Mar

/Apr

201

3Celebrating Holt moms near and far

TheGift of

MotherhoodHonor Your

Mother with a

Gift of Hope!

March-April 2013 vol. 55 no. 2

Our VisionA world where every child has a loving and secure home.

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 adopted eight of those children. But they were moved by the desperate plight of other orphaned children in Korea and other countries as well, so they founded Holt International Children’s Services in order to unite homeless children with families who would love them as their own. Today Holt International serves children and families in Cambodia, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Nepal, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Thailand, Mongolia, Uganda, the United States and Vietnam.

President & CEOPhillip A. LittletonVice-President of International Programs Dan LauerVice-President of Finance & Administration Kevin SweeneyVice-President of Adoption Services Lisa VertulfoVice-President of Development Jack WharfieldVice-President of Policy & External Affairs Susan Soonkeum CoxVice President, Asia ProgramsDavid LimVice President, China ProgramsJian Chen

Holt International magazine is published by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc., a nonprofit, Christian, child welfare organization. While Holt International is responsible for the content of Holt International magazine, the viewpoints expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the organization.

Creative Services Director Brian CampbellCreative Services Manager Laura Mathews Managing Editor Ashli KeyserSenior Writer Robin Munro

Subscription Orders/Inquiries and Address ChangesSend all editorial correspondence and changes of address to Holt International magazine, Holt International, P.O. Box 2880, 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 contribution of letters and articles for publication, but assumes no responsibility for return of letters, manuscripts or photos.

Reprint InformationPermission from Holt International is required prior to reprinting any portion of Holt International magazine. Please direct reprint requests to editor Brian Campbell at 541/687.2202 or brianc@holtinternational.org.

Copyright ©2013 by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. ISSN 1047-7640

in this issue

FRONT COVER: Holt cel-ebrates all kinds of moth-ers on Mother’s Day — adoptive, birth and foster mothers. On the cover, we feature Patchara, a foster mother in Thailand. During the devastating 2011 monsoon season, Patchara never left her foster children. “They are my family,” she said.

P.O. Box 2880 (1195 City View) Eugene, OR 97402 Ph: 541/687.2202 Fax: 541/683.6175

Coated stock: Grey=PMS 409c Red=1807cUnoated stock: Grey=PMS 409u Red=187u

Dear Readers

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

2

The spring issue of Holt International magazine has officially become our “Mother’s Day”

issue. As you read through this special publication, we hope you enjoy the heartfelt family

stories that help to illustrate the joys and hardships of motherhood.

In keeping with this “mother” theme, I thought it appropriate to share a little news with

all of you. In June, my husband and I will welcome our first child, a son, into the world.

Due to this new and exciting “development” in our lives, I will be scaling back my hours

at Holt, and our very capable and talented senior writer, Robin Munro, will take over the

managing editor responsibilities.

I’m extremely excited to begin this new adventure and also feel blessed to be able to

continue my relationship with Holt International as well as our Holt families and friends.

I can remember the first waiting child I ever advocated for when I started at Holt four

years ago. Her name was “Melissa,” a 13-year-old from China who was just about to lose her

adoption eligibility. Deep into job training and learning the ropes, it took me a while – too

long – to grasp the severity of Melissa’s situation, to grasp the importance of my job. I wrote

about Melissa on the blog and shared her story, and that was it. Then, two months later, as

I was busy with the “day-to-day,” the late John Aeby, Holt’s former director of communica-

tions, came in to my office to inform me that Melissa had a family. Through advocating

efforts and prayers, Melissa found her family in the nick of time. “It may not have seemed

like much,” said John. “But you were a part of that.” After John left my office, I prayed,

thanking God for putting me in this position. Finally, I got it.

Today, especially as I wait to welcome my new little one, I feel even more of a respon-

sibility for the children who wait for families – most of them children with special needs,

children like the ones featured on page 27. I can’t wait for each of these children to know

the joy of having a mother — a mother to wipe their tears and give them a goodnight kiss.

I know their day is coming, and I pray that it comes soon.

We at Holt wish all of you mothers and mothers-to-be out there a happy and hopeful

Mother’s Day!

Ashli Keyser | Managing Editor

4 Let's Hear it for the MomsTwo adoptive moms share their stories

8 From the FamilyOpening your heart to the children who wait:

how sponsorship changed Charlotte's life

11 Gifts of HopeHolt's 2013 Mother's Day gift catalog

22 Adoptees TodayHolt employee and adult adoptee Jordan Love

shares his "love" story

directions

P.O. Box 2880 (1195 City View) Eugene, OR 97402 Ph: 541/687.2202 Fax: 541/683.6175

Ho

lt Inte

rna

tion

al.o

rg3

Every morning, I see *Mali’s photo on my refrigerator at home.

For the past 2 years, my wife, three children and I have sponsored

Mali’s care in Thailand through Holt’s sponsorship program –

providing her most basic necessities, and helping her to grow and

thrive. As Holt president and CEO, it means so much to me – and

to my family – to be a part of this little girl’s life, and to give back

to Holt in this special way. Mali lives with her mother, twin sister,

*Kanya, and other extended family members. For two years, my

family has been linked to Mali, praying for her from a distance

and longing to provide her with hope and a future. By the grace

of God and through our sponsorship support, we pray that she can

grow in a safe and loving environment.

Just a couple weeks ago, I traveled to Thailand, the Philippines

and Korea and got to meet Mali in Thailand – a moment that I will

never forget. I was able to hold Mali and tell her about my fam-

ily, including my daughter, who is just about her age. She smiled

at me, clasped her hands together and thanked me for being her

sponsor.

It means the world to me to be able to support Mali. But as

president and CEO of Holt, I see the bigger picture. During our

visit, Mali’s mother, *Lawan, shared her personal goals with me.

Lawan told me that she would like to continue her education in

the civil service – giving her the resources and skills she needs

to one day care for her children independent of Holt’s support.

Helping families become self-reliant and stable is always the

ultimate goal of Holt’s family strengthening programs. I was

extremely moved to hear Lawan’s plans for the future, to hear

of her dedication to her two girls and to hear of her ambitions to

continue with her education.

And I am happy to do my small part.

As we approach Mother’s Day, I think about mothers like

Lawan. Her strength and dedication are an inspiration. And

while my sponsorship support helps provide for her daughter, she

is the person on the ground, doing the hard work.

In honor of mothers like Lawan, I challenge each and every one

of you to support a mother – and, in turn, a child – in Holt’s care

by providing a Mother’s Day Gift of Hope. By giving the gift of

vocational training or livestock to a struggling mother, you are not

just helping a mother, you are coming alongside a whole family.

