Tomi is very social and loves spending time with others! He is eager to get involved with fun activities at his care center. Some of his favorite things to do are swimming, blowing bubbles and playing with balloons. His caregiver says he is a faithful friend and cheerful companion to the other children at his center. “Everybody loves Tomi, he is pure joy!” his caregivers say. He has many friends who love to play with him, and he is happy, clever, engaging and loves attention and interaction.

Tomi is said to be very self-aware and good at communicating with others. Tomi does not speak and recently began using a computer using eye-gaze control technology to talk to his friends and caregivers, and now he is communicating adeptly with it!

Tomi has involved special needs, including cerebral palsy, and will need lifelong support from a loving and caring family. Tomi needs an adoptive family with access to excellent medical and therapeutic resources. Social workers recommend that the adoptive family have a wheelchair-accessible house and have good access to a children’s hospital.

Could you or someone you know be the right family for Tomi? If so, email us at waitingchild@holtinternational.org, we would love to tell you all about him!

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The post Urgent: Tomi Still Needs an Adoptive Family! appeared first on Holt International.

Read more about the steps each of our in-country partners and staff are taking to keep children safe below!

China

Due to the rise of the Delta variant, China is facing another wave of cases and has declared a state of emergency. While none of the children in Holt’s programs have been infected, the date that children will return to school is still undecided. The hope is that children will be able to return to school in September. If any students have been out of town, they are required to quarantine for at least 14 days before returning to school.

Holt staff continues to keep in touch with children, their caregivers and teachers to monitor their needs and ensure children have the tools they need to learn and grow.

Colombia

“In July 2021, students began to return to in-person classes after 16 months out of school — one of the longest educational lockdowns in Latin America. While the need for children to return to school is great, especially in low-income and rural communities, less than 25% of the population has received their first dose of a vaccine and teachers are concerned about further spread of the virus. Schools will implement social distancing, staggering schedules, and other safety measures to reduce the risks associated with re-opening. But many are demanding additional resources to help children return to school safely and catch up academically.” – Malia Robello, Holt Program Manager for Colombia

Ethiopia

“In Ethiopia, schools re-opened mid-November 2020, after more than eight months of closures. During this transition, Holt Ethiopia and partners worked to fill gaps in the education system to improve the learning outcome of all children, with special attention to those with special needs and challenges learning during the past academic year. In September 2021, students will again return to in-person classes for the new academic year. Holt’s programs invest deeply in partner schools and communities to improve educational outcomes for children of all ages, genders and abilities.” – Malia Robello, Holt Program Manager for Ethiopia

Haiti

Haiti is experiencing fewer deadly cases of COVID, and has lifted several restrictions throughout the country. As a result, most children are expected to return to the classroom this fall.

In these schools, some extra health precautions will be taken to ensure that children can stay in class. School staff will continue to promote mask-wearing and hand-washing to protect students and teachers. Holt staff in Haiti have already distributed school-size sanitation kits (soap, bleach and extra face masks for teachers) and several buckets with faucets for hand-washing stations.

At Holt’s partner schools, there are already plans to restart the free breakfast program. Through this program, Holt sponsors and donors help provide a nutritious breakfast four days a week for children living with their families in impoverished communities. As many children don’t get enough to eat, this program helps combat malnutrition and sets them up for success in the classroom!

India

After a deadly wave of the Delta variant in the late spring, the number of cases in India is beginning to slowly decline. As a result, children can go back to school during COVID-19 with safety protocols in place, including those in regions where Holt sponsors and donors support children.

Teachers are trying to be understanding of families with different levels of comfort leaving the house while also knowing some children need to be able to access safe learning environment, away from home. Their solution is to offer a hybrid model so that children who have the ability to learn from home can stay home and children without access to technology are able to come to the classroom.

