2/28/2010: Father Michel Pugin writes in a February 28th email: I wish you where here to see the wonderful faces on the children... They are so beautiful! I was given an extensive tour of the orphanage today and a lot of things need to be replaced due to the debris falling and breaking things during the earthquake. I will make a list... Most of the children are almost sleeping on the floor, because the old mattresses they have are foam filled and that’s like sleeping on the concrete.

02/15/2010: We are pleased to announce that we are sending a volunteer to one of the orphanages we support. Fr. Michel Pugin will be leaving for Haiti on February 22 and will be spending one month at the orphanage in an attempt to provide the children some normalcy to their lives. Speaking fluent French, Father Pugin will be re-starting the orphanage’s school, teaching the 52 orphans who live there as well as the other 100+ local children who go to school at the orphanage. He will be reporting to us first hand providing us with reports and photos of his experiences in Haiti.

02/01/2010: In addition to a great need for monetary donations… that can be made via check made out to Adoption STAR, with Haiti in the memo line, the following is a list of much needed items:

Orphanage 1:

Baby Formula - preferably the powdered type - both milk and soy are OK - Currently they have 6 babies

Medical Supplies for dressing wounds such as: gauze (the 4" squares and larger) tape, anti-biotic cream

Children’s Tylenol and Children’s Advil

Single sheets, pillowcases and blankets

Soap

Baby Wipes, Baby Powder and Baby Oil

Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Bug repellent

Orphanage 2:

Tents: Quantity Needed 8

Mosquito Netting: Quantity Needed 30

Pajamas! toddler, older child and adult sizes.

Another creative way to help is to purchase a t-shirt: www.celebratebuffalo.com

1/27/2010: Adoption STAR families greeted their children who arrived Tuesday night from Haiti. The families and children are doing well.

1/23/2010: The Department of State is receiving inquiries from American citizens deeply touched by the plight of children in Haiti in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake.

As Secretary of State Clinton said on January 20;

"Children are especially vulnerable in any disaster, especially those without parents or other guardians to look after them.This devastating earthquake has left many in need of assistance, and their welfare is of paramount concern as we move forward with our rescue and relief efforts."

Together with the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department is processing and evacuating as quickly as possible those orphans who were identified for adoption by American citizens before the earthquake.

We understand that other Americans, moved by images of children in need, want to open their homes and adopt other Haitian children who had not been identified for adoption before the earthquake. The State Department advises against this course of action at this time. Intercountry adoption involves strict safeguards and legal requirements that must be met to protect children from illegal adoptions, abduction, sale and child-trafficking as well as to ensure that any adoption is in the best interests of the child.

Before a child can be legally taken to the United States for adoption, the Governments of both the United States and the child’s country of origin must first determine that the child is indeed an orphan. It can be extremely difficult during the aftermath of a natural disaster to ascertain whether children who appear to be orphans truly are eligible for adoption. Children may be temporarily separated from their parents or other family members, and their parents or family members may be looking for them. Moreover, it is not uncommon in an emergency or unsettled situation for parents to send their children out of the area, or for families to become separated during an evacuation. Efforts to reunite such children with relatives or extended family should be given priority.

In addition, some children who had been residing in orphanages before the earthquake were placed there temporarily by parents who could not care for them. In most of these cases the parents did not intend to permanently give up their parental rights. Even when it can be demonstrated that children have indeed lost their parents or have been abandoned, reunification with other relatives in the extended family should be the first option.

During times of crisis, it can also be exceptionally difficult to fulfill the legal requirements for adoption of both the United States and the child’s country of origin. This is especially true when civil authority breaks down or temporarily ceases to function. It can also be difficult to gather documents necessary to fulfill the legal requirements of U.S. immigration law.

The United States is cooperating directly with UNICEF and other relief organizations in Haiti to deliver needed supplies to Haiti’s orphanages and to provide assistance to other unaccompanied children. UNICEF is starting the process of registering unaccompanied children and will seek to unite children with relatives.

There are many ways in which U.S. citizens can help the children of Haiti now. For example, individuals who wish to assist can make a financial contribution to a reputable relief or humanitarian organization working in that country.

1/22/2010: Two aftershocks hit on Thursday, but after checking with the orphanage we work with, the children and staff are all fine. The staff was up all night fixing things that got knocked down, but no serious additional damage was found.

1/20/2010: After this mornings 6.1 earthquake, it appears that the children and staff of the orphanage we work with are fine. The orphanage has received the cargo that was donated and wants to thank those whose efforts made it possible. It really made their day!

1/14/2010: Late Tuesday afternoon (1/12/10), a massive 7.0 earthquake struck just outside of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. We have learned that the children in the Chrece (orphanage) that Adoption S.T.A.R. works with and the staff are safe.... Frightened, but safe. We will remain hopeful and continue to advocate that the children already matched with Adoption S.T.A.R. families will be able to travel to their new homes in the near future. We ask that you send your prayers and your financial support to the many efforts being made to assist the people of Haiti.