult Korean adoptees and eating Korean food, and not out of a deep desire to deal with adop- Left: Mary and Ray tion issues. Masterson with Malia at an Now that I’m an adoptive parent, I feel the the Great Wall on their Adoptee responsibility of trying to prepare our daughters second trip to China. Below: Mary, Ray, Malia for all those adoption questions that friends and and Meiling. strangers ask. I also worry that I may not be able to adequately guide them in talking about or deal- to give people the impression that I am extremely ing with their adoption issues. I know people will immersed in learning to be more Korean or that ADOPTS assume that because I am adopted, and Asian, I will I want my girls to be totally immersed in being have fewer problems, or my daughters will have Chinese. I am just trying to find a nice balance fewer problems in addressing the topic of adoption of supporting their cultural development along in a timely manner. with mine —and still be connected with their non- But my oldest daughter, now 3, has not yet asked adopted friends. why she is from China and not from my tummy. I feel lucky for opportunities to be involved in local Perhaps if I were not from Asia she might have asked adult adoptee activities. I believe we can benefit from by now. But neither has she asked why her daddy sharing our pasts as “first wave-ers” and helping each doesn’t look like “us.” I am sure these questions will other with our current challenges. I hope my girls will come up soon, as she is now in preschool. be able to appreciate and enjoy participating in their own adoptee groups as they grow up because I am experiencing a new challenge internally— now know the value these groups can provide in how to continue supporting my “Korean-ness” the way of support in enriching our experiences. while engaging my daughters with their Chinese Through adopting these two girls, I feel that heritage. I’m not sure how to blend these two I have honored my parents and all those people Idesires with only so much time to do even the “rou- who made adoption possible. ■ tine” activities in our life right now. I don’t mean Perspective on Adoptees Who Adopt

Unlike adoptive parents who have not been adopted, who they are, any linger- adoptees who adopt have lost a birth family and have ing questions that they have been placed with a new family, just like their child. They about their own identities will know intimately and personally what that feels like. surface. Parenting generally While adoptees who adopt will have an ease in under- means that we have to face standing the losses entailed in adoption, they also have unresolved issues from our an added burden as a result. As Mary explains so wisely, pasts. Adoptees who adopt because everyone’s experience of these losses is differ- will also face this specifically ent, it’s important to avoid assuming that her children will around adoption issues. experience these losses as she did. When adoptees adopt, the action has An added challenge that adoptees face when they special ramifications. It affirms to the adoptees’ own adop- adopt is that their own histories will inevitably come up tive parents and to the officials of their birth country that over and over. When they are assigned their child and first they value adoption and that their experience was good learn how he or she came into care, they will be reminded enough for them to want to be adoptive parents them- of what they know and don’t know about how they selves. Even more importantly, it is a gift to their child that themselves came into care. When their children at 5 or 6 says to him or her that being adopted is good, and it nor- become aware that adoption means relinquishment and malizes adoption. feel the sadness of knowing that, they will be reminded of their own relinquishment and perhaps their own sadness. —Laura Crawford Hofer, LCSW, ACSW When their children are teens and struggling to define Director, Post Adoption Services