At schools, there are sanitizing stations around the buildings with teachers monitoring them to ensure children use them. Inside classrooms, students sit socially distanced from each other and wear masks. The school year will look different than it has in the past. But in the communities where Holt works, sponsors and donors are making sure that children have all the books, uniforms and supplies they need to safely learn — including masks and sanitizers. After quarantining for over a year, the children are looking forward to learning together in school with their friends and getting to know their teachers.

Mongolia

At the Red Stone School, a special school for children living near a garbage dump in Ulaanbaatar, staff and donors have been working hard to keep school safe! Repairs to the fence and pavement are in progress so children can play outside. To prepare for the upcoming school year, the staff has also completed a deep clean of the whole school to combat COVID-19.

Because the Red Stone School is in an impoverished community, many students and families don’t have the hygienic resources they need to stay clean and safe during the pandemic. But with donor support, Holt helped build shower facilities at the school several years ago that they could open to both the students and their families to use. This service has helped prevent the spread of COVID-19 in this vulnerable community.

Because the Red Stone School is in an impoverished community, many students and families don’t have the hygienic resources they need to stay clean and safe during the pandemic. But with donor support, Holt helped build shower facilities at the school several years ago that they could open to both the students and their families to use. This service has helped prevent the spread of COVID-19 in this vulnerable community.

Nearby, Holt sponsors and donors are helping support two afterschool programs at local libraries so students have a safe study space. Earlier this year, when schools were closed due to COVID-19, Holt sponsors and donors helped provide more computers and printers so students could continue learning online. The programs also provide a hot lunch each day to all students who attend. This will continue into the new school year, and during any future periods of school closures.

With donor support, Holt’s team in Mongolia will continue distributing masks and hand sanitizer to all of our supported school programs, and also provide instruction to students and families about COVID-19 prevention.

Thailand

Due to new restrictions in Thailand, schools are closed and classes are being taught online. This has caused difficulties for families and children without reliable internet access and a quiet, steady learning environment. Students are struggling to learn online, and many of their parents and relatives aren’t able to help. It is likely that children will face challenges as remote learning becomes more long-term.

With the support of sponsors and donors, our partner, Holt Sahathai Foundation, is continuing to provide survival kits (including sanitizer, snacks and food), toys and books that help children stay focused from home and  These efforts help to keep children engaged in their education as much as possible.

The Philippines

The Philippines is continuing a hybrid approach for the 2021 school year, which will begin on September 13^th. Our partner has been encouraged by all of the people who have stepped up to volunteer, including delivering enrollment papers, food and educational resources to children and families in need. And of course, the support of sponsors and donors who provide books, supplies and uniforms children need to attend school.

Vietnam

Today, Vietnam is in the midst of a deadly wave of COVID and the start date for the school year is still undetermined in most of the country. Despite the delay, Holt’s staff in Vietnam are working to prepare children for distance learning by delivering books, bags and bikes to families in need. With donor support, they are also providing scholarships that cover school tuition for 650 children in Holt’s programs.

Uganda

Schools in Uganda are still closed. With donor support, Holt Uganda is investing in home learning materials to provide to children. Each child receives learning materials on a monthly basis. Holt Uganda also trained some community members to be homeschool teachers and continues to support and monitor the learning of children in their respective villages. Children and caregivers are happy about the efforts being made with this program and grateful to Holt sponsors and donors for their hand in providing these services!

Help a child in need go back to school during COVID-19! By August 31st, children need school supplies or they won’t be able to go to school and learn their way out of poverty. Help a child return to school!

The post Back to School During COVID-19 appeared first on Holt International.

Kane is the eldest brother and is twelve years old. He has two favorite caregivers who he has a good relationship with. They would describe Kane as introverted, shy and thoughtful. His caregivers also call him a “good, responsible boy.” He loves to draw and his favorite subject at school is art. He also likes to play soccer, on the playground and with remote-control cars.

Kane’s teachers say he is well-behaved and needs some extra support at school. Kane is developmentally delayed and has trouble with reading and math.

