Unfortunately, orphanages have often only enabled the dissolution of Haitian families. Haiti was said to have as many as 500,000 orphans before the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010. The vast majority of these "orphans" were actually not true orphans. They were children given up by living parents because of extreme poverty. A history of corruption and inefficiency in the Haitian governments adoption processes has caused orphanages to be overcrowded and short on funding, also creating emotional, physical, and developmental problems for institutionalized children. Yet, while a single adoption costs $15,000-20,000, these funds could sustain up to 40 families by providing seed money for ongoing small businesses!
Most orphanages are focused primarily on childcare, without addressing the roots of child abandonment. Unfortunately, many, many orphanages also take in way too many kids way too easily. While the Apparent Project advocates passionately for the adoption of true orphans, they also believe that preventing child abandonment by economically empowering Haitian families is the best way to rescue children. The Apparent Project has created opportunities for impoverished parents to earn an income through their artisan program. We train each parent in a specialized skill, such as jewelry making, bookbinding, sewing, or another craft, building relationships along the way. Through addressing educational needs, homelessness, joblessness, nutritional problems, medical needs, and building emotionally and spiritually enriching relationships, they are trying to bring dignity and wholeness to the whole person, strengthening each to be a support and encouragement to others.
Of course we are advocates of adoption. But we also believe that with their bio parents is where kids belong, as long as they can be cared for and their needs met properly. Supporting The Apparent Project will help parents be able to keep their children and make sure they are taken care of.
To help support this project, we are selling bracelets made by these trained artists, who are parents trying to earn money to be able to care for their children. Each bracelet is unique and made from recycled cereal boxes.
They are $8 each. Half of that money goes back to Haiti, while the other half supports our adoption. For $2 more, we are able to ship them anywhere in the US.
If you would like to help support this cause, you can message me here or email me at whitaker_lori@yahoo.com.
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