I pray for all the mothers out there who are struggling to pro-

vide for their children. I pray that each of us, through sponsorship

support or through a Gift of Hope, can help these women at some

of the most desperate times of their lives – so that they, too, can

one day live independent of Holt’s services and provide the best

life possible for their children.

Give a Mother’s Day Gift of Hope today!

Phillip Littleton | President & CEO

With My Own EyesMother’s Day Gifts of Hope

TOP: Holt President Phil Littleton shares a picture of his family with his sponsored child,

Mali, her twin sister, Kanya, their mother, Lawan, and Holt Sahathai Foundation staff.

LEFT: Phil with Mali, Kanya and Lawan

*names changed

Two adoptive mothers share their stories

I boarded a plane with my husband on November 29th, 2011,

bound for China and ready to meet my daughter. “My daughter.”

Eight years earlier, that phrase would have sounded completely

strange, but now it made perfect sense. I was sure. I was ready.

I, of course, will never forget the day we met Naomi. I remem-

ber seeing her for the first time. A door opened in the back of

the room, and there she was. Then, I held her. The feeling was

indescribable. I didn’t have to wonder anymore about how tiny

her feet were, what she smelled like, or how she would feel in my

arms. I knew. We had been waiting for this day for years. And

here she was.

It turns out, however, that our daughter didn’t exactly share the

same sentiments for me, as I did for her. Initially.

China was hard. Naomi was not my number one fan. I hon-

estly didn’t have many expectations for this trip and considered

myself prepared for anything. Typically, I’m the one scouting

the nearest exit on a plane. Always prepared. This was differ-

ent. I don’t think anything can prepare you for being rejected by

your child after you have waited so long to become a mother. I

was not able to do anything for her. I couldn’t hold her, feed her,

touch her or change her. Today, I, of course, can laugh at the fact

that she would wipe off my kisses, but at the time, it was not a

laughing matter. Thankfully, she liked my husband, who ended

up doing almost all of the caregiving in China. I can’t lie. I was

a bit jealous.

Here’s an illustration for you: Day number two in China will

most likely go down as one of the strangest days of my life. All of

the families in our province made a trip to a grocery store. Naomi,

of course, did not want me pushing the cart. Our guide decided

this would be an opportune time to explain to her that I was her

She Let me Be Her MotherMeeting your adopted child is not always sunshine and rainbows, as adoptive parent Kristen Cook can attest. But getting through those tough first months can often lead to greater understanding and a better, more rich, relationship

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE MOMS

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

4

Ho

lt Inte

rna

tion

al.o

rg5

Speaking in a “Mother” LanguageAbraham came home to the Herstons two years ago. A hearing-impaired child, Abraham had no means of communication and found a special bond with his also hearing-impaired dad, Steven. Right away, the family began teaching Abraham sign language and Jamie Herston began to connect with her son in her own special ways

We began the adoption process in October of 2011, after I had

received a recommendation of Holt International from a friend

who had researched adoption. I sent an email to the agency,

inquiring which countries would be open to working with my

husband and I. Given that my husband is deaf, we worried that

other countries would view his deafness as a disability that would

prevent effective parenting. I received a response from Holt that if

we were willing to adopt a child who was also deaf, most countries

would be open to working with us. So, we sent in our application

and began praying.

About two weeks after submitting our application, we were

asked by Holt’s waiting child assistant if we would be interested

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE MOMS new mother. By the time the whole ordeal had come to an end, I

think we had the entire grocery store watching us. Do you know

what it’s like to be one of the only white people in a store, having

someone tell your Chinese child that you are their mother, while

50 other Chinese people stare at you. Let’s just say it was not on

my “bucket list.”

The one thing Naomi would do is play with me. I engaged her

at every moment she would let me. Constantly engaging a child

who wants little to do with you is extremely exhausting emotion-

ally. I kept trying to remind myself of all the things she was going

through. It was a crash course in selflessness that I honestly

didn’t always succeed at. In all likelihood, I was her fifth female

caregiver in 21 short months. No wonder she didn’t trust me. She

had been through more than most adults in her short little life.

I will never forget the day Naomi first reached for me. We had

had her for almost a week and were out to dinner with the other

adoptive families in China. Naomi was sitting with my husband

and, for some reason, she held out her arms to me. She let me

hold her and feed her the rest of the meal. I could draw you a

picture of that restaurant. I felt like her mother for the first time

that day. I couldn’t feel the tension in her muscles or the palpable

anxiety I felt the other times I tried to hold her. For brief moments

in China, she would let me in.

I am now somewhat grateful for the experience I had with

Naomi in China. My path to motherhood was far from what I ever

envisioned. I take comfort in knowing that Naomi was meant to

be my daughter, and I was meant to be her mother. We both had

to choose to love and accept one another. We both had to fight

through painful and uncomfortable experiences to get to where

we are today.

All relationships are complex and people are not perfect,

whether it’s a mother and daughter, a husband and a wife, a

brother and sister, or whatever. Ultimately, at some point you

have to choose to love the other person, and hope that they will

make the same choice. That’s the hard part. Our time in China

will most certainly not be the only time that my daughter rejects

me. It won’t be the last time our relationship is tested. One day,

in her teenage years, she will slam a door in my face and tell me

she never wants to talk to me again. I am hopeful that during that

time, I will remember where we’ve been.

Today we are light years from where we started. Naomi is the

most resilient and loving person I've met. The joy that comes from

knowing she chose to let me in and be her mother is like none I've

ever experienced.

Kristen Cook | Omaha, Nebraska

RIGHT: Naomi helping her mom

blow out the candles. Naomi

and Kristen have come a long way in

their relationship!

Abraham has been home for three months. He has gone from having no means of communication, to having a sign

language vocabulary of over 150 words. He is able to tell us what he needs and that he loves us.

in looking over the file of an older, hearing-impaired boy from

India. We were cautiously optimistic. We didn’t want to get our

hopes up, but the minute we saw Abraham’s face, we knew he

was our boy.

A week later, on November 3, 2011 to be exact, the Waiting Child

committee at Holt met to discuss Abraham’s future. That same

afternoon, I received a call that we had officially been matched

with him. We will never forget that day. Because my husband is

deaf, we knew that getting Abraham home in a timely manner

was key. Due to the fact that he was an older child, his timeframe

for successfully learning language was growing thin. We had to

get him home fast, so that he would not miss his opportunity for

learning language.

Exactly one year to the day after being matched with Abraham,

we got on a plane to India. We felt a myriad of emotions and

asked ourselves many questions. Would he recognize us from the

pictures we sent? Would he run to us, happy to finally meet us

face to face, or would he run in the opposite direction, knowing he

had seen our faces before but scared to death of who we were?

