Two years ago yesterday, Jamie and Ali successfully orchestrated the evacuation of 54 children awaiting adoption to the United States. In part 2 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.
“I know in my heart that if it were not for Jamie and Ali that my kids would not have come home. I knew the McMutrie sisters only briefly-I moved my kids to the BRESMA orphanage just a few months before the earthquake. They had been at another orphanage where they were malnourished and developmentally delayed. Rosie was almost 2 when she came to Jamie and Ali’s house. Within a month she was walking. The monthly pictures and updates were something that I lived for. Their interest in my children-letting me know details about them, actually knowing them as individuals, was something I had never expected given my other experiences.
Visiting BRESMA amazed me-two young women, entirely comfortable in their unusual roles in their unusual situation. They were confident but quiet and unassuming, not intimidating to me as so many people were during my journey to adopt Anthony and Rosemary. I felt as I left them at BRESMA that the kids were going to be okay and it was all going to work out for us. I had no idea at the time what that would mean. I barely know them, and yet I feel that I will be forever in their debt, and am so grateful to them that ‘grateful’ seems like a small and useless word.
And now to see that they have changed their focus to helping Haitian families to raise their own kids-how brilliant, and once again, the very right thing to do in a situation when all seems to be going so wrong. What better way to really care for the children than to allow their own parents to care for them? It is the best thing ever. HFF seems like a way to rebuild families and rebuild and repair Haiti at the same time. They don’t need luck, because they have strength and determination and that rare quality, common sense, that will ensure their success, but I wish them luck just the same.”
–Dr. Patricia Guglietta
“We are forever grateful to Jamie and Ali for the care our children received prior to coming home from Haiti. We knew that our children were not only being well taken care of but provided a loving environment that most orphanages do not offer. We are continually inspired by their work and the connection they help us maintain to their birth parents. Thank you Jamie and Ali for all that you’ve done and continue to do.”
–Love, The Garths
“Our daughter, Nola, came home before the earthquake, on 11 September 2008. She just celebrated her 5th birthday and has grown into a beautiful young girl who is deeply curious about the world, full of joy, and a lover of animals (especially chickens, horses and dogs). Nola is a constant source of joy and our deep love for her grows each day. We are so thankful that Jamie and Ali took such great care of her when she was an infant in Haiti and gave us the opportunity to be her adoptive parents!”
–Jay Friberg & Alvena Ivy
“Jamie and Ali McMutrie are two of the most courageous, selfless, determined, and capable individuals I know. For many years they have dedicated their lives to helping children and families in Haiti. We experienced this first hand as they cared for Samantha, who we were trying to adopt for more than two years before the earthquake. Jamie and Ali moved Samantha from an orphanage–where she was had been physically and mentally abused, and deprived of basic nutrition–to their home where she received proper nutrition, affection, and the start of an education. After the earthquake, Jamie and Ali again saved Samatha’s life. They worked tirelessly and under incredible pressure and stress to keep Samantha, and many other children, fed, clothed, and out of harms way for a week after the earthquake. They simultaneously worked with Haitian and US government officials to trail blaze an evacuation plan for every child in their care. The successful evacuation was nothing short of miraculous, and due entirely to the incredible efforts of Jamie and Ali, plus amazing support from the Pittsburgh community and Pennsylvania government leaders. “
–Damien and Lorraine McCann
“Two years ago, our family watched the story unfold about the evacuation of the 54 kids from Bresma. Little did we know that a few days later we would get a call about two little boys that were on that plane that are now our sons. Jamie and Ali, you guys are amazing for what you did for the kids and what you are now doing for families in Haiti. We count our blessings daily that Rocky and King are with us; we cannot imagine our lives without them. If it were not for your courage, strength, and persistence during those tragic days, I just cannot imagine what would have happened to those 54 kids. God Bless you.”
–The Ketchum Family
“We were very thankful for all the hard work, dedication and responsibility Jamie and Ali gave our daughter while in their care. To this day she feels an attachment bond and security with these women that remains vital to her emotional development. We are deeply grateful for their heroism and courage.”
