Thitikarn is a 13-year-old girl who lives in Thailand with her parents and three younger siblings. Her mother maintains a steady job as a hospital worker, while her father is employed as a contract worker. With four young children to raise, Thitikarn’s parents often face financial worries, particularly in regard to paying for their children’s school fees. But thanks to your generosity, Thitikarn now has the opportunity to continue her education!

Thitikarn wakes up at 7:30 a.m. each day and gets ready for school on her own. She attends a nearby school, where she is about to enter seventh grade. Thitikarn expresses herself openly, showing her natural confidence and desire to connect with others.

When at home, Thitikarn helps her mother cook rice, wash dishes and care for her younger siblings. She is especially close to her mom, often sharing stories about her day with her. Thitikarn eats dinner with her family at 6 p.m. and goes to bed by 10 p.m. every night.

Before the school year ended, Thitikarn wrote this letter of appreciation to her sponsor, thanking them for their support:

Dear Sponsor,

My name is Thitikarn. I’m a sixth grade student. Starting a new semester, I am very excited and happy to meet new friends. I enjoy going to school every day. During the last school holiday, I did many activities at home, such as helping my mother cook, wash the dishes and take care of my younger siblings. Last June, I did the Wai Khru ceremony [to honor my teachers] and sports competitions. Finally, I would like to thank you and your family for always supporting my education.

With all due respect,

Thitikarn

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The post Thank You for Sponsoring My Education! appeared first on Holt International.

Cambodia

Since 2012, Holt donors have provided scholarships for 185 high-achieving students to attend college in Cambodia through its University Education program. The program offers everything from full tuition to English and computer classes, career counseling and a monthly stipend to help cover additional expenses. Most of the students come from rural impoverished communities, and most are the first in their families to attend college.

In 2016, the University of Cambodia launched a volunteer program to encourage university students to make an impact in their communities by dedicating their time, energy and resources to improving the livelihood of others. Recently, students in Holt’s University Education program took part in these volunteer efforts. Through community awareness workshops, the students addressed the impact of drug addiction in the province of Battambang and the importance of reading in the province of Kampot.

Ethiopia

An estimated 4.5 million children are orphaned or growing up without permanent families in Ethiopia. In an effort to reduce the number of children living in institutional care, the country’s Ministry of Women and Social Affairs has issued an Alternative Child Care Directive, which focuses on supporting local families to foster or adopt children living in orphanages. Now, thanks to Holt sponsor and donor support, Holt Ethiopia has partnered with the ministry to train child welfare professionals, service providers and community organizers in central Ethiopia to promote family-based care. Holt Ethiopia held the first of five workshops in March and will continue to hold trainings through September.

India

In the migrant communities of Bangalore, India, Holt sponsors and donors help keep children in the safe and loving care of their families. Poverty is one of the greatest causes of abandonment and family separation in these communities. Our local partner, Vathsalya Charitable Trust (VCT), works with migrant families to help them develop a stable source of income — often through donor-funded technical education and training.

In May, VCT held skills training courses for migrant women and single mothers as part of its Income Generation Program (IGP). Through its vocational training and entrepreneurial support, the program helps low-income women become more competitive in the local labor market. The IGP also develops initiatives to promote social networks among women that lead to better access to services and opportunities. The joint efforts between Holt and VCT have so far enabled more than 1,600 migrant women and single mothers to set up their own businesses or join public or private industries. These women now earn a sustainable wage that supports their needs and those of their families.

Thailand

Holt’s local partner in Thailand, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), recently organized two trips to the zoo for children living in foster care. The children and their foster families had a wonderful time viewing the animals, enjoying snacks and spending quality time together. Meanwhile, the social workers who accompanied the group were able to observe how the children reacted in various situations.

At any given time, between 90 and 100 children, ages birth to 6, live with HSF’s 90 foster families. With the support of Holt sponsors and donors, foster families receive a monthly delivery of infant formula and baby supplies as well as a childcare subsidy. Foster care provides a more nurturing alternative to institutional care, offering a loving home for children while they wait to rejoin their family or join a family through adoption.

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The post Notes from the Field: June 2025 appeared first on Holt International.

This Father’s Day, we honor the incredible fathers around the world who give everything they have to care for their children. These dads rise early, work long hours and make countless sacrifices to ensure their families are safe, fed and have what they need for the future.

But sometimes, even their hardest work isn’t enough to meet their children’s most basic needs. And you have the power to help.