While I would like to say that he ran to us with open arms, it

was clear that his reaction to us was similar to how we were feel-

ing about meeting him, nervous. When we entered Abraham's

room, he smiled a smile that told us he recognized our faces. He

walked towards me and allowed me to pick him up. I had prayed

in the weeks leading up to travel that God would give me the grace

to control my emotions the first time I held Abraham. I didn’t

want to scare him by sobbing uncontrollably. God answered my

prayer. While I felt the emotions and tears of joy creeping up into

my throat, I suppressed them, giving Abraham just a slight hug

and a reassuring, friendly smile.

I tried to hand Abraham to my husband, Steven. This is when

Abraham showed his fear. We had been warned that Abraham

might not be used to a male presence. This proved to be true.

So on that first day, Steven patiently and sweetly kept a distance

from Abe, so that Abe could determine when he felt comfortable

and ready to engage Steven.

We were taken to the YMCA School for the Deaf, where Abe

attended classes. On the bus, Abe sat between Steven and I,

allowing me to hold his hand. When we arrived at the school, Abe

proudly guided us through the room, lightly slapping our arms to

get our attention. He showed us various drawings and crafts that

he was clearly very proud of, but couldn’t express to us through

words. On the way back to Abe’s care center, we practiced the sign

for “pretty” and played pretend with his butterfly craft, making it

fly and hearing Abe laugh for the first time as the butterfly “flew”

and gave him “kisses.”

Abraham has been home for three months. During that time,

he has gone from having no means of communication, to having

a sign language vocabulary of over 150 words. He can sign short

sentences, tell us what he needs and that he loves us.

Before learning about Holt, we thought that having children

would not be a reality for us. But our prayer was answered, and

we were blessed with the most amazing little boy. Our family has

settled into our new normal. After having 10 weeks home with

Abraham, I went back to my job as a high school teacher at the

Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD). Abraham is a student in the

preschool program there; it’s very reassuring for him to know that

I am close by. Abe and I enjoy our morning rides to school. As I

drive, I can hear and see him looking out the window at the trees

and birds, signing the signs for each of them – things that just

three months ago he had no names for. When I look at him, I am

truly amazed at how far he’s come. I love seeing the joy on his

face now that he knows he can communicate.

While Abraham was initially fearful of Steven, they have since

built a truly amazing bond. Through Steven’s gentleness and love,

Abe has learned to trust Steven, and Abe’s love for his dad is evi-

dent on his face every time Steven enters the room. Steven has

helped Abe develop a love for football and basketball and many

hours are spent outside playing catch or shooting hoops. Abe is

particularly fond of basketball, and Steven and I have worked to

foster that love through watching games as a family, playing bas-

ketball, helping Abe shoot, and attending our first NBA game as a

family. Because they are both deaf, Steven and Abe share a special

bond that a part of me will never understand. While I am fluent in

sign language and can communicate effectively with my husband

and son, I will never fully be able to understand that special con-

nection they feel.

When we realized God had Abraham in his plans for us, I felt

immense joy. But like other mothers who have adopted, I faced

questions that were sometimes hurtful. Other women would ask

me why I was adopting an older child. ‘Wasn’t I sad that I would

miss out on all the baby moments?’ I would just smile and say,

“God’s plan for everyone is different." I would say those words, but

inside I would indeed wonder if they were right. Would I miss out

on being the mother of an infant? That question was answered the

first day we met Abraham. I felt immense joy watching him do

the simplest of tasks—putting on his new clothes, eating a French

fry for the first time, giving me a kiss on the cheek and trying on

daddy’s sunglasses. At the end of the day, he would climb up in

my lap and let me rock him to sleep. At that moment, I knew that

not only did I not “miss” any of those newborn baby moments, but

that God was giving us our own special moments.

Every day since coming home, God has continued to give us

more special moments. There are hard days, there are exhausting

days, but we forget those days quickly. The wonderful, happy days

far outweigh the tough days. Of all the emotions we’ve felt over

the past months—the fear, the joy, the happiness, the exhaustion

and the frustration—what I feel most is blessed beyond measure

that God chose me to be the mother

to this sweet, loving, happy

little boy.

RIGHT: Jamie Herston thought she would

never become a moth-er. Today, she is able to

wrap her arms around her son, Abraham.

Jamie Herston | Cedar Bluff, Alabama

from the family

My daughter, Charlotte,

is one of my greatest joys.

She is the spirit of our fam-

ily, a child whose very pres-

ence will bring a smile to

your face. She is our child

who sings and dances her

way from room to room,

rather than merely walk-

ing. Looking at Charlotte

now, one would never guess

that her life got off to a

bit of a rocky start. You

see, my precious daughter

was born with a congenital

heart defect (CHD), which means her heart had to work very hard

to do its job. Tasks that you and I take for granted, such as eating,

took a lot of energy for Charlotte, and, as a result, she struggled to

thrive during her first year of life.

We were matched with our daughter via Holt’s waiting child

program in early November 2009. Though our daughter’s initial

paperwork suggested a minor CHD, the pediatric cardiologist

suspected after receiving her paperwork that we were looking at

something more serious. Within a week of receiving her paper-

work, we got an update confirming the doctor’s suspicions; we

were looking at a heart defect that, while likely correctible, was

more significant and would most certainly require open heart

surgery.

I still remember the wait to bring her home. Over the next

few months after getting her referral, additional issues cropped

up. Each update seemed to bring more difficult news and more

uncertainty for our sweet baby. While Charlotte’s medical needs

presented some risk and there were a number of “unknowns,” we

were certain of one thing: she was our daughter, and we were

committed to her. With that in mind, we waited and worried and

waited some more.

We finally got permission to bring Charlotte home in late April

of 2010. She was beautiful, yet petite, not even on the growth

chart. She tired easily. Generally speaking, I think everyone who

met her would agree that she was having a rough go of it. In addi-

tion to her known issues, as a result of the heart defect, she had

developed some ancillary issues related to nutrition that needed

to be addressed.

Opening Your Heart to the Children Who WaitRobin and Randall Bridgeman brought their daughter, Charlotte, home in 2010. Born with a congenital heart defect, Char-lotte’s care in both Korea and the United States was extensive. But through the support and prayers of her family, and a little help from some unknown friends along the way, Charlotte came home and is now a happy and healthy 3-year-old.

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

8

We spent the next several months working with the doctors and clinicians

at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to address her feeding and nutrition

issues and to determine a game plan for addressing her CHD. In mid-Sep-

tember 2010, Charlotte underwent open heart surgery. The surgery was a

complete success, and Charlotte’s heart defect was fully corrected. Though

Charlotte will need periodic follow-up, both her surgeon and pediatric car-

diologist expect her to have a normal lifespan with no restrictions on her

activity.

