Haitian Orphans Flash Pan Appeal

*Right To Life Principle* The right to life of each human being shall be preserved and protected by every human being in society and by society as a whole.

The March For Life had added dimensions this past Friday. Not only was the stage set for a warmer day than The March For Life had seen in past years, but the word adoption was the rage this past week through the worldwide news. The earthquake that rattled Haiti put the images of hungry and hurt orphans living in street camps onto the world stage in living rooms around the world. Senators and their staff scrambled to apply pressure on federal agencies to develop the safe and swift evacuation of Haitian orphans who were obviously in peril. The attempts to adopt Haitian orphans had been a battle fought for a long time. It was a battle that had received little press. It was known about primarily by those who were directly involved with Haitian adoptions and knew about the homes for orphans that existed in the small country of Haiti.

Images of Haitian orphans flashed across every television screen in the offices of elected officials who were fighting on their behalf before they had emerged from battle. Many of them were spending long days in Haiti or working on behalf of Haitian orphans who seemed light years away. Planes of Haitian orphans arrived across The United States looking displaced. About 1,000 families in The United States had applied to adopt Haitian children. Many of the families who were waiting to adopt children had been waiting several years to adopt the children who they received.

Watching the images from the offices of elected officials, I felt a sense of elation. Not only were elected officials from across the country successful in their efforts to bring Haitian orphans to The United States where hope flourished but many of them advocated for The March For Life and pro-life beliefs. Tragedy, danger and unspeakable horrors were left behind in a place called yesterday for may of the Haitian orphans. This week, the decision was made by the government officials in Haiti to halt the departure of all orphans from the country until it can be assured that their adoptions have been approved. Only orphans whose paperwork has been examined and approved will be permitted to leave the country. This lends sorrow to orphans who are desperate to receive medical care and who Doctors Without Borders has been advocating for. It is hoped that through continued efforts, the Life Principles of The Right To Life might be realized for all of the orphans of Haiti.