- Holt International
Transcription
- Holt International
Fall 2006 Vol. 48 No. 4 www.holtinternational.org 5 Does a child wait for you? Children around the world wait for adoptive families. Holt International has children: • with minor or correctible medical conditions • who are older • who are siblings Consider a waiting child; www.holtinternational.org/waitingchild/photolisting x finding families Autumn 2006 for children Help connect a waiting child with a family. Download and print our waiting child poster using the above link and display it at your church or place of work. Dear Readers Once a year we publish a yearbook-style section of the magazine with photos, activities and future plans of Holt adoptees who graduated from high school and college. Submitting graduate information is voluntary, so the young people who appear in this issue are perhaps a tenth or so of the Holt adoptees who graduated in 2006. Every year, it seems, the grads amass an ever more impressive compilation of achievements. It’s gratifying to see these bright, confident faces with so much opportunity before them. As I scan the rows of grads, I glance over at another photo—a little girl I sponsor in India. Not quite a year old, Janaki looks up from her crib, perhaps a little irritated that she has to hold still for the photo. It’s a marvelous thought to imagine—17 or so years from now—seeing Janaki among the graduates. The process of getting to that day will require the nurturing, support and encouragement of Holt’s India staff, various financial contributors to the work and, of course, the permanent family who will invest the most in her life. And that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Beyond the violin lessons, soccer shoes, braces, prom dresses, etc., a family offers a child commitment. And that matures into permanent belonging—the knowledge that every morning when children wake up, they are loved. It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to extend a caring touch to children when they need it, and to know that your help lays a path to results such as the listing of graduates in this issue. In the spirit of our founder, Bertha Holt, who loved reading about each graduate, I had planned to share a Scripture as a blessing and challenge to the grads. But, perhaps this verse is also a reminder to all who support this work—that what we do for the children involves a divine partnership: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 —John Aeby, Editor contents program report The Holt Ilsan Center A haven for Korean children who are homeless and disabled. graduates Saluting the 2006 Graduates What Special Needs Will You Consider? adoptees today Finding My Beauty in Asian Form 6 A young adoptee hits LA’s Koreatown on her quest for self-knowledge. departments Update Around the Globe Easy to Love From the Family Neighborhood Calendar Family Tree Our Mission Holt International is dedicated to carrying out God’s plan for every child to have a permanent, loving family. In 1955 Harry and Bertha Holt responded to the conviction that God had called them to help children left homeless by the Korean War. Though it took an act of the U.S. Congress, the Holts adopted eight of those children. But they were moved by the desperate plight of other orphaned children in Korea and other countries as well, so they founded Holt International Children’s Services in order to unite homeless children with families who would love them as their own. Today Holt International serves children and families in Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, the Philippines, Romania, Thailand, the United States, Uganda, Ukraine and Vietnam. President & Ceo Gary N. Gamer Vice-President of Programs & Services Carole Stiles Vice-President of Marketing & Development Phillip A. Littleton Vice-President of Public Policy & Advocacy Susan Soon-keum Cox Vice-President of Finance & Administration Kevin Sweeney Board of Directors Chair James D. Barfoot Vice-Chair Julia K. Banta President Emeritus Dr. David H. Kim Secretary Claire A. Noland Members Andrew R. Bailey, Rebecca C. Brandt, Kim S. Brown, Wilma R. Cheney, Clinton C. Cottrell, Will C. Dantzler, Cynthia G. Davis, A. Paul Disdier, Rosser B. Edwards, Jeffrey B. Saddington, Shirley M. Stewart, Steven Stirling Holt International Magazine is published bimonthly by Holt International Children’s Services, Inc., a nonprofit Christian child welfare organization. While Holt International is responsible for the content of Holt International magazine, the viewpoints expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the organization. Editor John Aeby Managing Editor Alice Evans Graphics Brian Campbell, Alice Evans, Emily Lewellen Subscription Orders/Inquiries and Address Changes Send all editorial correspondence and changes of address to Holt International magazine, Holt International, P.O. Box 2880, Eugene, OR 97402. We ask for an annual donation of $20 to cover the cost of publication and mailing inside the United States and $40 outside the United States. Holt welcomes the contribution of letters and articles for publication, but assumes no responsibility for return of letters, manuscripts, or photos. Arkansas Office 5016 Western Hills Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204 Ph/Fax: 501/568.2827 California Office 3807 Pasadena Ave., Suite 115, Sacramento, CA 95821 Ph: 916/487.4658 Fax: 916/487.7068 18 Midwest Office Serving Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota 10685 Bedford Ave., Suite 300, Omaha, NE 68134 Ph: 402/934.5031 Fax: 402/934.5034 26 28 Holt International Children’s Services P.O. Box 2880 (1195 City View) Eugene, OR 97402 Ph: 541/687.2202 Fax: 541/683.6175 Reprint Information Permission from Holt International is required prior to reprinting any portion of Holt International magazine. Please direct reprint requests to editor John Aeby at 541/687.2202 or [email protected]. adopting A Difficult Question When Adopting a Child Fall 2006 vol. 48 no. 4 Cover: Six-year-old Ho-yung has lived at Ilsan Center all his life. His housemothers pray every day that he will find an adoptive family. Missouri Office/Kansas Office 203 Huntington Rd., Kansas City, MO 64113 Ph: 816/822.2169 Fax: 816/523.8379 122 W. 5th St., Garnett, KS 66032 [email protected] Oregon Office Capitol Plaza 9320 SW Barbur Blvd., Suite 220, Portland, OR 97219 Ph: 503/244.2440 Fax: 503/245.2498 New Jersey Office 340 Scotch Rd. (2nd Floor), Trenton, NJ 08628 Ph: 609/882.4972 Fax: 609/883.2398 4 12 14 16 30 31 Copyright ©2006 By Holt International Children’s Services, Inc. ISSN 1047-7640 ACCREDITED BY COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION www.holtinternational.org 3 update Nanna’s Cottage able a poster to promote adoption of waiting children. Download and print this PDF file, and display it at your church or workplace as a way to help waiting children to have permanent, loving families. For more suggestions on Adoption Month activities, visit: www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam/activities.cfm Currently featured in the new children’s Saturday morning TV show Nanna’s Cottage, Holt adoptee Lydia Hale plays the role of Chinese character Fu Cheng. The show premiered on three Northwest stations in July and was picked up for national distribution by the Sky Angel Network in August. It can also be seen on Trinity Broadcasting Network, some PBS outlets on the East Coast and various other networks. Go to www.nannascottage.com for programming and general information about the show. Lydia, a charismatic and musically inclined 14-year-old, was adopted from Korea by Dean Hale, director of Holt’s India program, and Lucinda Muñiz-Hale. Produced by Polara Productions and aimed at children ages 4 to 9, Nanna’s Cottage features a female archaeologist and world traveler who imparts her love and knowledge of the world to her grandchildren and their friends. Alternative Gifts Holt’s HIV/AIDS work in China is a featured gift in this year’s Alternative Gift Catalog. Since 1998, Holt projects have been included in the yearly catalog published by Alternative Gift Markets, Inc. More than $272,000 has been raised for Holt projects to help children affected by HIV/AIDS. Recently AGI passed along almost $50,000 earmarked for our Uganda program. The catalog can be downloaded from the AGI website at www. alternativegifts.org. AGI is a nonprofit, interfaith agency organized in 1986 to send authentic, life-giving gifts to nourish and sustain a more equitable and peaceful global community. Christian Performers Christian performing artists continue to bring the message of Holt International Child Sponsorship to their audiences. Korean adoptee Lydia Hale, on the set and in costume for her role as Fu Cheng in the nationally syndicated children’s TV show Nanna’s Cottage. Angels in Adoption Lynn Sims, LCSW, Branch Director–Holt Arkansas, was among more than 100 recipients around the United States to be honored this September with an Angel in Adoption award at a Congressional ceremony in Washington, DC. Nominated by Holt families in Arkansas for going “beyond the call of duty,” Lynn has been Branch Director since 2001 and has conducted homestudies for Holt for more than 15 years. Adoption Month November is National Adoption Awareness Month—a time to celebrate adoption as a wonderful way to build a family and to increase awareness of the hundreds of thousands of children around the world who need families of their own. Through its website, Holt is making avail- Sign up today for the new Holt e-newsletter *For up-to-date news on adoption, inspirational stories of children and families. *When you sign up, your Holt International e-newsletter will be delivered to your e-mail address. go to holtinternational.org/enews At NewSong concerts, Holt needs volunteers to help concertgoers who wish to sponsor children. Your admission to the concert is free. Consider bringing your teenagers or youth group, and while they enjoy the concert, you can manage a table. Holt will provide training prior to the concert. If you are interested, please contact Clarice Aeby at [email protected] or by calling 1-800-451-0732. Please check the NewSong and Winter Jam Tour schedules to see when NewSong will perform in your area. The performance schedules of these and other artists sharing Holt Sponsorship are available at the following websites: • • • www.newsongonline.com jamtour.com thecrabbfamily.com Meeting a Princess Sadie Schumaker awaits her chance to give flowers to the Princess of Thailand. When the Princess visited Oregon in July, sisters Sadie and Sophie met her during a public appearance. Both girls were adopted from Thailand by Dawn Moyer-Schumaker and Nathan Schumaker of Corvallis, Oregon. ■ directions Recognizing the Holt Ministry A By Gary N. Gamer, President and CEO As we got closer to our 50th anniversary activities last month, I enjoyed receiving letters and messages from individuals who have been a part of Holt’s five decades of work. One letter from Rev. Vernagaye Sullivan really jumped out at me. She told us about her husband, Gary Churchill, who worked for Holt in 1971–1972 before a tragic car wreck took his life. She wrote, “I don’t know how many children Gary [as a caseworker] helped place in homes, but I do know that each one was a gift to his life, and working with the families was his ministry.” Ministry, she said. In reading this, I immediately felt a sense that the effort of her husband 35 years ago lives on today among the families and children he helped bring together during his time at Holt. I reflected on her use of the word “ministry.” I believe it is a word that truly applies to what we do at Holt. Even though we partner with people of different faiths and traditions in finding families for children around the world, all of Holt’s staff and partners realize that our efforts go beyond just the hours put in during any given day. The work of Holt contributes to enabling children to reach their God-given potential through the love and support best provided by a family. Our ministry binds Holt—an agency with strong Christian roots, identity and support to this very day—in an embrace with the rest of the world, however diverse, in this important cause. This was so apparent as child welfare practitioners and advocates from approximately 30 countries recently gathered for Holt International’s 50th anniversary conference, entitled Looking Forward, A Global Response to Homeless Children. Holt’s work started 50 years ago in Korea as a pioneering agency in intercountry adoption through the ministry of the Holt family. Many of the social work and case management principles Holt International developed through the years are now reaching thousands of children through various services. Holt works to assure adoption of children within their birth lands. Holt helps to prevent separation of children from their birth families when in the child’s best interest. And Holt provides other family and community-based options for at-risk children. Gary Gamer, Holt President and CEO, visits with children at a Holt-supported orphanage in Cambodia, June 2006. Holt International has a responsibility to share what we have learned and to keep on learning from others. The conference provided an effective and timely venue to do this. Mrs. Sullivan also wrote in her letter: “When I went to Korea after [my husband’s] death to explore the Korean side of the ministry, I was moved by the care that the children received and by the dedication of the staff there. I also remember so well the sense of family and teamwork that was a part of the ministry.” Today, more than 30 years after Mrs. Sullivan had these insights, I am privileged to witness this same commitment to children in the 16 countries for which Holt is currently supporting services to children. And I thank you for your commitment as we take this ministry into a sixth decade—and into a world with so many children in need of families. ■ www.holtinternational.org 5 A haven for homeless, disabled children The Holt Ilsan Center in Korea O by Alice Evans— Managing Editor Above: Yong-woo and Minkee sit on a swing outside the residential cottages. Right: Jin-kyoo and Jin-ho lean against the fence with their stuffed animals. Opposite page: Eun-hee cuddles with her housemother, Mrs. Cho, Myung-ae. On a sunny August morning at the end of the long Korean rainy season, several young children toddle joyfully along the asphalt path outside the entryway of their cottage. A few wear leg braces and walk unsteadily, signs of cerebral palsy. One sports a patch over his right eye. They are all developmentally delayed. In the outside world, other children might make fun of them. But here at Holt’s Ilsan Center, no one ridicules them. No one pretends they don’t exist. Two of the boys, Min-kee and Yong-woo, stop to rest on a glider swing. Their mood shifts to quiet and serious… two lives about to diverge. Within weeks Yong-woo will leave Ilsan to be adopted by a family in New Jersey, to become their son. But for Min-kee, there is no adoptive family about to sweep him up in their arms. Min-kee will stay at Ilsan the rest of his life unless somewhere a family with a big heart falls in love with him, too. Is it such an awful fate to be raised at Ilsan? Relinquished at birth, Min-kee started in the care of a foster family until his disabilities made adoption appear unlikely. Transferred to Ilsan where he has lived for just over a year, Min-kee, now 2, has made significant progress thanks to the specialized care and services available there. Ultimately, a distinction must be made between those considered adoptable, and those not. Does a child suffer seizures? Is she able to talk or otherwise communicate? These are a few of the markers. For those considered adoptable, staying at Ilsan will limit them. For those considered not adoptable, Ilsan may be the best of all possible worlds. 