Through Gifts of Hope, donors — like you — provide exactly what these fathers need to provide for their families with confidence. Gifts like livestock, garden seeds and tools, fishing kits and home repairs are life changing. These gifts help meet basic needs like food and safe shelter, empower parents to earn an income, and help families break the cycle of poverty — for good!

Here are three stories of incredible dads around the world who embody the heart of fatherhood. Thanks to your generosity, they received the support and encouragement they needed to continue providing for their families with strength and hope.

Anurak — A Father Who Shows Up Every Day

Anurak is a devoted father raising his two sons, Kovit and Kasem, in Thailand. After their mother left, he became their sole caregiver — doing everything he could to provide for them, even when times were tough.

He works long hours as a day laborer, and though he earns very little, he never lets his sons go without. With support from Holt’s local partner, Holt Sahathai Foundation, and donors like you, Anurak receives help with food, school supplies and other essentials — giving him the strength and stability to keep his family together.

“The way [I] parented before, it was more about the physical needs of the children. To feed them, to have them get enough sleep, things like that,” Anurak says. “But what I learned from the social worker and Holt Sahathai is more of the psychological and emotional aspects of the children. And being the parent, you need to not just let your child grow naturally, but as parents we need to get involved in their activities and stimulate them.”

Anurak is a single father, but he is anything but alone. He is supported and empowered to raise his sons and give them a brighter future.

Lhagvajav — A Father Who Kept His Promise

Lhagvajav is a father of quiet strength, raising his six children in rural Mongolia. Life in their remote community is difficult, but he works tirelessly — chopping wood, growing vegetables and doing whatever it takes to provide a safe, nurturing home.

“I want my children to get a better education and grow up to be good citizens,” Lhagvajav said. “Everybody thinks this way. This is a father’s and mother’s dream for their children.”

Several years ago, through Gifts of Hope, Lhagvajav received a ger — a traditional Mongolian home — offering warmth and shelter through the brutal winters. He promised to use this gift as a foundation for a better future.

Then, disaster struck. A devastating flood destroyed the ger. But Lhagvajav never gave up. With renewed support from Holt’s local team and generous donors, he rebuilt. Today, his family is thriving — and his hope for their future is stronger than ever.

Burhan — A Father Teaching His Children to Dream

Burhan is a committed father providing for his family. In a coastal village in Thailand, Burhan rises before dawn to fish — not just to feed his family, but to teach his children, Anis, Nada and Daris, the value of hard work and hope.

The family also tends a small garden and raises ducks — simple but powerful resources that provide both food and income. These gifts, made possible by generous donors, help Burhan care for his children with dignity and hope. Burhan continues to guide them, teaching both how to fish and how to dream.

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Anis says, “A pilot. I want to fly!” With support from Holt’s local partner, Holt Sahathai Foundation, and donors, Burhan continues to provide for his family with strength, stability and hope for the future.

Honoring Fathers Around the World

This Father’s Day, you can honor a dad in your life by uplifting a father like Anurak, Lhagvajav or Burhan — dads who work tirelessly to care for their children.

Through Gifts of Hope, you can give a father the tools he needs to provide for his family with confidence — gifts like livestock, garden seeds and tools, fishing kits, home repairs and more. These life-changing gifts meet urgent needs and help families build lasting stability.

Gift a Father’s Day Gift of Hope in honor of a dad in your life today!

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The post Capturing the Heart of Fatherhood appeared first on Holt International.

Thailand

In April, Holt’s partner in Thailand, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), held Songkran celebrations for children and families in orphan care and family strengthening programs. Songkran — one of Thailand’s most important holidays — is traditionally a time for family gatherings and honoring elders. While the official celebration spans April 13-15, many, including HSF, extend the festivities for an entire week. Communities typically enjoy the holiday with water fights, traditional dances and delicious foods like mango sticky rice and khao chae, flower-scented rice.

Through the generous support of sponsors and donors, HSF is able to provide special celebrations for children and families in need — creating meaningful, enriching experiences they’ll never forget.

To celebrate, HSF organized a variety of interactive activities that brought excitement and joy to children and families. Children played board games and outdoor games together, encouraging teamwork and creativity. Volunteers also led English lessons covering topics such as greetings and naming animals. The children eagerly participated, raising their hands to answer questions with enthusiasm.

