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