6 Fall 2006 At this hillside village sheltered from the bustling city of Ilsan, staff have never claimed to replace family. They do their best to create a family-like atmosphere, a hard thing to accomplish with some 270 residents whose ages range from infant to senior. A resident of Ilsan will always have enough to eat; the care of therapists, nurses, doctors; the benefits of vocational training, church and choir; every opportunity to move toward independence. At Ilsan, where Harry Holt made his final stand and poured out his heart for the love of Jesus and homeless children, no one will be rejected, neglected and disabled even further by the treatment they are given, or not given. They will instead be gathered into arms of merciful love and compassion. They will be fitted to special wheelchairs that straighten twisted limbs and provide opportunities for maximum independence. They will be taken on outings to the beach. They will sing before first ladies and ministers of government. In short, they will be valued. Valued, not least, by families who have adopted children from Ilsan, and by Holt International donors and sponsors, many of whom send monthly checks to help pay for the high level of care the residents receive. Some sponsors have faithfully provided for the same resident for more than 40 years, and their “child” has grown to adulthood under the protected care of dedicated staff. Ilsan Center, built in 1961 by Holt International founders Harry and Bertha Holt, is the standard by which other facilities of its kind are measured. “All around the world, wherever we go, the facilities where the disabled are placed are always the worst places,” says Holt International President and CEO Gary Gamer. “But Ilsan… Ilsan is the best place.” A Week at Ilsan Molly Holt has her hands full this morning, as usual. Four feeders, three that she’ll do herself. Meaning hand feed, bite-by-bite, as if she had a baby at her table. And she does, in a sense, have babies. A trip to Wal-Mart later in the week finds her searching through the baby plates for just the right one to help 28-yearold Yun-ee learn to eat by herself for the first time. Molly has been training her for nearly three months but shows no sign of discouragement. Yun-ee is making progress, no matter how slowly, and this is a triumph. She will return soon to Suzanne Home, the nearby cottage where she normally resides. And Molly will bring someone else into her cottage. By learning to feed herself, Yun-ee takes an important step toward independence according to her capabilities, and she frees up her housemothers to spend time with other residents who need their help, too. Molly, a daughter of Harry and Bertha Holt, came to Korea in October 1956 to help her parents care for homeless children. She had just finished nursing school. “I felt that this was where the Lord would have me the rest of my life,” she remembers. Molly starts her day with Bible study and prayer. Like her mother, she likes to take a brief jog on the track or along the asphalt pathways, or a trip up the hill to pick berries for jam. Each day is a living conversation with Jesus. New arrivals come through Molly’s residence, which allows her to determine their capabilities and begin the assessment process. “We always make a baseline,” she says. “What they were like when they came.” She meets regularly with doctors, therapists, housemothers and social workers to chart progress and set goals. Disabilities come as a package, she says, and you must look at the challenges on multiple fronts. What their status is, what the goal is in stages, what it takes to improve. The goal is always to help residents achieve as much independence as possible. When a child has a temper tantrum because you won’t do something for him that he can do for himself, you wait until he stops screaming. “You do what you say you’re going to do,” Molly says. She has always taken on the most challenging cases—the stubborn, the manipulative, the residents young and old who haven’t learned to feed themselves, ones who come in from families or other facilities and have been neglected, or conversely, spoiled by someone doing too much for them. This morning, Molly is also feeding a boy with severe cerebral palsy. After a friend told her about the boy, she requested special permission to bring him to Ilsan. Almost 9 years old, he weighed barely more than 15 pounds when she got him three weeks earlier. Fitted into a Mulholland wheelchair, his body and limbs are positioned in a way that helps his muscles relax. Instead of lying on the floor twisted by spastic muscles, he can sit. Molly feeds him all he wants, and www.holtinternational.org 7 Above: Soo-hoon helps Jinkyoo climb the steps on the way to choir practice. Because of cerebral palsy, Jin-kyoo sometimes loses his balance. Bottom: The Ilsan choir performs at Grandma Holt’s 6th annual memorial service. Soohoon and Jin-kyoo, dressed in formal clothing, are positioned to the choir director’s right. he has already plumped up. I watch in disbelief as this tiny boy eats a full bowl of rice mixed with cut-up vegetables, a bowl of seaweed soup, a bowl of applesauce. Low oxygen during his birth brought on cerebral palsy. Jin-kyoo understands more than he speaks, and though he sometimes loses his balance, he is learning better coordination through physical and occupational therapy, where he practices going up and down stairs, doing paper cutouts, and drawing lines with crayons. He spends half of each school day going to a preschool outside Ilsan that offers integrated programs with so-called “able-bodied” children, as do Min-kee and several other youngsters. The boy has a family who pays for his care at another facility, where he has lived for seven years, all that time lying mostly in a crib. One afternoon on the way to choir practice, I walk along behind Jin-kyoo and another member of the choir, 11-year-old Soo-hoon. Soo-hoon, who has Down syndrome, holds Jin-kyoo’s hand, protecting him against a fall. With Soo-hoon’s help, Jin-kyoo makes his way along the asphalt path and up the concrete steps of Memorial Hall without a mishap. He takes his role as choir mascot seriously. When the older members of the choir come into the practice room, he climbs into first one lap and then another. Everyone greets him with affection. “We see stunted children like him in institutions who are never fed enough,” Molly says. “Children who can feed themselves are okay. Those who have to be fed are at risk. Our children here grow so big they outgrow their wheelchairs, but that is not normal other places.” After a few weeks, his parents come to visit. Astounded at his growth, they petition to keep him at Ilsan. A Permanent, Loving Family But for those children like Min-kee who have no families and whose special needs ordinary people can manage, Molly and the Ilsan staff do their best to find families. And for Yong-woo, the boy with yellow glasses who now has a family of his own, the work of Ilsan staff is complete. It is the best place for a child to be, Molly says. In a permanent, loving family. Back in the 1950s when international adoption was first coming onto the radar screen, this is what the Holt family taught the world, and the mission hasn’t changed. But not so many families are willing, or able, to take on children with multiple healthcare challenges. Only one or two children a year are adopted from Ilsan, and for those not adopted in early childhood, the chances get slimmer each year. Jin-kyoo. A family was interested in Jin-kyoo, the youngest member of the Ilsan Choir. After requesting an MRI, they realized they did not have the resources to care for him adequately. A curly-headed 4-year-old who has lived at Ilsan since he was 2, Jin-kyoo wears an eye patch part of each morning to complement the corrective surgery he had for strabismus. He rivals actor Johnny Depp for pirate good looks. 8 Fall 2006 Soo-hoon. Ilsan staff describe Soo-hoon as an energizer bunny who never tires, and they celebrate him for his enthusiastic efforts at conducting, something he did in front of the First Lady of Korea and government ministers last winter at the President’s residence. Calm but passionate during the performance, he received a standing ovation. Abandoned at the Ilsan gate when he was 3 weeks old, Soo-hoon plays soccer three times a week, and although smaller than most, he is also faster. A sixth grader, he is learning to write through dictation. Ilsan staff have tried hard over the years to find a family for Soo-hoon. From time to time, families expressed interest. But here he remains. At Grandma Holt’s 6th Annual Memorial Service, while Jin-kyoo is being hoisted up the steep mountainside on the shoulders of an adult choir member, Soo-hoon climbs the many brick steps that lead to her gravesite on his way to sing with the choir. When he sees me taking his photograph again he reacts to the camera, striking poses and flashing me looks of incredulity. Other residents seek me out, point to the camera, point to themselves, as if the lens will give them some- thing they crave—personal attention. They’ve all gotten personal attention from Molly, who knows each of them by name, history, personality. But there’s only so much Molly to go around, even if she does have the energy of someone much younger than her 71 years. They all get personal attention from their dedicated housemothers who sometimes take children home on weekends to give them a taste of family life. But whether the attention comes from Molly, their housemothers, volunteers, therapists, nurses and doctors, the attention must always be spread among many. At the beginning and end of the day, they are still living in an institution, however family-like it may be. So-jung. Nine-year-old So-jung is quick and remembers what she learns. Her speech therapist thinks highly of her. Although she cannot hear or speak, she is learning sign language. Relinquished at birth because of her disabilities, So-jung’s parents could not provide the care she needed, but also they have never visited her. So-jung tries to do things on her own without asking for help. When I visited her cottage, I discovered an actress, dancer and model. So-jung wears a flowered green dress and strikes a ballerina pose. She giggles silently, shyly covering her mouth with her hand. Her smile, pulled crooked by a cleft lip that needs a second surgery, is all the more charming because of its imperfection. Hye-jung. So-jung’s situation becomes even more poignant for me because of another girl I meet at Ilsan, 12-year-old Hye-jung. Hye-jung has already hit puberty, that magical, problem-strewn age where mothers get to teach their daughters all about their changing bodies. For this, Hye-jung has to rely upon her housemother, her teacher, her therapist, her nurse, and just about anyone else who will listen, including me. Though I don’t speak her language, I stop to interact with her when I chance upon her along the pathways. I can almost decipher what she says to me. I read it in her eyes. Who are you? Why are you here? The Ilsan translator tells me that she often asks what’s going on with her body. She examines her changing breasts, and wonders why they’re beginning to swell. Like older female residents I meet one evening at Naomi Home, Hye-jung may one day expect to have a boyfriend at Ilsan, and maybe even get married. But she is already 12, and I can’t help but wonder, Will she ever have a mother? Matthew. At 47, Matthew has lived in Holt care since he was 1 year old, most of those years spent at Ilsan. By all accounts Matthew takes great pride in his work, collecting garbage on the Ilsan grounds. On any given morning he can be seen driving a tractor cart to and fro along the asphalt trail that runs alongside the kitchen in front of the residence houses. He looks like the kind of man who can carry the whole community on his broad shoulders. Salt of the earth. On Monday afternoon when many of the older residents are boarding the bus to go to an evangelical conference, Matthew helps the many wheelchair users move from the lift to the aisle. So-jung can neither hear nor speak, but she understands the language of human relationships. She interacts good-naturedly with the camera, striking ballerina poses and flashing a big smile. Matthew, who has multiple disabilities, will always live at Ilsan. He has found independence through work and marriage. He and wife Moon-kyung live in an apartment of Naomi Home, the onsite residence that houses five married couples. Molly Holt tells me that many of the residents look for someone to marry as they grow older. Besides those who live at Naomi Home there are many who have left Ilsan and live in apartments or houses. Some have children, born without any disabilities. Older residents who marry have better health and are happier, says Molly. She sometimes helps arrange the marriages and even accompanies them on their honeymoons, staying nearby in case they need help. www.holtinternational.org 9 A Paradise for the Disabled The night I arrived at Ilsan, I sat in Molly’s kitchen sipping a cup of hot tea. Outside, the rain washed the sky clean, a last hurrah before the August heat took over. After a light knock at the door, Ilsan Director Min entered beneath a dripping umbrella. Even though it was well past working hours, he came in from the pouring rain to check in with Molly about the Holt Summer School students who were leaving next morning, and to welcome me to Ilsan. When Molly told him the light in my room wasn’t working, he left in search of a lamp I could use. Min, Kyung-tae has worked for Holt Children’s Services of Korea (HCS) for 25 years and was in his second non-consecutive term as Ilsan Director. Compassionate and hardworking, he is also very detail-oriented, Molly says. He sometimes stays overnight at Ilsan after working late rather than make the long drive home to Seoul. Director Min has since been named the new President of HCS. Above: Hye-jung uses chalk on the sidewalk behind her cottage. Center: Matthew helps a fellow resident board the bus. Below: A physical therapist works with Jae-min who has cerebral palsy. During a week in which he hosted Grandma Holt’s memorial service, he found time to oversee the older residents as they boarded the bus to leave for the yearly evangelical conference. He watched over the little ones as they embarked with staff and volunteers to go to the seaside for the day. One afternoon, I saw him encourage a 30-year-old resident to do a better job of brushing his teeth. What makes Ilsan different from other facilities for the disabled? I asked Director Min. “Everybody here is a Christian,” he says, pulling out Bertha Holt’s books— Seed from the East and Bring My Sons from Afar—books that describe the phenomenal effort that went into the making of this place. “By reading and rereading these books, we constantly remind ourselves of what our founders wanted to do for residents,” he says. “Harry Holt and Bertha prayed hard for Ilsan, and Molly carries on their legacy.” 