HSF also held cooking classes where children learned to make traditional Thai desserts like bua loy — rice flour balls simmered in sweet coconut milk. HSF staff say that the cooking activities not only taught practical skills but also helped children grow in confidence.

India

Holt’s partner in Pune, India, Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK) recently organized a vibrant summer camp program for children ages 10-15. Children who receive services through BSSK live at the center or in impoverished communities in and around Pune.

Children enjoyed painting, dancing, storytelling, drumming circles and more. They even learned to make sprouts bhel, a flavorful dish with mung bean sprouts, mango and spices.

Some summer camp activities were led by older children — a valuable opportunity for them to develop confidence, leadership and teamwork skills. According to BSSK staff, the camp was a memorable experience filled with bonding, learning and fun.

Holt’s partner in Bangalore, India, Vathsalya Charitable Trust (VCT), is making strides in providing educational support. For children living in impoverished communities, VCT child development teams provide vital support and guidance as they grow up. With encouragement and academic support, children stay on track with their studies and navigate challenges with confidence.

Recently, VCT organized a parent meeting to support families with students who are facing stresses from school life, academics and family issues. The evening covered a range of topics, including improving communication among family members, addressing behavioral challenges and developing healthy coping strategies for managing stress.

Holt sponsors and donors help support children and join BSSK and VCT in their efforts to empower young people growing up in difficult circumstances in India.

Uganda

One of the key pillars of Holt’s work in Uganda is early childhood care and development (ECCD). On April 30, Uganda celebrated National Children’s Play Day — becoming the first country to establish such a day since the UN resolution for an International Play Day.

National Children’s Play Day raises awareness about the transformative power of play in a child’s life and its critical role in healthy development. Children at ECCD centers in Uganda benefit daily from indoor and outdoor play equipment that supports their physical and cognitive development. On this special holiday, caregivers gave children extra time to play — and joined in the fun themselves!

Holt’s Village Health Teams (VHTs) also recently led food demonstrations at ECCD centers to further parents’ knowledge of nutrition, food preparation and safe handling practices. These presentations emphasized the connection between good nutrition and children’s physical and cognitive development. Nearly 1,700 caregivers across three districts participated.

Thanks to the support of sponsors and donors, families receive one-on-one support and benefit from community presentations — like food demonstrations — that provide training to help them nurture their child’s growth and development.

Colombia

Through Holt’s partner La Casa de la Madre y el Niño in Bogotá, Colombia, sponsors and donors help provide high-quality, nurturing care for orphaned and vulnerable children. As the largest institution registered to facilitate international adoption in Colombia, La Casa brings more than 75 years of experience to its work with children and families.

La Casa provides care for children living at Casa Imagina, a residential home for older children ages 10-17 who have special needs or face other barriers to adoption. Casa Imagina offers a warm, family-like environment with nourishing meals, health care and education. Through a new partnership with IdeaArte, children at the home can also now enroll in educational art classes, helping to grow their creativity and confidence.

Recently, four children entered Casa Imagina to prepare for adoption, and three children left to join permanent, loving families. Caregivers at the home receive specialized training to advocate and care for children waiting to join adoptive families. Once children are matched with families, caregivers help prepare them for the transition ahead. With one-on-one support, the children learn about culture, climate, language and, for many, what it means to be part of a family.

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The post Notes from the Field: May 2025 appeared first on Holt International.

Having family members and friends who were adopted, Bill and Adrienne were both familiar with and open to the adoption journey.

When they decided to begin the process, Thailand was a natural choice.

Bill is half-Thai and has family that lives in Thailand. Along with what he learned growing up with a Thai mother, he had become quite familiar with Thai culture during his trips to the country.

“First and foremost, I appreciate how welcoming and friendly Thais are,” Bill says. “I love the cuisine and the language is beautiful.”

Several years ago, Adrienne had the chance to travel with Bill and meet his family in Thailand. She has a deep appreciation for the culture as well.

“Thailand has a rich history and so many wonderful sights to visit. Bangkok is very international and has so much to offer,” Adrienne says.

Taking the First Step of the Adoption Journey

Once they decided to pursue adopting a child from Thailand, Bill and Adrienne confirmed they were eligible for the standard program and then took the first step — completing an application with Holt.

“We began the process before the Covid pandemic,” Bill remembers. “Holt did a wonderful job throughout. The journey took about three years. Getting matched with our daughter was the first big reward and, of course, meeting her for the first time was the biggest.”

