Two years ago today, Jamie and Ali successfully orchestrated the evacuation of 54 children awaiting adoption to the United States. In part 1 of a two-part post, adoptive parents reflect on what that week was like for them and what Jamie and Ali did for their families.
“Jamie and Ali are the strongest two women I know. They will forever be the biggest and most important heroes to our family. We have a picture of the two of them hugging Jenna, when Jenna was in their care and sick with giardia. Jenna looks at it all the time and mentions them in her prayers every night. She has even named her favorite baby dolls after them. We admire their hard work and dedication and the incredible commitment they have to the people of Haiti. Jenna is doing so well today. She is happy, healthy, confident and strong. I know so much of who she is today is thanks to the love and care she got from the McMutrie sisters. They are rockstars.”
–Elizabeth Dowling
“I’ll never forget seeing Jamie and Ali on CNN, split-screen with Jean and Ross in Kansas. It would be an understatement to say it was surreal to see our friends in the States on TV looking as traumatized emotionally as were we, and also, our friends in Haiti on the other half of the footage caring for a concrete yard full of babies on scarce supplies. Water, food, and medicine for the children were gone or the last of which soon to be consumed; yet, even on film, Jamie and Ali carried on a calm countenance and soothing disposition for the sake of the young ones. The women, as U.S. citizens, could have evacuated far sooner, and they could have left with some of the children just a bit later than that. The McMutries, however, knew each of the children as individual young people and had promised not to leave one of them behind. That determination spurred countless people to collaborate effectively to secure proper and legal clearances from both governments for the safe evacuation of every single child exactly six days after the quake — January 18th, 2010. Including my son and daughter. Today they laugh and bicker and dance and read, because Jamie and Ali gave them a chance.”
–Sherry and Chad Cluver
“We had been in the process of adopting our daughter Christa for two years when the Haitian earthquake occurred. Having visited Jamie and Ali previously in Haiti, we were greatly comforted in the knowledge that they would do everything in their power to protect and keep the children safe. We were still worried, of course, but were not disappointed in the end. Jamie and Ali showed their typical resolve in seeing that these wonderful children got to the safety of their loving families. Jamie and Ali’s influence in our daughter’s life doesn’t end here. They have been willing to work as intermediaries in getting a photo album update to Christa’s grandparents. They have also tried to help Christa’s older brother find a safe haven in the turmoil that distinguishes so many children’s lives in Haiti. Their dedication not only the children that were adopted, but to the concerns of the family members still in Haiti is a testament to the work they do and the true nature of their being.”
–Joy and Edward Young
“I will never forget what Jamie and Ali did for Marie and me. Without them, Marie would have been in Haiti longer, as France was among the last countries to evacuate Haitian adoptees. I was happy to meet them when I went to see my little girl in Haiti. They gave lots of love to our children. They grew up as a big family. I know our children were lucky to be with them.”
–Valérie & Marie Djenika, France
“A photo of Jamie, Ali and Gavin sits on the nightstand. We see it everyday and I am thankful far beyond words. Jamie and Ali saved Gavin’s life numerous times- by taking him in, caring for him when he first arrived and was so malnourished and sick, and, of course, finding safe passage for all of the children after the earthquake. Gavin’s middle name is James, after Jamie. I will forever hold them in my highest esteem and always support the work they do in Haiti.
–Suzanne Schmidt
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