10 Fall 2006 “We want our residents to work outside of Holt. To have a life outside of Holt. And we will do our best to minimize the number of residents who live in a facility,” he says. Director Min cited the success of the group homes—two offsite apartments purchased by Holt-Korea in nearby high-rises—one occupied by a group of young women, the other by men. All of these residents have jobs, some at Ilsan and some in the community, and are working toward independent living. The Holt Ilsan Center serves not only its residents, but also Koyang-City, the larger community that has grown up around it. Director Min mentions the importance to Ilsan residents of the Ilsan workshop, where they make clay pots, copper trees, tablecloths and other items to sell to visitors. The same building houses a workspace for non-residents, also disabled, who come to do piecework. Having an occupation brings both self-respect and independence, he says, and residents and non-residents alike take pride in their work. The Holt School, started in 1964 to teach children with mental disabilities, holds classes for all such children in the community and was the stepping-stone for establishing education of these children throughout Korea. Families pay a little depending on the program. Earlier, children attended private institutions in Seoul or elsewhere, or they stayed home. “Education, proper therapy and rehab programs will help our residents develop their potential, and they can even make a contribution to society. This is our goal and also mission for the future. And our mission applies not only to ourselves but also to other facilities for the disabled,” Director Min says. When Harry Holt bought the land, he planned for part of it to be developed as a farm so that residents would have a place to work. The farm, on the other side of the mountain from the residential cottages, is currently not being put to full use, but long-term plans call for more development. Just across the road from the farm is the Koyang City Community Center for the Disabled, a new, state-of-the-art facility built on land donated by HCS. The Holt community for independent living also will be just across the road, so that Ilsan residents can make use of the facilities. Ilsan will eventually be a place for severely disabled people, those who are not able to work outside home because their disability level is so severe, he says. Meanwhile it serves also those who are capable of working in the community. “We believe that is the way to pursue our happiness, do something meaningful with our body and our skills,” Director Min says. “We believe that our residents feel the same way. That’s why so many people call Ilsan a paradise for the disabled, because we have so many rehab programs and plans.” Some people have hand dexterity or artistic skills and are able to work to make a living. Staff try to provide work for residents in places where they can use their skills. Koreans are no longer abandoning disabled infants and toddlers in front of the Ilsan gates or hiding them away from the world, Molly Holt says. Parents and organizations for the disabled stand up and demand rights and accountability. The 1988 Paralympics was Feeling Their Power In Conversation with Molly Holt a notable turning point, she explains. Korean television featured athletes with disabilities, which raised understanding that people with disabilities are capable of much more than once thought possible. People feel their power nowadays, she says. Before they received what was given and said thank you; now they say, “You have to listen to us.” Even so, individuals with disabilities, and especially those orphaned or relinquished, are still second-class citizens in Korea. And although domestic adoption is finding acceptance within this largely Confucian culture, adoption of a child with disabilities is rare, or nonexistent. Diverging Paths Min-kee and Yong-woo, the two boys who sat together on a swing, echo the lives of others who have lived at Ilsan. Steve Stirling, a member of the Holt International Board of Directors, lived at Ilsan Center in the early 1960s. Stirling, who had polio and wore leg braces, was adopted by a U.S. family and given all the opportunities of a beloved son. He went on to earn an MBA Molly Holt feeds a boy in her home. degree and manage large corporate departments. When he visited Ilsan as an adult, he met a friend who still resided there. For Stirling, it was a poignant encounter, a reminder of the vast difference adoption makes for a child. Would it be such an awful fate, not being adopted by a family? The answer is both yes, and no. Ilsan—a place of mercy and compassion staffed by dedicated, loving professionals—is still moving forward. Education, vocational training toward independent living, group homes, married housing, workshops, a farm... these are some of the provisions that make Ilsan stand out as a world-class model. But Ilsan, great as it is, is meant to be a long-term living place only for those who cannot be adopted. Yong-woo now has an adoptive family. But children such as Min-kee, Jin-kyoo, Soo-hoon and So-jung also deserve a chance to be someone’s beloved son or daughter. ■ Chairperson of the Board of Holt Children’s Services of Korea, nurse Molly Holt has served the homeless children of Korea for 50 years, most of that time at Ilsan Center. Educated at Wheaton College, University of Oregon, Multnomah School of the Bible and with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and special education, severe and profound, from the University of Northern Colorado, she has been described as the Mother Teresa of Korea. How did Ilsan evolve into a facility for waiting children and children with disabilities? MH: It was built for that in the first place, starting in 1961. And at [our previous orphanage] we just overflowed because we couldn’t adopt children with disabilities. Because the law was changing we had to go through the welfare department of each state and it took so long that many babies died while they were waiting. Daddy looked all over Korea for a place to keep our disabled children. So then he built [Ilsan] that way. But his buildings were very simple buildings. This house Daddy built doesn’t have stairways. It’s wheelchair accessible. It doesn’t have doorsills. We took out the walls for the bathroom so that we could put in doors to make it wheelchair accessible. And then we left some doors off. And it’s suitable for disabled people. We have a building at the end of the road here that was especially for physical therapy; we had a lady come out from the United States and do physical therapy and fitted the kids with braces and had surgeries for them. We did a lot of things. Even before Daddy died. Along those lines. How did you become focused on the care of children with disabilities, and tell us about how your expertise has grown. MH: We had lots of children with disabilities. In Eugene [where some of Molly’s training took place] I learned about cerebral palsy. I learned that it can get better, it can get worse. And that children are about half mentally retarded and half not. But they can be educated, most of them. With physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, work. It was really an eye opener for me. And at the Pearl Buck School, I learned some other programs. They didn’t like to use wheelchairs. They made the kids walk. And what a difference it made in my life here. We had a lady who came and helped us at Ilsan before Daddy died. She tried to get all the sponsors in the whole program to sponsor the disabled children. We grabbed onto whomever we could who was able to do those [special therapies]. We hired a man to come and do physical therapy, and we made a room available. Got some equipment. The speech therapist came along…. I knew that those programs worked, and I knew that we needed those programs for our residents. We learned from books about the importance of having the same housemother. So instead of having mechanical shifts where the housemothers moved all over, we started having the same housemother for the same children so that they become their mother. You can’t buy people to love them, but you can arrange it so the housemothers love the children and the children love the housemothers. Over the years we’ve done that, and it’s been so successful. It’s called a family system. The most important thing for a homeless child, an orphan, is a mother. Even a temporary mother. And you have to protect the housemothers and take good care of them, feed them and clothe them and don’t make them work too hard and give them good equipment. Or they’re not going to be able to love the children. And over the years I fought with the directors and fought with our presidents and a lot of people to keep those high standards. Like your mother, you’re not afraid to show leadership as a woman. MH: I was the director of Ilsan for a few years, and I learned that where the Lord puts you, then you should accept even if it doesn’t seem suitable. www.holtinternational.org 11 Globe Haiti China Holt’s Haiti program reached a major milestone in August when the first two children adopted from the Holt-Fontana Village made it through the complicated legal process and came home to their families. Two more children are expected to be home by the end of the year. Holt International President and CEO Gary Amanda and Joe Maisonneuve prepare to bring Lainie home from Haiti. Gamer was invited to Pune, Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK). speak at the 10th anniversary celebration of the China Center of Progress continues on the construction of Adoption Affairs on behalf of the foreign a new headquarters and childcare center adoption agencies doing work in China. at Vathsalya Charitable Trust, Holt’s partner “We often talk about the ‘China-way’ as an agency in Bangalore. example for many other countries whose systems require improvements to better serve children,” Gamer told the gathering. “Adoption agencies have come to under- Min, Kyung-tae, has been selected as the stand that they can rely on China’s process new President of Holt Children’s Services to be ethical and proficient, and this is (HCS) of Korea, effective Sept. 1. President vitally important for the stability in our own Min served as Director of the Holt Ilsan Residence Facility for two terms and has operations,” he said. worked for Holt-Korea for 25 years. Korea Russia Holt opened an office in Moscow in September as it continues to work toward registration. Kazakhstan Three brothers whose family lost its livelihood during the tsunami. are among those being helped by Holt donations. Thailand Holt Sahathai Foundation, our sister agency in Thailand, continues to help victims of the December 2004 tsunami. In 2006, HSF provided services to more than 250 families, including over 500 children. Educational sponsorships, loan services for occupations, nutrition and healthcare, kinship care for elderly, single mother’s counseling, and community-based development are some of the ways HSF is helping children and their families who lost homes, livelihood and loved ones as a result of the tsunami. HSF social workers are engaged in a 3-year commitment to help people rebuild their lives. HSF celebrated its 30th anniversary in July. 12 Fall 2006 On July 31, HCS held the 6th Anniversary Memorial Service for “Grandma” Bertha Holt, co-founder of Holt International. Grandma Holt continues to be revered by the Korean people for her dedication to vulnerable children. Fourteen children affected by HIV are now in our sponsorship program. Holt is also developing a foster family project and an international adoption program in the Republic of Kazakhstan and can be contacted by interested families. The program has been named Holt Balalar Kory. Ukraine Ten new relief-style nurseries are being initiated in the Ukraine following a June visit to Holt International’s Eugene office by a Ukrainian delegation. Government bodies, not private entities, will support the new centers. Efforts are underway to recruit 800 foster families for children being served by this Holt-supported program. India Following a two-year approval process, children are now being received into care at the Chiplun branch of Holt’s partner agency in Ilsan Director Min, Kyung-tae speaks at Grandma Bertha Holt’s 6th Annual Memorial Service in late July. Admitted into Holt care in 1958, Ilsan resident Kim, Young-hee sits in her wheelchair and listens. Director Min has since been named the new President of Holt Children’s Services of Korea. Gary Gamer recounts his visit to an orphanage where Holt is beginning a program, an effort that Holt hopes will influence the care of homeless children across this country where people have suffered so much. A New Beginning in Cambodia C Pictured: Children in care at a Holtsupported orphanage in Cambodia. by Gary Gamer, President and CEO Children came running out, smiling and greeting us when we arrived at one of Holt’s newest partner agencies, the Cambodian International Children Friends Organization (CICFO). Genuinely glad to see us, the children couldn’t wait to take us on a tour of their home and show off the orphanage mascot—a very much enamored black and white mama cat that recently had birthed a litter of kittens. There are a number of reasons that Holt is back in Cambodia at this time. We know this region well. We have good programs and wonderful partners in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. We can draw upon these resources for training and as models to build our capacity to help children in Cambodia. We had a program in Cambodia in the ’90s, and so we are remembered there. Today, Cambodia represents all of the different reasons why children around the world are at risk: poverty, social change breaking down families, single parents, HIV/AIDS. It’s got it all. As we were touring around and getting to know the kids at CICFO, I got the strong impression that this was a safe haven for these children. At CICFO they were protected; they got nutritious meals; their caregivers really loved and