Earthquake Impacts American-Haitian Adoptions
By: Brittney Johnson
Updated: January 19, 2010
Jason and Sarah Hyatt may live in West Monroe, but they say a piece of their heart and soon to be daughter Naomie, lives in Haiti.
Sarah Hyatt said, "She's the sweetest little girl and we're just so in love with her and can't wait to have her home."
The couple says they were mentally prepared to wait another year to bring Naomie to the United States. That was before a devastating earthquake rocked the poor country of Haiti exactly one week ago. Tens of thousands of people are missing or dead. And Naomie's orphanage is nearly destroyed.
This is a photo of Naomie and other orphans after the quake. Sleeping on the ground outside.
Sarah Hyatt said, "When we heard about the earthquake the first thing I thought was, we have to get a plane, we have to go."
But amid the post quake chaos traveling to and from Haiti was nearly impossible.
Sarah Hyatt said, "As a mom I want to hold her and tell her its OK, but we do know she's taken care. Instead if wasting time fearing and worrying, about her, its more about, lets get her home."
Now for 14 hours a day, they use it and other social networking tools to reach out to politicians, community leaders---anyone who can help bring Naomie and other orphans like her, home.
Tuesday, the Hyatts learned Naomie and other orphans going through the adoption process, were granted humanitarian parole status. That means, Naomie, and her infectious smile, could be coming home in the next few days. And although its the answer to their prayers, the Hyatts say they won't believe, until they see it.
Jason Hyatt said, "None of us will stop, none of us will sleep, none of us will rest until we see it start to happen."
Sarah Hyatt said, "She's the sweetest little girl and we're just so in love with her and can't wait to have her home."
The couple says they were mentally prepared to wait another year to bring Naomie to the United States. That was before a devastating earthquake rocked the poor country of Haiti exactly one week ago. Tens of thousands of people are missing or dead. And Naomie's orphanage is nearly destroyed.
This is a photo of Naomie and other orphans after the quake. Sleeping on the ground outside.
Sarah Hyatt said, "When we heard about the earthquake the first thing I thought was, we have to get a plane, we have to go."
But amid the post quake chaos traveling to and from Haiti was nearly impossible.
Sarah Hyatt said, "As a mom I want to hold her and tell her its OK, but we do know she's taken care. Instead if wasting time fearing and worrying, about her, its more about, lets get her home."
Now for 14 hours a day, they use it and other social networking tools to reach out to politicians, community leaders---anyone who can help bring Naomie and other orphans like her, home.
Tuesday, the Hyatts learned Naomie and other orphans going through the adoption process, were granted humanitarian parole status. That means, Naomie, and her infectious smile, could be coming home in the next few days. And although its the answer to their prayers, the Hyatts say they won't believe, until they see it.
Jason Hyatt said, "None of us will stop, none of us will sleep, none of us will rest until we see it start to happen."