After being matched with their daughter, they waited 15 months to travel while all their paperwork was approved in the U.S. and Thailand. Most families will wait 6-12 months for the Thai government to approve a match and then an additional six months to travel.

An Unforgettable Union

Finally came the day when Bill and Adrienne flew to Thailand to unite with their 3-year-old adopted daughter, Sammi.

“It was wonderful and scary,” Bill shares, reflecting on the moment they met Sammi for the first time. “It was wonderful because we finally got to meet our daughter, and scary because we were first-time parents starting our new adventure.”

In their time of bonding together in Thailand, Sammi was able to meet some of Bill’s Thai relatives. It was a truly special time to grow together as a family, and they say they were grateful to connect before leaving Bangkok.

“Holt did an excellent job helping with all the travel details, and the accommodations were excellent,” Adrienne shares.

Then the family of three made the journey to their home in Iowa, where Bill and Adrienne had a bedroom ready for Sammi.

Life Together

They say Sammi is a brave little girl, and they look forward to seeing her grow.

“She will be able to do anything she sets her mind to,” Adrienne says. “Our daughter is an amazing child, and it is wonderful that Thailand has such a robust adoption program where children are cared for so well.”

Until she was adopted, Sammi stayed with a multi-generational foster family in Thailand.

“She grew up in a loving home,” Adrienne says. “We visited the family as part of our trip, and Sammi enjoys looking at pictures of the foster family and talking about the family members.”

Holt’s partner organization, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), offers something truly special and unique as the first organization in Thailand to offer foster care. HSF ensures that children reach critical developmental milestones, receive proper nutrition and develop vital emotional bonds while they wait to join a permanent, loving family — either through family reunification or adoption. Around 90 foster families in Thailand open their homes to children, like Sammi, each year.

Growing Together as a Family

Three years have passed since Bill and Adrienne first held their daughter. Now she’s almost 6 years old.

They say she has adjusted very well and picked up English quickly. Bill’s knowledge of the Thai language helped in the early days of communicating and bonding with Sammi.

“She has grown up and developed so much in the last few years. She has such a big
personality and is starting to reflect on her own identity,” Adrienne says.

“Sammi knows she is from Thailand. She has always talked about her foster family, and we talk about Bill’s Thai family, whom Sammi was able to meet while we were in Bangkok,” Adrienne says. “We look forward to visiting Thailand in a few years and talking about it with Sammi.”

Sammi and her family enjoy Thai cuisine and attend local cultural events promoting Thai and Asian culture. They have made many memories together, growing closer as a family.

“While we have created many cherished memories with Sammi, one comes to mind. Last summer, we were returning from an annual trip with the grandparents when our flight was canceled due to a global software glitch,” Bill says.

Forced to spend two extra nights in Philadelphia, they took a positive attitude and made the most of it — especially Sammi.

“In addition to enjoying the hotel pool, Sammi got to visit a fun, local play area and go to the Philadelphia Zoo,” Bill shares. “She also had a chance to meet one of Adrienne’s best friends, who happened to be in the area. All in all, we turned lemons into lemonade, and it was an entirely different and positive experience since we could spend it as a family!”

Reflections on their Adoption Journey

Holt requires 27 hours of adoption training — or 40 hours for an older child adoption — before a homestudy begins. Parents learn about parenting transracial adoptees, the impact of health and environment on a child, trauma-informed parenting and more.

Then, parents complete one hour of training per month until placement. Before families travel, they also receive child- and family-specific training that helps prepare them to meet their child’s unique needs.

There are also many optional resources available, including monthly educational webinars, monthly support groups and Inquiry Info Session webinars, which help connect families in process with parents who have been through the process before. After Bill and Adrienne came home with Sammi, they shared their experiences and advice with families in an Inquiry Info Session webinar.

Bill and Adrienne say that the required reading and preparation for the adoption process helped prepare them. But there was no way to be fully prepared for the major life change that adoption brings. As first-time parents, they say they’ve learned on the fly.

“Adoption is wonderful. It is also complex and complicated, and we will work on all [the] aspects with our daughter as she grows up. We understand that it is important to acknowledge not only the challenges that our daughter has faced but also those that will inevitably arise,” Adrienne shares.

Looking back, they wish they had shown themselves more patience and grace as first-time parents — raising a 3- to 4-year-old is no small feat. They advise new parents to keep that in mind, along with these words of encouragement:

“Prepare as best as you can and give yourself grace,” Bill says. “When things get challenging, keep the big picture in mind. They grow up so fast!”