cared for them and truly wanted to make a difference in their lives. The joy on their faces evidenced the good care the children were getting. establish CICFO and who have been keeping it going largely at their own expense. I am excited about Holt partnering with this organization and jointly developing greater services to help the children. There is a lot to do. Our dream for each child at CICFO is to have a permanent family, be it through adoption or reunification or long-term family-like care. We need to improve their facility and inject what ultimately Holt does best: develop programs that get a child from a point of vulnerability into a permanent loving family. Sponsorship will help improve all of the conditions affecting children and help ensure that they get proper medical care, good food and that their shelter is improved. We never lose sight of the ultimate goal, however. Holt is dedicated to getting children into families. We don’t just talk about it. We direct resources and develop systems that enable children to rejoin their parents and ensure the stability of the family. The people who contribute and sponsor children are crucial in this formula. Sponsors make a tremendous difference in being able to get a program off the ground and sustain those services. Plus children and the caregivers have hope when they realize that there are people halfway around the planet who really care for them and are providing for the kids and praying for the kids and their well-being. Jesus in His ministry stood by the disenfranchised and those who face difficulty in their lives. Cambodia is a country that has gone through unbelievable difficulties and sacrifices and challenges. If there ever was a country to pray for, and if there ever were children in a country to pray for, it’s Cambodia. ■ That’s a tribute to dedication of Keo Botevy and Ouk Vanneth, two women who helped www.holtinternational.org 13 Lokesh children with special needs are… Ramesh Eun-hwan In this section we introduce children who are waiting for adoptive families. They may be older, have medical conditions or be part of a sibling group. Each child is very special with much to offer the family who accepts one as their own son or daughter. The children shown here represent just a few of those who need parents. Because Holt’s website provides a more complete listing and can be updated daily, we ask you to view additional children at www.holtinternational.org/waitingchild. If you would like more information about a particular child, please contact Carrie Palmer in our Waiting Child Program. She would be happy to share more information with you. You can request a Waiting Child Packet either by calling the Waiting Child Program at (541)687-2202 or through our website. These descriptions of waiting children are based on information available to Holt from caregivers and medical personnel in the children’s country of origin. Holt cannot guarantee the accuracy of these descriptions or that the medical and psychological diagnoses of the children are correct or complete. Lokesh and Ramesh Born in India, October 17, 2000 and October 15, 2002 These delightful brothers came into care in August 2005 after their birth parents passed away. They enjoy playing with neighborhood children and their foster family but consider each other their “preferred friend.” Both are active, in good health and on target for their age. They enjoy attending an informal school and can express themselves well. Jaynath Born in India, September 19, 2005 At 10 months old, Jaynath could stand and walk with support, pick up small items in his hand and say several word sounds. He enjoys living with his foster family. At birth, he went into respiratory distress and was found to have acyanotic congenital heart anomaly. He will need surgery in the future. Eun-hwan 14 Fall 2006 Born in Vietnam, September 13, 2002 Anh loves spending time with his foster father and helping his foster mother around the house. He is said to be developmentally on target for his age, but he speaks with a lisp and his pronunciation is not always clear. Anh is on medication for lipid nephrosis and for epilepsy. He loves singing songs and playing in kindergarten. Ricky Born in the Philippines, June 12, 2002 This handsome boy loves to play basketball and ride bikes with other children. He has been in the same care center since he was 5 months old and is reported to be healthy, but with hearing loss and some speech delay. Anh Born in Korea, April 14, 2005 This sweet little boy enjoys being held by his foster mother and tries to say “I love you.” He has mild cognitive and language delays that may be due to cortical atrophy and resolved microcephaly. Eun-hwan has gone through physical therapy and will receive occupational therapy. He can walk alone and enjoys pulling a toy car. Anh Jaynath See more children at holtinternational.org/waitingchild Robbie Born in China, February 28, 2003 An energetic and lovable boy, Robbie will comfort other children if they cry. He is close to his caregivers and roommates, and he verbally expresses his needs and desires. Robbie speaks in simple sentences and enjoys simple jigsaw puzzles. Found on his day of birth, Robbie has anorchia of both testes, and hypospadias. Kyle Born in China, October 18, 2004 A cute little boy whose motor skills appear to be on target for his age, Kyle likes to be held and spoken to and is close to his foster family. He has cleft lip and palate and has had a surgery on his lip. Kyle has also tested positive for hepatitis C. Shravani Born in India, August 15, 2005 Shravani shows a happy disposition and is observant and curious. She has levocardia and congenital heart disease—a small atrial septal defect and a large ventricular septal defect—and has had some surgery. She can sit with support, turn over, and grasp objects but has some delays. She recognizes the familiar voices and faces of her caregivers among whom she has a favorite. Joy Born in Haiti, November 2, 1997 Joy is fun, gregarious and likes to tell jokes. She enjoys singing and dancing, often initiates activities and likes to play with the other girls in her group home. A tuberculosis skin test was positive but her x-ray came out negative, so she may only have been exposed. She is otherwise healthy. Reduced fees and a $4,000 grant from Brittany‘s Hope are available for Joy’s adoption. Phuc Born in Vietnam, January 18, 2004 Phuc lives with a foster family and likes to receive love and care. He enjoys playing soccer with other children, and he takes a bow and claps his hands after singing. Phuc tested positive for syphilis, was treated with penicillin and now has the antibody. Although Phuc is a carrier, he is said to be in good health. Shravani In Oregon many children in state foster care are waiting for adoptive homes. Agencies reduce fees for the adoption of a child in state care, and financial assistance may be available. To learn more, call the Special Needs Adoption Coalition at The Boys and Girls Aid Society at (877) 932-2734 x 2392, or DHS at (800) 331-0503. Also visit www.boysandgirlsaid.org and www. nwae.org for information and photos of waiting children. Singles and couples are encouraged to call. Angelica, age 8, and Tyler, age 9 Tyler’s quiet and sensitive nature is very appealing. He is described as a real sweetheart. Angelica’s enthusiasm and exuberance for life are contagious. She has a great deal of love to share with others. This brother and sister complement each other nicely. Regardless of their different natures, they are very close and have been through some tough times together. Tyler is devoted to sports, including basketball, swimming and bike riding. Angelica likes to draw or swim, as well as attempt new and daring feats on the trampoline. Ricky Kyle Robbie Oregon Waiting Child Joy In school, both children are behind grade level but are steadily progressing with the help of stable school and home environments. They are quite pleased and proud of their advancements. Tyler and Angelica will need adoptive parents who can help each child to face their emotions more effectively. Parents must also Phuc be completely convincing in their efforts to demonstrate a permanent commitment to these wonderful children. www.holtinternational.org 15 from the family Life Triumphs His mother calls her little boy “one of Holt’s miracles.” But Chad’s own fighting spirit, South Korea’s great medical care and many dedicated people all helped bring him home to a permanent, loving family. by Susan Klein— Hospers, IA Above left: Chad Klein at age 5. Center: Chad at 5 with siblings Brett, 8; Cari, 6; Dane, 7; and Courtney, 10 . Right: As he appeared in the Sept/Oct 2002 issue of Hi Families magazine. J Just over five years ago, I picked up my 1-year-old daughter in Seoul, South Korea, and unknowingly, left my 2-month-old little boy fighting for his life in a hospital in the very same city. Our son is one of Holt’s miracles. He was born early, his esophagus a dead end with a little hole leading to his windpipe. He could not eat. He could not even safely swallow. Statistically he shouldn’t have lived. Without the extensive medical care he received in Korea, he wouldn’t have. Chad was first featured in Hi Families magazine in the Sept/Oct 2002 issue. What a sad little boy he appeared to be, with such a long list of problems. After many months of prayer and a successful surgery for our daughter, we answered God’s call to adopt little Kun-hee. Two and a half years after his homecoming he’s still a little boy, but he’s not sad anymore. When Chad came he couldn’t run around our sofa without being winded. He didn’t know how to eat solid food and wouldn’t try. Every night when he was in bed he vomited at least once, and sometimes three or four times. He coughed constantly. He was 3 years old and weighed only 23 pounds. He didn’t understand a word we said and couldn’t communicate many of his needs to us. And, he was scared. This fall Chad will start kindergarten. He can run around our house three or four times trying to keep up with his older siblings’ games. He laughs while he’s running. He eats well, especially when his oldest sister encourages him to try something new. He hasn’t vomited in a long time. He still coughs occasionally, and the doctors say he always will. But he doesn’t cough for attention anymore. With the help of hearing aids he can now hear almost everything we say and is starting to speak in complete sentences. He understands at least 98 percent of English now. He’s 5 years 16 Fall 2006 old and only 27 pounds, but he’s the closest example I’ve ever seen of perpetual motion! Throughout the two and a half years he’s been with us we’ve taken him to a urologist, cardiologist, plastic surgeon, gastroenterologist, pediatric surgeon, pulmonologist, ear, nose and throat specialists and an audiologist. When I tell him we’re going to his doctor he asks, “Which one?” He likes them all. His heart problems have resolved themselves; we’ve been released from the cardiologist’s care. His urinary tract problems have been corrected. His hearing loss has been identified and is being monitored. He will probably forever be in the care of a gastroenterologist and pulmonologist, but those conditions are being managed. He takes three pills, uses an inhaler twice, a nebulizer once and respiratory vest treatment twice every day. He can’t lie down for one and a half hours after he eats because he has severe acid reflux disease. One day he might be able to have surgery to correct that, but he needs time to grow and heal from the surgeries that saved his life in Korea. Without those surgeries and the Korean medical staff that cared so much for him, he would not have survived. When I went to get Chad in Seoul, I visited the hospital to meet the staff that cared for him. Although I couldn’t understand the language, I could see how many people Chad had wrapped around his very tiny finger in that hospital! What a tribute to Holt Children’s Services of Korea and the hospital staff. Chad has a wonderful future ahead of him. He’s a bright little boy who is a survivor. God has an unimaginable plan for his life and we are honored to be a part of that plan. We sincerely appreciate Holt for being God’s arms holding our little boy when we didn’t even know him. ■ Copyright 2006 by Susan Klein A Tale of Creativity and Courage Despite grave illness, a 10-year-old adoptee from China continues to create fantastic stories of adventure that encourage others to come into the light. Like the characters in her stories, Kara Siert has a battle to fight. Adopted through Holt as an infant from Mother’s Love Orphanage in Nanning, China, the 9-year-old was in the midst of a prolific writing spree when her parents, Linda and Ward, moved the family to England last summer. Her father, an RN on active duty with the Air Force, is a member of the 48th Medical Operations Squadron stationed at RAF Lakenheath. Kara was writing about her own imaginary land of Cunburra where the Great Buffalo King helps horses battle the Evil Lady of the Sea. She was writing about Nancy, who adopts animals and receives the aid of snakes in the evil place of Closed Door Land. She was writing about love and forgiveness and a personal relationship with God. Meanwhile, Kara’s right arm was hurting, and although she told herself it was growing pains, somehow she knew it was something more. Not just a bruise. Not just a muscle ache. Finally, the pain got so intense her parents took her to the medical clinic. An X-ray revealed a massive tumor. Seven weeks later, the results of a biopsy gave the awful diagnosis of bone cancer. Soon chemotherapy began and she was too sick to write anymore. Now 10, she’s had part of her upper arm bone replaced by a titanium rod. She’s been through 10 months of rigorous chemotherapy. She’s lost her hair. Furthermore, she is already the published author of a book, Tales of Cunburra and Other Stories, an impressive 237 pages of fantasy and faith, which can be purchased through the Kara Siert, 10, holds a copy of her book. Holt website using amazon.com (www. holtinternational.org/shopping/). With the help of the children’s charity Dreams Come True and Arima Publishing, Kara’s dream to become published was realized. Thanks to her parents, her doctors and her own indomitable spirit, she is writing again. Kara has struggled with nausea and weight loss from the chemotherapy. Due to the tendons in her shoulder being removed, she can no longer raise her upper arm by itself. She can never again lift anything heavy. She must now contend with heart damage from one of the drugs used to treat her cancer. As she battles her way through a baffling land of obstacles with the God-given gift of imagination and faith, Kara Siert has become a heroine in her own drama—and is proving to be an inspiration to others. ■ But Kara, who looks at life from the bright side, has much to be thankful for. Her cancer is responding to treatment. Devoted to the Children A Portland real estate broker donates 