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Haitian Orphans in Urgent Need of Airplane
A group of orphans in Haiti were waiting to be adopted by American families when the quake hit. The children, and the two American women who care for them, survived the quake.
They’re now sharing in the fate of the country: no water, no food, no security from violence should riots break out in their area.
Several mommy bloggers have taken up their cause, using their platform to get attention for these kids and the families hoping to welcome them home.
Ginny from That’s Church has spearheaded the effort. She’s worked with legislators to secure permission for the children to enter the country and is trying to find them a plane.
A plane?
That’s a pretty ambitious undertaking.
They’re hoping to evacuate 150 kids from the orphanage along with the two young Americans caring for them. Jamie McMutrie, 30 and her sister Ali McMutrie, 21, are run the BRESMA orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
After the quake, the McMurtrie sisters went to the American Embassy for help. They were given the opportunity to leave the country, but no means to get the kids out. They chose to go back to the orphanage and try to save the children they’d been caring for.
They are sleeping in the yard outside their damaged building with 150 kids. Like most of Haiti, they lack food, water and medical supplies.
The tragedy in Haiti after this week’s earthquake is so large it’s impossible to get your head around it. At least if you’re me. Around here, we’ve all texted our lunch money to the Red Cross or another charitable organization and bitten our nails to the quick wondering what else we can do to help.
Here’s one small story with a hopeful but not yet happy ending.
If you can help these kids get the help they need, contact Ginny at virginia[at]thatschurch[dot]com.
What unusual stories of generosity or heroism have you seen this week? How has your community gone beyond financial donations to help the people in Haiti?
Photo: That’s Church
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7 Comments
[...] the JCICS, “While both airlifts and new adoptions are based on valid concerns and come from an obviously loving heart, neither [...]
Now’s NOT the Time to Adopt a Haitian Child | Strollerderby commented on Jan 19 10 at 10:06 am[...] Haitian Orphans in Urgent Need of Airplane: A group of orphans in Haiti were waiting to be adopted by American families when the quake hit. The children, and the two American women who care for them, survived the quake. [...]
(Slightly More Than) Weekly Link Round-up — ChildWild commented on Jan 30 10 at 10:03 amKate commented on Jan 15 10 at 11:41 amI’m involved with a different children’s orphanage in Haiti called Hands & Feet Project (www.hafproject.org). The orphanage and children all survived but the town they are in was decimated and is cut off from incoming aid due to destroyed roads. They only have enough food, water and supplies to last a month – and with the huge influx of new orphans they are now receiving, they are not sure if the supplies will last that long. You can donate at http://www.hafproject.org
Kim commented on Jan 16 10 at 1:07 pmWow, saw your story on news last night, how heartbreaking. I only wish there was a wish there was a way to get those babies out of there. I am from a very large church here is Louisville who had missionaries there in Haiti when this happened. We all are used to our church community involved with international adoptions. It’s terrible that they will not allow these two girls to bring these little home, to keep them safe and well. They are doing God’s work, and were obviously meant to be there when this occurred, but now at least for the next months to come they should now be trusted to bring them home for their own and the children lives. Do not understand if there is no one to claim these babies then why can’t these two very trustworthy girls be granted to make the best decision they believe would be the best for their children. We should all come together and sign a petition for the release of these orphans to first of all the parents who have already adopted some for them to be allowed to leave to untie with parents, OR for these girls to be allowed to make their own decisions of where these babies should go. Obama get on it, these babes have been in same diapers since Tuesday, come on people. This country needs to put the petty things on hold, and help in any way possible. Thank you so much for your kind heart and souls, God does good things for those who care. Please don’t give up hope, help is on the way!
Kim
Delilah commented on Jan 18 10 at 5:26 pmIt looks like they will be bringing the sisters and the 61 orphans they take care back. go here to learn more! http://news.yahoo.com/video/local-15749667/17684792
Linda McMurtrie Haines commented on Jan 20 10 at 8:16 pmComments Both of you are bold and brave. My all the Blessings of God fall on you. How can I reach you as I want to see if we are related. My Mother, Clara McMurtrie (95 yrs old) insists we are. Our people originally came from Wisc, Nebr and Iowa.
lorraine commented on Feb 05 10 at 8:54 amComments
DID THESE SISTERS EVER THINK ABOUT TEACHING THESE PEOPLE BIRTH CONTROL?
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