Haiti Updates

These country updates bring you the most current and up-to-date information from our program coordinators. One way of keeping you informed of what is going on in the country.

January 2012

The Haiti program continues to grow as we welcome new families beginning their adoption journey! Although we are seeing a bit of a slow down due to staff changes at the government, adoptions are moving forward. We have several families working on dossiers and there are many children waiting to be matched with their forever families.

For more information please contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Hamel.

December 2011

Are you looking to grow your family? There are many young children in Haiti wishing for families this holiday season! Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and the needs there are significant. When adopting from Maison des Anges you are encouraged to visit your child while waiting for your adoption to be finalized. Adoptions continue to be completed faster than they have since before the earthquake, making now a great time to begin your journey!

Many Haitians celebrate Christmas and they begin preparing in early December by decorating with “Fanal” or Christmas lanterns, created by local craftsmen. One common tradition on Christmas Eve is children clean their shoes, fill them with straw and put them on the porch or under the tree for “Papa Noel” to replace the straw with treats!

For more information about adopting from Haiti, please contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Hamel.

November 2011

We continue to see increased interest in Haitian adoptions as families are learning about the great needs and beautiful children in this country. Welcome to all of our new families! There are many children waiting and adoptions are moving forward!

Earlier this month we learned that there is a new Director at IBESR (Haitian Social Services). We are eager to see the positive effect this has on adoptions. For more information please contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Hamel.

October 2011

Activity in Haiti is picking up as more families determine that this program is a good fit! Now is a great time to begin your adoption journey in Haiti as there are many children waiting to be matched and the average time from match with your child until your adoption is finalized is about 9-12 months. For more information about adopting from Haiti, please contact Allie Weldon.

September 2011

The number of children waiting to be matched with families continues to increase! There is a great need for new families who are ready to proceed quickly with their adoptions. The current wait from referral until your adoption is finalized is averaging about 9-12 months which means that children may arrive home as young as 12 months! If you are interested in learning more about this great program join us on September 30 for an “Adopting from Haiti” webinar. Click here to register. Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon, invites you to contact her with any questions about adoption or the Haiti adoption program.

August 2011

We had a family make their first trip to Haiti in July and their experience was incredible! This family was the first CAS family to see MDA in their new building as the construction was recently completed. There is a wonderful guest house within the gates of the orphanage where families are encouraged to stay during their visits.

There are currently 77 children at MDA, many of whom are waiting to be matched with families. We have received reports that the wait from being matched with your child until the adoption is finalized continues to shorten, with an average wait of about 9-12 months. With the current shortened wait times and so many children waiting, now is a great time to begin your Haitian adoption journey! If you have any questions about adopting from Haiti, please contact Allie Weldon.

July 2011

We have a family preparing to make their first trip to Haiti this month to meet their daughter!
With adoptions currently moving faster than they previously were, now is a great time to consider the Haiti program. There are many waiting children, including infants, in need of forever families. The current average wait from referral until the final trip is approximately 12-18 months. While waiting, families are encouraged to travel to Haiti to visit with their child.

If you are unable to proceed with an adoption from Haiti please consider donating to our “Sweet Dreams” campaign which will be used to build 60 toddler bunk bed style cribs for the Maison des Anges orphanage. The rebuilding is finishing up, every little bit helps!

If you have any questions about adopting from Haiti, please contact Allie Weldon.

June 2011

There continues to be a great need for families in the Haiti program as there are many children waiting for forever families. We recently had a family receive a referral of an infant girl within two weeks of submitting their dossier! Our contacts at the Maison des Anges Orphanage have said that the adoption process is currently moving a bit faster. The average wait from referral, at this time, until the adoption is finalized is about 12-18 months. This is a significant improvement from the past average wait of 24 months or longer. For more information, please contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

If you are unable to proceed with an adoption from Haiti, please consider donating to our “Sweet Dreams” campaign which will be used to build 60 toddler bunk bed style cribs for the Maison des Anges orphanage. The rebuilding is going well and the new target date to move is in July! Every little bit helps!