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05.03 HF1.indd 29 2/23/05 11:39:12 AM neighborhood CALENDAR California Contact: Todd Kwapisz, (503) 244- 6 p.m. Contact: Julie Nolta at May 14—Benicia Community Park 2440 or [email protected]. (541) 687-2202 or Holt Family Picnic for adoptive families, [email protected]. adult adoptees, parents in process Aug. 1–Aug. 6—Calvin Crest, Fremont RSVP by April 29, holtintl.org/events and prospective adoptive parents. Holt Heritage Camp for adoptees 9 to 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (rain or shine). 16 years old. Contact: Steve Kalb, June 26–July 1—Camp Howard Contact: Todd Kwapisz at camp director, at (541) 687-2202 or Holt Heritage Camp for adoptees 9 to (503) 244-2440 or [email protected] 16 years old. Contact: Steve Kalb, [email protected]. camp director, at (541) 687-2202 or New Jersey [email protected] June 25—Craig Reg. Park, Fullerton April 2—North Brunswick High School Aug. 6–13—Honeyman Park, Florence Holt Family Picnic for adoptive families, New Jersey Annual Holt Dinner Doors Holt International Family Campout adult adoptees, parents in process open 5 p.m. Dinner at 6:15 p.m. Contact: Pat Billups (503) 697-3219 and prospective adoptive parents. Adults $8; children 9–12 $4. For or Jo Fowler at (503) 620-9173. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (rain or shine). $5 registration or to volunteer contact: parking fee; Contact: Todd Kwapisz Cathy Torrey (908) 996-4541 or the Aug. 6—Camp Harlow, Eugene at (503) 244-2440 or NJ Branch Office at (609) 882-4972. Holt Family Picnic for adoptive families, [email protected]. To donate items for gift baskets call adult adoptees, parents in process Barbara Hurte (908) 213-0184. Oct. 1—Plaza Park, Visalia and prospective adoptive parents. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (rain or shine). Holt Family Picnic for adoptive April 16—Trenton $5 donation for Korean lunch. families, adult adoptees, parents Holt Heritage Camp Open House RSVP by July 29. Contact: Todd in process and prospective 1–4 p.m. Contact: Steve Kalb, camp Kwapisz at (503) 244-2440 or adoptive parents. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. director, at (541) 687-2202 or [email protected]. (rain or shine). Contact: Todd [email protected] Kwapisz at (503) 244-2440 or Oct. 22—Portland [email protected]. July 18–23—Shrine of St. Joseph, Stirling Dinner Auction To volunteer or Korean Culture Day Camp for donate an auction item, contact: adoptees and siblings entering K-7 in Iowa Char Woodworth at (503) 638-2518. Sept. 24—Le Grand Community Park Sept. 2005. Contact: Lynn Bocchini Holt Family Picnic for adoptive families, at (973) 226-5304 or visit adult adoptees, parents in process www.campfriendshipnj.com Texas and prospective adoptive parents. April 10—Colleyville 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (rain or shine). Aug. 20—Pine Park, Lakewood Tea & Fashion Show for the children Contact: Todd Kwapisz at (503) 244- Holt Family Picnic for adoptive of Vietnam. 3-5 p.m., Colleyville 2440 or [email protected]. families, adult adoptees, parents in Community Center. $25. RSVP by process and prospective adoptive April 4 at holtintl.org/events. To parents. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (rain volunteer or donate an auction item, Kansas or shine). $5 entrance fee for contact Julie Banta at (817) 329- Sept. 25—Overland Park entertainment. Contact: Todd 5257 or [email protected]. Holt Family Picnic for adoptive families, Kwapisz at (503) 244-2440 or adult adoptees, parents in process [email protected] and prospective adoptive parents. 1–5 p.m. (rain or shine). Contact: Aug. 28–Sept. 2—Johnsonburg Todd Kwapisz, (503) 244-2440 or Holt Heritage Camp for adoptees 9 to [email protected]. 16 years old. Contact:Steve Kalb, C o m e m e e t camp director, at (541) 687-2202 or Nebraska [email protected] Camp Director April 13—Omaha Holt Heritage Camp Open House Oregon Steve Kalb at 3:30–7:30 p.m. Contact: Steve Kalb, April 9—Portland camp director, at (541) 687-2202 or Holt Heritage Camp Open House our April O p e n [email protected] 2–4 p.m. Contact: Steve Kalb, camp director, at (541) 687-2202 or H o u s e s . July 9—Coopers Mem. Farm, Omaha [email protected] Holt Family Picnic for adoptive families, adult adoptees, parents in process and prospective adoptive parents May 6—Valley River Inn, Eugene 3:30–7:30 p.m. (rain or shine). Dinner Auction for children of SE Asia For more information visit holtinternational.org

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When Disaster Hits HOLT RESPONDS By Gary N. Gamer, President & CEO After the tsunami, Holt isaster response and Holt International Sahathai is help- are two sets of words that may not be ing chil- normally associated with each other. But dren be children in the aftermath of waves that devastated again— theD shorelines of the Indian Ocean, Holt International by engag- ing them is indeed responding to the disaster. Our strategic role in play via art sup- in the relief effort is to find families for children. plies and In fact, responding to disasters has often been the kites. impetus to launch Holt’s work. You need only consider jeopardized by the likes of tsunamis, war and politi- our origins to recognize how Holt plants itself in the cal systems. But there are also the socio-economic midst of disasters. mini-tsunamis that threaten a child’s right to be in a Harry Holt traveled to Korea 50 years ago to help family in many other countries around the world. orphaned and abandoned children after the Korean To do this effectively, Holt International and its War. Many of these children had little or no hope partners must address both immediate needs such as in surviving without initial medical interventions as medical conditions, psycho-social difficulties through Holt care providers took in these children. They were counseling, and case management assessment and given a new lease on life as they were placed in loving planning needs to ensure a child is in a family. These families. services span the gambit of what a comprehensive In the aftermath of genocide in Cambodia and the disaster response effort should be doing. Our efforts large-scale dislocation of people there, Holt International in Thailand or anywhere else are not quick fix opera- worked to ensure that children were in the nurturing tions. environment that only families can provide. Holt Sahathai Foundation, the respected Thai agen- When U.S. forces fled Saigon at the end of the cy that Holt founded nearly 30 years ago, expects to be Vietnam War, Holt was there to assist with Operation working at least three years helping to rebuild the lives Babylift. torn apart by the raging sea. I ask you to please pray And after the regime change in Romania, Holt for them and the children and families they are work- helped lead the charge to reform the way children were ing with. Although the television scenes of the tsunami being cared for, relieving the horror of children living impact are bad, seeing it first hand and working within in orphanages. the disaster zones in person affects one at a higher level of magnitude. n each of these efforts, Holt International was I would like to thank the many individuals who have responding to a call that it is God’s plan for given generously to our efforts in Thailand to enable every child to have a permanent loving family. children to have hope in a world that can turn upside IThis important foundation in a child’s life is down in one disastrous moment. ■

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Benicia, California May 14 Fullerton, California June 25 Omaha, Nebraska July 9 Eugene, Oregon Aug. 6 Lakewood, New Jersey Aug. 20 Le Grand, Iowa Sept. 24 Overland Park, Kansas Sept. 25 Visalia, California Oct. 1

Come celebrate children from near and far at our 2005 Holt family picnics.

For more information or volunteer opportunities contact: Todd Kwapisz [email protected] or 503.244.2440, ext. 102 www.holtinternational.org

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID EUGENE OR Post Office Box 2880 • Eugene OR 97402 PERMIT NO. 291

Change Service Requested

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