(Personal Photo)
"HOW A LITTLE GRAIN OF FAITH AND DETERMINATION CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS."
~Nancy Clough
Interview with my adoptive Mom, Nancy Clough
Why did you choose Holt International Children's Services? We were fortunate to know two other families who had adopted their children through Holt International Children's Services. Like most adoptive families, they were eager to share their stories with us and generous in providing helpful advice. We knew from them that Holt was well established and respected in the countries they served and thorough in ensuring the adoption was legal and appropriate. As much as any adoption can be a "sure thing" until it is completed, we knew that we could rely on Holt's word and would be kept informed all along the way. This indeed was our experience.
How did you meet Bertha Holt? We knew the story of Harry and Bertha because Holt provided us a copy of Bertha's autobiography to read while we waited for your brother to come home. Their story was fascinating and heartwarming. Bertha was in her 90s when we adopted your brother, but still very active in promoting Holt's mission. Holt has picnics each summer in each state in which they serve, and Bertha would attend as her schedule allowed. We met her at the Iowa picnic in 1999. It was an incredibly hot day (over 100 degrees), but Bertha was there on schedule, in full Korean dress (hanbok), greeting the long line of adoptive families. It was a brief, but very special, chance to talk to her and take photos with our family, made even more special that she passed shortly afterward.
How were the Holts leaders in international adoption? Harry and Bertha were determined to bring home 8 children who needed a "forever family," and it never deterred them that there was no legal mechanism to do so when they started. Their story is one of unwavering faith that it could be done and their commitment to helping those 8 children. When they got the children home, they could have said "we're done," but they then turned to help the hundreds of other people who contacted them wanting to provide a home to other children. From there, Holt International Children's Services was born and has evolved through the years. They've been a tireless advocate for children in need all over the world. They have been a leading voice for secure and legal adoptions in developing countries where it might be all too easy to coerce impoverished parents to surrender children involuntarily.
What is the legacy of Harry and Bertha Holt? The thing that sticks out to me is what an amazing example they are of how the efforts of two humble people, who never sought the spotlight, can change hundreds of thousands of lives. How a little grain of faith and determination can move mountains. Bertha Holt said many times she wanted to be remembered simply as "that lady who loved the Lord." Everything they did was to help their fellow man. In today's world so much horror and intolerance is enacted in the name of religion, but they are examples of what love, compassion, and inclusiveness can accomplish in the name of the Lord.
How has international adoption changed? International adoption has been, and will continue to be, a changing landscape because of the politics of the countries involved. The countries from which children are adopted has changed from predominantly SE Asia to now a greater focus on Latin America and Africa. The rules and regulations are different for each country. The wait times for expectant parents has grown substantially since we adopted you and your brother. We brought your brother home 9 months after starting paperwork, and you arrived in 15 months. Now the wait times can be 3-5 years.
One thing that I have seen, at least with Holt, is an increased emphasis on understanding the impact of adoption long after the paperwork is finalized and our children are home. It is a core part of the adoptee's identity. Adoptive families are still learning how best to honor the birth culture and birth parents while living in America and knowing sometimes very little about the circumstances that led to the birth parents making the choice for adoption. We've recently seen documentaries that examine the effect this has on adoptees. Holt tries to help address this aspect of adoption by holding culture camps for adoptees, like the one you attended a couple summers ago, and facilitating homeland tours for adoptees and their families. Adoption is not a one-time thing. It is a life journey, with life-long impacts that need to be embraced and honored, not swept aside.
How did you meet Bertha Holt? We knew the story of Harry and Bertha because Holt provided us a copy of Bertha's autobiography to read while we waited for your brother to come home. Their story was fascinating and heartwarming. Bertha was in her 90s when we adopted your brother, but still very active in promoting Holt's mission. Holt has picnics each summer in each state in which they serve, and Bertha would attend as her schedule allowed. We met her at the Iowa picnic in 1999. It was an incredibly hot day (over 100 degrees), but Bertha was there on schedule, in full Korean dress (hanbok), greeting the long line of adoptive families. It was a brief, but very special, chance to talk to her and take photos with our family, made even more special that she passed shortly afterward.
How were the Holts leaders in international adoption? Harry and Bertha were determined to bring home 8 children who needed a "forever family," and it never deterred them that there was no legal mechanism to do so when they started. Their story is one of unwavering faith that it could be done and their commitment to helping those 8 children. When they got the children home, they could have said "we're done," but they then turned to help the hundreds of other people who contacted them wanting to provide a home to other children. From there, Holt International Children's Services was born and has evolved through the years. They've been a tireless advocate for children in need all over the world. They have been a leading voice for secure and legal adoptions in developing countries where it might be all too easy to coerce impoverished parents to surrender children involuntarily.
What is the legacy of Harry and Bertha Holt? The thing that sticks out to me is what an amazing example they are of how the efforts of two humble people, who never sought the spotlight, can change hundreds of thousands of lives. How a little grain of faith and determination can move mountains. Bertha Holt said many times she wanted to be remembered simply as "that lady who loved the Lord." Everything they did was to help their fellow man. In today's world so much horror and intolerance is enacted in the name of religion, but they are examples of what love, compassion, and inclusiveness can accomplish in the name of the Lord.
How has international adoption changed? International adoption has been, and will continue to be, a changing landscape because of the politics of the countries involved. The countries from which children are adopted has changed from predominantly SE Asia to now a greater focus on Latin America and Africa. The rules and regulations are different for each country. The wait times for expectant parents has grown substantially since we adopted you and your brother. We brought your brother home 9 months after starting paperwork, and you arrived in 15 months. Now the wait times can be 3-5 years.
One thing that I have seen, at least with Holt, is an increased emphasis on understanding the impact of adoption long after the paperwork is finalized and our children are home. It is a core part of the adoptee's identity. Adoptive families are still learning how best to honor the birth culture and birth parents while living in America and knowing sometimes very little about the circumstances that led to the birth parents making the choice for adoption. We've recently seen documentaries that examine the effect this has on adoptees. Holt tries to help address this aspect of adoption by holding culture camps for adoptees, like the one you attended a couple summers ago, and facilitating homeland tours for adoptees and their families. Adoption is not a one-time thing. It is a life journey, with life-long impacts that need to be embraced and honored, not swept aside.