May 2011

Our contacts at the Maison des Anges Orphanage are eager to receive new dossiers as they have many children waiting to be matched with forever families! The Haiti program is a unique program which allows the prospective adoptive parents an opportunity to visit with their children, on a regular basis, while waiting for the adoption to be finalized. With Haiti’s close proximity to the United States many families are able to visit their children every few months. For a lot of families this can be extremely beneficial for both the children and the parents when the time comes for the children to travel home as a bond has already formed. For more information, please contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

April 2011

There are many children waiting for their forever families. There is a great need for new families in this program who are quickly able to complete their home study and dossier. For more information, please contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

At the end of March Haitians cast their votes for a new President, early results indicate that Michele Martelly will win. The overall reaction to the initial runoff election results seems positive and optimistic. Many are watching closely to see how this change may impact the proposed new adoption laws.

The re-building efforts are moving into the final phases! Please consider donating to our “Sweet Dreams” campaign which will be used to build 60 toddler bunk bed style cribs for the Maison des Anges orphanage. Every little bit helps!

March 2011

The orphanage we work with in Haiti, Maison des Anges, is eager to receive new dossiers are there are many children waiting to be matched with families! Every week the orphanage is asked to take in more children. This is a difficult situation as they continue to function in a temporary location while the re-building continues. We are currently accepting applications from families who meet the criteria of the laws of 1974.

If you are unable to proceed with an adoption from Haiti, please consider donating to our “Sweet Dreams” campaign which will be used to build 60 toddler bunk bed style cribs for the Maison des Anges orphanage. We are quickly running out of time as it is projected that the new orphanage will open in May! Every little bit helps, donate today!

For more information please contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

February 2011

There is a great need for new families in the Haiti program as many children wait for a forever family! Haiti is less than two hours from Miami making it convenient for families to visit with their children while they wait for their adoptions to be finalized. We are currently accepting applications from families who meet the criteria of the laws of 1974.

The newly rebuilt orphanage is scheduled to open in May; however, the children are still in need of beds. Carolina Adoption Services has a goal to provide 60 beds and ask you to help us reach that goal by donating all $400 for a full bed with mattresses for two children or any portion of the $400 (every dollar helps). Help bring sweet dreams to the children of Haiti by donating today.

For more information, please contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

January 2011

It is hard to believe that January 12th will mark the one year anniversary since the catastrophic earthquake struck Haiti. In looking at the pictures it appears that very little has changed. Over the past twelve months Haitians have endured struggles that most cannot even imagine. More recently disease has been a major problem in which Maison des Anges has struggled. With all of the turmoil surrounding the November elections in Haiti, it is anticipated that there will not be changes to international adoptions in the immediate future.

We are currently accepting applications from families who meet the criteria of the laws of 1974 as there are many waiting children. If you are unable to proceed with an adoption from Haiti, please consider donating to our “Sweet Dreams” campaign which will be used to build 60 toddler bunk bed style cribs for the Maison des Anges orphanage. It is anticipated that the new orphanage will open in May so time is running out!

Please check our website this month for more updates on the situation in Haiti or contact the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

December 2010

On November 28th Haiti held Presidential elections. The preliminary results are not yet available and the official results are weeks away; however, the waiting period has been filled with complaints that the voting was fraudulent. We will watch to see who is elected and how, eventually, this may impact international adoptions.

In Haiti one Christmas tradition is the Christmas tree. Haitians cut down pine branches to use for a Christmas tree, decorate the branches and at the base they place a large nativity scene. On Christmas Eve, Haitian children clean their shoes, fill them with straw and put them on the porch or under the tree for Papa Noel to replace the straw with treats!

November 2010

The needs of the children in Haiti are significant. Currently there is a cholera outbreak, thousands have fallen ill and nearly two hundred have lost their lives to this deadly bacterial illness. So far, thanks to great care, the children at MDA have remained well. The orphanage has many children waiting to be matched with families. The wait for referral is short as there are more children waiting than families. The estimated wait from referral until the adoption is completed is about 18-24 months.