Open heart surgery was like a rebirth for Charlotte. Our child who once

struggled to engage with people, who never smiled, and who seemed so

unhappy, blossomed almost overnight. Literally within days of getting out

of the hospital, Charlotte had energy and joy to spare. For the first time, we

saw her smile. We were so happy for her!

An Unexpected Blessing A handful of months following Charlotte’s surgery, I was looking through

Holt’s website and spent some time lingering on the sponsorship page. We

had been longtime supporters and proponents of Holt's child sponsorship

program, but had never really considered the possibility that either of our

children were a part of the program. On a bit of a whim, I sent a message

to the sponsorship team asking them if either of our children had been

sponsored. I received a reply saying that while our son was not part of the

program, yes, in fact, our daughter had been sponsored. Not only had she

been sponsored, she’d had several sponsors supporting her.

It’s hard to describe the feelings I had upon finding this out. Grateful.

Blessed. Humbled. To find out that several families had each chosen to

generously make a financial commitment to a child they did not know, who

lived half a world away, to help ensure she got the care she needed…we were

beyond touched. Those funds helped cover things like her echocardiograms

and other diagnostic testing in Korea. Those funds helped her stay in a lov-

ing foster care environment. Those funds helped ensure she got the care she

needed while she waited for a family.

It’s been almost 3 years since we brought our daughter home. Charlotte

is healthy and thriving. She loves to sing and dance. She has energy, per-

sonality and charm to spare. I sometimes just sit back in wonder at how far

she has come. I am still humbled and grateful for the role Holt played in

matching us with each other. I am profoundly thankful to her sponsors for

supporting her. I am blessed beyond measure to be her mom.

Robin Waterstradt Bridgeman | Tualatin, Oregon

TOP FAR LEFT: The Bridgeman family: Randall and Robin, with children, Jake, 5, and Charlotte,

3 (both adopted from Korea).

FAR LEFT: A photo of Charlotte shortly after she came home to the Bridgemans.

RIGHT: Charlotte wearing a hanbok. Once frail and struggling with nutrition issues due to

her heart condition, Charlotte has since blos-somed — full of energy and a healthy appetite!

BOTTOM: Charlotte and her older brother, Jake.

It is with great excitement that we introduce plans for Holt’s next vision trip! In November 2013, we will lead a group of enthusiastic Holt supporters to India. And we want YOU to join us on this amazing adventure!

Are you a Holt child sponsor? Adoptive family or adult adoptee? A Holt donor or just someone who is interested in Holt’s work and wants to learn more? Then this trip is for you!

On this once-in-a-lifetime trip, you will have the opportunity to interact with children in care, meet families in our family strengthening program, and learn more about Holt’s work in India.

For more information and to sign up, go to http://www.holtinternational.org/tours/india/vision.php

CATCH the VISION in INDIA! Adventure Awaits…

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

10

CATCH the VISION in INDIA! G

IFTS

OF

HO

PE

www.holtinternational.org

HO

LT IN

TERN

ATIO

NA

L

Honor YourMother with aGift of Hope!

Medical Procedures for ChildrenGive a gift that lasts a lifetime! Many of the children relinquished into Holt’s

care have disabilities or special medical needs. When children receive the medi-

cal attention they need, not only are they more likely to thrive, they are also

more likely to find adoptive families. Your gift of a cleft lip and palate repair or

surgery for a congenital heart condition can change a child’s life forever.

Suggested Donation Amount: $300

2.

Protect a Child from Deadly DiseasesMany of the families Holt serves can’t afford

basic healthcare for their children – care that

can safeguard a child against life-threatening

illnesses. Your gift will provide basic treatments,

tests and immunizations against preventable

childhood diseases.

Suggested Donation Amount: $75 per child

3.

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

12

Vocational TrainingIn countries around

the world, Holt works

to strengthen families

by giving them the

tools and resources

they need to support

their children. In some

cases, Holt helps pro-

vide job skills training

for parents struggling

to make ends meet –

many of them single

mothers. In India, Holt equips many struggling mothers with induction cookers or sewing machines they can use to

run small businesses selling meals and sewn items. This Mother’s Day, give the gift of vocational training and start-

up resources to an at-risk family overseas – helping loving families stay together, and children grow and thrive.

Suggested Donation Amount: $100

1.

Most populargifts!

Sturdy Shoes and BootsImagine walking to school

or gathering food and water

with only a pair of home-

made, cloth shoes. Without

sturdy shoes, children’s

feet are defenseless against

injury or parasites. We wish

you could hear the squeals

of delight when children

open boxes of brand new

shoes and boots!

Suggested Donation Amount: $20 per child

6.

Help Furnish Holt’s Childcare Centers with Beds, Cribs, Bedding, Linens and ToysMany of Holt’s programs are short on beds, cribs, bedding, linens

and toys for the children. Your Gift of Hope will help us provide a

refuge for children in greatest need.

Suggested Donation Amount: $50 per child

5.

Many children enter Holt’s care in nothing but tattered rags, exposing

them to weather and disease. Your Gift of Hope will help provide climate-

appropriate clothing and other personal items for children in need.

Suggested Donation Amount: $40 per child

Warm Clothing for Children in Care

4.

Most populargifts!

Education for School-aged Girls in IndiaOver half of all girls in India don’t finish primary

school, most because they lack money for fees,

books, uniforms and supplies. Help one girl in

Holt’s India programs achieve her goals – support

one year of her education!

Suggested Donation Amount: $100 per student/per year

10.

Education for Orphans in ChinaThe Nanning Educational Support Project provides

food and educational assistance for orphans living

with their grandparents or other extended family in

southern China. Often, extended family can barely

afford to care for extra children in their home, much

less pay for education. Your Gift of Hope can help

keep children in school, and with their families.

Suggested Donation Amount: $50 per student and family/per month

11.

School Supplies for At-risk ChildrenIn many of the impoverished regions Holt serves, education is a child’s best hope of

escaping a life of poverty and despair. But many families can’t afford the fees,

textbooks and supplies children need to attend school. Your Gift of Hope will help

a child attain an education, and a brighter future!

Suggested Donation Amount: $25 per child

9.

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

14

Urgently Needed Infant Diapers, Clothing and Personal Items for New Children in CareMost children in Holt’s care own little more than

the potential within them. Your gift will deliver

basic necessities to one new child in care for one

month – necessities like brand new clothing,

diapers, blankets and other personal care items.

