Something very odd went down with unicef yesterday. We were instructed in writing to pick up patients from the Comfort ship. When our driver got there to get the people there were unicef vehicles taking them to some camp. The unicef folks were not talking, they were just large and in charge. I'd love to believe somebody just got their wires crossed, but I'm not so sure. Something smelled wrong about it. The Comfort ship went to the work of getting us patient names, details, lists and a time to come get them. Clearly they were unaware of what was about to happen.
The problem is, giant worldwide organizations have power, and they have policies. Giant organizations are so giant that they cannot see the forest for the trees and they cannot see the individual person with the individual situation. We all know power corrupts. The unicef we're seeing is not as interested in putting people/children first as it is in setting policy, precedent, and moving forward its own political agenda. I've watched people get up in arms and say that it is wrong to not support this long-standing and "worthy" organization. I recognize that will likely happen again here. We can easily agree to disagree if need be.
We're simply stating that the policies and procedures are a long way off from meeting real people where they are. (And things are not what they appear to be. Not at all.) The anti-adoption rhetoric is maddening. Kids abandoned to an orphanage by their birth parent PRE earthquake are now being held in Haiti thanks to pressure placed on the Haitian government by the giant and powerful unicef. It is asinine and lacks all logic.
We are all for legal, careful, smart adoption. None of us want to see children taken from a birthparent that wants to raise them. That would be a terrible thing. The fact is, unicef is openly anti-international-adoption and what is happening now is nothing more than political grand-staning and a massive power trip. And all at the expense of children with waiting and approved families abroad.
For more thoughts and a specific story, read this.
Large powerful organizations with money can "encourage" and "convince" and put the pressure on ... and a government in crisis will bend to the will of a single powerful organization.
Meanwhile, children and people in crisis are not being served, cared for, or respected.
![Livesay [Haiti] Weblog](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WImkelA85fQ/T774B_tbjMI/AAAAAAAANjM/Zup5rYTxdWs/s810/blog%2Bheader%2BTRL2011-07-07_%2B%25281%2529.jpeg)
Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it. -erwin lutzer
77 comments:
Tara, once again, thank you for writing.
Praying in Lancaster, England. I've been reading your blog for the last two weeks and praying for the issues you mention each day.
THANK YOU!!!!! I feel the same way you do about UNICEF. They are not the great organization everyone thinks that they are. I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with their policies. But, it's people like you, who see what it is that they are doing, and are willing to talk about it, is the only way to get the word out about them.
Continued prayers for all of you!
I agree, down with Unicef. Now I'm just plain angry.
Annette
I have been reading your blog everyday the past few weeks. Thank you for all of the updates so we know how to pray. Your stories are amazing.
This is exactly why I'm thankful that you are there! You know the trees/individuals and you know and love their Maker which means your service smells like Christ & not like stale, disconnected government aid. Praying for you guys. SHINE - sister - SHINE!!!!! These people need to hear, see and taste the Hope of Christ.
Tara, I friend requested you on FB. I'm friends with amie here in NC. Would you be alright with me reposting this on our family blog - not that i have a huge following, but every little bit of awareness helps and hopefully, will spread. i will link your blog...for sure and encourage followers to continue praying and following your mission.
blessings and strength to you...and you are in our prayers.
Your blog is my first stop every day. Love your honesty. Thank you so much for posting and giving us the real story. Praying for all of you.
agh...I don't like to hear this about UNICEF. I can "take" their policy about adoption (even as an AP, I "get" some parts of their policy statement) but the thing that breaks my heart is that on the ground you are witnessing actions that really pull the entire organization into question for me. I'm grateful you are telling your story, even if it means I have to give up my ideas about UNICEF.
I recently found your blog, and I SO VERY MUCH appreciate you sharing your story. As gut wrenching as it is, I'm glad to know the truth and to know there are good people like you working so hard to help the Haitian people. God Bless You!!!
Just wrote my own rant about this yesterday. On Tuesday, the US govt. hosted a conference call for all families who were in process from Haiti. Someone very pointedly asked if an organization was behind the "no travel" policy (that has no apparently be rectified). Our govt. feigned innocence and said they didn't see how an organization could have that much power to influence a govt. decision. Ha! Also, two days ago, Maison De Enfants de Deiu, which has received extensive press coverage, got a visit from the Haitian government with Unicef folks in tow. They were concerned about that orphanage being party to trafficking. Seriously! They had 150 kids pre earthquake. Almost all had been matched and desclared adoptable by the Haitian government. There are less than 50 kids there now, 25 of whom are Parole eligible. Why when there are perhaps a million orphans in Haiti now would UNICEF feel compelled to step into the role that should be occuppied by the Haitian government and act concerned about one specific orphanage? I think people forget that UNICEF is a branch of the UN, that the UN has plenty of scandals/problems with politicking and that UNICEF is not exempt from this. I'll be linking to your post on my blog yet again.