–With great appreciation, Faith and Andre Carvalhaes
“Hi there, my name is Molly Whaley and I adopted my son from Haiti before the earthquake with the help of the AWESOME McMutrie sisters! He is a handsome 4 year old little man named Herbie Whaley. Because of their dedication, motivation, positive spirit and love they have for orphan children in Haiti, all of us were and still are able to bring these beautiful children to our homes to give them a better, loving, deserving life! If you hadn’t read or heard about my little man, he was a very small and weak baby who was brought to the orphanage to Jamie and Ali. I will never forget when Jamie told me that when she opened the huge gate at the orphanage, she saw a man with a very tiny , little guy (Herbie) who she thought the man was bringing to her a dead baby boy. She told me, Herbie was the size of his hand. The man who brought him to the orphanage was Herbie’s father who heard about the orphanage and wanted these girls to help his son survive and see if someone else could give him a better life than he could along with his wife and 5 other children at his home. Herbie is now almost 35 pounds and 42 inches tall and is the smartest little guy who I love with all of my heart. I have nothing but praise and admiration for these sisters with the work and dedication they have done for orphan children of Haiti and are continuing to do so in this poor, poor country! I support and will back these two girls in any way I am able to do for they saved a little boy who now has a loving family and would have not made it if it were not for Jamie and Ali McMutrie! I love them both.”
–Molly and Herbie Whaley
“My name is Ange-Laurette. I am 11 years old now. I want to thank Jamie and Ali for helping me through the earthquake by moving me to BRESMA1 where I would be safe. Then, you brought a bus and worked hard to get us on a plane. I remember having food on the plane and nice people there. You were the reason so many people in Pittsburgh were so excited to see us and take care of us. You both brought me to my new family, when things could have turned out so bad. You guys are brave, and I am glad God brought you into my life. Thank you so much! “
“Jamie and Ali, Thank you for saving my life, really truly! You fought like soldiers to get us out of Haiti right after the earthquake. You were concerned about the kids more than yourselves. That would have been so hard to do. You kept telling us that it would be ok. You kept encouraging us to make our faces more happier because we would get to talk to our new families soon. God watched over us that week. He will keep watching over you because you brought him smiles for what you did. I hope you will be safe and keep doing what you are doing” Love, Pierre Cardin (age 11)
“My husband and I have the utmost respect and admiration for you, Jamie and Ali. More than that, we know that you are the reason our two children survived the week in Port-au-Prince two years ago…and you are the reason they are here in South Dakota and thriving in their new family. Although those were the scariest few days we can remember, we knew that our kids were in the best of hands. We knew you would love them and watch out for them as your own. And you did! Thank you for the sacrifices you made, and continue to make, that save lives and change lives every day. Thank you for those precious hours you provided interpreting with our son’s birthmother in 2009, so that we could know her innermost wishes and desires for him. To say it was priceless is an understatement. We pray for you and your new mission to keep as many children as you can with their families in Haiti. Never grow weary…and always know you are appreciated! With love and gratitude,”
The Lears, adoptive parents of Pierre Cardin and Ange-Laurette
“En primer lugar pido disculpas en escribirle hoy, pero estaba de viaje de negocios y he llegado a mi despacho esta mañana. Me alegro mucho la nueva organización creada por las hermanas Mc Mutrie, me he metido en su web y de una manera u otra voy a intentar aportar algo, dándole publicidad a mis compañeros y amigos. De hecho me pondré en contacto a mediados del mes de mayo porque mi hija mayor (Carolina) le entusiasma la idea de gastar su mes de vacaciones en viajar a Haiti y ayudar como voluntaria en el orfanato. No se si eso es posible, pero es un proyecto que abordaremos mas adelante. on respecto a nuestro hijo Rafa hemos de decir que todas las mañanas nos levantamos con una sonrisa, la misma que nos regala. Nos ha hecho ser mas jóvenes, dinámicos, solidarios. Estaremos eternamente agradecidos con Ali y Jamie primero por como mimaron y criaron a Rafa en sus primeros días y con que valentía afrontaron la difícil situación que se produjo a raíz del terremoto.”
–Rafael Hernández
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