At the end of this month Haiti is scheduled to have Presidential and legislative elections. There are several proposed changes to the adoption laws. We are uncertain how the elections may impact this legislation. Some of the proposed changes include: single male or female applicants must have been previously married (divorced or widowed), single applicants must be at least 35 years old and cannot have any children; married couples must be married for at least 5 years, at least one applicant of a married couple must be 35 years old, the other must be at least 30 years old and all applicants must be under the age of 50 years. To clarify, these proposed laws have not been approved by both chambers of the Haitian government and thus they are not currently in place.

This is a great time to help support the children and keep them happy and healthy. Please consider donating to our “Sweet Dreams” campaign which will be used to build 60 toddler bunk bed style cribs for the Maison des Anges orphanage.

October 2010

There continue to be many children in Haiti waiting to be matched with their forever families! Travel to Haiti is easy and families are encouraged to visit with their children while they wait for the adoption to be finalized. The wait for referral is short as there are more children waiting than families. The estimated wait from referral until the adoption is completed is about 18-24 months.

Please consider donating to our “Sweet Dreams” project which will build 60 toddler bunk bed style cribs for the Maison des Anges orphanage. The earthquake destroyed most of the children’s beds and the orphanage is in dire need of new beds. Your tax deductible donation may be made online today.

September 2010

There is a great need for new families in the Haiti program as there are many children waiting to be matched with loving forever families! The timeframe from submission of dossier until referral is short because there are more children (who were orphaned prior to the earthquake) waiting than families. Before the earthquake it took an average of 18-24 months from referral until the family was able to complete their adoption. As the government offices work through the first few new adoptions the timeframes are uncertain. Fortunately Haiti’s close proximity to the United States makes it feasible for parents to visit with their children while waiting for the adoption to be finalized.

If you have any questions about adopting from Haiti or providing “Sweet Dreams,” please contact Allie.

August 2010

We are currently accepting new families in the Haiti program! We are also seeking a forever family for a precious two year old boy who is described by orphanage staff as healthy. The timeframes for how long it may take families to complete an adoption are unknown. While the government is working to process adoptions their capacity is limited. Fortunately travel to Haiti is relatively easy and families are welcome, and encouraged, to visit their child while they wait for their adoption to be finalized.

The new adoption laws have been passed by the first chamber of the Haitian Government and in late fall it is anticipated that the second chamber will vote on the laws. It is not known if or when the new laws may go into place, for the time being, we will continue to accept applications from families who meet the laws of 1974.

July 2010

In June the Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon, traveled to France to meet with the director of the Maison des Anges (MDA) crèche (orphanage), her husband and the other agencies working with MDA. The primary objective of this meeting was for the agencies to come together and discuss the rebuilding plans as well as current updates on Haitian adoptions.

During the meeting CAS committed to fundraising for the purchase of materials and the construction of 60 new cribs. The materials will be purchased in Haiti and locals will build these cribs. We are actively seeking donations. Donors who choose to support this project will not only be helping the children who call MDA home, but they will also be supporting the Haitian economy. More information on this wonderful cause will soon be posted on our website!

We are currently accepting new families in the Haiti program! During the meeting in June it was discussed that timeframes for how long it may take families to complete an adoption are unknown. While the government is working to process adoptions their capacity is limited. Fortunately travel to Haiti is relatively easy and families are welcome, and encouraged, to visit their child while they wait for their adoption to be finalized. Families who are interested in the Haiti program must be flexible and understand that wait times are uncertain.

For families considering a Haitian adoption it is important that they be aware of the new adoption laws which have been passed but are not yet in place. Among the changes to the laws include the following:

Single men or women must be between 35-50 years old, singles that have never been married will no longer be eligible to adopt, and they cannot have any children.
Married couples must be married for at least 5 years and be between 30-50 years old. Couples cannot have more than three children.

It is not known when the new laws may go into place, for the time being we will continue to accept applications from families who meet the old requirements. For families who would like to adopt from Haiti but do not meet the new laws it is critical that their dossiers be submitted as soon as possible.

If you are unable to proceed with an adoption from Haiti at this time, please consider donating to our Haitian Relief Fund which will be used to assist with the rebuilding of the Maison des Anges orphanage. For more information, please contact Allie Weldon.