15% of sales to find families for children. Larry Blackmar was managing a national sales network in sports marketing when he and his also busy wife, Tracy Barry, a prominent television journalist, decided to adopt a little girl from China. A few years later, they adopted another. Meanwhile, Larry went looking for a career that would allow him more time at home with his young family. He found one in Portland, Oregon’s booming real estate market. It wasn’t long before Larry began committing 15 percent of his real estate commissions every year to Holt International, a move that he calls a “combination of my passion for my family, my community and a job I enjoy every day.” Every year, Tracy and Larry help make Holt’s Portland Auction a huge success, donating countless hours to the cause of helping children find families. “Through Holt International’s help we experienced firsthand the thrill of bringing two beautiful girls into our home,“ says Larry. “We also experienced firsthand the dramatic need for more adoptive parents and foster care programs to care for so many more children.” “Larry and Tracy Larry Blackmar and Tracy Barry with daughters Ali and Grace. are very plugged in,” says Phil Littleton, Holt’s Vice President of Marketing and Development. “They offer a different angle of the way a family stays connected to Holt.” ■ You can learn more about what Larry is doing through his website—LarryBlackmar.com—which links directly to the Holt website. www.holtinternational.org 17 CONGRATULATIONS! Holt’s 2006 Graduates Aderman, Anne Alves, Kimberly Ambridge, Susan Ambroson, Mariel Bauer, Angela Andersen, Brigida Andrews, Michael Armstrong, Daniel Augustin, Timothy Baedke, Daniel Bell, Stacy Bernard, David Bing, Jae Boyd, Alaynia Boyd, Alexis Aderman, Anne—Colorado Springs, CO; Music Merit Scholarship recipient, Dean’s List, B.M. in violin performance, University of Illinois. Plans to enter a music master’s program. (Korea) Alves, Kimberly—Santa Clara, CA; Jumping for Joy competitive jumprope team, marching band, Patrick S. Gilmore Music Award, Marching Band drum major. Plans to major in special education at San Jose State University in San Jose, CA. (Korea) Ambridge, Susan—Bel Air, MD; Phi Sigma Pi, Alpha Kappa Delta, Dean’s List, BA in Criminal Justice from University of Delaware. Plans to attend graduate school and pursue a law enforcement career. (Korea) Ambroson, Mariel—Asotin, WA; NHS; Junior Miss Most Inspirational; FFA treasurer; FBLA president; class vice president; basketball and volleyball team captain; Departmental Scholar. Plans to major in administration of justice at Skagit Valley College, Mt. Vernon, WA. (India) Andersen, Brigida—Papillion, NE; Student Ambassador, Dance Team, Dance Team Captain, Operation Other. Plans to major in fashion merchandising at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. (Korea) Andrews, Michael—Fayetteville, GA; Graduated from Fayette County High School. Plans to attend Gordon College in Barnesville, GA. (India) Armstrong, Daniel—Evansville, IN; Varsity soccer, soccer scholarship, Honorable Mention All-State, 18 Fall 2006 Sectional Champs 3 years, high school police officer. Plans to study criminal justice at Oakland City University in Oakland City, IN. (Korea) Augustin, Timothy—Muskegon, MI Summa; Cum Laude, B.S. in engineering from University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Accepted into a master’s program at University of Michigan. (Korea) Baedke, Daniel—Sioux Falls, SD; Band, chorus, show choir, jazz band, State Honor Choir, Regional Honor’s Choir, All-State Choir, Student of the Year. Plans to study engineering at South Dakota State University in Brookings. (Korea) Bauer, Angela—Madison, PA; NHS, Student Coun- cil, CAP/SADD, FCA, Art Club, Choraliers, Soccer, Honors Choir, County Chorus, school musical, piano. Plans to major in music education at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, PA. (India) Buckley, Christian Boyd, Alaynia—Mapleton, UT; NHS, graduated with Honors; Young Woman Recognition Award. Plans to major in elementary education at Utah Valley Sate College in Orem, UT. (Korea) Boyd, Alexis—Mapleton, UT; NHS, graduated with Honors; Young Woman Recognition Award. Plans to major in home and family living at Utah Valley State College in Orem, UT. (Korea) Buckley, Christian—Omaha, NE; Motherland Tour 2006. Plans to attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. (Korea) Camp, James “Ted”—Cedar Rapids, IA; Student conductor and cello in school orchestra, Orchestra President, Honor Roll, Above and Beyond Award. Plans to major in business at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. (Korea) Bell, Stacy—Seattle, WA; B.A. in English literature Carland, Thomas—Sioux Falls, SD; Sioux Falls Flyers Varsity Hockey. Plans to attend the South Dakota Culinary Arts Academy in Sioux Falls. (Korea) Bernard, David—Mercerville, NJ; FBA, intermural Castle, Marisha—Murrieta, CA; Advanced drama, chamber choir, Drama Club Event Coordinator. Plans to major in musical theatre at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. (Korea) with a minor in sociology from Seattle University in Seattle, WA. Plans to get a job in publishing or with a magazine. (Korea) basketball and football, B.S. in business management and human resource management at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. (Korea) Bing, Jae—Pinedale, WY; Alpine skiing, track, NHS. Plans to study business law at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. (Korea) Caudill, Sarah—Lexington, KY; KMEA State Marching Band Champions, field hockey, Beta Club, Honor Roll, Caring for Kids, Wind Ensemble. Plans to study communication disorders at Murray State University in Murray, KY. (Korea) Camp, Ted Carland, Thomas Castle, Marisha Caudill, Sarah Childs, Zachary Clemens, Kim Cody, Halley Costello, Chris Cowsky, McKenzie Cummings, Kimi Dederer, Anne Delatour, Michael Durant, Ellen Euken, Daniel Falcone, Timothy Fantegrossi, Rabin Foster, Patrick Frey, Steven Euken, Daniel—Kaneohe, HI; Volleyball, school mascot, choir, ministry team. Plans to major in computer science at Honolulu Community College. (Philippines) Gage, Antony Gardner, Catherine Childs, Zachary—Central Point, OR; Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Oregon with a minor in business administration. Working toward an architectural license as an intern architect with Fletcher Farr Ayotte Inc. in Portland, OR. (Korea) Clemens, Kim—Baltimore, MD; Art Honor Society, Math Honor Society. Plans to attend McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. (Korea) Cody, Halley—Seattle, WA; Three-time award win- ning vocal ensemble at Holy Names Academy, Seattle Youth Symphony, Seattle Conservatory, Seattle Young Artist’s Music Festival. Plans to attend Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA. (Korea) Costello, Chris—Richmond, KY; NHS, Junior Clas- sical League, Y Club, Kentucky Governor’s Scholar, Commonwealth Diploma, soccer team, tennis team. Plans to major in civil engineering at the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. (Korea) Cowsky, McKenzie—Ashland, NE; Cheerleading captain, softball captain, Student Council, Holt Gish, Andrew Gourley, Emily Adoptee Camp Counselor 2006. Plans to major in nursing at Hastings College in Hastings, NE. (Korea) Cummings, Kimi—Pocatello, ID; All Northwest & All State Choirs, academic highest honors, NHS, DAR Good Citizen Award. Plans to major in business marketing at Concordia University in Irvine, CA. (Korea) Dederer, Anne—Reno, NV; Nevada High School Scholars Award, Academic Letter Award and Varsity Tennis Letter. Plans to major in biological sciences at the University of California at Davis. (Korea) Delatour, Michael—Berkeley Hts, NJ; Manager, basketball and baseball teams. Works at a local hospital. (Korea) Durant, Ellen—Garland, TX; Fifth in class, varsity volleyball and soccer, NHS, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta. Plans to major in industrial engineering at Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX. (Philippines) Falcone, Timothy—Southampton, NJ; Full Merit Scholarship; National Merit Commended Scholar; New Jersey Bloustein Scholar recipient; Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. Plans to attend The College of New Jersey in Ewing, NJ. (Korea) Fantegrossi, Rabin (Ben)—Windham, NH; High Honors for Studies; Homeland Visit to Thailand at age 12; enjoys woodworking, psychology and paintball. Plans to attend the University of New Hampshire in Durham. (Thailand) Foster, Patrick—Brewster, NY; Yearbook Committee, Safe School Ambassador, Chamber of Commerce and United Methodist scholarships, Principal’s Award, Holt Camp counselor 2005. Plans to major in computer animation at Pratt at MunsonWilliams-Proctor in Utica, NY. (Thailand) Frey, Steven—Dayton, NJ; National Honors Art Society, Anime Club, soccer. Plans to major in animation at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. (Korea) Gage, Antony—Carmichael, CA; Received a Cer- tificate of Completion in Independent Living Skills. Currently attends Orange Grove Adult School in Sacramento, CA. (Costa Rica) www.holtinternational.org 19 graduates Hahn, Alexis Henes, John Hirakawa, Patrick Hull, Jackson Ihms, Tida Kidwell, Brittany Koons, Emily Lee, Bethany Lemmon, Kevin Lepping, William Lufkin, Alana Malone, Alex Marksch, Rebecca Marriott, Paul Mattix, Mitchell McCroskey, Nyla Mendel, Marissa Mickle, Kori Gardner, Catherine—Ottumwa, IA; NHS, speech and debate teams, tennis, show choir, National Forensic League, National High School Orchestra Award, Ottumwa Community Symphony, co-editor of high school paper. Plans to major in international relations at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. (Korea) to travel to Japan in November, and then attend a community college in Honolulu. (Korea) Gish, Andrew—Owensboro, KY; Valedictorian, Trustee’s Scholarship—Hallmark Award, Owensboro Rotary Club Scholarship; soccer, swimming, karate and academic awards. Plans to study engineering at the University of Louisville in the Honors Program. (Korea) Court, lab assistant, yearbook, 4H. Plans to major in communication and ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN. (Thailand) Gourley, Emily—Springfield, OR; Peer Group Lead- er; mat girl, wrestling; photo editor, school newsletter. Plans to major in elementary education at Lane Community College in Eugene, OR. (Korea) Hahn, Alexis—West Des Moines, IA; Concert and Symphony Band letters, Marching Band squad leader, Flute Solo 1 and Piano 1 state ratings, academic awards and volunteer community service awards. Plans to attend the University of Iowa in Iowa City. (Korea) Henes, John—Creighton, NE; Band, jazz band, vocal music, swing choir, football, cross country, wrestling—state qualifier, track, school record 4 X 100 relay. Enlisted in Army Reserves and plans to major in criminal justice at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. (Korea) Hirakawa, Patrick—Mililani, HI; JV & Varsity bowling teams, first and second trumpet, band. Plans 20 Fall 2006 Hull, Jackson—Laramie, WY; Multicultural Group, Student Achiever Award, Homecoming royalty. Undecided. (Korea) Ihms, Tida—Russiaville, IN; Volleyball Queen of the Kidwell, Brittany—Bloomfield, KY; First in class, UK Singletary Scholarship, Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship, NHS, Dance Team Academic Award, Better Business Bureau Ethics in Action Scholarship. Plans to attend the University of Kentucky in Lexington. (Korea) Koons, Emily—Auburn, CA; Selected by faculty as outstanding young woman in graduating class; JV volleyball, basketball & soccer; varsity tennis; choir, northern California Regional Honor Choir. Plans to major in science at the University of California at San Diego. (Korea) Lee, Bethany—Kennewick, WA; B.A. in communication journalism and comparative ethnic studies from Washington State University. Works as a writer in the Interactive Media Department at the Tri-City Herald. (Korea) Lemmon, Kevin—Allen, TX; Band, trombone; NHS. Plans to major in engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. (Korea) Lepping, William—Louisville, KY; JV wrestling letter, honorable mention 2006 High School Journalism Contest, certificate of recognition for Congressional Art Contest. Plans to major in psychology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. (Korea) Lufkin, Alana Trupti—Gardiner, ME; Student Council classroom rep, Drama Club assistant for younger grades, volunteer for Children’s Miracle Network and Make-a-Wish. Plans to major in child psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington. (India) Malone, Alex—Arlington, TN; Provost Scholarship, Hope Scholarship, Honors Scholarship, Wright Medical Scholarship, Student Council, Mock Trial Team Captain, Soccer Team Captain. Plans to major in philosophy and business administration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. (Korea) Marksch, Rebecca—Tucson, AZ; Graduated Dec. 2005 with a “top graduate” award in systems engineering from the University of Arizona. Enjoys the outdoors and volleyball. Works as a systems engineer in New Hampshire. Marriott, Paul—Indianola, IA; Drama, Thespian Honor Society, Eagle Scout, Special Olympics in bowling, basketball and track. Plans to work. (Thailand) Mattix, Mitchell—Shawnee, KS; SADD & STAND copresident, hockey, runner-up Homecoming King. Plans to major in radio & TV production at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. (Korea) Graduating on Time with Her Class While fighting to meet multiple healthcare challenges, an adoptee from India developed a passion for helping children worse off than she was. My husband was at work when the agency called to say they had a file on a child for us to look at. I dropped everything and went to the Holt office to find out more about her. When I looked at her photograph, my heart connected immediately. What wisdom I saw in her one good eye. The other, blind and opaque, did not put me off. She had a scowl on her face showing her disapproval of being made to pose. I got the impression from the social worker that other families had turned down Trupti’s file before it was sent to us. What a loss for them and a blessing for us. Twice my husband and I were given dates for Trupti’s arrival that were later cancelled by the American Embassy in India. Finally papers had to be faxed through our Senator’s office stating that Ken and I would accept, keep and care for this “severely developmentally delayed” child. Five minutes after Alana Trupti was placed in my arms I turned to Ken and proclaimed, “She is not delayed. She is very stubborn.” Alana Trupti has proven me right every day since. Stubborn, determined, headstrong, and independent with abundant self-confidence are not always easy traits from a parent’s perspective, but there is no doubt in my mind that our daughter flourished from them and is alive today because of them. She thrived in every way for eight years—top of her class, a natural