Bill and Adrienne say that the adoption journey has been wonderful.

“Everyone we worked with at Holt and in Thailand was amazing,” Bill shares. “The social workers in Thailand were outstanding and truly cared. I hope more people will consider adopting from Thailand.”

Adopt From Thailand

Many children in Thailand are waiting for a loving, permanent family.

thailand adoption info

The post Learning As They Go appeared first on Holt International.

Here are our top 5 facts about adopting from Thailand:

1. The minimum age for adoptive parents is 25.

For younger couples who want to start a family through adoption, Thailand is a great choice. Couples can have up to one child in their home prior to submitting their application to adopt a child from Thailand, and couples with a child can request to be matched with a child of the opposite gender. Childless couples must be open to a child of either gender. Adoptions from Thailand, while limited, have remained stable.

2. Most children adopted from Thailand are about 2 years old.

Even though the process to adopt a child from Thailand takes 2-3 years, most children are under 2 years old at time of match and under 3 years old at the time they join their families, and families are needed for children of both genders. Of course, if you are interested in older child adoption, there are many older children in Thailand who are waiting for their permanent, loving families.

3. Our partners in Thailand strive to keep families together and help parents make informed decisions regarding their children. This is something for adoptive parents to celebrate too!

Holt’s longstanding partner in Thailand, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), is a prominent leader of child welfare services and women’s rights advocacy. Since 1976, HSF has helped struggling families stay together through counseling, financial assistance, vocational training, educational sponsorship and income-generating projects. Because single mothers still face discrimination in Thailand, HSF provides shelter, healthcare, postnatal care and counseling to help them cope with discrimination and make an informed decision about whether to parent or relinquish their child. About 80 percent of women who receive HSF support choose to parent their children. Those who do not are well educated regarding their decision. Holt always works to ensure the highest ethical practices in adoption, and HSF is a top-notch reflection of that commitment.

4. HSF lovingly cares for children from day one.

Most children in Holt’s Thailand adoption program spend the first several weeks of life with their birth mothers and then are placed directly into loving foster families. HSF was the first organization to implement foster care in Thailand, providing a more nurturing alternative to institutional care. In the years since, HSF’s foster care program in Thailand has become the model for both governmental and non-governmental childcare institutions in the region. While children wait to join their permanent family, foster families ensure children reach critical developmental milestones, receive proper nutrition and develop vital emotional bonds. Holt also receives a detailed child progress report every four months, which contains an update on the child’s health and developmental milestones, along with new photos to share with the child’s prospective family.

5. Children from Thailand need loving, permanent families.

While Thailand’s economy has grown significantly over the past decade, poverty persists, especially in many rural regions — leaving children vulnerable to family separation or abandonment. While HSF is working to combat the enduring stigma toward single mothers, many young women still choose to relinquish or abandon their children. Over the past decade, the HIV epidemic orphaned nearly half a million children as well. For these reasons and others, many children in Thailand need international adoption to be able to join a permanent, loving family. HSF was founded on the belief that every child deserves to grow up feeling the love and joy of a family.

If you would like more information about adopting a child from Thailand, contact our adoption advisors at adopt@holtinternational.org.

Adopt From Thailand

Many children in Thailand are waiting for a loving, permanent family.

thailand adoption info

The post Top 5 Facts About Adopting From Thailand appeared first on Holt International.

From Cambodia to Thailand, Uganda to the Philippines and beyond, children in Holt sponsor and donor-supported programs experienced pure joy as they celebrated Christmas and the end of the year with gifts, delicious meals and festive fun. For those living in poverty or orphanages, these moments are especially precious — bringing joy and warmth where celebrations are often rare.

Every child deserves a chance to celebrate! Thank you for making these unforgettable Christmas and year-end celebrations and gifts possible for children around the world year after year.

Here’s what our partners around the world shared about the joy and impact of their celebrations, thanks to Holt sponsors and donors like you:

Celebrations in Cambodia

In Cambodia, the children’s year-end party was a celebration to remember! Children enjoyed balloon activities, singing and dancing, jumping in sacks and practicing numbers and letters. Delicious food and treats were shared with all who came. The festivities also included a time of community education focusing on child rights and safety, with books and other treasures given as prizes for Q&A sessions.