Suggested Donation Amount: $50 per child

12. Life-Saving FoodIn recent years, the cost of food worldwide has risen

sharply, putting many impoverished families at

greater risk of malnutrition. Your gift can provide

basic grains, vitamin and mineral-enriched biscuits,

infant formula, powdered milk and other nutritional

supplies, helping families and children in Holt’s

care to weather this growing food crisis.

Suggested Donation Amount: $35 per family

13.

Shinshicho Hospital ConstructionIn 2009, Holt upgraded a small clinic in Ethiopia, tripling the number of people who

receive treatment every year – most of them children. The clinic, however, remained

ill equipped to provide more advanced treatment such as surgery and hospitalization.

To meet the needs of this community, Holt committed to funding the construction of a

full maternal-child hospital. Once complete, the Shinshicho Mother and Child Health

Center will provide acute, quality care for a region of 250,000 people, saving

the lives of many who would never otherwise receive treatment.

Suggested Donation Amount: $1,500

15.

An Egg a DayFor children in our partner’s care in India, eggs are

a valuable source of protein and an essential part of

their diet. Your Gift of Hope can provide ten children

with one egg every day for one month!

Suggested Donation Amount: $30 per month per child

14.

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

6

Cows and Donkeys Save FamiliesA cow’s milk, fertilizer, calves and meat can quickly strengthen a family’s

financial stability and help them escape hunger for good. Donkeys help

transport grains, vegetables and other crops to market, easing the burden

on many subsistence-farming families in Ethiopia and Uganda.

Suggested Amount: $150

16.

Ho

lt Inte

rna

tion

al.o

rg7

Little Chicks Make a Huge DifferenceWithin a few months of birth, chicks

become chickens and begin laying eggs.

Eggs provide protein and other vital

nutrients for growing kids, and extra

eggs and chicks can generate income for

a small family business.

Suggested Amount: $50

17.

Ho

lt Inte

rna

tion

al.o

rg17

Pigs and Goats are Like Money in the BankWithin months, piglets grow to weigh a couple hundred pounds

– bringing a big payoff at the market. Goats are also a smart

investment, as they thrive in extreme climates and arid land-

scapes, while fertilizing the ground with their manure. Not to

mention the nutritious milk they supply a family every day!

Suggested Amount: $100

18.

Start a Farm Help fill a barn full of animals for struggling families in

one of Holt’s family preservation programs. Your gift of

chickens, pigs, goats, cows and donkeys can give parents

the means to care for their children, and lift families out

of poverty for good!

Suggested Donation Amount: $300 per month per child

19.

Sponsor a ChildChange a child’s life this Mother's Day!

Depending on your sponsored child’s needs,

your support can go toward everything

from nutritious food and warm clothing to

safe shelter and attentive, nurturing care.

Suggested Donation Amount: $30 per month per child

20.

Foster Care for a Vulnerable Child A more nurturing alternative to institutional care, foster

care provides the loving, personal attention children need to

grow and thrive. Holt strives to place as many orphaned and

abandoned children in foster care as possible while they wait

to rejoin their birth families or join loving adoptive families.

Typically, $85 – less than $3 a day – will cover one month of

care for one child.

$85 per month per child

21.

FridgeFridgeFridge

[1] Sean Reed, 7 (China)—Overland Park, KS

[2] Zander, 2, and Logan Williams, 5 (both from

Korea)—Sussex, NJ

[3] Violet, 3, and Benjamin, 7 (both from Ethiopia)

[4] Bradd and Charity, with children Evan, 13,

Ethan, 10, and Lauren Kimes, 20 months in

photo (China)—Columbia, TN

[5] Nick Brown with sons, Brodie, 3, and Bates, 4

(both from Korea)—Murfreesboro, TN

[6] Emma Keller, 5 (Vietnam)—Oklahoma City,

OK

Mail original color prints to:

Holt International magazine

P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402

or upload digital photos at

holtinternational.org/submissions

[1]

[3]

[2]

[4]

[5]

[6]

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

20

post adoptionA Different Kind of “Mother’s Day” StoryAttachment: Let’s Just Cut to the Chase

Before we brought Minh home, I read a lot about adoption and

attachment. I knew the signs of anxious attachment. I knew of

a lot of activities to foster attachment. And I knew that it was

unlikely our son would fall head over heels in love with us. These

were important things to know, but something vital was missing

in everything I read. All of the material dealt with attachment of

the child to the new parent. Very little was mentioned about the

attachment of the parent to the new child. It never occurred to

me that this was something to be concerned about. I liked chil-

dren, and I loved my children. Our new son was, by all reports,

handsome and intelligent. Why would there be a problem?

As I waited for our paper-

work, I continued to read

about adoption. Most

of these accounts

were of the

‘hearts and

b u t t e r f l i e s ’

variety. The

new parents

fell instan-

taneously in

love with their

new child and

aside from

a few bumps

here and there,

life seemed to be

heading to happily

every afterward.

While I certainly

didn’t go looking for the

hard stories, they were

not easy to just come

across. From

what I

k n e w

as

we headed out on our first adoption journey, parents fall in love

with children, but children may take a while to fall in love with

parents.

This all goes to explain why I was completely blindsided by

what actually happened. Not only did I not fall instantly in love

with my new son, his transition made it very difficult for me to

even like him. And because I didn’t know that parents can have

as much difficulty attaching to children, I also had a heaping dose

of guilt and failure to go along with these incredibly unexpected

feelings. We all made it through those traumatic first weeks

though, and I’m convinced it was solely through God’s grace that

we did so. Back on home soil, Minh and I began a dance together

that would eventually make us truly mother and son.

My first inkling that what I was experiencing was more normal

than anyone let on came across in an essay by Melissa Fay Green,

in which she describes her first experience with adoption. Finally,

someone described what I had been feeling! Perhaps there wasn't

something wrong with me. I have since had the pleasure of meet-

ing Ms. Green and was able to thank her for her life-saving essay.

My autographed copy is not something I'll be parting with. As I

began to mention my difficulties with this part of adoption, I

slowly began to hear others' difficult journeys, which all began

to sound remarkably similar. The theme running through all

It took me a very long time to

realize that focusing

on my attachment to him was

just as important.

As I look back over the past

few years, I am struck by how

much emotion

follows action. The more I

behaved as though I loved

Minh, the more love I

was able to actually feel.

RIGHT: Parents Jud and Elizabeth with children, Maggie, 19, Blaine, 16, Alice, 14, Phoebe, 11,

Thanh Minh, 9, Duncan, 8, Kiet, 5, and Gigi and Lena, 2.

post adoptionH

olt In

tern

atio

na

l.org21

of them was the burning, gut-wrenching question of, "Will I ever

love this child as they deserve to be loved?"

