Some thoughts about Orphans and the Media…..

Okay, Tom here – and the first thing I want to say is that these thoughts are mine and don’t necessarily represent the “official” position of God’s Littlest Angels.   There, that should raise some curiosity……

Now a couple of thoughts (based out of the article copied below) that I feel compelled to share with you:

• There are a lot of people who feel compelled to do “something” about the plight of the children in Haiti.    That’s a good thing because it truly is a bad situation.
• Unfortunately, that desire to do something has caused some people to make rash decisions.   I’m not going to mention any more details but I think we all know who I’m referring to.
• Rash decisions by certain people and the way those decisions are portrayed in the media have had a big impact on decisions that large governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations have made regarding the care for the children in Haiti.
• Like the article below says, when talking about Operation Babylift and the Vietnam War, it takes a LONG time to sort out the true status of children in disaster zones.
• “True Humanitarian work is performed through the slow and deliberate attention that experienced professionals can give to each case……”

That brings me to three conclusions:

• The slow and deliberate attention by experienced professionals means that we need to encourage all organizations in Haiti to work TOGETHER with deliberate openness and cooperation and full respect for the governing laws of the country of Haiti and any other governing bodies who might have an impact.
• Since this isn’t going to end overnight, whenever possible, putting the children who don’t have birth parents with them (notice I didn’t say don’t have birth parents) in the facilities of experienced and reputable orphanages who can care for them makes more sense than having them live in temporary shelters.   Great care needs to be taken to make sure that the facilities are reputable ones that are fully prepared to cooperate with all governmental rules.
• To the literally thousands of  you who have expressed interest in adopting from Haiti, we say, “Thank you.”   Your interest and support are very encouraging.   But, since it’s going to be a while, we ask that you’d partner with us and continue to help support God’s Littlest Angels while we care for the children of Haiti.

Thank you for your ongoing interest and support of the work that we are doing caring for God’s Littlest Angels in Haiti.

Tom Vanderwell

Dana Sachs: Are the Haitian Orphans Actually Orphans?

When it comes to international adoption, the true humanitarian work is performed through the slow and deliberate attention that experienced professionals give to each child’s case, not through hasty rescues performed by people trying to act as Good Samaritans.

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