The youngest brother, Tim, is eleven years old. He is described as kind, silly and inclusive of others. He enjoys going to school to play with his best friends and reading, especially fairy tales! He completes his homework independently and is said to be good at problem-solving. He also likes animals and enjoys seeing dogs and cats around the neighborhood. Tim is very active and some of his favorite games are soccer, basketball and running! He and Kane often play games like hide-and-seek together.

Kane and Tim need an adoptive family who understands or is willing to learn about older child adoption. The best family for Kane and Tim should have access to excellent special education and English As Second Language (ESL) resources. Kane and Tim’s adoptive family should also encourage and maintain a connection to the boys’ culture of birth.

Kane and Tim’s faces are hidden here due to country restrictions on privacy. To see photos and videos and learn more about them, email us at waitingchild@holtinternational.org.

The post Kane and Tim Need an Adoptive Family! appeared first on Holt International.

Benji is nine years old and the oldest of the boys.

He is said to be a hard worker and trusting of others. His caregivers speak highly of his way with others and say he is patient, loving and kind. At his care center, to make sure his friend who is in a wheelchair gets included, Benji often pushes his friend to the playground.

Benji is very driven and is happy when he achieves his goals. Some of his favorite activities are riding bikes, swimming and playing soccer. While Benji sometimes has trouble in school, he is very determined to learn and works hard. He is protective of Oliver and Lucas and they get along well.

Oliver is eight years old.

He can be shy at first but quickly opens up once he feels comfortable! His caregivers say he is quiet and observant with good manners. They refer to him as a “real gentleman.” He often expresses his appreciation for the things his current caregivers do for him. He loves to go to the beach and to play soccer.

Lucas is four years old.

His caregivers say he is affectionate, playful and very silly! Lucas loves to make others laugh and is becoming more independent and self-confident as he grows older. He is friendly and happily approaches people he is familiar with for a hug. Lucas enjoys playing with friends, outside and in the water. His favorite toys are trucks!

These sweet boys have some special needs, including potential prenatal exposure to alcohol and developmental delays. Benji and Lucas take medication to help manage and control seizures from epilepsy.

Benji, Oliver and Lucas need a family who is nurturing and fun-loving. They would thrive in an encouraging family who can recognize and celebrate their achievements and goals, big or small. The adoptive family should have access to excellent speech and occupational therapies and medical and educational resources. Benji, Oliver and Lucas would do best as the only children in the home.

Benji, Oliver and Lucas’s faces are hidden here due to country restrictions on privacy. To see more photos of the boys and learn more about them, email us at waitingchild@holtinternational.org!

The post Benji, Oliver and Lucas Need an Adoptive Family! appeared first on Holt International.

Why is the pandemic hitting some countries harder than others? There are several different factors that affect how COVID-19 impacts impoverished communities.

As the last state in the U.S. sets criteria to reopen with limited safety restrictions, many Americans are breathing sighs of relief. Now that U.S. guidelines are loosening, it feels like the pandemic is coming to an end… for some of us.

It’s easy to forget that this isn’t the case in many other countries around the world, including those facing a deadly third wave of COVID-19 cases like India, Indonesia and more. While cases continue to drop in the U.S., across the continent of Africa, cases have risen 40 percent, and are still growing, partially due to the highly transmissible Delta variant. For impoverished countries, many more factors may be at play when discerning why some communities are struggling to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19, over a year after the first case was discovered.

1. Nutrition

In impoverished communities, lack of access to nutritional foods — or enough food at all — can contribute to malnutrition, stunting, wasting and more. Even in environments  where children have sufficient food to eat, poor feeding and positioning means they may not be receiving proper nourishment from their food.

For impoverished children in need of the right nutrients to grow, poor nutrition can exacerbate the effects of an already weak immune system, making it easier to catch — and harder to recover from — contagious diseases like COVID-19.

2. Population density

Social distancing can be a major challenge in overcrowded communities, especially ones that are close-knit and used to being interconnected.

