The Hogelands (a family in my hometown) were adopting 2 HIV+ girls. They raised the funds to go the first time with intentions of bringing both home, but due to a change in the country’s laws at the very last minute, they were forced to leave one behind. Their other daughter, “V”, had to watch her mama and sister leave without her. They are now having to start back over at square one to raise the funds to go BACK and get V. If you can help, please do. If you cannot, then just–PLEASE–share so that someone else can. They are running short on time. Please and thank you.
HERE IS THE LINK, GO, READ, WATCH THE VIDEO, DONATE, OR–AT LEAST–SHARE (will open in new window):
From Kate Hogeland’s blog:
“If you have followed our family’s journey you will know that this is not where we expected to be right now. My husband and I went to Eastern Europe to adopt two little girls. In the midst of the process the country we were going to changed their laws. Children under 5 could no longer be adopted internationally unless they have certain special needs. Our little ones have HIV, but this is not considered a special need.
We waited and waited hoping the law would be changed to include HIV. However, eventually we had to go ahead and go over for one of our girls because our dossier was expiring and she was aging out of her orphanage soon. So we went in January of 2012 still hoping that while we were in country the law would be changed.
It wasn’t.
So we got to meet our other little one which was wonderful and excruciating. She is precious and beautiful and sweet. We couldn’t spend much time with her but we did see her a good bit. We watched her preform in a Christmas program. Several times she held my hand. On many occasions she brought me her coat and shoes and would say, “Mama, help?” When we finally walked out of the orphanage with our daughter Eva Marina, “V” stood at the top of the stairs and watched us walk out. Seeing her up there, and leaving her behind made an emotional day almost more than I could handle.
Our girls are not blood relatives, but they were in the same groupa and were good friends. Eva Marina has asked about V several times. She loves to look at her pictures. It would be so amazing for both of them to get to grow up together.
We knew we would go back for V. The hard part is starting over so soon after coming home. And the cost of adopting 2 kids at once is not much more than 1, but now we start almost all over. Some costs will be less, but we start fundraising all over again. But now, we have a newly adopted daughter at home who doesn’t do well with too much stimulation and can’t be left for hours on end.
I raised several thousand dollars doing hair cuts last time. I would work for 8 hours a day doing cuts non stop. Now I can not do that. Planning events to raise funds has also proved difficult while in the adjustment with our newest little one. I just can’t find time for everything I need to do.
I am almost paralyzed with fear about the daunting financial aspect of doing this again. But V is worth it. I have Hope. I am terrified but moving forward.
So, here we go again. I hope you will join us on our journey back to our other precious child!”
I mean, REALLY, how can you not share?
Undomesticated Housewife 