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SALT LAKE CITY — Adopting children from Haiti is a lengthy process for families throughout the U.S. and requires patience, perseverance and a lot of support.
Recently, Haitian children and their adoptive families in Utah got together for a reunion.
The Mardy family — who founded the Foyer de Sion orphanage — take as many children as they can, and most of them are malnourished. The Scott family — parents and children — have experienced and are still going through the challenges that come with foreign adoption. However, the four of them are growing up with love and hope.
The Scotts have 12 children. They adopted six, four of them from Haiti.
They all lived in Foyer de Sion. Before moving to a new building in the country, they lived in overcrowded, dangerous conditions in Port-au-Prince.
"There would be guns and yelling and screaming," said Vanessa Scott, who lived in the orphanage. "I just remember I couldn't ever sleep because of how crazy it was."
Their new parents said the process of just getting the children to the states is frustrating, but new challenges arose.
Related:
Haitian orphan beats cancer with help of adopted Utah family
When a Utah couple traveled to Haiti to bring home their adopted son, they had no idea their journey was only beginning.Sherry and Lynn Scott said language was an issue, especially since the family was already large when the new members were brought into it. There was what the Scotts called a "disruption of the dynamics that were already in existence."
The Scotts aren't the only Utahns who've brought Haitian children into their families.
In 1999, Guesno and Marjorie Mardy began taking street children into their home.
Now board members help raise donations, and families in France and the U.S. adopt them. The Mardys visit often to check on the children.
"No matter how hard the challenges are, even for the board, we see that we make a difference in the lives of the children," said Guesno Mardy.
- Founded in 1999
- Houses over 200 children ranging in age from newborns to 15 years
- Currently building new facility complete with 30 bedrooms, a floor for an in-house medical clinic, pharmacy and infirmary
Marjorie Mardy added, "Some of them, they make so much progress. I think the families are doing a good job too. I'm very proud of them."
The best part of these reunions, the young people said, is seeing each other again.
The Scott children are all good students now, but there are difficulties. Other kids make fun of their skin color, they said.
"They're teenagers," said Jacob Scott. "What can you say?"
When it comes down to it, though, the Scotts are just happy to have each other.
"We are a huge family with everybody that has trials," Sherry Scott said. "All families have trials. We just make it work."
The Scott children from Haiti said they want to grow up to be doctors or designers. For information on how to help or adopt the children at the orphanage, CLICK HERE.