“We sincerely thank our sponsors for always making the end-of-year party possible for the children. Your support brings joy, hope and cherished memories to their lives every year. Your generosity truly makes a difference, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment to brightening their futures.”

— Holt Cambodia Staff

Christmas in Uganda

“It is always a joy for the children to receive Christmas card[s] from [their] sponsors. They feel how much they are loved. Children say that the cards contain inspiring messages. To most children, they read the messages over and over again throughout the year. Thank you so much, our beloved sponsors, for making this happen. May God richly bless and uphold you.”

— Holt Uganda Staff

Celebrations in Thailand

In Thailand, families were welcomed with an assortment of treats, including doughnuts, cupcakes, buns and milk. Children of all ages took part in a lively music show, spreading festive cheer, and enjoyed playing games. Gifts — including bicycles and scooters — were given to the children to add to the joy of the occasion. To conclude the end-of-year celebration, everyone gathered for a community meal, ending on a sweet note with ice cream and fresh fruits.

“The smiles on everyone’s faces were genuinely heartwarming. Thank you so much for your generous donations. Your support means everything to us and to the children, evidenced by their big smiles of happiness.”

— Holt Thailand Staff

Christmas in Colombia

“All the children had a great time and enjoyed sharing about their Christmas traditions. Thank you for your constant support and generosity. These children have the opportunity to learn, have positive experiences and enjoy great moments with their teachers and friends.”

— Holt Colombia Staff

Christmas in the Philippines

Christmas in the Philippines was filled with joy, special gifts, delicious food, laughter, singing and dancing. One exciting surprise for the children was a face painter who brought the day to life with vibrant colors! The day was truly special for the children, as shown by their big smiles.

“Your generosity plays a crucial role in shaping brighter futures for the children under our care, making a significant and lasting difference in their lives. From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our deepest gratitude for your kindness and generosity. Your thoughtful gifts and special meals bring not just joy but a profound sense of love and care to the children. These moments of surprise and delight remind them that they are cherished, valued, and never alone. 

With bright smiles and grateful hearts, the children say, ‘Thank you, dear donors!’ Your generosity creates lasting memories and gives them hope for a brighter future. In return, they offer something truly special — their prayers. They ask God to bless you and your families abundantly, to keep you safe, and to fill your lives with love and happiness, just as you have done for them.

Your kindness makes a difference far beyond what words can express. Thank you for being a source of light and warmth in their lives. May you always be blessed with joy, health and prosperity.”

— Holt Philippines Staff

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The post Bringing Joy to Every Corner appeared first on Holt International.

*Due to the sensitivity of this story, we have covered Dao’s face online.

Meet Dao, a sweet girl with big, round cheeks and a toothy smile. One-year-old Dao has just figured out how to climb onto the sofa, and the sparkle in her eyes shows how proud she is of her new skill. Dao lives in southern Thailand in the care of her loving family. But life has not always been this way. Dao’s first year was filled with adversity.

Her mother and father, New and Sing, met through their shared use of methamphetamines. Not long after, New discovered she was pregnant with Dao. They stayed together through most of New’s pregnancy until Sing’s drug use made him aggressive, leading to their separation.

In October 2023, Dao was born. When the doctors performed their newborn tests, amphetamines were found in her system. As her mother continued using methamphetamines, her care for Dao waned. Rather than providing breastmilk or formula, she fed Dao varying amounts of sweetened condensed milk. This substitute has become a common issue in Thailand, often due to limited access to accurate information about child nutrition. When the time came for a fresh diaper, Dao would sit for hours in her soiled clothes. Because of this, Dao developed red rashes where the wet diapers clung to her skin. New would disappear for long periods, leaving baby Dao with neighbors.

A Lifeline for Children

Dao’s neglect is not an isolated case. It’s part of a larger, heartbreaking cycle fueled by substance abuse. Methamphetamines are rampant in Thailand where a single tablet can be purchased for as little as 10 cents. This epidemic of substance abuse plagues nearly 60,000 adults. Especially in impoverished communities where many people treat meth like coffee, using it for energy and to increase their ability to work long hours. But before long, this pervasive substance takes hold, trapping its victims in addiction, ripping apart families and passing its devastation down through generations.

Many children are affected by substance abuse, from babies born addicted to drugs to teenagers who use substances and then drop out of school. While the meth epidemic continues to devastate families, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), Holt’s partner organization in Thailand, offers a lifeline to children and families affected by substance abuse. HSF supports children by providing foster care, nutrition support, education, parental counseling and classes, community support, and by helping to reunite children with family members who can care for them. Donor support is critical for children in Thailand, like Dao, who lack the care and support they need to thrive.

