Pittsburghers Working to Rescue 150 Orphans in Haiti

Two Pittsburgh area groups are working around the clock to gain permits to bring 150 Haitian orphans to the United States. The children are being cared for by sisters Jamie McMutrie Hackman and Ali McMutrie who run the BRESMA orphanage in Port-u-Prince. Most of the orphanage's three buildings were destroyed in the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday.

Former federal prosecutor Mary Beth Buchanan and the May Law Group are heading up a private group that has said they obtained one of two necessary permits that would allow the children to be transported to Pittsburgh. Buchanan said they are still waiting for additional clearance from the State Department to land a plane in Haiti.

Several major airlines have offered their planes and are waiting for the clearance to land.

However, White House officials were not aware of the permit and still working to obtain both permits.

Governor Ed Rendell, Senator Bob Casey, Senator Arlen Spector and Representatives Jason Altmire and Mike Doyle are also working diligently to acquire the permits.

The sisters have been able to contact relatives in the Ben Avon suburb of Pittsburgh and have told them the children were not injured in the quake, but they have limited water, food and medical supplies. Some of the children are sick and require medical treatment. The children range in age from 1 - 13.

According to Representative Altmire, about 30 children in the orphanage are already in the process of being adopted by United States citizens. Since these adoptions are in process, it may be easier to obtain waivers for these children. However, there are many other children that are in the process of being adopted by families from other countries outside of United States jurisdiction.

The McMutrie sisters are free to leave Haiti at any time since they are United States Citizens. However, they do not want to leave the island until they are sure that all of the children are safe and being taken care of.

Allegheny County leaders are organizing volunteers to help prepare for the potential arrival of the children. Donations for the BRESMA orphanage are being collected at 1212 W. North Avenue. There is an urgent need for diapers, powdered baby formula, baby bottles, snacks, bottled water, winter coats and shoes.