The number of orphans in Haiti is expected to double after last week's earthquake; there's rising debate over the best way to help these children.
Many are trying to find these children new homes with adoptive parents outside of Haiti. Not everyone agrees with this approach: Sarah Smith, director of Children's Programs at the International Rescue Committee, believes that it is too soon to start removing children from their home country and culture. We also check in with Pooja Bhatia, currently reporting for the Wall Street Journal in Port-au-Prince.
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Comments [5]
is there a way to go to Haiti as a volunteer to just work with the orphans, feed them, hug them, comfort them, while housing arrangements and being made? If so, how?
These are babies that need a safe place to recover from no home or possible no parents. Why not have the children or orphanage be transfered to a building with supplies and care in a neighboring country. The conditions telivised are extremely poor/removed in the current situation.
Allowing them to have no food and care just to stay there is unrealistic and promotes the babies/children suffering.
WOULD LOVE TO TAKE IN A CHILD TO HELP THEM, THIS IS SUCH A BAD TIME FOR THESE CHILDREN, THEY NEED LOTS OF LOVE AND UNDESTANDING NOW, SOME HAVE LOST ALL THAT THEY NEW, THEIR FAMILY AND PROBABLY ANY FAMILY THEY KNEW, PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP, IM A SENIOR AND HAVE A LIMITED INCOME BUT WOULD LOVE TO HELP A CHILD
We would like to also host a child or family in this time of need. We want to help until family is found or homes are back in order. We dont have a big home or a lot of money but we have a lot of love and hope to share. We are host parents for a foreign exchange student right now. Both of our children are grown
Thank you
Helen Isenberger
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:45 pm
My Husband and I would love to help with taking care of a couple of children to provide and love them until their families are found.We have our own home a 3 bedroom full basement ,fenced back yard and lots of unconditional love that will also be shared to them by the members of my church The Mount Carmel Baptist Church Dr Theron D Williams Is My Pastor 9000 east 42nd street My husband has been in the military for over 20 yr and he is also employed by the city of Indianapolis,I am a school bus driver and have been for 5 yrs and my heart goes out to everyone in this need of time.We are willing to provide them a home ,food clothes, medical and dont want anything from any one to help we just want to provide until mom or dad are even a family member comes forward .Please let us give the love of an angel here with us Please help us love them and help them. My heart crys out to do something Please Give us a chance.
Thanks Staff Sgt Don & Marlina Smith
Indianapolis, Indiana
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