Finding a Loving Family for Dao

New’s neighbors soon became concerned with Dao’s condition and urged her to place Dao in the care of her extended family. Wanting her daughter to be safe and loved, New brought Dao to her parents, but they were already caring for some of New’s other children — and they could not commit to caring for Dao. They contacted HSF for help, requesting that Dao be placed in an HSF foster home. Because family strengthening and reunification is always Holt’s first goal, our local partner worked to keep Dao in the care of family members. Far too often, children around the world are separated from their families due to poverty, illness and other hardships. But at Holt, we strive to ensure a stable, loving family for every child, and we believe that children should have every opportunity to grow up in the love and care of their birth family before we ever consider domestic or international adoption for them.

After continuing the search for extended family, Dao’s paternal grandparents, Sao and Pong, stepped forward to care for Dao.

Providing Nurturing Care

Dao’s grandparents have been working with Holt for almost a year now. In that time, they have provided nurturing care for Dao, helping nurse her to health. She has made strides with growth and development benchmarks. She eats three meals a day, sleeps through the night and has learned to brush her teeth with the help of her grandmother. Dao is a confident little girl, walking well and climbing on sofas and stairs with pride. She has learned to say “food,” “milk” and “water” and has a cheerful personality. Her healthy development has been made possible by generous donors sharing their hearts and contributing funds to strengthen families around the world.

Sao and Pong have worked closely with social workers through HSF’s family development programs. The grandparents are currently a part of HSF’s newborn-to-3-years program, which provides milk formula and health monitoring for Dao. HSF programs have also helped them with childcare skills, provided them with community support through parent groups and assisted them with completing paperwork for Dao. Home visits and emotional support for the grandparents have helped them care for Dao, with HSF utilizing casework to help guide the family towards a self-sustainable future.

The Impact of Family Strengthening  

Sao and Pong hope to raise Dao in the best possible environment, believing that a loving and nurturing childhood is crucial for growth. They want her to have good health, an education and a career, while fostering close family bonds. They also hope Dao’s father, Sing, will rehabilitate, stay away from drugs and eventually take part in her upbringing. He is currently in a rehabilitation program to become clean from substance use.

Sao and Pong love Dao very much and have expressed interest in officially adopting her. When Dao was born, her father’s name was left off the birth certificate, so adopting Dao will help secure her future rights. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, Sao and Pong feel a strong connection to Dao, and they say she is a part of their family. When they see her smiling face, they are filled with a desire to love and nurture her.

Sao and Pong’s unwavering love for Dao has transformed her life, and they credit much of this progress to the ongoing support they’ve received from HSF and the generous donors who make this work possible. It is because of compassion and generosity of donors, like you, that families are strengthened and empowered with the resources they need to thrive.

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The post Hope for Dao: How Donors Are Helping a Family Overcome the Effects of Addiction appeared first on Holt International.

India

Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK), Holt’s partner organization in the city of Pune, threw a Christmas party last December for children living at all four of its Holt-supported care centers and for those in impoverished communities in and around Pune. During the celebration, children and staff participated in interactive games that promoted creativity and teamwork, sang Christmas carols and ate delicious snacks. The children also received gifts that were carefully selected for them, filling them with joy. Children in Holt programs rarely receive anything extra, so this Christmas celebration was a special treat. As one BSSK program manager said, “The event was a beautiful expression of togetherness, leaving everyone with lasting memories of love and happiness during this special time of year.”

Mongolia

Nearly a third of Mongolians live in poverty, and the nation has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in all of Asia. Roughly 47% of children and 1 in 3 women have experienced violence in the home. Holt sponsors and donors directly support three domestic violence shelters for mothers and children in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, where they receive temporary housing and support until they can safely rebuild their lives.

Recently, three women and seven children were brought into one of the shelters, seeking safety and support. In addition to housing, the center offered the families vitamins and nutritious food, in an effort to prevent nutrient deficiencies in the children and help support their healthy growth and development. The shelter also opened case files for all the mothers and children and created long-term service plans to ensure their health and safety.