In impoverished slum communities, houses are often packed so closely together that neighbors share walls or roofs, making safety precautions like social distancing nearly impossible. And even within houses, multi-generational families of five or more might share one or two rooms — so if one person gets sick, the whole family does too.

3. Hygiene

According to UNICEF, millions of people around the world have no ready access to a place to wash their hands, one of the first ways to stop the spread of COVID and other infectious diseases.

“Handwashing with soap remains out of reach for millions of children where they’re born, live and learn,” said Kelly Ann Naylor, UNICEF Associate Director of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

Lack of access extends to schools, too — 43 percent of schools around the world lack a handwashing facility with water and soap, affecting 818 million school-age children (UNICEF).

4. Infrastructure

Countries with poor healthcare infrastructure found themselves reacting, instead of proactively preventing, the spread of COVID when it first appeared. And today, this approach means that keeping up with the rapid spread of cases gets harder and harder as resources dwindle. In addition, many developing countries are struggling to secure enough vaccines for their populations.

And in rural or impoverished communities, access to vaccines, or even medical care and treatment for COVID, is an hour or more away. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in the majority of African countries, there is one hospital per one million people, one doctor per 10,000 people and one hospital bed per 10,000 people. And often, families living near a hospital with available beds or vaccines may not have a reliable means of transportation to get there.

5. Economically vulnerable

Even in the U.S., lower-income communities have been disproportionately more affected by COVID. Many low-wage workers were deemed essential during the pandemic — meaning that while many of us worked from home, others were out in public every day.

Many families around the world also can’t afford to stay home unless absolutely necessary. In impoverished countries where missing a day of income might mean missing a day of food for your children, struggling parents feel the pressure to take public transport to their jobs, facing crowds of others doing the same thing.

There are still children and families living in impoverished communities who are struggling the survive the deadly new waves of COVID-19. Will you give emergency help today?

The post 5 Reasons Why Impoverished Communities Are So Affected By COVID appeared first on Holt International.

Over the past year, Holt’s orphanage partners have reached out to us, sharing that more and more children are coming into their care. At the same time, delays in international adoption have left even more children in care in some countries, causing overcrowding. These orphanages don’t have the staff or resources to keep up.

But through your generosity, you are helping to provide food, critical medical supplies, educational supplies and even special treats and activities for children in care, keeping them safe and their spirits high!

View the slideshow above for some updates from our partners about how you’re helping to meet the needs of children living in orphanage care throughout this pandemic!

Many orphanages are still struggling to recover from the pandemic and they still need your help! Your gift will provide one baby in an orphanage with enough formula and diapers for a whole week. 

More Updates from Our Partners 

Colombia

In Colombia, during a rise in COVID cases in April 2021, a series of ongoing government protests began and added additional chaos to an already uncertain pandemic environment.

Maria Gabriela, the projects director at our partner organization, FANA, is trying to make life normal as possible for children in care. While it has been hard on children to stay home due to COVID-19, it has somewhat protected them from the political unrest right outside their doors. Throughout the pandemic, the staff at FANA are trying to create as many activities and positive experiences as possible for kids in care.

India

India has faced multiple lockdowns during the pandemic, putting a strain on the child welfare system. In 2020, caregivers at our partner care center in Pune, Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK), began staying for a week at a time and rotating to reduce the number of people coming in and out of the care center. A separate area is designated for visitors to avoid new people entering the premises.

In 2021, the greatest priority for staff is that children have the same opportunities for enrichment and connection as before the pandemic. Following safety guidelines, children have participated in storytelling and movies, outdoor camps and holidays, and more. One of the highlights was Sports Day, a day for older children to play fun games and activities and receive awards!

In addition, school has resumed online. All of the children who attended classes online did well and have stayed on track, graduating to the next grade for the upcoming school year!

The staff at BSSK are working to obtain oxygen cylinders and other vital medical supplies to orphanages in preparation for another wave of COVID-19. The staff is getting all children vaccinated for the flu and pneumonia to help reduce the number of sick kids. They are also striving to vaccinate all staff members for the protection of the children.