Thanks for this.
As much as I love UNICEF, I really appreciate this post, and hearing about their faults. I can totally see how those huge organizations get corrupt and it really saddens me. While I agree that there should first be support for families to stay together, if that is not a possibility, then by all means, they should go to homes that are waiting with open arms.
So so so sad. Once again "big" is getting in the way of truly helping. Bless you guys. Keep the faith~ Liz
Feel the same way here.
I am glad to hear I am not the only one who feels this way and is willing to post about it. I too had a rant yesterday, kayder1996. Thank you for your post. I have linked it on my blog.
Rebecca
We feel exactly the same about UNICEF in our house. They are the ones that are causing our desired adoption of 4 from Guatemala to NOT happen. I think it's such a shame that children who are legally able to be adopted and have families who want to love them and raise them are not able to do so. Stupid UNICEF...
Every time I get anything in the mail about Unicef, it goes straight into the trash. We adopted and know all to well about their anti-adoption strategies. Thanks for posting this. I love your blog and have been reading for a couple of years now. Know that w e are praying for you and Haiti..
1. God--not UN or Unicef--is in control, and we all need to pray that He will intercede NOW--especially those of us here who desperately want to help you on the ground doing a wonderful job around the clock. We need to be praying for Him to take control, as well as for your strength (emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually) to continue doing what you are doing, and for peace...it has to be very frustrating to be doing all you have been only to have them step in and interrupt the continuity of care for these precious people.
2. Troy...tweet about this situation...I don't know if you aware of it (you probably are), but CNN is following you on Twitter. Maybe God will use them to see your tweet and intervene with some high level pressure on our government, Unicef, or both.
3. In the meantime, we need to be planning to do whatever bit we can to support you all financially, as I am sure your orphanage will, like Jabez, need to enlarge its borders over the coming months.
I completely agree with you about UNICEF . . . they even flew in some "adoption expert" the other day and had her on cnn w/AC. And when AC how people can help the orphan children in Haiti, the woman said something like the government and the Red Cross will help, give money to them and they give it to the orphanages . . . . what planet is she living on??????
Anderson Cooper will leave soon. Please find his crew and get an interview! We need to have the real story told!
Thank you for all you do!!!!!!!
I'm so sad... and upset... :( Is there something specific we can do?
The USA is part of the United Nations. Why is our government not able to wield some influence on the UN? Power corrupts - there are examples of that everywhere in any type of organization. It usually involves only a few individuals. Those not involved in the corruption must stand up and overcome the self important power mongers who think they know best for everyone in every situation.
Keep telling the story. You are blessings to the people of Haiti.
Lorenda
Unicef's head count:
Romania
Guatemala
Liberia
etc
etc
Thank you, Tara! I'm sorry they are messing with what you are doing down there. They definitely are messing with me! I'm praying the Lord will reign His supreme power and unicef will stop interfering with everything. anony...i saw that interview with that "adoption specialist" too...i got so angry!
Please, please go see Anderson Cooper! They're going a special tonight from Haiti, so he will in PAP getting ready.
This story has to get out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I truly believe that UNICEF needs for there to be poverty and oppression in Third World countries to justify its own existence. For decades, they have been spending millions upon millions to write statements about how "women and children in poverty are at risk" and yet, the plight of orphans in all the countries where UNICEF has a presence has remained the same or gotten worse.
One more thing, UNICEF is "worried" about the adoption processed being abused (with what evidence??) . . . what the heck is UNICEF doing about the kids they know are being abused, separated from family . . . restevecs??? Clearly not enough!
There are problems with UNICEF in Ghana too and they sound similar. I am so sorry you are seeing more suffering in Haiti because of it.
sorry to bother you but cant find Britt on facebook. I live in Waco and have been reading the blog. If she needs free babysitting please tell her to e-mail me! leeann_schultz@baylor.edu
I agree 100%. Humanitarian parole needs to be extended to the kids who were already identified as adoptable before the quake. Then the O's can take in kids who were orphaned or displaced and go from there. I personally know several families who would like to adopt those already adoptable before the quake. unicef should not be involved.
