If you are the family adopting a little angel named Karina, your last name starting with "M", please let me know. We'd like to welcome you in as part of a special almuni group.
Guatadopt has learned that PGN will stay open next weekend from 8-4 to help get interviews completed. As we have stated before, everyone needs to push their attorneys to bring the birthmoms in to avoid problems.
Our contact at Buffalo CIS has asked us to pass that they are getting caught behind because of G884 frms being sent in without everything needed. Same goes for any inquiries they receive via e-mail. Please click on more for some reminders.
We are officially competing for funds for "Our Kids" (meaning children in Guatemala who need our help!) in the American Express Members Project. The contest is for what projects will get a share of the 2.5 million from American Express. Can you imagine what our community could do for the children of Guatemala with a big boost from American Express???
I have to be honest and tell you that we were writing up our description right up until the deadline for entering projects. The site "timed-out" on us several times clearing everything out....when we finally did, it had cut off some of our text. So, I apologize....we were unable to load photos and clean up the description.
PLEASE, PLEASE visit AmericanExpress.com and vote for us!!!!!
Here is a direct link:
Click on the Nominate It Now text towards the bottom of the box. If that doesn't work, try this link: http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/NVRAXK
PLEASE LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW and SPREAD THE WORD!!! Announce it on your FaceBook, your MySpace, send it out by email.
Yes, its finally a done deal. We have established ourselves as a NON-PROFIT. We applied for our 501c3 in July and we are already working on several projects. So, let me give a quick intro to our readers. I think you will all be excited about how we intend to implement our projects as well as provide our readers with updates (including where the money is being spent).
I realize that Guatadopt is known more for providing assistance, education, news and a bit of advocacy. But DGCF is a charity non-profit designed PRIMARILY for assisting children of Guatemala (expenses such as food, shelter, medical care, personal attention, education, opportunities and whatever services each individual child may need). We will continue to support our favorite charities and assist them in spreading the word. But now, we will focus on some other projects that are dear to our heart such as assisting hogares that are in financial crisis (by directly paying some operating expenses!). Our concentration is child-centric and includes all aspects of child health (physical and mental).
At this time, we can only take donations by check to:
The Do Good Charitable Foundation, Inc.
5665 Atlanta Hwy
Suite 103-218
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Make checks payable to: The Do Good Charitable Foundation, Inc. or Guatadopt
You may specify a project and it will be earmarked for that project. Otherwise, we will apply it to our general fund. Project information will be provided shortly by Kevin, Marie and myself.
This has already been a journey as we have been working on this for several months. I hope you will take the time to read up on our plans, help if you can and more importantly SPREAD THE WORD!!!
JCICS in conjuction with Ethica and NCFA are trying to get a grip on how many in-process cases there are in order to help them with their advocacy efforts. They have a survey they are requesting all in-process PAPs to fill out. I would lay faith in their promise that personal info won't be shared and recommend everyone fill it out.
You can find info and a link to the form here: http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala.htm
Some spam/hacker managed to get into my address book. So for anyone who receives an e-mail from me with the subject line "hi", please ignore it. It is not legit and I didn't send it...
We have received some relevant points of clarification regarding the Aug 31 deadline. While we know that other questions still remain, and will update as we learn more, here is what we can tell you for now. (Click on more)
The DOS has issued a new statement. To provide some clarity, this would be relevant ONLY for those cases where the agency did not apply for or was denied Hague accredidation AND for whatever reason your case will not be able to be completed under the old notarial system (abandonment cases, cases not registered with CNA, etc).
I wiill conjecture that this is a positive thing for those in these precarious case situations. The fact that DOS is saying this leads me to believe/hope that a resolution is imminent in Guatemala agreeing to recognize those referals and process the cases under the new law. I have no inside info that this is the case, just sharing what it means to me.
The DOS statement canbe found here or click on more to read it.
The CNA has announced that the birthhmom interview process will cease on Aug 31st. All interviews must be completed by that date. In the event that one has not been done by that date, the case will be turned over to a judge for abandonment proceedings. I am not sure what that means so far as a PAP's ability to complete the adoption, though it would likely need to be done under the new laws, not the notarial system.
Click here for the CNA website or click on more for a translation.
Authorities are trying to find out any information on this child. It is believed that she was referred to a family who may have been told the birthmother reclaimed. The child was found abandoned in Mexico and authorities are attempting to determine her origin, believing she is Guatemalan.
If you have any information, please e-mail me at info @ guatadopt.com (remove spaces before and after @ symbol).
I spoke to Kelly's husband today. She had her surgery yesterday and is recovering well. Better than expected according to him.
Next week will be very dry. I am moving and am not sure when I will have internet access. Kelly will obviously be recouprerating. Hang in there...
Adoption Blessings Worldwide has shut its doors. Their attorney apparently claims all cases will be completed with a new, yet-to-be-named agency. We no nothing more than what is this story:http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=114031
We're looking for families who live in the Salisbury/Ocean City/Selbyville area. So if you live in that part of the country, please post a comment or e-mail me at kevin @ guatadopt.com.
Our friends at Buffalo CIS have requested that we let our readers know to always include your child's registration/A# on any requests or correspondences. Yes, our government's computers have depersonalized our kids to a number, not a name, and as such they need that number in order to ensure a timely response.
Happy Fourth of July! Feliz dia de independencia!