leader and healthy. But Ken and I noticed she was not growing, even though she was having what appeared to be growing pains. Her legs ached; she needed more sleep and was losing weight. Always the smallest in her class, she was falling even more behind in size. Her health rapidly declined. We started looking into more specialized medical help. After many doctors’ visits, tests, medications and numerous devastating blood draws, Trupti was diagnosed with Crohn’s/ ulcerative colitis. For three years we managed to treat her at home through diet, medications and procedures we were taught. After three years we knew we were losing ground. Trupti had not grown in that time, and she was now anemic and malnourished. We spent the next five years in and out of the hospital—sometimes for months at a time—while Trupti underwent six major operations and many smaller procedures. Alana Trupti Lufkin may have been stubborn, but she was not severely developmentally delayed, as early reports described her. Her stubborn determination worked to good purpose as she fought severe health problems but still managed to graduate on time. Now, she is heading off to college determined to make a difference in the lives of children who need help. Trupti always understood there were children worse off than she was, and she spent a great deal of time helping them. She still volunteers for Children’s Miracle Network and Make-a-Wish today, and she is heading off to the University of Maine with plans to major in child psychology. Stubborn determination served Alana Trupti well through her 80 hospital visits. At first we tried to tell her that the doctors knew what they were doing, and she should listen to them. But we soon realized that her way was better for her. Not once did she sit back and let decisions be made for her. She questioned everything. Her healthcare workers all loved her and admitted they admired her determination and enthusiasm for life. She has been in control of every aspect of her life. She puts her trust in God but has no problem in trusting in her own abilities either. Trupti is her own best advocate. She is just over 4½ feet tall, but I have never seen her be intimidated by anyone in 18 years. Despite missing all of 5th grade and months of grades 6 through 10, Trupti will be graduating on time with her class. My husband and I are certain that our faith in God gave us the daughter we were meant to have, and we have cherished every day with her. —By Donna Lufkin/ Gardiner, Maine www.holtinternational.org 21 graduates Miller, Bethany Miller, Katie Neahring, Mario Newcomb, Todd Nickerson, Abby Novak, Christina Osler, Gus Peck, Diane Pounds, Katie Reid, Daniel Reid, Nicole Rieck, Jared Roberts, Michael Roehrig, Emily Satterfield, Daniel Sauser, Steven Scanlan, Shawn Scheer, Marcus International University in San Diego. Plans to be an elementary teacher. (Korea) Miller, Bethany—Vista, CA; Pep Club, choir. Plans to attend Palomar Community College in San Marcos, CA. (Korea) Slater, Autumn Smithson, Benjamin Miller, Katie—Freeman, SD; Chamber choir, concert choir, First Assembly Youth, team manager girls varsity basketball & volleyball. Plans to major in business & office systems at Southeast Technical School in Sioux Falls, SD. (Philippines) Neahring, Mario—Nehalem, OR; Civil Air Patrol, church worship team, Manzanita Volunteer Fire Dept., Teen Missions. Plans to enlist in the Air National Guard or U.S. Air Force. (Philippines) Spencer, Crystal Teater, Scott McCroskey, Nyla—Pitman, NJ; Choir, soccer, Media Award, Music Award. Plans to major in culinary arts at the Atlantic Cape Culinary Institute in Mays Landing, NJ. (Korea) Mendel, Marissa—Gahanna, OH; B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, newspaper, photo club, Ohio honors diploma. Plans to major in fashion merchandising at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. (Korea) Mickle, Kori—San Diego, CA; Worked 40 hours a week while earning a BA in sociology from Alliant 22 Fall 2006 Newcomb, Todd—Oologah, OK; NHS, Student Council, band, basketball, tennis, drama, speech & debate, Business Professionals of America, Who’s Who, National Forensic League, Academic AllAmerican, mission trips. Plans to major in business at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. (Korea) Nickerson, Abby—State College, PA; Dance Marathon, Powder Puff Football, Power of the Paw, Katrina Effort. Plans to major in office management at South Hills School of Business and Technologies in State College, PA. (Korea) Novak, Christina—Lake Hiawatha, NJ; Dean’s List, National Dean’s List, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi, Third Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do. B.A. in English, Creative Writing from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, NJ. Plans to attend graduate school. (Korea) Osler, Gus—Rochester, MN; Soccer. Plans to at- tend Rochester Community & Technical College in Rochester, MN, then study recording/production at a college in the Twin Cities with an eye toward the music industry. (Guatemala) Peck, Diane—Sacramento, CA; Sacramento Stingrays Head Coach, water polo, swimming. BA in liberal studies from California State University in Sacramento. Plans to pursue career in recreation management or education. (Korea) Pounds, Katie—Southaven, MS; Fellowship of Christian Students, Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian athletes, basketball, volleyball, Lady Charger Award sophomore basketball and senior volleyball. Plans to major in athletic training and physical therapy at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. (Korea) Reid, Daniel—Sarasota, FL; High Honors, Bright Futures Scholarship, Broadcast Media/Film Scholarship. Plans to major in film and digital media at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. (Thailand) Reid, Nicole—Loretto, KY; Beta Club, HOSA Club, Marching Band, Honor Roll, Pep Club, WKU Scholarship. Plans to major in middle school education at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. (Korea) Summer School in Korea An adoptee visits her birth country to learn more about the culture and language, to meet her foster family and other international adoptees, and to look for her birth parents and finding place. As a transracial Korean adoptee, I believed that traveling back to South Korea for Holt-Korea’s 2006 Summer School program would be easy to handle. This would not be the first time I had come in contact with Asian culture. My adoptive father is Chinese and his mother lived with us for most of my childhood. From a young age I was immersed in Asian culture, and I also studied about my own Korean heritage. When my older adopted Korean brother went through Holt’s Summer School in 2002, I secretly counted the years until I was old enough to attend. After being selected to participate this past summer, I realized that there’s no real way to prepare oneself. Because of the many ways this experience touched me and changed me, I will never be the same. When I arrived at the dorm in Ilsan, I felt the nervous energy of coming back to my homeland melt away. Meeting 18 other transracial adoptees from around the world was surreal. I had studied the numbers before and knew that more than 150,000 children had been adopted from Korea, but never in my life had I been around so many. In addition, I had never seen so many orphans with disabilities than at the dorm where we also stayed. Although it was sad to know that they would never be adopted because of their severe status, it was inspiring to see them living a happy life at Ilsan Center. After getting past everyone’s accents—students came from Denmark, Belgium and other countries besides the United States—I began to see them as my brothers and sisters. We were all the same; it’s just that we were sent to different countries. It was a strange feeling realizing that these people understood me. They understood the sense of emptiness that most adoptees feel. And I began to understand the Korean way of seeing everyone and everything as connected. The inclusive nature of the country was undeniable and always present. As I learned about my culture firsthand through private lessons in language, cooking, Tae Kwon Do, singing and music, my experiences seemed more than anyone could ask for. When we got to meet the orphans at the office of Holt Children’s Services of Korea in Seoul, I saw ourselves in these babies as we were 20-plus years ago. Being able to hold them, see their innocent faces and hear their beautiful laughs made my heart heavy, and I wondered the same old question, Why do people put their children up for adoption? During the program I got to meet my foster mother who had taken care of me for four months. She was about my size and still looked relatively young. When she saw me, she held me in her arms and sobbed uncontrollably. In addition, I got to meet my foster father, sister, niece and nephew. Although I had to bring a translator in order to understand them, I felt a deeper connection, where we didn’t need words to express ourselves. When I ate dinner with them, they acted as if I were their own and asked me to consider them as my birth parents, because Holt and I were unable to locate them. Although I was unable to trace my birth parents, I did visit the place where I was found at 7 months of age. My finding place was in a small city in Daejeon, toward the middle of South Korea. I felt overwhelmed, and yet numb at the same time. The place seemed old and forgotten, and it was difficult for me to imagine what it looked like 20 years ago. I felt a twinge of sadness as I walked around, but part of me was happy that I was able to come back and see the place with my own eyes. It was as if I had closed one door in a chapter of my life. Bethany Lee says goodbye to Molly Holt at the completion of the HCS 2006 Summer School program for international adoptees. Being in South Korea helped me appreciate my culture and gave me an opportunity to connect in many ways not possible except firsthand. Seeing the busy streets of Seoul was completely different from my small-town upbringing. Viewing all the street markets and flashing billboards made me dizzy with delight. With hundreds of people whizzing by, I never felt like I was alone. On the opposite spectrum, seeing the southern parks of South Korea, such as Busan, was a real treat and a humbling experience. The air was different and the spacious cropland was magnificently everything I dreamed it would be. I felt as if the landscape there was sacred and preserved, allowing people to reconnect with the true beauty of nature. Throughout the program we went to temples, tombs, palaces, folk villages and more. Paying my respects at Buddhist temples allowed me to appreciate the various gods and goddesses who protect us. Especially being an adoptee, I found it nice to believe that somewhere someone is watching over us. Since returning from Korea, I have continued to develop my Korean side. Cooking Korean dishes, practicing the language and getting in touch with other Korean adoptees in my town, I have found it easier to connect with other Koreans in general. The program is over, but my journey as a person is only beginning. I will take this experience with me for the rest of my life. I no longer see myself as an orphan, but as a fortunate human being who is lucky enough to have two homes. —By Bethany Lee Kennewick, Washington The Holt Summer School, a three-week program that has met every year since 1992, is an inexpensive way for international adoptees from Korea to revisit their birthland. Although the school is operated by Holt Children’s Services of Korea, information on how to apply can be obtained through Holt International by contacting Paul Kim at paulk@ holtinternational.org www.holtinternational.org 23 graduates Therrien, Matthew Towner, Theodore Varney, Emma Voelz, Andrew Wescombe, Meghan Wicks, Graeme Widmer, Amy Williams, Lynn Witte, Mary Zava, Emily Rieck, Jared—Marion, IA; Graduated from Linn- from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Plans to be a freelance photographer. (Korea) Roberts, Michael—Louisville, KY; Chess Team; Green Belt in Kempo Karate, working toward Eagle Scout. Attends Ahrens School, which teaches job training for people with special needs. (Korea) Smithson, Benjamin—Murfreesboro, TN; NHS, Mar High School in Marion. Plans to work. (Korea) Roehrig, Emily—Louisville, KY; Student Coun- cil, Kentucky Youth Assembly, Kentucky UN Assembly, soccer, tennis, Honors Program, Senior Athlete Award. Plans to major in commercial art at Jefferson Community College in Louisville, KY. (Korea) Satterfield, Daniel—Hopkinsville, KY; Daily Princetonian sports writer/editor; Study Abroad—University of Leon; Outdoor Action leader; Tower Club, Juggling Club; ESL tutor. A.B. in Spanish and Portuguese languages and cultures from Princeton University in Princeton, NJ. Plans to attend law school at Hofstra University on Long Island, NY. (Korea) Sauser, Steven—Hammonton, NJ; Dean’s List; varsity tennis; Chi Phi Fraternity treasurer and president. B.E. with honors in civil engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. Progressing to be a professional engineer licensed by the State of New Jersey. (Korea) Scanlan, Shawn—Abilene, KS; FCA, choir, tennis, powerlifting, musical, youth group; mission trips, SEMP, Sister City representative to Minori, Japan. Plans to study psychology and youth ministry at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. (Korea) Scheer, Marcus—Cook, NE; Valedictorian, NHS, Student Council, band, jazz band, FFA, football, Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, John Phillip Sousa Award, Senior Class president, NHS president. Plans to major in photojournalism at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE. (Korea) Slater, Autumn—Toms River, NJ; Dean’s List, Cum Laude. Associate in Applied Sciences in Photography 24 Fall 2006 Renaissance Club, Beta Club, Honors graduate, Spanish Club, Campus Life, First Priority. Plans to major in mechanical engineering at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN. (Korea) Spencer, Crystal—Janesville, IA; Music and band letters; All-State Choir; NEIC Choir, Band and NEIBA Band festivals; honor choirs; high school and community theater musicals; I ratings at solo/ ensemble contests. Plans to major in vocal music performance at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. (Korea) Teater, Scott—West Burlington, IA; Eagle Scout, Marching Band field commander; Louis Armstong Jazz Award; Senior Honor Award Vocal Music Dept.; Burlington Municipal Band percussionist; NHS; FCCLA; various scholarships. Plans to major in music performance and education at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, IA, and transfer to Central College in Pella, IA. (India) Therrien, Matthew—Laupahoehoe, HI; Class president; Student Council vice president; NHS; Lion’s Honor Student; varsity football, golf and wrestling; forensics gold medalist; drama; mock trial. Plans