Amy
Thank you for your honesty and love for the Haitian people. We pray for you , your orgainzation and volunteers many times a day.
Blessings !
Troy & Tara - doctors in Miami were refused travel documents unless they were American citizens last week (one of them is a very good friend of mine and she is very confused). These people were proper immigrants, many with green cards and/or valid visas and time to go to Haiti. Many had already been to Haiti to work in clinics there. Please be very cautious and pay attention to God speaking to you directly. Our prayers are with you. We directed everyone we know to funnel assistance to your organization. The larger organizations are not bringing said aid as promised but the truth and the light will prevail this time around. Thank you for being there....many of us feel helpless because we cannot be there to help you. We carry on. Have a blessed day.
Thank you again for helping us understand what is going on and how we can better pray. How sad for the children and families. If we keep praying that God will help He will here our cries!!!!! KEEP CRYING OUT TO JESUS! Thank you Troy and Tara for being used in such a powerful way to get the TRUTH out.
Blessings, Linda and fam
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. We can only imagine what you are going through and pray for you everyday. What have your experiences been like with other organizations? I am thinking specifically about UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and Church World Service? Have you come across them at all or had any direct contact with them?
You two are such amazing people. I appreciate your willingness to be open and honest about what is going on. I am finishing a doctorate in public health with a specialty in maternal and child health and I cannot stand UNICEF. If their policies worked, poverty would be on the decline internationally not on the increase. Their policies and the willingness of other large, secular NGO's to partner with them with no questions is why my relief monies have been donated to smaller, Christian NGO's dedicated to providing relief IN SPITE of the interference of gov't types.
I will continue to pray for wisdom for you and your teams as you navigate the insanity.
Tara & Troy,
It is time to speak up about your concerns...please contact CNN and other news outlets and speak up!!
We totally agree with you on UNICEF. All the media says is how they are so great helping needy countries, they don't tell you how they cost many children their lives by forcing them to stay in the country when they have no family to care for them. Especially when there are so many loving homes that would love to have have a child in their home. I am a parent of an internationally adopted child & I would never give to any cause that was connected with UNICEF.
Thanks for posting this.
~Deena
Thank you for speaking up about what is going on. As an adoptive parent, I've been well aware of UNICEF and their disastrous policies as regarding adoption. I know it takes courage for you to speak up, but it is the right thing to do. God bless and protect you.
I am supporting UNICEF with monthly payments. I will rethink that.
Thank you for being there and for speaking out against the injustices to these little ones. Praying and speaking out as well and re-posting your blog. Kitty
This just makes me sick to my stomach. Praying for all of this and you guys. Love to all.
I'm glad you're writing about this and I hope and wish you get the support you need. I know people, including family members, who have travelled through Africa and SE Asia, and as much as local corruption bothered them, worse was the f***ery by many international "aid" organizations against the local population (I'm sorry to swear, but it really seems like the best word). We've all come to the same conclusion as other commenters have said; that they often make problems worse and I totally believe they create or maintain problems to justify their own existence and jobs and salary, instead of actually helping people. I know it takes time to fix some real and severe problems, but I'm thinking they haven't accounted for themselves very well. I wish the media would do a real investigation of this. Anyway, good luck and best wishes.
I agree with what someone else said. I know you guys are REALLY busy right now and don't want to do media but PLEASE go talk to Anderson Cooper. CNN has been following your story this whole time and this story needs to get out! The general public will never hear about this side of UNICEF and what is going on in Haiti. Praying for you.
Can I post a link to your blog on my Facebook page? This story needs to be told. It is the same song different verse, and it is time for a new song.
Tara -
I tutor 3rd grade in Minneapolis in one of the lowest performing schools in the state.
Last Tuesday we spent on hour talking about the earthquake in Haiti. I used Licia's blog www.haitirescuecenter.wordpress.comto talk about what happened and more about Haiti in general. These children, living in their own poverty decided they want to help. They even wanted to bring it to the student council to have a school competition to help Haiti.
After class, an 8-year old 3rd grade boy came up to me and said "sometimes the big organizations like Red Cross just keep your money. EVEN an 8 year old already gets it. He is the same boy that wanted to create a school competition because he is sure the people in Haiti will RECIEVE the supplies.
We are collecting to send a container from Minneapolis direct to Real Hope For Haiti (we know Zach will share what you need).
Anybody can send the NEEDED supplies to our warehouse and we will inventory it all, put it on pallets and load the container.
