e-mail
Here is a sample IBESR letter that our agency, Foyer de Sion wrote and included in their adoption packet. We used it as an idea for how to write our own. I am providing this information because I have been asked how to go about writing the IBESR letter. Please do not copy it and “fill in the blanks”. Use it as a guide only.
The IBESR letter should be a positive letter, not apologetic. This is the one chance the clients have to personally prove themselves. The other documents are about them, but they are not written by them. The whole point of this letter is to explain to IBESR why the client would be a wonderful parent for these children by highlighting the positive things he has to offer. It is best if this letter is only one page in length.
January 2, 1902
Director of IBESR
Port-au-Prince, HaitiDear Director,
My husband and I are interested in adopting two children from your country. We have fifteen biological children. We have always wanted to add children to our family through adoption and chose to adopt through Haiti because of its rich heritage and history. We feel that our home and family will be strengthened and enriched through this experience, and know that these children will be loved and treated the same as our biological children.
Jo Blo works for a trucking company and makes $400,000.00 per year. He is also involved with a family farming/ranching operation (Jo Blo from Kokomo Brothers). Gertrude volunteers at the elementary school in the first grade class, teaches piano lessons, sews, and quilts. We both have extended family close by, and enjoy spending time with them.
We own a 75,000 square foot home with a large, fenced back yard and garden. We live in a small town, Timbuktu, in which the people are very supportive of each other. Some of the benefits that our children enjoy in this small community are small teacher-student ratio in school; community, religious, and school activities; low crime rate; and safety.
We know we could provide all the love, emotional, educational, and material needs of two additional children. We promise that they will be treated as though they were our biological children. My wife and I pledge we will never mentally or physically abuse our children, never abandon the children, give them the best education possible, and give them all the rights of a biological child. We have an abundance of love, and truly hope to make these children a part of our family.
At this time, we wish to formally request approval to adopt two children from Haiti. We would be honored to bring children from your country into our lives and home. Thank you for allowing us this great privilege.
Sincerely, Jo Blo and Gertrude Kokomo (Notarize)
Sample IBESR letter courtesy of Foyer de Sion