Thailand

Amid a third wave of COVID-19, Thailand is experiencing another complete lockdown.

In orphanages, facilities get cleaned and disinfected more often. There are handwashing stations throughout the orphanage, and everyone has begun washing their hands much more often than before.

Before the third-wave lockdown, our local partner Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF) arranged video calls between volunteers and children. The children enjoyed seeing familiar faces, and the volunteers got creative with their videos, calling the children from places like the beach or pool! Volunteers would also regularly drop off treats and toys for their partnered children. Unfortunately, due to the third-wave lockdown, these programs came to a pause.

HSF hopes to start video calls again, but for now, children and volunteers are exchanging photos and letters.

The staff working directly with the children (including caregivers, child development workers and nurses) cannot go outside or return home. Caregivers and staff are overwhelmed because they have more cleaning responsibilities. But without volunteers to share some of the chores or the chance to go home and rest, they are stressed and tired. Still, they remain hopeful that the situation will improve.

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The post The State of Kids in Orphanages in 2021 appeared first on Holt International.

Five years ago, Pisey’s family was one of the poorest in her small village community in Cambodia.

Seven-year-old Pisey and her family were living in a tiny home with her grandparents. They harvested rice from their small piece of land, but it was never enough to feed Pisey, her brother and her parents, and it was definitely not enough to sell for income.

Searching for better jobs, Pisey’s mother and father left for the city, leaving Pisey and her brother behind with relatives. But her parents worked difficult jobs in construction and factories, and their meager income still wasn’t enough to support themselves and send money home to their children. Pisey and her brother never received enough food and were often sick due to malnutrition. As a result, Pisey missed school often, never going for more than two weeks per month — or just half of the school year.

Pisey’s mother knew this life wasn’t sustainable. One day, she hoped to raise pigs and other animals for income. She dreamt of working at home and caring for her children. She wanted to see Pisey and her brother going to school, receiving an education and going on to be successful and healthy. And then, their family could be together again, instead of miles apart.

And because someone cared, Pisey’s mother’s dreams came true.

A Reason for Hope

In 2015, one of the leaders in Pisey’s village referred the family to Holt’s sponsorship program, and their lives began to change.

With the support of Pisey’s sponsors, Holt Cambodia staff provided a small business loan to Pisey’s mother so she could move back home, purchase pigs and begin her small business! As she started building clients, Holt Cambodia provided more support through financial training and assistance. Soon, her business had grown successful enough for Pisey’s father to come home from the city and be with his family! Holt social workers even provided training for Pisey’s parents on nutrition, hygiene and other essential information and skills to help keep their family healthy.

Within just a few years, the family was together again, successfully raising chickens, ducks and pigs. They also learned to grow vegetables for themselves, selling the extra vegetables and animals for steady and reliable income.

And in 2021, finding themselves self-sufficient and independent, the family graduated from Holt’s sponsorship program!

Today, Pisey’s family still participates in the self-help groups in their village, sharing their new knowledge with other families in need. After five years of support from their sponsors, Pisey and her family are not only thriving on their own, they’re helping transform the lives of families like theirs in the village.

One of Pisey’s sponsors, recently shared how he felt when he learned that his sponsored child had graduated the program. He supported her for five years, from the time she first entered Holt sponsorship until her family grew self-sufficient and strong.

“Learning of the improving circumstances of the family … I can only point to God’s grace and, particularly, Romans 8:28,” he shared. “The spirit of God, moving through individuals and entities, blesses not only the receiver but also the provider.”

The spirit of God, moving through individuals and entities, blesses not only the receiver but also the provider.

Romans 8:28

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The post Because Someone Cared appeared first on Holt International.

This is an edited excerpt from “The Child Brides of COVID-19,” which originally appeared on Holt Stories in May 2021.

Across the globe, girls who marry young are more likely to experience domestic violence. They are at increased risk of early and unplanned pregnancy. They can become isolated from family and friends. And as the demands of housework and motherhood take up their time, they are less likely to stay in school.