June 2010

We are currently accepting new families in the Haiti program! The orphanage we work with, Maison des Anges, is eager to receive new dossiers as there are children who were relinquished to their care before the January earthquake waiting for their forever families. Prior to the earthquake it took an average of 18-24 months for an adoption to be finalized after a family received a referral; it is not known at this time how long new adoptions may take to complete. Fortunately travel to Haiti is relatively easy and families are welcome, and encouraged, to visit their child while they wait for their adoption to be finalized.

If you are unable to proceed with an adoption from Haiti at this time, please consider donating to our A Haven In Haiti Fund which will be used to assist with the rebuilding of the Maison des Anges orphanage. We are also in need of airline miles so staff may travel to assist with the rebuilding efforts. For more information please contact Allie Weldon.

May 2010

In April the United States Department of State announced that the Haitian Government is now operating and new adoptions will be processed. CAS is seeking new applicants for Haiti and will be sending dossiers per the request of the orphanage, Maison des Anges. Prior to the January earthquake it took an average of 18-24 months for an adoption to be finalized after a family received a referral. It is not known at this time how long new adoptions may take to complete. Families who are interested in the Haiti program must be flexible and understand that wait times are uncertain. For more information, please contact Allie Weldon.

April 2010

On April 5th the CAS Special Projects Manager, Marcia Vaughn, traveled to Haiti to spend the day at the Maison des Anges orphanage. Marcia was able to present a donation (which was received from many generous donors) to the director, Gladys, and her husband, Leslie, so that they may purchase much needed medicines to care for the children remaining at Maison des Anges. Please check our website for a more detailed account of Marcia’s incredible trip. The government offices involved with adoptions are now working again; some of them have set up offices in new locations. Children who were declared orphans prior to the January earthquake and children who have been legally relinquished by a birth parent or relative since the earthquake may begin to be matched with approved prospective adoptive parents. It is impossible to predict how long it may take to successfully complete a new adoption in Haiti. At this time we are not accepting applications from families interested in adopting a Haitian child as the future of new adoptions is uncertain. We are maintaining a list of families who would like to receive updates on future Haitian adoptions.

March 2010

The orphanage which CAS works with, Maison des Anges, needs remain significant since the devastating earthquake in January. CAS is able to send monetary donations so the orphanage staff may purchase basic supplies such as food, water, medicine and diapers. Donations are greatly needed for their survival; let us not forget the children who are left behind. At this time we are not accepting applications from families interested in adopting a Haitian child as the future of new adoptions is uncertain. We are maintaining a list of families who would like to receive updates on future Haitian adoptions.

February 2010

On Tuesday, January 12th Haiti suffered a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which will forever impact the lives of millions worldwide. The orphanage which CAS works with, Maison des Anges, suffered significant damage and since that horrific day the children have been living outside under tarps and a few tents. In early February our family who had a referral prior to the earthquake welcomed their baby girl home. The needs of the children and this orphanage are significant; at this time insect repellant, mosquito nets and portable toilets are needed urgently. It costs about $15 to purchase one mosquito net and many are needed. CAS is able to send monetary donations so the orphanage staff may purchase basic supplies such as food, water and diapers. Donations are greatly needed for their survival; let us not forget the children who are left behind. At this time we are not accepting applications from families interested in adopting a Haitian child as the future of new adoptions is uncertain. We are maintaining a list of families who would like to receive updates on future Haitian adoptions.

January 2010

On January 1, 2010 Haiti celebrated both the beginning of the new year and the 206th anniversary of national independence with parades, fireworks, and parties lasting well into the night. Haiti now begins gearing up for Carnival, which takes place in mid-February in conjunction with Mardi Gras celebrations elsewhere in the world.
Much of the Haiti program remains the same; the wait to be matched with a child remains relatively short in Haiti, making this program an excellent option for many families. However, we are still receiving information that the wait to complete an adoption can well exceed one year so, as in any adoption process, patience is greatly needed. Even with the wait, you have a great opportunity of bringing home a very young child from Haiti.

