B E T H A N Y ’ S A D O P T I O N

P R O G R A M I N H A I T I

Began in 2006

Partnership with God’s Littlest Angels (GLA) orphanage in Petionville

(in Kenscoff mountains above Port-au-Prince)

G O D ’ S L I T T L E S T A N G E L S

GLA founded in 1994 by John & Dixie Bickel

Non-denominational, nonprofit ministry to reduce infant mortality rate

Dixie—pediatric RN who moved her family to Haiti

Center for premature, malnourished & orphaned infants under age 2

G O D ’ S L I T T L E S T A N G E L S Main nursery house holds 80+ children from newborns to 2-year-olds

Toddler house holds 60+ children from 2 - 6 years old

Haitian staff cares for the children; 2 nurses in the nursery 24 hours a day

Volunteers from around the world provide love and attention

For details, visit www.glahaiti.org

W A I T I N G C H I L D R E N

Gender: Boys & girls

Age: Many children under age 6; most are less than 2 years old

Special Placement Needs: Older, siblings, children with medical, emotional, or behavioral challenges

Common Special Need: Malnutrition; Infants test positive for HIV

HAITI

L O C A T I O N O F H A I T I

HAITI

M A P O F H A I T I

HAITI

A B O U T H A I T I

Discovered by Columbus in 1492

Former French colony

In 1804, known as the “Pearl of the Caribbean”

Poorest country in Western Hemisphere; third-world country

Plagued by political violence

H A I T I ’ S P O P U L A T I O N

8.3 million people in country about the size of Maryland

95% - African descent; 5% - European descent

80%+ live in poverty; 67%+ unemployment; 45%+ illiteracy

Majority - Catholic; 20% - Protestant; influence of tribal

religion

Primary language: Creole; some Haitians speak English

and/or French

P R O G R A M R E Q U I R E M E N T S(excluding travel)

Must have Bethany office in your state

Adoptive parents must be 30+ years old

Adoptive mother must be 30 - 45 for infants to 2-years-old

Adoptive mother must be 30 - 50 for a 2 to 7-year-old child

Couples must be married 5+ years (10+ preferred)

Maximum of 2 biological children without Haitian government pre-approval

1 divorce per adult is permitted (2+ must be reviewed)

Infants are usually reserved for childless couples

G E N E R A L T I M E L I N E & P R O C E S S

Control over the process

Limited or no birthparent history

12 - 16 months after referral has been accepted

D E T A I L E D T I M E L I N E & S T E P S

I N T H E P R O C E S S

Formal application & entire Dossier are sent to Haiti (4 - 6 weeks)

GLA prepares Dossier for legalization; sends Dossier to Haitian government (3 - 4 weeks)

Approval from Haitian government (4 - 6 months)

Parquet/District Attorney approval (2 - 4 months)

Legalization/approvals of Minister of Justice Department and Minister of Foreign Affairs (3 - 4 weeks)

Application for Passport & Visa (3 - 5 months)

Adoption finalized in Haiti

Travel to Haiti and take your child home

Apply for child’s U.S. citizenship

P O S T - A D O P T I O N

I N F O R M A T I O N

You must keep GLA & Haiti updated for 3 years

Year 1: Quarterly report from social worker + photos

Years 2 and 3: Family sends informal report 1 - 2 times/year + photos

T R A V E L

I N F O R M A T I O N

1 trip required for at least 3 working days

2-hour flight south of Miami, Florida

Both adoptive parents encouraged to travel (escorting is possible)

Fly into Port-au-Prince (capital with 1.3 million people)

Met by GLA driver for the 1 - 1.5 hour drive

Stay at GLA; 20 miles from airport

Sightseeing opportunities (limited)

Learn more about Haiti’s food, money, culture, etc., at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti

C O S T T O A D O P T

F R O M H A I T I

$6,350 - $10,750: Bethany fees (varies by state)

~ Includes Formal Application

~ Home Study

~ Adoption Fees

~ Post-placement Fees

$9,000: Country Fees

~ Includes all adoption expenses in Haiti

Airfare + $475 in travel and accommodations

Total: $15,825 to $20,225 + Airfare

A F F O R D I N G A D O P T I O N

Tax credits (federal up to $10,630)

Bethany loan programs

Employer benefits

Shaohannah’s Hope & other foundations

Creative financing

Learn more at: www.bethany.org/financingadoption

P O S T - A D O P T I O N

C O M M U N I T Y R E S O U R C E S

For local support groups, call your Bethany office

Informal gatherings with other adoptive families

Look for local Haitian people

Subscribe to Adoptive Families magazine

M O R E R E S O U R C E S

A B O U T H A I T I

Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder

Listen to Paul Farmer’s presentation of Public Health

& Social Justice about Haiti at Calvin College at

http://www.calvin.edu/january/2006/

General information at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti

N E X T S T E P S

Attend local Bethany international adoption information meeting

Complete a Preliminary Application at www.bethany.org/prelim

Contact your local Bethany office

Pray and visit with family & friends