The global COVID crisis may set back decades of progress even in communities where our partners had effectively ended the practice of child marriage. But one key factor continues to make a dramatic difference in the lives of girls and women. And that’s keeping girls in school.

When schools closed due to the pandemic, our partners immediately recognized the risks to children, especially girls. Out-of-school children are at greater risk of not just early marriage, but also child labor, trafficking and exploitation. Through the generous support of Holt sponsors and donors, however, our partners had the resources they needed to maintain critical contact with children isolated at home.

They distributed mobile phones and laptops, which made it possible for children to do schoolwork online but also allowed for remote social work visits. BSSK moved summer camps and trainings for children and parents online. In Delhi, our partner started both a video blog to connect with children and a podcast to provide ongoing guidance and support to parents. Sponsored children received science and art kits in addition to regular school supplies, while their families received emergency food, medicine and even cash to pay rent and bills during periodic lockdowns. Most of all, our social workers continue to regularly visit families — remotely and, whenever possible, at a safe distance in person.

Sponsors make all of this possible. Through their compassion and generosity, and the efforts of our on-the-ground teams, many marriages that would have happened as a result of the pandemic have been prevented.

While still working under emergency conditions, our partners have already mapped out the work that needs to be done to regain progress lost during this ongoing crisis.

“In the coming period, a lot of rework needs to be done … [Support from] sponsors and donors will accelerate the process of reform,” says Vaishali, who shares that BSSK has already planned a prevention program for children and parents on the topic of early marriage. “We hope to see a delay in the age of girl child marriage,” she says, “and greater freedom to take higher education, be confident and financially independent.”

Now more than ever, support to keep girls in school is needed in these communities in India — and in the communities where Holt works around the world. For girls, school is more than an education. It means opportunity. It means a stronger voice and greater autonomy over their lives. It’s a reason for hope.

You can keep a child living in poverty from dropping out of school! Your gift of $25 or more gets a child the school supplies needed to return to school, stay safe and learn their way out of poverty.

The post A Reason for Hope appeared first on Holt International.

Savanna loves going to school and enjoys spending time with her friends, most of whom she has known for years. Her favorite subjects are science and art. She enjoys computer science and is interested in pursuing a career in information technology.

Outside of school, Savanna likes to draw, read graphic novels, listen to music and practice her English. She also loves beauty and enjoys experimenting with new hairstyles and nail polish! Like many preteens, Savanna loves YouTube. Some of her favorite videos are vlogs of people traveling the world.

Savanna is very close with her caregivers and is said to adjust well. Her caregivers say she is responsible. Savanna helps around the house and does her homework without being reminded. Both her teachers and caregivers say she is well-behaved and independent.

When Savanna came into care, she was considered developmentally delayed and had some stiffness in her legs. Today, Savanna is reportedly in good health and has good motor skills. She loves sports, especially playing volleyball and going swimming! She has been taking swimming lessons for the past three years.

Savanna understands the idea of adoption and says she would like to have a loving adoptive family. Savanna needs an adoptive family who is knowledgeable (or willing to learn) about older child adoption. Her adoptive family should also have access to excellent educational resources to help her reach her fullest potential!

Savanna’s face is hidden here due to country restrictions on privacy. To see more photos of Savanna or to request information about her adoption, contact our adoption team at waitingchild@holtinternational.org.

The post Savanna Needs an Adoptive Family! appeared first on Holt International.

“The Mini Social Distancing Holiday party, made possible by a gift from the Holt Sponsors of ten of the children, was the start of a blessing for 2021.

We all looked back at the year 2020 and how the pandemic affected the whole nation. As we reflect on what happened last year, we cannot express how much we are grateful to God for everything that He has provided us. Amidst the crisis, we never run out of diapers, milk, food and vitamins for the children, thanks to our Holt sponsors. God has faithfully blessed us.”

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The post We Are Grateful for You appeared first on Holt International.