to major in political science and the biological aspects of conservation at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. (Thailand) Towner, Theodore—Cape Girardeau, MO; NHS; Cape Central Band, marching jazz, concert; poetry award; baseball scorekeeper. Plans to attend Beloit College in Beloit, WS. (Korea) Varney, Emma—Naples, FL; Honor roll, cross country and track teams. Plans to major in computer sciences at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. (Hong Kong) Vert, Suzanne—Atascadero, CA; B.S. in neurobiology, physiology and behavior from the University of California, Davis. No photo available. (Korea) West, Justin Voelz, Andrew—Paris, IL; (2005 graduate), basketball team four years. B.A. in communications & marketing from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. Plans to work in athletics marketing in the business world. (Thailand) Wescombe, Meghan—Spokane, WA; NHS, March- ing Band, Wind Ensemble, ASB, top 5 percent of graduating class. Plans to attend Whitworth College in Spokane, WA. (India) West, Justin—Spring Lake, NJ; Soccer, martial arts, Honor Roll, CYO basketball. Plans to major in criminal justice at Monmouth University at West Long Branch, NJ. (Korea) Wicks, Graeme—Prospect, KY; NHS, Beta Club, Who’s Who, Commonwealth Honors Academy Science Olympiad medalist, wrestling, soccer, graduated with honors. Plans to study polymer and fiber engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. (Korea) Widmer, Amy Jo—Tillamook, OR; Valedictorian, NHS, Who’s Who, band, basketball, track, student government, church leadership. Plans to major in elementary education at George Fox University in Newberg, OR. ( Korea) Williams, Lynn—Urbandale, IA; Second Grade Teacher Mentor Program, church mission trips, Art Fair exhibitor. Plans to major in esthetics at La James International College in Des Moines, IA. (Korea) Witte, Mary Lynn—Cherry Hill, NJ; Summa Cum Laude, 4.0, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Drexel University President’s Award. B.S. in business administration from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Works at J.P. Morgan in finance and banking. (Korea) Zava, Emily—Germantown, TN; French Honor Society, Beta Club, Key Club, coach for church volleyball league. Plans to attend the University of Memphis Honor’s Program in Memphis, TN. (Korea) 2007 Holt Heritage Tours Places in the heart connection :: culture :: experience :: engage Heritage Tours for adoptees and their families China Family Tours Contact Angela Burke, China Program | (541) 687-2202 | [email protected] Korea Motherland Tour | Korea Family Tour Contact Paul Kim, Korea Program | (541) 687-2202 | [email protected] holtinternational.org/tours First Day of Kindergarten By embracing life’s many unknowns, a feisty 5-year-old inspires her mom to try harder. Today was my daughter’s first day of kindergarten, and with a kiss and a wave she was off. There was just a moment when it appeared she wouldn’t make it without a push. Her older brothers clung to me on their first day of school, but Fern’s hesitation came only because the weight of her backpack imbalanced her, causing her to waver precariously on the steps of the bus. Before I could react she regained her balance and continued to climb aboard. I caught a last glimpse of her—safely seated and looking triumphant—and then the bus rushed off. Until then I didn’t realize I had been crying. But the gust of wind from the bus chilled tears on my face even on a hot August morning in Atlanta, and gave me away. The tears were not of sadness, but only because her courage so vividly reminded me of our first meeting 2½ years ago in Thailand. On that day, my husband and I sat on the floor of a Bangkok hotel reception room and waited. I felt so nervous I was sick to my stomach. Finally she appeared in the doorway, impossibly tiny for a 3year-old child. She hesitated only while her social worker spoke to her. Then she crossed the room to meet us, alone and with her head held high. We later learned that what she lacked in stature she made up for in feistiness. Thais have a name for petite girls who are mighty. They call them Lek Prikki Nu, which means little red hot pepper. Lek Prikki Nu describes my daughter perfectly. Her personality is a gift that has served her well, both when she left everything she ever knew and everyone she ever loved to cross that hotel room in Bangkok, and again this morning when she climbed aboard the school bus. She is my hero, and I am privileged to call her my daughter. This morning, I dried my tears and drove to the college campus where I will begin taking classes for the first time in 20 years. I have been nervous about this midlife career change I am working toward, but because of my daughter‘s example, I feel inspired to at least try. —Laura Tribou/ Atlanta, Georgia Fern Tribou waits to board the bus on her first day of school. www.holtinternational.org 25 adopting A Difficult Question When Adopting a Child What special needs will you consider? by Patricia Gillule— Smithboro, New York Patricia Gillule has taught special education for the past 21 years. She is the mother of four children, including two biological sons and two daughters from China and Korea, both adopted through Holt. W When I was first asked this question while filling out paperwork that led to the adoption of our daughter Anna from Korea, I pondered my answer for days. I had given birth to two healthy boys after uneventful pregnancies and never before thought about this possibility seriously. Now confronted, I couldn’t decide if the question was a blessing or a curse. If this baby were growing in my womb, I would accept her unconditionally regardless of any special needs she presented. It was hard to admit to myself that when given the choice through adoption, I might make different decisions. I felt guilty admitting that some children might not fit well into our family, and it was up to my husband and me to pick and choose. Both of us are special education teachers comfortable being with differently abled kids. Why couldn’t we accept and love all children enough to fit them into our family? Finding the right answer forced us to put our lives under a microscope and make an honest assessment of ourselves as parents. Ultimately, we opted to say “no” to many of the special needs on the list. We felt that bringing home a healthy baby was the best decision for us as a family. A few years later, we made a different choice and adopted an older child with special needs. The timing was everything. What does “special needs” mean? Above left: Leah at age 4, while still in care in China. Above right: Leah at home at age 6. Opposite page, bottom: Leah, 6, and Anna, 7, cuddle on a rock while enjoying Niagara Falls. Opposite, top: Leah in an early photo taken in China. You can request a Waiting Child Packet either by calling the Waiting Child Program at (541)687-2202 or through our website: www. holtinternational. org/waitingchild 26 Fall 2006 The term may conjure a fear of the unknown or worries that a child may need more than parents believe they can give. Often “special needs” is considered to be synonymous with a child who is more challenging to raise, or even more difficult to love. But “special needs” is a broad term. If you only consider adopting a child without special needs, you may prevent your family from receiving the wonderful blessing that a differently abled child will bring into your lives. The key is to make an informed choice that works well for your entire family. The definition of “special needs” varies by country. A number of conditions viewed as disabilities in other regions of the world are not real issues of concern in the United States. Many disabilities are fully correctable or require minimal management on the part of parents. Children with special needs generally thrive after they are settled into their new loving families. What’s it like to parent a child with special needs? When we decided to adopt our fourth child, we opted to look specifically for an older child with special needs. Our youngest daughter, Leah, came home from China a month before her fifth birthday. We found her on Holt’s Waiting Child Photolisting. Immediately drawn to her smile and description, we requested more information. Although Leah was considered to be significantly delayed by China’s stan- dards, we were encouraged by her reports. Holt sent a thick file of medical and developmental information, with pictures of Leah that chronicled her life from infancy through age 4. From those photos we learned that she was dressed in multiple thick layers to stay warm during the cold winters in her unheated foster home. Most likely she could not bend her knees or elbows while wearing them. She also appeared to have some bowing of the legs (perhaps due to nutritional deficiencies early in life). No wonder she didn’t walk until late and had some early motor delays! We also discovered that her “cognitive delays” were diagnosed as a result of one test given on the same day the doctors evaluated her physical growth. Apparently she was stubborn and would not cooperate with the examiner. Consider the fact that she was driven two hours from her home to a hospital, and then put through a battery of physical exams, X-rays, bloodwork, and a developmental IQ test, all on the same day. That’s a lot to handle for an adult, let alone a 2-year-old child! Ultimately, my husband and I asked ourselves one question: If Leah arrived with the capacity to perform exactly the skills and abilities that we saw in her records and no more, would she be a good fit for our family? The answer was an easy yes, so we moved forward with enthusiasm and anticipation. We knew it was a leap of faith, as some of her symptoms were potential indicators of an undiagnosed syndrome, a pituitary tumor, or a learning disability. But we saw enough positives to feel confident in what she could do. We completed the necessary steps and made arrangements to adopt her. When Leah first came home, she looked and acted more like a 2-year-old. Almost 5, she weighed in at only 27 pounds and was 34 inches tall. During her first night home, she appeared uncoordinated and needed help climbing the stairs. In those early weeks, she wanted warm milk in a sippy cup, rocking, Barney videos and toddler toys, and she wet the bed nightly. She had meltdowns at bedtime, grieving for her foster family. A few times she asked to be fed like a baby, as she had seen her “China mommy” do with her infant foster sister in her Chinese home. We fed, cuddled and coddled her, knowing these behaviors would be short-lived. Her requests were her way of placing us in the role of her primary caregivers—and they paved the way for her to accept us as her loving parents. We treated her much like a young baby, not expecting anything in return. Her attachment to us was that young. We could see in Leah an intelligent little girl with unlimited potential to grow once she felt safe and secure. Within two months, Leah was acting like most other 5-year-olds in every area but language and emotional bonding—two areas which were still progressing well and emerging nicely. Leah is now in first grade. She has no cognitive delays—in fact, she is reading at grade level and counted to over 1,000 in her kindergarten class last spring. She is learning English and needs only minimal help in this area. Her physical growth continues to be slow, due to an abnormally small pituitary gland and subclinical hypothyroidism. She is doing well on daily growth hormone shots and thyroid medication that we give her, and she takes them like a pro. She is short in stature and may always be so, but she’s big in humor and charm. Her needs required a few environmental adaptations and a bit “more” at times—more attention, more patience and more understanding. So, are we glad we opted to say “yes” to adopting a child with special needs? One issue cropped up that we did not expect. We didn’t expect to be privy to daily miracles. Miracles such as seeing Leah’s face light up when she was finally tall enough to turn on the light switch by herself. Wonders such as watching her delight in her first Christmas, observing her joy at finally outgrowing a pair of shoes, and experiencing that first spontaneous “I love you Mommy” that she whispered in my ear one night five months after coming home. These were unexpected gifts of grace. Every day we thank God for bringing Leah into our lives—and we think about how much we would have missed if we had said “no” to her due to her special needs. With differently abled kids, sometimes the work is more intense, but the end results are so very worth it. ■ Tips to Help Guide Your Decision • Consider the type of child who would best fit into your current life, including age range, gender and levels of ability. If you already have children, get their input. Some kids, for example, may be fine with changing the birth order, while others may not. • Learn about special needs from both medical and parental perspectives. Get a feeling for what it’s really like to live with a child who has the challenges you are considering. Search for helpful organizations and parent bulletin boards. Ask questions–people are generally happy to help you. The Holt Forum is one such resource. • Read up on attachment and bonding. These are critical issues and are a “special need” for all children, particularly for those who join their families through adoption. • Recognize that “special needs” exist on a continuum. Our society labels differences at specific levels of severity, and we have developed standard criteria to better serve children educationally and medically. In day-to-day life, however, the line dividing handicapped and nonhandicapped is not so well defined. Plenty of people with challenges meet and exceed expectations. Research the label that has been placed on the child, but see the individual who is wearing it. The term “special needs” is somewhat subjective, and degrees of neediness exist within each disability category. A child who is visually impaired may have an easily correctable condition or have only light perception. • Ask your agency about cultural differences that may affect development. For example, babies in Korea are often held and not given much “floor time.” As a result, they may be slower to reach the early milestones of rolling over and sitting up. • There is no “perfect” child. Parenting does not come with a guarantee for continued health. One of our biological boys developed allergies and another was diagnosed with a transient tic disorder. Would I have said “yes” to a tic disorder? Probably not. Would I now, having lived through the issue? Absolutely! • Keep an open mind and heart for new possibilities and blessings. Recently I met a 6-year-old adoptee who was missing both legs and had a hand difference. These issues were not something I said “yes” to on my form for Anna, but after meeting this boy, I walked away a changed person. Enjoying his spunky