Everybody reading these blogs needs to spread the word and get the small organizations and missionaries the tools they need to shine the light of Jesus on the people of Haiti.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love the honesty of your blog, and I am so glad to have some information directly from people that were in Haiti PRE Earthquake (not that people that are interested in it now don't count...I very much appreciate that as well...but it's also kind of like people becoming rich overnight - people that were your friends before that happened just seem more real). Anyway, off my soapbox. All that to say that I trust the information coming from your blog and I am so thankful to hear about the ways we can pray for you all and support you.
As someone who longs to be a mother, but is having to wait to pursue adoption because of finances, it just breaks my heart to no end seeing these kids who need families. And the fact that political agendas can be put before the needs of these real people (not just statistics) makes me ache to no end. Ugh. Just know that I am praying for you all in this journey. We stand by what you are doing, and, more importantly, what God is doing through you. I wish I could do more.
Bless you guys,
Liesl
Thank you, Troy and Tara, for your blog and for your dedication to helping the people of Haiti. I prefer your insider postings to the media reports. Already the coverage on CNN and MSNBC has started to wane.
If possible, could you clarify what UNICEF is doing once they round up the returning patients from the USS Comfort? Where are these people going? Is it possible they are providing a safe place with supplies where these people can recuperate? It's simply unclear and certainly a shame that no one felt the need to offer an explanation to those who were asked to pick these patients up.
A.
I have long ago stopped supporting UNICEF. They are way too political, only their way is the right way, yet at the same time they have not been able to ameliorate the situation of children in most countries that they are active! "the white man's burden" by Easterly gives a very thourough analysis why big aid organisations fail, a very worthwile read for anybody interested.
What they are doing in Haiti is atrocious. I was part of a group that brought 60 children from haiti to Germany just a few days ago (all with the adoption process finalised in Haiti, relinquished WAY before the earthquake). When we got to the hotel in Santo Domingo, a UNICEF worker charged the director of the Germany adoption agency with child trafficking. The German ambassador sorted it all out, but 12 UNICEF workers spent hours looking into this! Do they not have anything better to do??? There are sooo many children in haiti needing help, let them focus on those rather on the children where a solution is already at hand.
Stay strong!
Alexandra
Thanks for your honesty. I've been to Haiti about 15 times since 2001 on mission trips and am planning to go again in March. May God give you grace, strength, rest, favor & divine connections. I've been tuning into CNN only sporadically, but I read your blog everyday & pass it on to others. May God give you wisdom in the difficult decisions that you're making everyday.
Kate
Thanks for your honesty. I've been to Haiti about 15 times since 2001 on mission trips and am planning to go again in March. May God give you grace, strength, rest, favor & divine connections. I've been tuning into CNN only sporadically, but I read your blog everyday & pass it on to others. May God give you wisdom in the difficult decisions that you're making everyday. It's obvious that God is using you in a mighty way.
Kate
My friends from God's Littlest Angels in Port-au-prince wrote (on Thursday) "Laurie told me today that IBESR and UNICEF came to the orphanage yesterday asking about children that had been admitted since the earthquake. They took names an photos and asked what we were doing about finding the parents of the children. They then gave us a sticker to how that they had been there and we were cleared! Cleared for what? I do not know." Sounds like they are trying to get a hold of all the bad publicity they have gotten the past few weeks for not getting needs of the people met...Bad press for the "large organizations."
I have 3 beautiful daughters from China and this is nothing short of sickening! I have posted this post and the link to my facebook. I encourage anyone affected by adoption to do the same.
UNICEF does do some good work, but they do get in the way SO many times. I've had an adoption from Guatemala underway for the last 2 years with no end in sight. Thank you, UNICEF. Last night on the ABC evening news (the national broadcast), they said "And coming up next, a trafficking story from Haiti." I told my friend that I would buy her coffee tomorrow IF a UNICEF person wasn't interviewed. Guess what? ONLY a person from UNICEF was interviewed. Was there any evidence or did they point to a specific case of trafficking? No. Just talk. DO something, UNICEF. Provide proof. Don't just talk.
Question - Girl Scouts in Apple Valley MN are hoping to do a diaper drive which would include feminine hygiene products for women as well. Can you deliver them for us or know who we could contact to be the delivery side of our collections?
tamcarthur@charter.net
Terri
Dear Troy and Tara, thank you so much for further confirming what many of us families were thinking. We really appreciated what you shared. We brought our beautiful 1.5 year old daughter home from Haiti 1.5 years ago and had begun a second process this last spring. Right now everything is really up in the air as our file has not yet reached Haiti. There are a group of us emailing our governments about the Unicef issue. God bless you in your work. Our prayers are with the people of Haiti.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to share this and point us in the direction of other documentation that supports what you are experiencing first hand. Watch out - this post is going viral! So happy to have real news and a godly perspective on unicef. The more I learn about them, the more angered I become. Praying for you guys - daily.
