Pocono News Section

Are Haitian Orphans Prompting Interest In Adoption?

Are Haitian Orphans Prompting Interest In Adoption? - Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 5:30PM EST

Reported by: Eva Mastromatteo
Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010 @ 05:30pm EST
More than 50 Haitian children affected by the earthquake are now in Pennsylvania. They flew into Pittsburgh Tuesday morning with Governor Ed Rendell and a number of other instrumental helpers.

Some were greeted by adoptive parents, others by staff from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, who helped arrange the trip.

The trip was two-fold. It allowed the delivery of more then two tons of medical supplies to a Haitian hospital. It also allowed two Pittsburgh sisters who run an orphanage in Haiti to bring the kids to the commonwealth and out of harm's way.

The disaster in Haiti identifying the number of children without parents is prompting Americans to inquire about adoption. Neal Oberto from the Hazleton office of Catholic Social Services says the agency is now forwarding plans for international adoption even more, after the earthquake.

He says, typically, international adoptions can cost up to $20,000 due to paperwork and travel. He also urges families to make adoption decisions with their heart and mind because kids come with a lot of needs.

For more information, visit .