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
On the “Our Stories” page of our website, we’ve introduced you to Junia, a Haitian woman who, not so long ago, faced the same difficult choice many Haitian parents do: watching both of her two daughters go hungry or relinquishing one of them to an orphanage. Not much of a choice at all, really.
A single mother whose partner had been abusive to her, Junia had lost her job when her employer downsized, and, without the means to support her children, she didn’t think there was anywhere to turn to for help except one of Haiti’s many orphanages. But then someone told her about Jamie and Ali. As it turned out, their meeting came at a very opportune time for both Junia and Jamie and Ali: for Junia needed help and Jamie and Ali needed a new staff member.
Her own family no longer in crisis, Junia works alongside Jamie and Ali with fathers whose wives have died in child birth, with families whose youngest members are ill, and with hospital staff caring for premature or abandoned babies. Once a woman with nowhere to turn, Junia is now one of our most indispensable team members.
Junia’s commitment to HFF’s mission to nurture children by building strong families and communities goes far beyond her work day. As a single, working mom, Junia realized she needed a supportive community around her, so she built one: together with other working moms, she created a network of women who can rely on each other to help out with their children when needed. This network even allowed one neighbor to raise her infant niece after the newborn’s mother died giving birth. Junia is a wonderful role model for her two daughters. In her “free” time, she takes classes in English and computers, so it’s not surprising that both of her girls love school and get excellent grades.
Perhaps most importantly, Junia is showing others a new solution to Haiti’s “orphan crises.” Domestic adoption of non-related children is very rare in Haiti, but if Junia has anything to say about it, it won’t be for long. Junia is in the process of adopting an infant named Jeremie, who, born prematurely, weighed just over 2 pounds when Junia decided to bring him home with her. Now the pride of Junia, her daughters, and the whole neighborhood, Jeremie weighs 11 pounds, 6 ounces! Junia’s courageous decision to care for a sick, premature newborn whose mother—a woman Junia never met—had died has been invaluable to advancing HFF’s work. Junia is a shining example to Haitians and non-Haitians alike of just how resilient, determined, and compassionate her people can be.
Thank you, Junia, for all that you have done and for all that you are!