Thanks for posting this, Tara. I'm spreading the word on my Facebook to let people know more about UNICEF. Thank you for all the work you and your family are doing.
hummm......that sounds so familiar! Sounds like the church in some instances. So many meetings and motions, and approvals, Christ get's knocked right out!!! Maybe I shouldn't even have started this thought process!!! I agree wholeheartedly with ALL you said!
Thanks for you posts. I am sharing them with all my friends. Our family is praying for you as you serve these people.
Troy and Tara
I live in Holland MI and have been reading your blog since the earthquake. I would rather read this then the news. I do have to say that there are adoptions going through. There were 81 kids taken to the us from Gods littlest angels orphanage in haiti. Please dont get discouraged. There are miracles going on all around this earthquake. Praying for you and your family.
I actually did not know this about Unicef. Thank you so much for the information.
Praying for Ronel and his family. Hoping he will be heading home very soon. I have 2 beautiful babies adopted from South Africa, and I can imagine how anxious these parents are to bring their boy home.
CNN just showcased UNICEF! CNN is planning a special Monday night about the children of Haiti. I hope it's not going to be a soapbox for UNICEF!!!!
Thank you for your work and testimony. As a trying-to-adopt mommy, I am linking this in my blog.
Thank you for boldly voicing awareness of this issue and for your faithfulness to the people who you are helping. I have been following your blog since the earthquake and am blessed and amazed at how God is using each of you. Thank you again.
I'm praying for you here in Golden Valley, MN (I go to Joanna T.'s church!) Your blog is tender, insightful, true and of God. Thank you for taking the time to connect those of us whose hearts are with you. Please hug Joanna for me!
thank you for speaking the truth....please keep blogging about these important issues...i pray daily for your family and for the people you minister to each day....thank you for letting us know HOW to pray.
Hi Tara and Troy
thank you so much for keeping this blog, we pray for you each night.
i thought you might find it interesting that abc did a report on unicef that same day.
here is the link
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/HaitiEarthquake/safe-havens-children-haiti/story?id=9703044
karen
FL
Thanks so much for raising awareness about this. It opened my eyes even more to UNICEF...
Tara, please know that your work in Haiti is amazing in so many ways. The help you're providing to those in need and your ability to tell that story through your writing is inspiring beyond words.
I began reading your blog shortly after the earthquake. I became a local-only giver a very long time ago, cynical about the overhead and political inefficiencies of large, international non-profits. Your daily updates have given me a new perspective by putting a spotlight on the work being done by small aid organizations that are truly fulfilling their mission.
I made a donation yesterday to Heartline Ministries knowing I can trust my money will go to real relief work in Haiti.
Thank you for telling the story.
Kathy
I have been reading the news articles about a few of the real and/or perceived cases of children being taken illegally. There is a reason we've avoided the media as a general rule --- much of it is exaggerated, inflated, sensationalized and untrue. (And of course I wish that no one would do something illegal but I bet you we don't have the whole story.) They need stories for ratings so they can sell advertising at a higher price. That does not exactly set them up to report with integrity and total honesty.
Haiti is an incredibly difficult place. It was before the earthquake. Now it is difficult times ten. UNICEF would like you to believe that there are lots of "safe spaces" (whatever the heck that is) where they can put children. They want you to think that there is a great risk GREAT RISK of children being used for sex slaves and domestic servitude in the USA and other countries ... they want you to believe that Haiti is the safest place for them to be protected.
We have only been here four years plus a year of going back and forth a ton. BUT in these years I can tell you that we have seen horrific abuse of children. Neglect, sexual abuse, restaveks ---- it is rampant. One of our own seven children has been a victim of a sexual crime in Haiti --- ONLY PROBLEM --- it is NOT a crime in Haiti.
For example A 30 year old man can have sex with a 8 year old girl here and there is no legal process for pressing charges. It is culturally acceptable. Working with women I can tell you that they do not control their own bodies. The men call the shots. In my neighborhood there are restaveks working at 5am sweeping the fricking street for the people they live with. There is no way in hell Unicef or any other yahoo that has not lived in this culture and seen it with their own eyes will EVER EVER EVER convince me that Haiti is a safer place for an orphan. Never. Also, sitting somewhere else and reading news stories that the media produces is not a good way to decide that UNICEF is good and on the up and up. The media has something to gain from making stories more dramatic. Unicef has something to gain by keeping orphans as orphans. No Orphans equals no Unicef afterall.