In the beginning of my relationship with Minh, I was convinced

that it was his attachment that needed all the work. If I could

just get him to the right place, then I would be able to fall in love

with him. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it took me a very long

time to realize that focusing on my attachment to him was just as

important. As I look back over the past few years, I am struck by

how much emotion follows action. The more I behaved as though

I loved Minh, the more love I was able to actually feel. I needed to

hug and kiss him, play games with him, smile at him, and think

positive thoughts about him just as much as he needed me to do

those things. Even today, I must be vigilant to be sure we both

experience positive interactions. It is too easy to fall into old pat-

terns.

So, if these experiences are actually quite common, why don't

we, as an adoption community, talk about it more and more open-

ly? I notice on blogs and message boards that it is not a subject

commonly talked about. But if someone asks a question about it

(and often that someone is feeling horrible and ashamed because

of their feelings), the flood gates open and story after story comes

out about how it wasn't all rainbows and happy trees at first. Let's

cut to the chase. It can be hard to learn to love a child you have

adopted, especially one that is past babyhood. It takes time. And

by 'time,' I don't mean a few weeks or even a few months. I'm

talking years. I think we get impatient and expect everything to

fall into place right away, but how often does that happen with

anything?

If you're wondering how Minh and I are doing these days, I can

honestly say we're doing well. There are still times we butt heads,

but perhaps because in many ways we are remarkably similar. For

better or worse, I think Minh is as stubborn as I am, and it's not

always pretty. But I love him...really, truly love him...stubbornness

and all. A few months ago I had a very telling dream. In my dream

I discovered that we were merely Minh’s foster family and that in

a few days he would be leaving to join his adoptive family. I was

devastated. I couldn't figure out how this could happen. I thought

I was going to get to see him grow up and always be a part of our

family. It was one of those dreams where I cried and cried — the

kind that are a relief to wake from. It was a great relief to wake

from this particular dream, both to know that it wasn't real and

to know that I had finally found a permanent place in my heart

for this little boy.

Elizabeth Curry | Evanston, Illinois

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

22

adoptees today

A “Love” StoryHow a “special needs” adoptee turns his labels into opportunities

In the past year, I have really felt more of a tug to speak about

my life. Since I have dwarfism and stand at only 3 feet tall, most

of the conversations I have about my life have to do with that. But

lately, I have had a strong desire to discuss my other source of

individuality – the fact that I am a Korean adoptee.

I can only talk about my own experience. I understand that all

adoption stories are different and have their own difficulties and

joys. I don’t want to tear down anyone else’s experiences. I just

want to tell my story – my “Love” story.

I was found abandoned in the streets of Ilsan and was brought

to the Ilsan center, where I stayed until I was adopted at 4 years

old. During my time at Ilsan, I was placed in the "Love" house and

was cared for by wonderful housemothers, including Molly Holt.

Ilsan is where physically and mentally disabled children stay,

receiving specialized care until they can, hopefully, be adopted.

These children are called "special needs." And I am proud to say

that I am a special needs adoptee.

The Love FamilyMy parents Dwayne and Jackie Love lived in Pleasant Hill,

Oregon and had previously adopted a sibling group and an

older child from Korea. My mother had seen my picture in Holt

International magazine, called up my dad while he was working

as a truck driver and said that she had found their next son. She

called Holt International and inquired about me. Apparently I

was in hot demand, because another family was in the process

of adopting me at the time. Fortunately, the other family decided

not to go through with the adoption, and after a couple of weeks,

my mother got a phone call asking her if they were still interested

in me.

My parents made a lot of adjustments upon my arrival home.

Adding a new member is always hard, but because of my dwarf-

ism, I also had some physical limitations that would require sur-

gery. From the age of 5 to 21, I underwent 13 surgeries. A lot of my

childhood was spent at Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland,

Oregon—having surgery, recovering from surgery, or having the

doctor tell me that I needed another surgery. My mother never

left my side during those times. As much as I feel my childhood

might have been stolen because of all the surgeries, all that time

was spent with my lovely mother, and I wouldn’t have had it any

other way.

My parents are both Caucasian and had two birth children

before they started to adopt. About a year and a half after I was

adopted, they fostered my older sister, Trisha, who is mentally

handicapped. They later adopted her. My parents went from

being a family of four, to a family of nine in just over two years.

They always told us that our birth parents loved us and chose to

give us a better life by making the hard decision to put us up for

adoption. I never have to question that. I believe it to be true.

Throughout my life – from birth to the orphanage – there was

never a gap in love. I always had a certain sense of protection that

never made me question my identity. My birthmother knew she

couldn’t take care of me and made the hard decision to give me

up. Could she have gone about it in a different way? Sure. I was

found wandering the streets of Ilsan. For how long, I’m not sure.

But I have to believe that my birthmother didn’t have a choice.

My adoptive parents have always been open and honest with me

about my past and my adoption, answering any and all questions.

They made me who I am today, and that’s all that matters.

As much as these next few words might be a little controversial,

I’m going to say them anyway: by adopting me, I believe my par-

ents saved me. I know a lot of people who would be offended by

that statement and disagree with me, saying that I could have had

a successful life in Korea with my birthmother. My parents would

never claim that they saved me, and would probably say that I’ve

blessed them just as much as they’ve blessed me. But listen to

what I’m saying. By adopting me, my parents were able to provide

Ho

lt Inte

rna

tion

al.o

rg23

me with access to quality medical care – care that I needed to survive. But that’s just

the tip of the iceberg. Today, I am in a place where I am more accepted and have more

opportunities to grow and succeed – opportunities that, because of my disability, I

would have never had in my native land. This is why I believe my parents saved me.

They gave me the best opportunity to be successful and accepted.

Being disabled and only 3 feet tall is hard to explain. But this is my life. I don't

know any different. For me, the shortest and best way to explain it is like this: imag-

ine requiring special assistance in every part of your life. From a stool to help you

reach the bathroom counter, to pedal extenders and a booster seat to help you drive,

to asking strangers to reach something at the grocery store. I am very fortunate to

live an independent life, but I constantly need help by something or someone to get

through my day.

As I look at the landscape of international adoption and observe how it’s shifting

toward special needs adoption, it’s my desire to be a voice for those adoptees, and to

share my experience with them. I am never going to be shy or ashamed about the

labels I am given. I am a Korean Adoptee. I am disabled, and I am a special needs

adoptee. But, even with these labels, I am not any less of an American, or any less

of a member of society. All of those labels define who I am as a person as much as

my last name defines me as a member of the Love family. But I am not going to

let those labels pigeonhole me or allow me to make excuses for what I

can or cannot do. I know that through these labels, I have been given a

voice, a platform to speak about my special situation.

