Alberta parents adopting from Haiti hopeful

A group of adopted Haitian children could arrive in Canada by the end of the week, encouraging news for nearly two dozen Alberta families in the process of adopting from the earthquake ravaged country.

At the Calgary-based Christian Adoption Services, Wendy Robinson said she has been busy speaking with worried adoptive parents, some who have been waiting years for the adoption to be completed.

"They're telling me that they are quite devastated and they really want their child home," she said.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Thursday officials have reviewed all of the roughly 100 adoption cases that were further along in the system and found the children are alive, but some need medical help.

Another 50 cases were at the earlier stages of the adoption process.

A majority of the cases are at the stage where they can approach the Haitian government with a list to confirm they can bring the children to Canada, Kenney said.

Families waiting for children

Edmonton residents Brady and Heidi Van Ry received a phone call Wednesday from Canadian an immigration official to confirm details of their adoption and the boy's health. The couple is adopting a one-year-old named Trey through Alberta-based God's Littlest Angels.

"Things are looking hopeful," Heidi Van Ry said. "It's definitely looking positive."

Another family living near Cochrane hopes to soon be reunited with two Haitian toddlers. The Munros' home is already filled with photographs of the children.

"It's hard to think of them there when they could be here," said Marla Munro. "We just know when the timing is right, they will come and join our family."

The children are safe in the orphanage they have called home since birth and she's trying to make sure they stay safe.

"I've been on computer and phone, well since the earthquake. It seems I've got nothing else done," she said.

The earthquake in Haiti has prompted others to begin the adoption process, said Robinson.

"Some of that's emotional and that will wear off. You know, in two weeks from now they'll be doing something else. They'll buy a new car and they won't be interested, but some of those people will say I'm ready to take the steps that are needed," she said.

At least two million people are homeless in Haiti following the Jan. 12 earthquake, according to the European Commission.