Rant over.
tara
PS- I am sorry to sound angry and upset. The problem is --- I am angry and upset. God save us.
I am angry and upset right along with you. But not just at UNICEF. I am a little angry with the people who don't do it right and mess it up for others. This morning the big story is the group of Americans from churches in Idaho who went down and tried to take kids across the border. What a mess they have created for everyone else. I remember the restaveks working in our neighborhood too. So, so sad.
Thank you again for all you do and are in Haiti. You are making Jesus known there but also here. Thank you.
It is infuriating. Thank you for continuing to spread the word about the injustices.
I'm angry at UNICEF, but not surprised.
But I am surprised and disappointed that World Vision and Save the Children would be joining in this backlash.
It does all seem to be about powerplays, at the expense of the children.
Troy and Tara:
I am so sorry for the devastation and mountains you are facing. It is so nice to see someone else with similar views about UNICEF as we have. During our youngest child's adoption from Guatemala, Unicef came in and offered the government $500 + million dollars to stop private adoptions and make them government run. Adoptions have yet to reopen and orphanages do not receive financial assistance from the government. Sarcastically, I ask where did that money go.
I am leading a proposal with the support of our group, Team Mommy Guatemala Play Group, to allow children available for adoption prior to the earthquake to placed with families in the US. I am on a crusade calling congressmen, senators, newspapers, judges, etc. It is working, but slowly. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help on your end with getting such a proposal passed. We have 28 families ready and eager to help a child or two from Haiti. They have been cleared through home study processes in the past or have a current home study. That makes them perfect candidates for these children. Most of them have adopted internationally and/or transracially. Many of us brought our children home several months after beginning our adoptions. Therefore the children were older. This also is a benefit for understanding the changes that a child will go through during such a transition. We are eager to help and ready to serve. Please check our group out at www.teammommyadopt.blogspot.com You can also email me at mattpauladavis@yahoo.com
Thank you for continuing to share what you and others are doing. I've been reading your blog since the earthquake. (Haiti is still in the news over here, in case you were wondering).
I understand - and agree with - your anger at children whose adoption was already approved being held back, but disagree with the idea that this means Unicef is nothing but evil, greedy and doing it all just for power. Things are never so black-and-white (I know you didn't exactly say this yourself, but from the responses it seems people think you did). Actually it makes a lot of sense to stop all *new* adoptions for a while whilst kids are being reunited with their families who may have lost track of them on the earthquake - as demonstrated by the group from Idaho accidentally taking some kids who actually have parents.
Below is an excerpt from a BBC article. The BBC tends not to worry about ratings, as it's paid for by the British licence fee rather than by ads, so although they can still be biased, I trust them above most other news sources.
God bless what you're doing! (And by the way if you or the ministries you work with could put an IBAN number up alongside the paypal details, that'd be great! We don't have paypal.)
Mika in Switzerland
"UN guidelines stipulate that there should be no national or international adoptions for two years, she adds.
"This provides time to trace relatives. In most emergencies you can trace family members. It will take time. In the meantime, aid agencies are prioritising children who are unaccompanied - they are being referred to interim care centres. Agencies are working day and night to locate children on their own."
Since the earthquake, Unicef has set up five "safe spaces" - their term for temporary orphanages - where children receive food, shelter and psycho-social support, and are kept out of the hands of undesirables.
"This system was first employed in Aceh after the tsunami, and 90% of those children were reunited with family members," says Ms Khadivi (Unicef spokesperson)."
from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8491981.stm
Saw this article today. Have you seen or heard anything like this? Thanks for the updates and for your ministry. Keep hanging on to the ONE who never lets go.
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1953379_1953494_1957869,00.html
Out of Faith and Compassion: Diary of a Haiti Volunteer, from time.com
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1953379_1953494_1957869,00.html#ixzz0ePlohTnH
I work for a small NGO that has been in Haiti for many years- my community had a fundraiser recently and I was invited to educate on our group- the Red Cross representatives would not let me set up my booth next to theirs. When did we start competing against each other? I assumed we had a common goal...
The big organizations hate that any little organization might take a piece of their pie ... and it seems like faith-based is even more offensive to them. It is discouraging.
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