Holt International-Every Child Deserves A Home

Adopting children from others countries increased after the Korean War in 1955. Prior, to this time, foreign adoptions were rare.  Many Americans sought to remedy the plight of the growing numbers of children in Korean orphanages by adopting them and bringing them to the United States to live (Le).  Ellen Herman, Professor of Women Studies in Oregon stated,

“The adoption market became globalized as wars, refugee migrations, famines, and other disasters made the plight of dependent and orphaned children abroad more visible to Americans. Hundreds of United States service personnel stationed in Korea, Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia produced significant numbers of children in those countries. The story of these half-American waifs, many of them mixed-race and sometimes cruelly stigmatized in their countries of origin, attracted attention in the United States.” (Herman)

One couple from Oregon, Harry and Bertha Holt, took on a personal mission to remedy the plight of increasing numbers of children in Korean orphanages by adopting eight children from Korea in 1955.  The Holts’ acknowledged a problem, took action and changed a nation in the process. They subsequently established Holt International Children’s Services, inspiring and assisting other families in international adoption.  Today, over fifty years later, Holt International helps thousands of children in twelve countries find homes both within and outside their home countries.

Holt International provides a tremendous website and is a wonderful tool for any perspective parent considering adoption, adoptees who want to stay connected to their roots or those individuals wanting to provide care, donations or outside help to homeless children around the world.  Their domain address is www.holtinternational.org.  The website is user friendly allowing anyone to navigate and surf the site with ease.  Its layout is clean and simple with nice photos gracing each page.  The images interspersed throughout this essay are taken directly from their website and illustrates the many aspects of Holts’ mission.

Each link has several choices to choose from which provide a wide variety of information, both informative and interesting.  Among the huge data base the reader will also find articles, references, an online magazine, upcoming events, and sponsorships, with the most recent help going to the orphans of the Haiti Earthquake.  Important information graces the home page for those involved in the Haiti adoption program.  Links to Haiti announcements and press releases can be found easily and quickly for those wanting more information on the current situation affecting Haiti.  As global adoption issue change, Holt’s home page changes as well, making for an up-to-date website at all times.

For those who are prospective parents considering international adoption, the website has plenty of information to help answer questions they may have.  It provides information on the countries they operated in, adoption criteria and policies on each county including expected adoption costs, frequent questions asked, along with webinars that provide a personal touch for the prospective parent.  The application and forms can be done easily on line as well.  Each country’s web page also as added information about the country, news updates about policies and the benefits for adopting from that particular country.  For those parents who are interested in children with special needs, older children or those children who live in the United States, they can research information within Holt’s “waiting child program.”  Again, there is plenty of information along with a photolisting and a small biography about the child’s health issues or concerns.

Holt International not only provides adoption services but also works to improve the conditions and lives for children around the world through ways to give such as donations, sponsorships, gifts, campaigns and ambassador networks.  With Holt’s excellent reputation, the donor can feel reassured their money is being used properly and effectively.

Holt International continues helping adoptees adjust to their new homes and new families by providing post adoption services, Holt assists the parents while filling out the remaining forms, such as citizenship and finalization papers.  Again, this is easily accessed through their website.  Adoptee Camps and Heritage Tours scheduled on a regular basis help provide and maintain contact with the adoptees birth county and other adoptees from the same country.  Adult adoptee can also find a place on their website through their outreach programs and adoptee organization resources.  “Since the mid 1950′s Holt International has placed more than 40,000 children with adoptive families. Although many of the adoptees have grown up– whatever age they are– it seems that adoptees never outgrow the pleasure of connecting with other adoptees who share the unique life experience of being an international adoptee.” (Holt)

Anyone who is interested in learning more about adoption, wants to contribute time or money by sponsoring a child or an adoptee reconnecting with their roots, can find what they need all in one location.  Holt is also willing to listen to new ideas for those you want to get involved in other ways. “Holt International is dedicated to carrying out God’s plan for every child to have a permanent, loving family.” (Holt)  Their website has been a global resource to reach as many individuals who are willing to open their hearts and homes.

Works Cited

Herman, Ellen. “History of Adoption.” The Adoption Project. University of Oregon, 11 July

2007. Web. 7 Feb. 2010. <www.uoregon.edu>.

Holt International. Holt International, 2010. Web. 6 Feb. 2010. <www.holtinternational.org>.

Wikipedia/Holt International Children’s Services. 25 Nov. 2009. Web. 6 Feb. 2010.

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holt_International_Children’s_Services>.

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