Philippines

Kaisahang Buhay Foundation (KBF), Holt’s long-standing partner in the Philippines, recently celebrated its 49^th year of operation. In 1976, Holt helped establish KBF in Manila, and through the years, KBF has grown to become a recognized leader in child welfare services. Through KBF, Holt sponsors and donors have also supported thousands of children in the Philippines through a broad range of family strengthening, foster care and parenting education programs.

One such program is the Independent Living and Educational Assistance (ILEA) program, which supports teens and young adults who have aged out of institutional care in the Philippines. Through the ILEA program, a group of 13-15 teens and young adults live together in a house or dorm-like setting. They receive support and funding to help them complete their high school or college education. They also have a house parent who teaches them skills like cooking, cleaning and paying bills, so they can eventually transition to independent living.

This past December, sponsors and donors supported a Christmas party for children, teens and young adults in KBF programs, including those in the ILEA program. Christmas is an important holiday in the Philippines, and during the party, everyone received gifts and enjoyed festive activities!

Thailand

Thailand recently experienced its most severe flooding in the past 50 years, due to continuous heavy rains that caused significant damage to the country’s farmlands and disruption to daily life. In response, Holt’s local partner, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), provided emergency relief kits and financial aid to help families overcome immediate hardships. HSF also helped families apply for emergency flood assistance from the Thai government.

Uganda

Many children in Uganda have lost one or both parents to armed fighting among ethnic groups or HIV/AIDS. Some of them live with their grandparents or other extended family members. Others are truly orphaned and growing up without a family. While Holt does not facilitate international adoptions from Uganda, the Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development is now working to make domestic adoption more accessible for Ugandan families.

Holt Uganda recently worked with Home Free, a local child advocacy group, to provide social workers with technical training in adoption documentation, case management, and the legal process and requirements for domestic adoption. In addition, the groups held information sessions for 37 prospective adoptive parents, offering them a deeper understanding of adoption and the legal process.

Recently, five domestic adoption cases were approved by Uganda’s Alternative Care Panel and district court, allowing these children to join their forever families. The chief magistrate commended the Holt and Home Free teams for their work in compiling detailed case records and conducting thorough family tracing, and for the evident bonding between the children and their prospective adoptive parents.

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The post Notes from the Field: January 2025 appeared first on Holt International.

Who doesn’t love a holiday party? Children living in poverty or in an orphanage don’t always have the chance to have a Christmas or New Year’s party, filled with gifts, games, special meals, songs and laughter. But thanks to you, children in Holt-sponsored programs around the world enjoyed some very festive celebrations in 2024. Here, we highlight two celebrations that you helped make possible through your generosity — a Tet party in Vietnam and a New Year’s Smile party in Thailand.

Vietnam

In Vietnam, 200 children living in child welfare centers celebrated Tet, or Vietnamese New Year, thanks to Holt child sponsors and donors who gave gifts for Christmas and holiday celebrations last year. Tet is the most important festival and public holiday in the country, heralding the arrival of spring! Children began their celebration by decorating their homes and playgrounds in the vivid, festive colors of kumquat trees and apricot blossoms, plants that represent warmth, wealth and good luck for the upcoming year.

During the celebration, the children sang, danced and played games. Best of all, they enjoyed chung cakes, a traditional food made of sticky rice stuffed with green beans and pork and wrapped in dong leaves.

The children also loved dressing up for Tet in their new clothes and taking photos. And they were happy, as always, to receive their New Year’s envelopes filled with lucky money! “The gifts touch our children, and they definitely feel they are cared for and encouraged for all their good work during the past year,” one Vietnam program manager shared.

Thailand

In Thailand, Holt sponsors and donors made it possible for our partner, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), to hold two New Year’s Smile parties for 140 families. The events celebrated the achievements of children and families in HSF’s family strengthening programs with food, gifts, games and fun activities.

During the events, participants dressed in bright, colorful clothing, and each family brought homegrown gifts to share with friends, such as bananas, watermelons, corn, pumpkins, rice and papayas. In addition, children and their families performed traditional dance routines.

Children also enjoyed face painting and drawing activities, gaming booths with quizzes (and prizes!) and other fun events throughout the day. “Every child and guardian received encouraging gifts to take home, making the New Year’s Smile event a source of inspiration and happiness for everyone,” says an HSF program manager.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity for children living in poverty and in orphanages around the world! Because of you, children who rarely get anything “extra” felt celebrated and loved at their special holiday celebrations last year.

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The post It’s Time for a Holiday Party! appeared first on Holt International.