 "Photo: File")
Seated on a piece of concrete that was once home but is now a piece of rubble, is a small child. No older than two-years-old, covered in debris and wearing torn clothes, she sits and waits.
Her stomach growls, her throat is dry and she has not eaten in days. Dried blood, from an old cut, is stained on her face. She has no one to aid her, feed her or take her into their arms. Her face is consumed with agony and isolation. What she once knew has now become a faded memory.
She doesn’t know where to go, so she continues to sit on that piece of concrete. Tears start to fill her eyes, as she has now been sitting there for weeks – but it seems to her as if it has been forever. She begins to cry as people pass by without taking notice.
If no one comes to rescue her, she will eventually be in the hands of people that may use her body and her innocence to make money, or to leave her on the side of the street to eventually die.
There are more than 400,000 Haitian children that have become orphans after the devastating earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince. These children have nowhere to go, and some of the people looking after them are traffickers who want to sell the babies or use the children to make money. These people may even make the children perform sexual deeds or might sell them to illegal adoption agencies.
Don Lovell, a resident and student in Albany, Ga., was more than disturbed when he heard about the earthquake that killed and harmed thousands, leaving Haiti seeking and hoping for help.
“I have always had a burden for orphans,” said Lovell. “I guess it is because I was one for a few months before I was adopted.”
Lovell felt a connection with kids that had no place else to go. He knew that he couldn’t physically go to Haiti at the time, but he still wanted to do something.
Lovell created a Facebook group, maximizing his creative skills to use words and the Internet. Most people use Facebook for networking, to keep up with friends or to socialize. Lovell, however, wanted to help the orphans of Haiti find a home. He named the group “Operation Haitian Orphan.” He wanted to let the world know what was happening to the unclaimed children, and hopefully to find some of them a home.
“I believe that the awareness by all of the Facebook pages has helped spur donations to the various relief agencies,” said Lovell.
The Facebook page consists of resources, stories, links, pictures and steps to adopt the children in Haiti. Open to all, there are also discussions by some of the members that let other people know the importance of adoption. Lovell also puts up statuses that refer to the latest news about Haitian children on a daily basis.
On Monday, Jan. 25, Lovell wrote, “
He lets his members know updates on Port-au-Prince, what the news is saying, what the government is doing and the latest adoption news in Haiti. Lovell also gives advice and links to websites where you can learn more about adoption.
Lovell wants his Facebook group to reach all around the world -- the more people that spread the news, the better.
“Joining a group like ours on Facebook helps to educate people and get the word out,” said Lovell. “It also shows other people that they can make a difference too. We have had emails from CBS News and the Department of Homeland Security. So word is out. Membership is at 115 or so as of today, but it’s still growing.”
For those interested in learning more about “Operation Haitian Orphan,” join the Facebook group to get updates. The site also has information on how to donate your time or money to the many organizations around the world that have come to Haiti’s aid.
For more information on adoption, go to http://www.adoption.com.
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