February 22, 2003 - Holt International: Last October I shared with the Chairman of Holt’s Board of Directors that the Peace Corps had communicated with me regarding a possible position as their country director in Thailand

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Thailand: Peace Corps Thailand: The Peace Corps in Thailand: February 22, 2003 - Holt International: Last October I shared with the Chairman of Holt’s Board of Directors that the Peace Corps had communicated with me regarding a possible position as their country director in Thailand

By Admin1 (admin) on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 6:22 pm: Edit Post

Last October I shared with the Chairman of Holt’s Board of Directors that the Peace Corps had communicated with me regarding a possible position as their country director in Thailand



Last October I shared with the Chairman of Holt’s Board of Directors that the Peace Corps had communicated with me regarding a possible position as their country director in Thailand

A message from Holt President and CEO Dr. John L. Williams.

A Farewell Message

So many wonderful memories pass through my mind as I write this letter. It’s bittersweet to think of not being directly involved with Holt, but I will always be a part of this great organization, its mission, and the very special families and supporters who make it work.

Last October I shared with the Chairman of Holt’s Board of Directors that the Peace Corps had communicated with me regarding a possible position as their country director in Thailand. I recently received an offer from the Peace Corps for that position, and I have accepted.

I began my career in international service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand, and this is the only work besides Holt that I would ever consider. This rare opportunity appealed to me as I thought of the last several years of my career.

The Board has appointed Kevin Sweeney, Holt’s Vice-President of Finance and Administration, to serve as acting President until a new President is installed. The Board has already convened a search committee, and they hope to select a new President and CEO of Holt International early in 2003.

I love Holt and am deeply committed to its mission. The past 28 years have been an incredible experience. What a privilege it has been—knowing and working with Grandma Holt, David Kim, a dedicated staff and Board of Directors, a remarkably compassionate group of international partners, the amazing adoptive families and generous supporters, and, of course, the children who have indelibly touched my heart.

Children’s faces flash across my memory like a kaleidoscope. I think of Sanoh, one of the first children to come into the care of Holt Sahathai Foundation in Thailand. He seemed barely alive when we received him, but in a matter of days, a foster mother’s care had made him healthy and actually fat. A few years ago I saw Sanoh again, the adopted son of that same foster family. At that time he was a star soccer athlete in college.

I think of two little girls who had just come into care at Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra, a partner agency in Pune, India. Their faces full of apprehension, fear, and vulnerability. Their faces revealed the trauma they had experienced in being abandoned.

I recall the deathly quiet in the Cambodian refugee camps just across the border into Thailand when I first visited there. It was pitch black and completely soundless—certainly a hint of the children’s need to hide in the jungles in order to survive during Pol Pot’s regime. A few weeks later, our stimulation program had coaxed many of those children back to a semblance of normal childhood. It was wonderful to hear the sounds of children in those camps, playing and laughing again.

And, of course, there was Maurius in Romania who asked me to remember him. What a bright spirit he was. And what a heartbreaking day it was when he died of AIDS-related causes. His message was for all of us… to remember the children and recognize that we have an opportunity to nurture the potential and life in each one.

I want to express my deep appreciation to each of you for the tremendous honor of working together with you over the years. My life has been enriched beyond measure through my experience with Holt and our incredible international partners. I truly believe that God has a plan for our lives, and I sense His leading as I embark on this new path.

I leave in the knowledge that Holt has a highly talented staff and an incredible network of dedicated international partners around the world and cooperating agencies throughout the United States to carry on the mission. I am confident that the values upon which Holt was founded will continue to cause this organization to grow, prosper, and give homeless children what they need most of all—permanent families of their own.

Please be assured that I will continue to support Holt’s mission of providing permanent families for children. I sincerely ask that you continue your support for the children through Holt as well.


A Sustaining Mission

By Larry Cahill, Chairman of the Holt Board

Grandma Holt always said of Holt International: “This is God’s work.”

I’ve always found this to be true—first when my wife and I adopted three children through Holt and later as a member of Holt’s Board of Directors. God has been the sustaining force through changes and transitions, through every child helped and every family united by Holt’s work.

While Holt International goes through a transition in leadership, it’s good to recognize God’s faithfulness and strength, which have carried Holt through nearly 50 years of serving children and families. We’re sad to see John Williams leave Holt, but we recognize the foundation that Holt has in a mission dedicated to God’s work.

John Williams prepared a dedicated Holt staff to continue serving children as always while the Board searches for a new President and CEO.

This is an especially critical time for Holt. Not because John is leaving, but because we are starting a new year and funds are urgently needed now for the care of homeless and at-risk children. And so I’m asking for your support to fund our overseas programs as they start out caring for children in the year ahead.

Your support at this time will make a vital difference in the lives of homeless and at-risk children. Please remember that children are depending upon you for their food, shelter, clothing, medical treatment, and attentive care.

Also, we would appreciate your prayers for the Holt Board of Directors as we seek the right new leader for this organization.


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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Thailand; Country Directors

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By John Paskevicz on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 10:27 am: Edit Post

To the Peace Corps Volunteers of Thailand:
How fortunate you all are to have as your new Director, John Williams former CEO of Holt International Children Services. As supporters of Holt for over 25 years, we have watched Holt grow and flourish in the many services it provides to children and families throughout the world. John has been untiring in his advocation for children and families all over the world. His mark with Holt is indelible, it will be with you also. You will do well by him.
As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from India I know how important it is to be supported in the field. I'm certain John will give you that support. Holt's loss is your gain.
I envy John's return to his career roots.

John Paskevicz
Arlington Heights, Illinois
India 24, (66-68)

By Bob Morlatt on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 1:18 am: Edit Post

I wonder if you could contact John Williams, or give me his address in Thailand so that I can contact him. I just want to say hello and wish him all the best on his new assignment with the Peace Corps. I worked with John in the late 60's and our paths crossed again in Bangkok and Dhaka in the late 70's. Today (May 5,2003) I was pleasantly surprised to see him on OPB TV regarding Amerasian Viet Nam adoptees.

I am an American who worked in South and Southeast Asia during the same time as John. My wife of 35 years is a US citizen, born in Chiengmai, Thailand. We own Pah Tong's Thai Cuisine and Lounge in Winchester Bay, Oregon Phone 541-271-1750 ...about 80 miles west of Eugene.
Should John be in the area, we invite him to the best Thai food on the Oregon coast.
We wish Holt International continued success with its miraculous and wonderful work.

Bob Norlatt

By Nicole Masset (213.219.143.120.adsl.dyn.edpnet.net - 213.219.143.120) on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 10:49 am: Edit Post

Hello Pat and Bob,

Perhaps I met you in Bangladesh in 1977/1978
The name of my son is Jean-Marc.
You are my best memory of this time.
I tried to phone you with SKYPE.
I think it was the Pat's voice but my English in very far and I did not understand.

I hope you will answer.

Avec toute mon amitié,

NICOLE Le Mignant


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