The Parricks are creating new beginnings for the Haitian children they are adopting into their family.

Sean and Janelle Parrick of Coupeville already had three biological children when they adopted Shynda two years ago. They await the arrival of Stevenson in 2006.

“The greatest hope for the mothers of these children is that they can come to the U.S.” Janelle said.

Haitian mothers’ willingness to give up their children is tied to hopeless living conditions in their homeland.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, according to the World Bank. Per capita income is $250 per year, one-tenth the Latin American average. Less than 50 percent of the population is literate and only 25 percent have access to safe drinking water.

“In short, the overwhelming majority of the Haitian population are living in deplorable conditions of extreme poverty,” the World Bank’s report states.

Political instability, coupled with violence and corruption create a “poverty trap” that the women particularly find difficult to escape.

But one American woman is making a difference in Haiti. For the past 17 years, Barbara Walker has arranged child adoptions to Christian families all over the world. She also established Ruuska village as a temporary haven for women and children, outside Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital.

Shynda’s mother was living on the streets when she met Walker. Shynda was malnurished but otherwise healthy. At 18 months old, Shynda weighed only 19 pounds when the Parricks traveled to Haiti in 2003 to embrace their new daughter.

WHY MORE KIDS?

The Parricks weren’t planning to expand their own family when they began hearing of friends and acquaintances adopting foreign-born children.

The Parricks aren’t rich. Sean is a driver for Island Disposal and Janelle home schools the children in the family’s modest home in Admiral’s Cove, south of Coupeville.

“But they have a heart for children,” said Pastor Dave Dunaway of the Whidbey Evangelical Free Church where the Parricks are members.

A number of Whidbey and Port Townsend families have adopted children from Ruuska village. Dunaway thought it might be helpful for the community to learn more so Haiti Awareness Night was held Dec. 9.

Dunaway lived many places while in the military. He said his experience taught him that “people are quick to welcome and sometimes hesitant to receive.”

His purpose was to introduce people to Haiti. First, Dunaway asked the crowd about Haiti’s location. “In which part of Africa will you find Haiti?” he asked.

Yes, there were some chuckles, but some folks seriously considered the question. Haiti actually is part of a Caribbean island, with the Dominican Republic taking up the remainder of the island.

He explained Haiti’s history of political strife and the devastating effects on the people. Many of these children are orphaned or their mothers are begging for someone to lift them away to a better life. We should support and encourage these children when they arrive here,” he said.

The Parricks decided to pursue adoption after deep soul searching.

They had bought their very first new vehicle at the time that several encounters had heightened their awareness of the plight of Haiti.

The Parricks asked themselves “What’s really important? A new van or saving a child’s life?”

They sold the van and bought another used vehicle. Then they started searching for a child. Adoptions must be processed through an accredited American adoption agency, and then handled in Haiti by a government caught in political upheaval. The process can take up to nine months. Costs run about $8,000, plus travel costs.

Shynda spoke Creole, a version of French, when she arrived. She quickly adapted to her new home, but was slower to accept Sean as her daddy because she was never in close proximity to a man. He was patient and her fears evaporated. She is now an adoring daughter. And 6-year-old Emma Parrick said she likes her new sister.

When the Parricks left Haiti with Shynda, Walker warned them they were likely to return for additional children.

WALKER WAS RIGHT

The Parricks and their two sons, Austin, 11, and Clay, 9, traveled to Haiti in mid-November to meet 10-year-old Stevenson. They stayed with the boy in Ruuska village, experiencing the impoverished living conditions. About 20 women and up to 40 children live behind the concrete walls that so far have provided protection from the chaos outside. All of the residents, including youngsters, do chores such as hauling water, and if able try to earn money. Yet, there is joy in the village.

“We woke up to hear children singing,” Sean said.

But the hardships mean “They have to be taught how to play,” Sean said.

Sean rapidly won Pied Piper status as he taught the kids water games and other simple fun.

“They are happy kids, yet they have nothing,” Janelle said.

The kids don’t waste a morsel of food, which typically is one bowl of rice and beans a day, she said.

The Parricks brought small gifts for Stevenson, which he enjoyed awhile and then put the items in a box to sell and then give the money to his mother for the 2-year-old sister he will have to leave behind in Haiti.

Are the Parricks worried about Stevenson adapting to life on Whidbey? If Shynda’s and that of other Haitian children is any guide, they don’t expect problems. Sean said the Navy base draws people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds to the island, and the black Haitian kids seem to blend right into the mix.

Stevenson grew close to the Parricks in the week they stayed in the village. Parting was wrenching.

Eleven-year-old Austin Parrick said his new brother is “cool.” He also noted his mother’s distress on the plane trip home. The colorful pictures from Haiti that now hang above their living room sofa were nestled on her lap. The flight attendant tried to remove the over-size objects, which prompted more tears.

“I’m leaving my son,” Janelle had sobbed.

Tears sprang to Janelle’s eyes again last week as she repeated Stevenson’s parting words. “I love you momma and poppa and I will wait, wait, wait for you.