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| We pray for all the people of Haiti after the devastating earthquake that hit Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas on January 12, 2010. We have heard from our contacts in Haiti and know that the children with whom we work are safe and alive. However, the widespread damage and far-reaching tragedy has greatly impacted an already impoverished nation. Hand In Hand has set aside a Haiti Relief Fund and will be collecting monetary donations to help in any way we can, specifically with the immediate needs of the orphanages with whom we currently work. If you would like to donate, please send your check (payable to Hand In Hand and with "Haiti Relief Fund" written in the memo line) to: MaryLee Lane, Executive Director, Hand In Hand, 9520 SW 9 Terrace, Ocala, FL, 34476. Hand In Hand is a 501c3 organization, and your donation will be tax-deductible. Thank you for your prayers and support.
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In December of 2002, as Hand In Hand was looking to expand our Haiti program, our long-time partner in Haiti, Gladys Thomas (who runs the Rainbow of Love Nursery for our other Haiti program) gave us a referral of her good friend, Dr. Jacob Bernard. We wanted to have two programs for families interested in adopting from Haiti because interest was increasing. Dr. Bernard runs a foundation in Haiti with an orphanage and a nursery called New Life Link. Both programs are viable options at this time, with different aspects to each, offering more options for our families interested in adopting the many children from Haiti in need of a home.
Program Director is Karin Link in the Minnesota Office. |
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Types of Children Available: |
- Age at time of match: Infant to 16 years old (longer wait for children under 12 months old)
- Sibling groups are available
- Healthy children and children with mild to moderate medical conditions
- All children are of African descent
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Types of Families accepted: |
- Couple must be married at least eight years
- Single heterosexual women accepted
- At least one spouse must be at least 35 years old
- Families with four or fewer children in the home will be accepted pending a waiver from the Haitian government
- Families must be practicing Christian
- Ages and number of years married may be flexible, but applicants not meeting the above requirements must gain pre-approval prior to application in order to proceed
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Travel Requirements: |
- Adoptive parents must travel, and length of stay is approximately 3 to 5 days
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Time Frames: |
- Dossier to Match – 30 to 60 days
- Match to Placement: - 12 to 18 months
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Due to ongoing economic crises in Haiti, the number of children in need of homes continues to increase in the country's institutions. The children at New Life Link are cared for in a loving and warm environment with live-in caretakers providing 24-hour care. There are American Embassy-approved nurses, pediatricians, and labs available, and all children are screened for HIV, Sickle Cell Anemia, and TB." |
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The Republic of Haiti shares the lush, tropical island of Hispaniola with the country of Dominican Republic. Haiti lies approximately 50 miles southeast of Cuba and is considered part of the West Indies. Haiti's culture is a vibrant mixture of African, French, Indian, British and Spanish influences.
Haiti is considered the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Over 70% of the adult population is unemployed. Due to much political unrest and dire economic circumstances, there are many beautiful children who become available for adoption.
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Haiti -
Rainbow of Love Nursery |
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Hand In Hand is not accepting applications for the Rainbow of Love program at this time. In November of 1990, MaryLee lane, founder and Executive Director of Hand In Hand, traveled to Port au Prince, Haiti, to meet with government officials and Gladys Thomas, the Director of Rainbow of Love Nursery, to facilitate the placement of Haitian Children into the U.S. Families. Gladys and her loving staff work diligently with abandoned and homeless children, providing a home-like atmosphere for the children, so that their needs are well provided for. Each child is viewed as an individual needing love and a family to call their own.
Program Director is Karin Link in the Minnesota Office.
Due to ongoing economic crises in Haiti, the number of children in need of homes continues to increase in the country's institutions. Over the past years of Hand In Hand's work in Haiti, approximately eight children per year have found a new home and family to call their own. |
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Types of Children Available: |
- 1 - 4 years old
- Sibling groups are available
- Healthy children and children with mild to moderate medical conditions
- All children are of African descent
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Types of Families accepted: |
- Couples must be married at least 2 years
- Single heterosexual women accepted
- Adoptive parents must be 30 to 45 years old
- Parents must be at least 18 years older than the child desired
- Out of state families accepted
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Travel Requirements: |
- Adoptive parents must travel, and the length of stay is approximately 5 to 7 days
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Time Frames: |
- Dossier to Match – 6 to 12 months
- Match to Placement: - 12 to 24 months
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