personality, seeing him navigate hills and stairs on prosthetic legs, and hearing from his mother how he independently puts them on gave me a new perspective. Parenting this child would be a delight. • Check out your medical coverage. Sadly, this can be a deciding factor in what special needs you can accept. We were initially open to children with hearing impairments–until I called our insurance company. I was shocked to learn that while they would pay for speech evaluations and therapy, they would not cover hearing aides. • If you work outside the home and do not have many family sick days, adopting a child needing frequent hospitalizations could be hard. • Although public schools are required to educate children with disabilities, some do a better job than others. Speak with parents, call the director of special education, or check school websites to see the range of services offered. Get a feel for how differently abled children are accepted into the educational environment. If appropriate services aren’t in place, you may need to advocate for change. www.holtinternational.org 27 adoptees today Seeing My Beauty in Asian Form On a quest for self knowledge, a young Korean adoptee who grew up in America’s heartland finds a piece of what she’s looking for—at a nightclub in LA’s Koreatown. N by Amy Jin Schmelzer Never underestimate the power of your intentions. You always seem to get just what you ask for. Koreatown… but, as always, I was intrigued and had to have an experiential taste all my own. I was traveling the West Coast on synchronicity in 2004. No real plan, no real objective, other than to travel without as I traveled within and, I hoped, gain some clarity and self-knowledge. As good fortune would have it, Jay’s friend, Ben, was at the Velvet Room. Ben was apparently known as the “mayor” of Koreatown. After Jay explained to Ben that he was showing me around, an Iowan adoptee in LA, Jay then turned to me and said that Ben could get us into the Velvet Room. I was grateful for this opportunity but knew I was on the fringe—halfdressed enough to get into the club, but also dressed like I could hit the nearest yoga shala, if I wanted to. I had been on Mt. Shasta practicing yoga one day—something that gave me vast revelations in flashes and floods—when I broke down crying… so hard that I had to sit down on my mat and take the time to sob… just long enough to hear the words in my head, “I want to see my beauty in an Asian form.” Now, having been a product of the Heartland of America, adopted at the age of 5 months old, and gently (or not so gently) placed by Fate’s hand into the cornfields of Iowa, I had a desire to know myself deeply on every level. Above and top: Amy Jin grew up in Iowa and currently lives in Overland Park, Kansas, where she models, writes, teaches yoga and works as a marketer and energy healer. 28 Fall 2006 When I traveled back to Los Angeles some months later, I was taken on a tour of the city. My Korean friend, Jay, whom I had never met in person before, took me to see the UCLA campus, introduced me to different neighborhoods, and finally, found me a sushi joint on Sunset Boulevard which, interestingly enough, was run by a Korean family. I was enamored with the art of sushi-making, but even more so with the faces I saw behind the counter. So refreshing and new was it to be among “my people.” No matter how universal I may have gotten in all my journeying, there was nothing like seeing a reflection such as theirs. Conversation ensued. One thing led to another. And before you knew it, we were talking to the owners’ sons about clubs in the infamous K-Town. I was new to all this talk about club culture and As it turned out, though, this was not a real issue. I just followed Ben and his friends into the place and took a seat with them at a secluded booth toward the back. Heck, who am I kidding? Every booth in the place seemed secluded. Made for good, nonchalant looking around. I was amazed by the cleanliness and crispness of the atmosphere. A marked trait, from what I could see, of Asian American culture in general. Shirts were neatly pressed. Every guy wore a button down. Hair spiked up just so, sleeves rolled up accordingly. Jet Li had nothing on these guys! They looked like superstars in the making! I had never seen such a fashion conscious bunch… and they all seemed to hit the mark. It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. On my first trip to the bathroom I was whisked away by the dating game called “booking,” a Korean tradition in which single ladies are seated by aggressive waiters at the tables of young, single men. I had a hard time explaining to my table what I was doing there. The guys’ friends whispered and giggled like a bunch of little school girls as the guy, half patiently, half perturbed, tried to understand why I only spoke English, had short blonde hair, and wore flip flops on my feet, as opposed to the customary high heels and miniskirt. I did not know the answers to his questions—could only share that the journey had brought me this far. Told him I was adopted and did not know why I was 5 feet, 9½ inches tall, why I had been a jock my whole life, or why I was so involved in studying their beauty, as if I were that disconnected to my own. But I was there. And I was witnessing it. And simultaneously, even as I felt the feeling of being an anomaly, I also felt the feeling of being at Home. Kind of like everywhere else that I went to in my journeying. I was beginning to get an in-body awareness of the answers to the original questions that had sent me forth journeying in the first place—“Who am I?” and “Where do I belong?” As I made my way to the bathroom at the end of the night, I stood in line among the young women waiting to use the facilities. It’s hard to remember sometimes how beautiful you are when you’re surrounded by things you don’t possess. Like certain hair or lips or small, tiny figures. But in this moment, a feeling took me over as if Quan r questions mp Director fo Ca , lb Ka 02 ext. 245 e ev contact St | 541.687.22 rg l.o na tio na nter stevek@holti Yin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion herself, was morphing into my body, and mine into hers. She looked around and smiled like soft spring rain, misting down and gently washing over all the young waiters-in-line. I wished for them the full knowledge of the beauty that I saw deep in their eyes, and more so, for the beauty that I, in that moment, experienced as my own. It was intrinsically bound to them and could not give expression without their presence but was uniquely experienced and distinctly my own, all at the same time. I can honestly say that I have not gotten enough yet of seeing my beauty within Korean culture, but I can definitely say that my prayers had been answered in those moments in the club in Koreatown. I wish for all people everywhere to see their beauty in all places, in all things, and all people. It’s a long journey Home, but we’ll get there. ■ Copyright 2006 by Amy Jin Schmelzer e ister for th g e r to p d get org/cam 2007, an national. , r 1 te 0 in . lt n o a J te. e: www.h tuition ra ter before 6 is 0 g 0 e R 2 Go onlin . e p th m optee Ca 2007 Ad How to Make Your Family More Multicultural Many Caucasian adults in America have never experienced being in the minority. In contrast, if you have adopted a child from a different race or ethnicity, your children may live with the daily experience of feeling “different.” Depending on where you live, it can sometimes seem difficult to find ways of incorporating your child’s culture into your everyday family life. But, we owe it to our children to do so. Research shows that internationally adopted children have the healthiest outcomes when aspects of their birth culture are celebrated and woven into the adoptive family’s fabric. Here are some of the ways you can do this. Take the whole family on a Holt Heritage Tour or send your child to a summer heritage camp or Holt Adoptee Camp. What about hosting an exchange student? Are there international festivals in your area? How about international student functions at a local university? Do you have friends from other racial and ethnic groups? How about visiting ethnic grocery stores, restaurants and shops? Even if you live in a rural area, there are plenty of things you can do, especially if you have access to Internet. Read books to your children about their birth cultures, subscribe to magazines. Learn some children’s games, listen to music, learn the language, watch or learn some traditional dances from your child’s country. Keep a supply of basic ingredients to make foods from the country your child is from. Bring these dishes to a potluck, or serve them when you have company. Celebrate holidays; decorate your home with items from your child’s country. Pat McConnell, MSW Holt International Director of Social Services, Korea With some forethought it is very possible to help your children feel proud of their race and culture. Personally, it’s hard to imagine a New Year’s dinner without some delicious Korean New Year’s soup. www.holtinternational.org 29 neighborhood calendar Arkansas Nebraska Oregon Dec. 9—Little Rock Holt Branch Office Open House & Quarterly Meeting RSVP for details of time/ place to (501) 568-2827 Feb. 24, 2007—Embassy Suites Hotel, Omaha Colors of Hope dinner auction to benefit the children of Korea. Contact: Event co-chairs Tracy Frerichs at (402) 614-6002 or [email protected] or Susan Bailey at (402) 614-8859 or bailey75@ cox.net July 29–Aug. 2, 2007—Ashland Holt Adoptee Camp for adoptees 9 to 16 years old. Contact: Steve Kalb at (541) 687-2202 or stevek@ holtinternational.org May 11, 2007—Valley River Inn, Eugene Colors of Hope dinner auction to benefit the children of Vietnam. Contact: Caroline Toy, Holt Events Manager, at (800) 451-0732 or carolinet@ holtinternational.org July 22–26, 2007—Corbett Holt Adoptee Camp for adoptees 9 to 16 years old. Contact: Steve Kalb at (541) 687-2202 or stevek@holtinternational. org August 4, 2007—Eugene Holt Family Picnic for adoptive families, adult adoptees, parents in process and prospective adoptive parents. Contact: Todd Kwapisz at (503) 244-2440 or [email protected] California Jan. 28, 2007—St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco Holt Silk Bag Luncheon to benefit children in China. Contact: Monica Wilton at (800) 4510732 or [email protected] Aug. 5–9, 2007—Dobbins Holt Adoptee Camp for adoptees 9 to 16 years old. Contact: Steve Kalb at (541) 687-2202 or stevek@holtinternational. org Colorado June to August 2007—Fraser Colorado Heritage Camps, Birth culture camps for children adopted from various countries. For more information see www.heritagecamps.org New Jersey July 2007—Stirling Camp Friendship, a Korean culture day camp for Korean adoptees and their siblings entering grades K–7. For more information see www.campfriendshipnj.com Pennsylvania Aug. 12–16, 2007—Starlight Holt Adoptee Camp for adoptees 9 to 16 years old. Contact: Steve Kalb at (541) 687-2202 or stevek@holtinternational. org Iowa Texas Sept. 15, 2007—LeGrand Holt Family Picnic for adoptive families, adult adoptees, parents in process and prospective adoptive parents. Contact: Todd Kwapisz at (503) 244-2440 or [email protected] March 25, 2007—Austin Ranch, Grapevine Tea & Fashion Show to benefit the children of South and SE Asia. Contact: Julie Banta at (817) 3295257 or [email protected] Left: Liberty Mingjin Strafuss of Branson, Missouri, attended the June quarterly meeting of the Arkansas Branch Office with her family. a big Thank you to our donors for their generous support of our auctions and fundraising events Portland Dinner & Auction 2005 Ken Wright Cellars Mark & Nancy Brown Larry Cahill Michael Curtis Silk Bag Luncheon 2006 Steven M. Chew DDS Texas Tea & Fashion Show 2006 Captain Kirk’s Sailing Adventures Dr. Randy Davis - Mid-Cities Oncology Tim Larson Blissful Bites Verizon Timothy F. Brewer, PC, Attorney at Law Field Stone Winery The Croney Team - ReMax Phil & Julene Littleton Oregon Electric Station Jim & Leah Barfoot Paul Disdier-Dreyfus The Lawrence Fong Family Verizon Super Pages Barry Brenneke Rey Vaden Family Foundation Luxor Custom Jewelers Pacific Continental Bank David Miller - Sky Wave Technology Omaha Dinner & Auction 2006 Eugene Dinner & Auction 2006 Pacific Office Automation Lueder Construction KVAL-TV The Hult Center Matt & Donna Johnson McKenzie River Broadcasting The Science Factory Kim & Skip Hanson Lincoln Financial SELCO Community Credit Union Andy & Susan Bailey Retirement Planning Group CDI Vaults Greg & Sue Duffy Peter & Jane Kay Multi-Financial - Penn Rettig CFP Omnium Worldwide - Kevin Brown Associated Business Systems Jerry’s Home Improvement Center Key Bank KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8 MCH Construction Co. Wells Fargo Jeff Preece Jeffrey Saddington Shelton Turnbull - AdGroup family tree Brothers Timothy, 8, and Benjamin Stewart, 7, both from Thailand—Snohomish, WA. Melinda Whitmire, 21, India, with her daughter, Regina—Midwest City, Okla. Sadly, Regina passed away April 18. We had already selected this photo; Melinda requested that we go ahead with the publication. Mikel Beam, 29, Korea, at his wedding with bride Dawn Smith-Beam—Greenfield, NH. Left: Shaye Holladay McCarthy, 4, China— Glendale, CA. Right: Grace, 5, and Shay Bailey, 3, both from India—Omaha, Neb. Send your photos to Family Tree! Throughout the year we need photos for Holt International magazine, our calendar and other productions… and we’d love to consider yours. Send us your best child & family photos. Mail original color prints to: Holt International magazine Family Tree P.O. Box 2880 Eugene, OR 97402 [email protected] Please send glossy photographic prints or e-mail high resolution digital images. We cannot use studio photos or prints from digital files. Because of the many photographs we receive each month, we are able to publish only a small percentage. We keep all photos on hold for possible future publication and will contact you if one of yours is selected. Siblings Luke, 5, Mongolia, and Jeanne DeMeo, 6, China—Portland, Ore. Kyla DeWittie, 4, China—Lewisberry, Penn. Siblings Andrew, 8; Theresa, 7; Peter, 5; and John Donahoe, 4, all from Korea— Chatham, N.J. Allison Borkenhagen, 2, Mongolia, Lincroft, NJ. www.holtinternational.org 31 The 2007 Holt International calendar finding families for children $10 (price includes shipping) Order yours from www.holtinternational.org/calendar Featuring adopted children from around the world. Every calendar you purchase will benefit children who still need families of their own. The large wall calendar (12 x 18 when hung) will brighten your home or office and heart… every day of the year. finding families for children finding families for children Post Of fice Box 2880 E u g e n e OR 9 7 4 0 2 finding families for children Change Ser vice Requested finding families for children Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Eugene OR Permit No. 291