Missionary Arrests in Haiti

Children in Haiti are being snatched up left and right. Recently, American missionaries were arrested under charges of kidnapping and trafficking. They were accused of not having appropriate Haitian documentation for these ‘orphans’ and that these missionaries had little knowledge of Haitian laws or customs. The group retaliates that many parents were giving up their children freely in hopes that they could have better lives. These American Christians are just trying to spread better lifestyles to these children.

So, from this we can determine that according Christians, it is considered moral, Godly, to bring children a better life. Can it also be argued though that taking children away from their families during/after a traumatic event is moral? Taking them to the US is a noble effort but can that even guarantee a better life? High crime rates, capital punishment, areas of high poverty—what makes the US the best option for these kids? It is not possible to be certain. Also, why do they wish to confront parents with whether they want to keep their kid? Why give them that option? How can showing children that they aren’t wanted by their parents/family be moral?

There have been many moments is my adolescence—or even adulthood—that my parents have joked of trading me in or been tempted by thoughts of my absence but no one has confronted them with that permanent opportunity. This is a long-term decision and not to be taken lightly. Luckily, for my parents I am still around. Those decisions should not be forced on them during this time of confusion.

I understand that these missionaries and groups around the world are trying to do the right thing but if the ‘right thing’ can’t even be defined how is it possible to do it? I think that adoptions in Haiti should be halted—as they rightly are—and charity and missionary groups should be watched with caution and encouraged not to take children from their rightful home.