One person I cherished the most during my short time in Korea was

my physical therapist at Ilsan, who I was able to see for several days

when I traveled to Korea two years ago. Because of my disability, I spent

a lot of time with her. I had a lot of pictures of this lady when I was

adopted and was able to have those photos explained to me. She told

me that she would take me on special trips. She expressed how grateful

she was to see me as an adult and how well I turned out. This amazing

woman loved me without condition.

I could tell you that I have been successful because of my own drive

and determination. But that would be disingenuous. I have been suc-

cessful because of the people who have cared about me. The people who

gave me a little bit of themselves. From my birthmother and my house-

mother, to my physical therapists and my parents. I am a reflection of all

of them. My success comes from them. I thank them for their sacrifices,

and hope that I can make them proud – showing them how much a “spe-

cial needs” adoptee can accomplish in this life.

By Jordan Love | Eugene, OR

Jordan’s story can also be seen in “The Holt Alumni Enews,” Holt’s enewsletter for adult adoptees. To read this and other adult adoptee stories, go to http://holtinternational.org/holtalumni/blog/

adoptees today

TOP LEFT: Jordan with his family, the Loves · Jordan reunites with his physical thera-

pist at the Ilsan center in Korea.

RIGHT: Jordan as Santa's elf and the "red M&M" at Holt Christmas parties in

Eugene, Oregon · Jordan tries on a band member’s hat after watching a traditional

Korean celebration during the “Happy Together” tour in Korea.

Note: This tour is open to all Korean adoptees and adoptive families, regardless of placing agency.

For more information and to reserve a spot, go to: http://www.holtinternational.org/tours/korea/ or contact Paul Kim at paulk@holtinternational.org for more information.

Heritage tour for adoptees and their families

* * * June 24 - July 7, 2013 * * *

Ho

lt Inte

rna

tion

al.o

rg25

Smiling faces greet Phil Littleton, Holt president and CEO, and

I as we pass through the gates of Kaisahang Buhay Foundation

(KBF). A longtime partner, KBF has provided a wide variety of

services to children and families of the Metro Manila area for

over 37 years. This morning, KBF director Cherrie De La Rosa

shares a PowerPoint presentation, discussing the comprehensive

services.

The presentation begins

with a single word, “Mothers.”

“Brian, do you know why

we begin here?” she asks in a

teacher-like tone. “If you are going to do what is best for the child,”

she says, “it will start with the mother.” KBF supports a holistic

family approach to serving children in some of the poorest areas

of Manila. “Today we will show you our single mothers home,

Cherrie continues, “a place where young mothers can come and

be provided with a safe and loving home for themselves and their

babies. We provide support and healing on a social and spiritual

level. Many come to us from such difficult circumstances, and we

are here to love them and help them heal.”

After the moving presentation, Phil and I travel through town

a bit and arrive at the single mothers home. In the tidy courtyard

are several potted plants and vegetables. A table of goods crafted

by the mothers is just outside the door. Baskets, dish soap and

other handcrafted items are displayed in neat little patterns. As

we walk in, I notice the wide age range of these young women.

Our guide begins to share their emotional stories. Some are here

due to abuse by a family member, others have been left by boy-

friends, and others have stories that are still too difficult for them

to share. Babies, some just a couple of weeks old, are in the arms

of their mothers.

We observe a KBF volunteer sitting on a couch with a new

mother, teaching her how to swaddle her newborn. The young

mother reaches over her child and tucks the blankets around her

baby with care and caution, still uncertain of just how much or

how little she should move her baby. The volunteer, smiling and

speaking in encouraging tones, guides the mother's hands over

the blankets until only the baby’s jet-black hair and sweet little

face can be seen.

The young women at this home receive life skills training in an

effort to better prepare them for life with a child. A lone house-

mother and a few volunteers guide the women, some as young as

16, in housekeeping methods

such as cooking and making

beds.

I am humbled by the

extraordinary efforts of the volunteers here. These caring indi-

viduals serve as loving guides for these women in the most trying

times of their lives.

As our tour comes to a close, I come across a 3-week-old baby

lying in a bed. She has little mittens over her hands and a bright

little blanket covering her. On top of the blanket is a rosary. Our

guide tells me that this baby’s mother is always praying for wis-

dom for herself and her situation.

Before we leave, the new mother stops by me and asks for a

photo of her with her newborn. A sweet, yet sad smile passes

across her face. "She is struggling as to what she should do,"

translates the housemother. “Her future is uncertain.” I fumble,

not knowing what to say to the struggling mother. As the house-

mother walks away from us, the new mother standing next to

me begins to cry. I don’t know what to say to her. Would she even

understand me? Putting all of my apprehensions aside, I simply

ask her if we can pray together. And that’s what we do.

I don’t know what this young mother’s future holds or where

she and her child will end up, but on this day, I know that she

is with people who will lovingly encourage her, support her and

pray for her.

By Brian Campbell | Creative Services Director

In February, Holt International President and CEO Phil Littleton and Brian Campbell, creative services director, traveled to the Philippines and toured a single mothers home supported by Holt. The following is Brian’s account of their emotional experience

“His Children will Have Refuge” – Proverbs 14:26

Are you Graduating in 2013?The deadline to submit a graduate photo for the summer issue of Holt International magazine is July 1st. If you are an adoptee and are graduating from high school, college or vocational school in 2013, fill out a graduate form and submit your photo at www.holtinternational.org/gradsub-missions. Short stories from graduating adoptees, or their parents, are also encouraged. Contact Robin Munro at robinmunro@holtinternational.org

Gala and Dinner Auction in Omaha and New Jersey!The upcoming Holt gala dinner and auction in Omaha will take place on April 20th. All proceeds from the event will benefit children in Holt’s care in the Philippines and the Special Needs Adoption Fund. On September 28th, join Holt in New Jersey for the gala auction benefiting Holt’s Special Needs Adoption Fund. The fund helps bring children with special needs home to their families. For more information about upcoming Holt auctions in your area, see our calendar below or visit www.holtinternational.org/events

What’s so Special About Holt Adop-tee Camps?Find out this summer! Every year, Holt welcomes Holt adoptees and non-Holt adoptees alike to five adoptee camps around the country. Holt camps are the only resident camp designed for young adoptees. Run by trained adult adoptee counselors, these week-long camps allow adop-tees the chance to learn more about themselves, discuss adoption, race and identity issues and, most of all, have fun. For more information about adoptee camps in your area, see the calendar below, or visit www.holtinternational.org/camp

www.holtinternational.org/camp

updates

CALIFORNIAJuly 28-August 1, 2013, Camp Rockin U—Holt Adoptee Camp

for adoptees 9-16 years old (day camp is July 31)GEORGIAJuly 21-25, 2013, Calvin Center—Holt Adoptee Camp for adoptees 9-16 years old

