The Referral!

4-1-08

Today we got the official referral on our girls from Haiti! Boy were we glad this was no April Fools!

The youngest, Neissa, is three years old. She will be 4 on May 10th. Neissa is descibed as being well coordinated and is developmently on task. She has formed good relationships with her caregivers and friends at the orphanage. She maintains a close relationship with her sisters. From what I have read, she can be a bit of a corker and I think will give Aaron a run for his money! "Neissa is very open with her emotions. She is a happy child and she shows is when she is not. She is used to getting a lot of her own way and you can tell she was loved and doted on while with her biological family. She carries herself in a way that lets you know she is special and she is not afraid to say what she wants or to introduce herself to a new face. She does not cause trouble or stir up fights. If she has been hit or pinched she will stand up for herself or get her big sister to do it for her."

Chalinda is 9 years old and will turn 10 on June 30th. Chalinda is described as well coordinated and liking sports. Who knows maybe she will join Team Schleicher and run races! Chalinda is also noted for her fine braiding skills, which I am thankful for as hair care has been an ongoing concern of mine. Chalinda lacks self-esteem and looks to her caregivers for attention and snuggles. She loves her little sister, Neissa, and the young children at the orphanage. She has great patience with them and will often be found holding, rocking, talking to and soothing the littlest ones. She has made good friends with her peers.

Sonise just turned 14 on march 13th. Sonise craves attention just like her sisters. She is very cooperative with adults. Emotionally it is difficult for her in the orphanage where she has many mothers telling her what she can and cannot do. She is described as a typical teen. She is getting help with her English in the mornings and then goes to the Toddler House every afternoon for work in Creole. She is now reading easy English books. Math is difficult for her. I am just so thankful she is getting some sort of education and the English is a BONUS!