December 2009

In November our first family traveled to Haiti to meet their daughter and spend time with her at the children’s home in Tabarre. She returned home with lots of information that will be beneficial to future families as they prepare to travel, as well as with stories of her beautiful baby girl.

The wait to be matched with a child remains relatively short in Haiti, making this program an excellent option for many families. However, we are still receiving information that the wait to complete an adoption can well exceed one year. So, as in any adoption process, patience is a much needed quality.

In other news, we have had some staff changes in our office and our new Haiti program coordinator is Mary Beth King. Mary Beth is based in our Raleigh office and has spent time living and working in orphanages in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. She can attest to the beauty of the country and the dire needs of the people living there, making her a good fit for the Haiti program.

November 2009

In August our first family was matched with a child and they will be traveling to Haiti in November to meet their baby girl! Currently the wait to be matched with a child, including infants, is very short as this is a country in dire need with children being relinquished every day. It is important to note that while the wait for a referral is short the wait to complete an adoption can be about 14-18 months (or longer) from acceptance of a referral. Families are welcome to visit their child as they would like during this wait and Haiti’s close proximity to the United States makes it relatively easy to do so. Haiti is a wonderful program for single women looking to adopt a young child. This month our traveling family was gracious to hand-carry a typewriter that the orphanage was in great need of as a donation from CAS. For more information please contact our Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

September 2009

September has started off on a great path as our first family received a referral! This family waited only two weeks from submission of their dossier before receiving their match of a female infant! At this time the wait to be matched with a child, including infants is very short and we are accepting new families into this program. It is important to note that while the wait for a referral is short, the wait to complete an adoption can be about 14-18 months (or longer) from acceptance of a referral. Haiti’s close proximity to the United States makes it inexpensive to travel and visit with your child during this wait. For more information please contact our Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

August 2009

If you are single and always wanted a child or if you are a couple that has been married for a long time without children and would like a young child, Haiti is the program for you! There are many benefits from adopting from Haiti. First, is its close proximity to the U.S. and inexpensive travel. Second, the U.S. is very active in Haiti and there are many groups interested in culture and helping that country succeed. Third, it is one of the few programs where you would be able to bring a young child home. Now is a great time to begin your adoption journey in Haiti. For more information, please contact our Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

July 2009

Haiti is currently requiring a Presidential Waiver for any family who has children. This may add on anywhere from 3 to 12 months for the adoption to be processed. Haiti is a wonderful option for families seeking to adopt a child from a country in dire need. This island country is a mere two-hour flight from Miami, though it seems a world away. Children are abandoned at orphanages across Haiti every day, primarily due to poverty. The children are very well cared for at the Maison des Anges orphanage as they receive excellent medical care and begin going to school at 2 years of age. Children may arrive home with their families as young as 10 months old. Now is a great time to begin your adoption journey in Haiti! For more information please contact our Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.
Coloring pages about Haiti

June 2009

CAS staff hopes to travel to Haiti this summer to meet with our facilitators, visit the orphanage and to discuss a possible humanitarian project. Haiti is a wonderful option for families seeking to adopt a child from a country in dire need. This island country is a mere two-hour flight from Miami, though it seems a world away. Children are abandoned at orphanages across Haiti every day, primarily due to poverty. The children are very well cared for at the Maison des Anges orphanage as they receive excellent medical care and begin going to school at 2 years of age. Children may arrive home with their families as young as 10 months old. Now is a great time to begin your adoption journey in Haiti. For more information, please contact our Haiti Program Coordinator, Allie Weldon.

May 2009

Haiti is a wonderful option for families seeking to adopt a child from a country in dire need. This island country is a mere two-hour flight from Miami, though it seems a world away. Children are abandoned at orphanages across Haiti every day, primarily due to poverty. The children are cared for very well at the Maison des Anges orphanage as they receive excellent medical care and begin going to school at two years of age. Children may arrive home with their families as young as 10 months old. Now is a great time to begin your adoption journey in Haiti.

For more information about adopting from Haiti, join our Haiti webinar on May 13, register today, or contact Allie Weldon.

To view past Haiti adoption program updates, please see our CAS Publications page and click on the Monthly Country Updates.