By Lauren Davis | Staff Member
Nine-year-old Colombian Heidy had been in a foster home for two years and wanted to meet an adoptive family that would love her. Social workers noticed this and got Heidy into Kidsave’s “Summer Miracles” program. This program brings Colombian orphans who have virtually no chance of being adopted in their own country to the US for a 5-week stay with a host family. Unlike outright adoption, this program gives families and children the chance to get to know one another over the course of a summer. The kids are part of a bigger community and get to meet many people during their stay.
A Cleveland, Ohio, family decided to host Heidy for the 5-week stay. “From the moment we met Heidy she looked like she belonged in our family,” said her host mother LeeAnn. “Her personality just fit.”
During her visit the family bonded and made sure Heidy had lots of new experiences. They went to beach, ate a lot of Colombian food, and spent their first Independence Day together. Heidy learned to ride a bike and lived out a lifelong dream of riding a horse. She asked to spend her 10th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese and wore a big princess dress for the occasion. Her host family was thrilled to provide her with these experiences, so common for kids growing up in families but unheard of in Heidy life.
The family decided to adopt Heidy and four months later went to Bogota to bring her home. The reunion overflowed with love and emotion as they hugged each other once again. Heidysaid in Spanish,“I can’t believe I get to be with you again, I’m so thankful! Thank God for this blessing.”
Now home only a short while, Heidy is getting integrated into her new life in Cleveland. “She is very smart. She’sworking hardon her English and becoming more confident by the day.” said LeeAnn. “It’s a new beginning for everyone — not with a newborn, but a 10-year-old who is now learning about boys! Everyone is impacted by the growth of our family. It will be an adventure.”
People have asked, “why didn’t you adopt from America?” LeeAnn’s response is, “Kidsave’s motto is ‘Every child deserves a family’… even those that are abroad. My advice is to talk to someone at Kidsave, and you’ll be hosting in no time!”
Kidsave also has a domestic program -- called Weekend Miracles -- to find and make permanent connections for foster youth in the US with caring stable adults, as adoptive parents, guardians, mentors or lifelong friends.
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