Posted on 01/19/2010 4:25:07 PM PST by traumer
PITTSBURGH (CBS) Last Tuesday's earthquake only added to what was already a very rough start in life for thousands of Haitian orphans. Now they're hoping for the American dream, as they wait to be adopted.
Wrapped in the arms of strangers, some Haitian orphans have made it home.
They were sleepy babies, brave boys mustering a smile, as 53 orphans, left homeless after their orphanage was destroyed in the quake, arrived at the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
"We all love each other and care for each other and to be asked to leave without a single of them was not an option," said Ali McMutrie, 22-years-old, who helps to run the BRESMA orphanage, which, like so many other orphanages, was dessimated in the earthquake.
"It was a long week and really tough week living in a driveway with hundreds of kids," said McMutrie.
After the quake, which was captured on video at another nearby orphanage, McMutrie and her sister used Twitter and Facebook to plea for a place to get the kids out.
On Monday, an airforce C-130 landed in Port-Au-Prince to pick them up. Not all the kids had the right paperwork, and when the sisters said it was all or nothing, it took a call to the White House – and they were cleared.
"They all now have passports and VISA's and it's a sight to see," said Pennsylvania Governor Rendell.
The children spent the night at the Orlando airport, and flew to Pittsburgh Tuesday morning.
"They were just interested in snacks, as many as they could get, it was awesome," said Rendell, with a laugh.
There were already about 400,000 orphans in Haiti before the earthquake. The U.S. is now easing adoption restrictions.
Forty-seven of these kids already have parents lined up and will go to group homes untilt he adoption process is complete.
This is all McMutrie could have hoped for. "I'm dreaming and I don't know when I'm going to wake up," said McMutrie.
A dream realized from the courage of those trying to help children out of a nightmare.
Because of the Earthquake, it is estimated tens of thousands of children are now orphans in Haiti.
it took a call to the White House – and they were cleared.... :o)
This is touching. About the only thing I’ve seen from Bummer all year that warmed my heart.
I saw those two young women on Fox News, and I must say it was inspiring to see them taking care of all those children.
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