NEBRASKAApril 20, 2013, Omaha — Gala Dinner & Auction, Embassy

Suites, La Vista, 5:30 PM

NEW JERSEY August 4-9, 2013, Camp Louemma—Holt Adoptee Camp for

adoptees 9-16 years old (day camp is August 8)September 28, 2013, Princeton — Gala Dinner & Auction to benefit Holt’s Special Needs Adoption Fund. Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, 5:30 PM

OREGONJuly 14-18, 2013, Camp Angelos—Holt Adoptee Camp for

adoptees 9-16 years old (day camp is July 17)

WISCONSINJuly 7-11, 2013, Camp Lakotah — Holt Adoptee Camp for adop-

tees 9-16 years old (day camp is July 10)Get the Info:For Holt Adoptee Camp information, contact: Pame Chow at

pamec@holtinternational.orgFor Events information, contact: Shonna Wells at shonnaw@holtinternational.orgFor Holt Heritage and Adult Adoptee Tour information, con-tact: Sara Higgins for China tours: sarahiggins@holtinternational.org Paul Kim for Korea tours: paulk@holtinternational.org Courtney Young for adult adoptee tours: courtneyy@holtinternational.org

neighborhoodcalendar

Ho

lt I

nte

rna

tio

na

l /

Ma

rch

-Ap

ril

20

13

26

Greg and Theo Born 5.13.98 and 7.17.00, Africa

These healthy brothers were relinquished last year by an aunt who cared for them after their mother passed away and their father lef t. Both parents were reportedly HIV positive, though Greg and Theo have both tested negative. The boys attend school and are reportedly doing quite well. Greg’s favorite subject is physics. The brothers love sculpting and playing soccer. These handsome young men get along well with their peers and adults and are developmentally on target. They have both expressed interest in being adopted some day. A potential family should have experience with older child adoption, have access to role models and cultural diversity, and understand the impact of grief and loss on child development.

Paul Born 11.30.2011, NE Asia

Baby boy Paul was born at 34 weeks and remained in the hospital for a month to be treated for prematu-rity, cyanosis and sepsis. His birth mother reportedly smoked and drank throughout the pregnancy. During his most recent check-up, Paul was assessed to be at an 8-9 month gross motor developmental level, and 5-6 month level in all other areas. He is able to crawl, sit up and pull to a standing position. In February, a neurosonogram noted that he has a germinal matrix hemorrhage and a paraventricular cyst. He has continued to have brain abnormalities in follow-up tests. In September 2012, his neurology follow up noted that he has a deep tendon ref lex and that he is slightly spastic. Well baby checks also note that he has crossed eyes, for which he has begun occlusion therapy. Paul is in need of a family who is comfortable with the unknowns regarding his brain abnormality and who can provide him with any medical care that he may need.

Moriah Born 12.23.2005, SE Asia

Moriah is an adorable little girl who responds well to positive reinforcement and thrives on the attention of adults. It is expected that she will f lourish in the right home. When Moriah’s father lef t, her mother placed her in care in 2008 and then legally relinquished her for adoption in 2010. Moriah is generally healthy but has significant vision impairment. She was born blind and had laser treatment on her eyes as an infant. She seems to have some very limited near-sighted vision. Her lef t foot is also abnormally developed, and she was unable to walk until she was three. Her gross motor skills have since improved, and she can now walk, climb and run, as witnessed by the waiting child program manager on a March 2011 visit. Moriah loves to dance. Though noted to be strong-willed, she has a sweet and cute personal-ity overall. Moriah’s ideal family will have experience with visual impairment, and will be able to structure their lives and home around this special need. Moriah has a $5,000 Special Blessings Grant from Holt and Holt fees have been reduced.

YankeeBorn 5.28.2006, China

Yankee was admitted to the city orphanage on May 15, 2010. After a check up, medical staf f estimated his date of birth and diagnosed him with 21-trisomy syndrome. According to caregivers in the orphanage, Yankee’s motor development is on target although his mental development is delayed. Yankee is very self-suf ficient despite his delays. He can walk, and go up and down stairs without assistance. He can also dress and feed himself. Yankee currently studies in his orphan-age’s special education classroom. He can recognize the beat of music and dances with other children. Although Yankee doesn’t speak often, he understands what is being expressed and will follow instructions. Yankee has recently started enunciating words, and can now greet others. He is described as a natural extrovert. He can also be stubborn and impatient at times, but calms down easily. He loves when others speak softly to him. When caregivers ask him to help out with daily chores, he does so with a delightful and helpful heart. This sweet and helpful little boy is in need of a loving family comfortable with his condition and able to provide any therapies he may require.

waiting childrenThese and other children need

adoptive families

For more information on adopting these

and other waiting children, contact Erin

Anderson at erina@holtinternational.

org

www.holtinternational.org/waiting-

child/photolisting

Yankee

Moriah

Paul

Greg & Theo

HoltHoltSwing on by!Swing on by!

20132013CALIFORNIA

May 19th • Sacramento AreaRoyer Park12:30PM – 3:30PM

June 1st • Southern CaliforniaMason Regional Park11:00AM – 3:00PM

June 8th • Bay AreaLafayette Reservoir Recreation Area11:00AM – 3:00PM

COLORADO

June 22 • Denver Belleview Park10:30AM – 2:00PM

GEORGIA

October 20th • MariettaMetro-Atlanta Lutheran Church of the Resurrection3:30PM – 6:00PM

KANSAS/MISSOURI

June 8th • 77th Place and DelmarHarmon Park11:00AM – 2:00PM

IOWA

Date TBD • LeGrandLeGrand Community Park11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

NEBRASKA

July 13th • OmahaCooper Memorial Farm11:00AM – 3:00PM

NEW JERSEY

June 30th • FlemingtonDeer Path Park – Overlook Pavilion11:00AM – 3:00PM

OREGON

August 3rd • EugeneCamp Harlow11:00AM – 3:00PM

July 13th • Portland AreaCook Park – Scheckla Pavilion11:00AM – 3:00PM

TEXAS

May 4th • DallasCoffee Park10:30AM - 2:00 PM

Date TBD • Houston Northampton Lake Community10:30AM – 2:00PM

P o s t O f f i c e B o x 2 8 8 0E u g e n e , O R 9 7 4 0 2

C h a n g e S e r v i c e R e q u e s t e d