BRATTLEBORO – Brittany Gilbert has traveled thousands of miles over many weeks to assist dozens of young children in Haiti. She has flown to the tiny island country five times, even surviving the heart-stopping earthquake on Jan. 12.
But the most challenging part for the Gilbert family is still on the horizon.
Brittany, a 21-year-old Vernon resident, and her mother Karen are currently drawing on all their resources to bring two Haitian orphans, 4-month-old David and 2-year-old Melodie, back to the Green Mountain State.
Brittany Gilbert returned to Vermont on Sunday evening after spending several days in Florida with 11 of the Haitian orphans from the Heartline Ministries facility she was working with in Port-au-Prince.
There are six orphans currently still in the Haitian capital along with Karen waiting to come to the United States, including the two children the Gilberts hope to make a part of their family.
To assist in their mission to bring David and Melodie to Vermont, the family has recently started the adoption paperwork during a time when international organizations have made it more difficult because of the corruption cases revolving around fake nonprofit groups in the country.
“Really, we’re very new in the process … we know that there is going to be issues, especially with [David and Melodie],” said Brittany. The family made progress earlier this week by having David’s birth mother sign the release form to the Gilberts, she said.
The Haitian government has halted the departure of many humanitarian-sponsored orphans, saying all future adoptees would have to complete an exit process with the prime minister’s office. At this point, the government has not defined this process, so the remaining children expecting to head to their adoptive parents in the United States cannot leave.
Nevertheless, Brittany has constantly updated her followers about the situation on her blog, telling the Reformer she has received an outpouring of support for the family’s decision.
“People from far and wide have been very supportive of the kids coming,” she said. It can go a long way in proving the family’s commitment to these children, she added.
Last week, she posted an article on her site asking for a variety of supplies for the children, and they received an overwhelming amount of necessary items.
“Our entire living room is filled with bags,” she said. Everything a family could need for young children including car seats, toys and other supplies.
To assist in their efforts, the family has reached out to U.S. Rep. Peter Welch’s office and is attempting to contact Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s camp.
Welch, D-Vt., has been in touch with the Department of State Haiti Task Force, requesting assistance for the Gilberts.
“Even before the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Gilbert family has shown a remarkable devotion to helping the Haitian people. Their commitment before and since this catastrophe reflects the spirit of the countless Vermonters who have contributed their time, money and passion to relief efforts during the past two weeks,” said Welch.
The family has also contacted their local representative and family friend Patricia O’Donnell, R-Vernon, to act as a liaison to the state.
Even with the help of state officials, the window of opportunity is closing for the Gilberts.
Karen Gilbert remains in Haiti until Friday, waiting for the embassy to approve the final three visas (three of the remaining children have recently received their papers) so she can escort the children to Florida. The family is hopeful she will have David and Melodie with her upon her return.
Brittany is urging residents in the area to get in touch with their state and local representatives and ask them to persuade the American embassy on behalf of the family.
Anyone with connections to the state department or the embassy is also asked to assist the Gilberts bring the children to Vermont.
Source: Brattleboro Reformer
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