14 children from Holt Fontana Village in Haiti travel to the United States to be united with their permanent families
By Holt International
Happiness and tears washed over the faces of the caretakers and staff at Holt Fontana Village in Haiti on Tuesday, February 2nd, as they all gathered around to say goodbye to 14 children departing to Miami to unite with their permanent families. “There were lots of tears,” said Holt Vice President of Adoption Services, Lisa Vertulfo, who accompanied the first group of children to Miami. “The caretakers sang a hymn and then the staff broke into “How Great Thou Art” in Creole.”
The children, already matched with adoptive families prior to the devastating earthquake in January, had their adoptions expedited. Seven more children from the Village will hopefully arrive sometime next week.
Three members of Holt staff have been in Haiti for a week assisting the caretakers at the Village and helping to get the children home to their families in the United States. Lisa Vertulfo and Vice President of Social Services for Haiti, Mike Noah, accompanied the children traveling to the United States.
Holt Director of Services for Haiti, Bruce Dahl, will be staying at Holt Fontana Village to assist Holt Haiti Director, Mansour Masse, with future plans to help more children and families in need.
“I always miss the children when they leave, said Mansour. “But I always look forward to the day when the kids finally go home to be with their families.”
Holt will keep you updated as the rest of the children are united with their families, and how we are continually working to help the children and families of Haiti.
Read a news article about the Polzin family waiting to be united with their daughter.
Read a news article about Alicia Swaringen’s emotional reunion with her son.
Help the children and families in Haiti.
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