Ogden group still trying to get orphans out of Haiti

By Christopher Smart The Salt Lake Tribune

A group of orphans, some of whom have been adopted by Utah parents, are almost ready to leave Haiti. But they haven't found a way out -- yet.

After a week of bureaucratic shuffling, about 70 children affiliated with Hope for Little Angels of Haiti orphanage should by Tuesday be officially cleared to exit the quake-ravaged country and enter the United States

Lehi resident Lori Rosenlof, who with husband Brent has adopted two of the orphans, said Sunday the group must raise at least $10,000 for jet fuel to get the children to Florida.
"We have a commitment from some individuals but we have a ways to go," she said of the fundraising effort.

The Haitian youngsters are being adopted through the Ogden-based Wasatch International Adoptions. But a tentative agreement between the agency and the Church of Scientology to fly the group to Florida fell through.

Beyond seeking money in an effort to "find a plane," perhaps through a St. George group headed by Jeremy Johnson, Lori Rosenlof has asked the Utah Division of Homeland Security for assistance.

Gov. Gary Herbert on Friday released a statement, saying his administration is willing to help in the Haiti relief effort. It remained unclear, however, whether that included transporting orphans.

A spokesman for the Utah Division of Homeland Security, said state officials are exploring options. Brian Hyer said he has been in discussions with Lori Rosenlof. But nothing was certain as of Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, a crew from Hill Air Force base, accompanied by several civilians on a humanitarian mission, flew 23 orphans to safety in Florida.

Shortly after midnight Saturday, they were airlifted to Orlando, Fla., by the 419th Fighter Wing's 67th Aerial Port Squadron.

In Florida, the children were united with previously identified adoptive parents from various parts of the country, said Hill Air Force Base spokeswoman Kari Tilton.
The youngsters were flown from Port-au-Prince on an Air Force C-17 transport that had taken 15 reservists from Hill's squadron 67 to Haiti on a 45-day mission. Their specialty is setting up airports in austere conditions.

"They [reservists] will help get airfield operations flowing smoothly, so humanitarian relief can arrive and be distributed more efficiently," Tilton said.

The Air Force transport returned to Utah on Sunday and is not available to transport the children being adopted through the Ogden agency. The parents of those kids remained hopeful, however.

David and Candace Aiken of Eagle Mountain are adopting three of the Haitian children.
"We're working hard to raise the funds to defer the fuel costs," David Aiken said Sunday. "We know we'll get them out eventually. But there are a lot of concerns when your kids are in a country like Haiti."

The Aikens are adopting a girl, Nerlande, 5, and two boys, Yonelson, 4, and Fabria, 8. They were already in the process of adoption when the Jan. 12 quake brought everything to a halt. Now, they have been cleared to leave Haiti and enter the U.S.

"It's such a weird situation," David Aiken said. "We are so blessed to have them coming. But it is such a tragic event that brought them to us sooner."

For the Rosenlofs, the picture remains murkier. Brent, who accompanied Wasatch International Adoptions coordinator Chareyl Moyes to Haiti after the earthquake, has 2-year-old Nathan with him. But the couple's adoptive daughter, Jessica, 3, has yet to be located. She is the last one of the group to be accounted for, leaving Lori Rosenlof greatly concerned.

Many of the so-called "orphans" being adopted from Haiti were given up for adoption by parents who could not support them. In emotional tones Sunday, Lori said she hopes Jessica is with one of her biological parents, although she is not sure.

To help Ogden-based Wasatch International Adoptions raise funds to unite Haitian orphans with adoptive parents in the U.S., visit » www.countdowntohomecoming.blogspot.com