I had hoped to add to this while "things" were fresh in my mind, but the internet at Porta Hotel Antigua did not cooperate.
Easter Sunday was rather relaxing at the Marriott. We did attempt to take some Easter photos of our two girls, but it didn't work out as we had envisioned. One slept while the other failed to cooperate! Nothing that should not have been expected when WE wanted a couple nice photos for the future.
Monday started early as I made my way to the Westin to finally meet the Dateline producer in person. Over several cups of coffee, we discussed how the day would unfold. Of course, even the best laid plans require some flexibility. Around 10 am we headed for Susana's temporary home (Primavera). I'm not sure how long it was we planned on being there, but several hours were spent filming every corner of her home. I have to say, the Dateline crew is very thorough.
Susana's temporary home is........
one of the nicest places I believe any child could reside. It is nothing like what we would normally believe an hogar or orphanage to be. It truly is a "home" for these children. The cleanliness, decor, and atmosphere were much more intune with an everyday home than an orphanage. We (Susana and myself) had to "chuckle" a bit in regards to comments made about her place being a "baby farm." I really do not believe any "stretch" of one's imagination could ever cast this home as a "farm." And, I have to say, I did not see any indication of there being two children to a crib. What did stand out was the fact that the children there are well cared for and more importantly - they were HAPPY! It didn't matter which section of the home, every child there seemed genuinely at ease and HAPPY! I really cannot imagine a temporary home anywhere else in the "world" that can provide this type of atmosphere for this many children. It truly was impressive. If Dateline can or does "spin" this place into a negative, there is really something wrong in American journalism these days.
Having an opportunity to talk with Dateline informally at first made my interview later in the day that much easier. Both the producer and assistant producer listened attentively to stories and ideas from both Susana and myself. Whether we get from this story what we want is yet to be determined, but one thing is for sure, the Dateline producer "feels" what we feel. Even Susana mentioned that a genuine compassion for these children could be seen in her eyes. It isn't difficult to tell when someone is "touched" by something, and regardless of the outcome of the story, this producer was "touched." I'm praying she can do justice to the thousands of children who have already been adopted and the thousands that are still waiting to be united with a loving family. Even today I have a difficult time understanding how in today's world we still have children in need of someone to love them "forever."
From Susana's home, I traveled back to the Marriott to change and make a quick trip to visit the judge who granted our first daughter's abandonment. Often times, some of the "unsung" heroes in all of this do not get to see the "fruits of their labor." It was Feliciano's idea, and it was a great idea in our mind as well. It is getting late, so I'll talk about this and my interview with Dateline later.
adios
Posted by Troy at April 14, 2007 11:48 PM | TrackBackThank you for posting...our baby is waiting at La Primavera and we did go there during our visit and I could not agree with you more. He was such a happy boy that the care he receives definately comes through.
Posted by: Pippa at April 15, 2007 11:37 AMExcellent re-cap Troy - can't wait to hear about the interview. Sounds like all of the concern from the last update was abated at least for now. Maybe we were too hard on the producers we had never met ourselves, so I'm cautiously optimistic.
The worst case scenario is that they still find a way to spin the story against folks like Susana and yourself.
Perhaps they'll visit a facility that isn't so peachy keen and show a contrast.
The best case would be that the angle of the story ends up being how tragic it would be if adoptions were halted. Places like this shutting down, parents like you unable to provide a forever home.
Looking forward to more updates.
Peace and Prayers,
-GDS
Troy,
Thank you so much for sharing this! I agree that there are many unsung heros in this process that never get the recognition that they deserve!
Susana Luarca is an amazing woman! She truly knows what children need to be emotionally and physically healthy and as you said, "happy". My daughter lived at Primavera with Susana and her amazing Nineras before I brought her home with me in 2004. My daughter was and still is a happy, well adjusted, very positive-attitude little girl, who is very kind and friendly. She showed all of these traits, or the beginnings of these already at 6 months of age, and I truly believe it is largely due to Susana and her Nineras at Primavera. I have written here and on the big list and on the ADA website before about how positively I feel about Primavera and Susana.
When I picked up my daughter, many of the staff had tears in the eyes. They were so happy for my daughter that she was moving to a forever home, but they were also sad as they loved her so and would miss her! Even the cleaning woman cried. When my daughter was held by these wonderful people, including Susana, my daughter looked at them in a way that you could clearly see that my daughter loved them. When they looked at my daughter and hugged her and kissed her, you could clearly see that they loved her and would miss her.
I believe with all of my heart that because my daughter bonded so well with these wonderful individuals, that this is the reason why she was so developmentally on track and was able to bond so easily to me and my extended family.
I cannot say enough good about her (Susana) and all of the good that she does for the children of Guatemala, the birthmothers of Guatemala, and the adoptive families.
I hope that Dateline saw this too, and from what you said above, it sounds like they did.
I know there are many other unsung heros out there, who I may never hear about, just like many others may not be aware of Susana as I am, and to those hereos, who are kind and ethical in their work, I thank those individuals as well from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you Troy for all you are doing to get this positive story told!
Lizzie
Proud Mama to Anarosa since 5-26-07
Waiting for Migdalia, born November, 2006
Can someone email me with information on adoping from Guatemala, we are thinking about it, we live in Indiana. We would like to know people's oppions, experiences, etc. What agency did you go with, did you pick your child from a photolisting, what were the costs, and unforseen costs? How does the whole process go? How hard is it to get the dossier ready, along with the home study? Who did you home study? Give any and all information that you might think is useful, thanks.
Posted by: susan at April 15, 2007 05:47 PMSusan,
We cannot email you if you don't provide an address.
Troy,
Thank you so much for representing all of us parents and parents too be during your interview!I know you went and gave it your all.I pray only positive things come from your interview.I can't wait to hear about the rest of your time in Guatemala!
Kim
We brought our son home one month ago today from Primavera. It's ironic that a major factor in our picking Guatemala was the foster care, then we receive a referral that due to low birth weight would stay at Primavera. We traveled there when our son was almost 4 months and saw the site first hand. We returned to pick up our boy at 10 months to bring him home. We also saw crying caretakers when we came to take our son home. The care he received was great and he is a very happy, active boy. Even with a low birth weight he is on track in all areas of development, first steps today! Is there any word on when the Dateline piece will air?
Posted by: Beth at April 16, 2007 01:29 AMSounds like a great place. How can I get connected with them? I am thinking about another Guatemalan adoption and this place interests me for the all the reasons described above. Does she work with a particular agency or would you apply to them directly?
Posted by: Debbie at April 16, 2007 04:31 PMThanks for coverage Troy!
Beth also thank you for your comments, Our son is at Primavera as well, and it was very nice to read your comments about your experience
Do we have a date that this will air on Dateline yet? Thanks so much!! Linda
Posted by: Linda at April 16, 2007 07:04 PMOur daughter, age five (soon to be six) lives at Primavera. We were able to visit her the last week of March. It was very obvious that the place and the children were clean and well cared for. Her manners were perfect. She was very, very well disciplined and we were so very glad to be able to spend a few days with her. I've done many mission trips to the poorest areas of Honduras. Primavera is like heaven on earth. Although I have not seen other "foster" or "hogar" type situations, I cannot help but consider Primavera as the cream of the crop.
We brought our son home from Guatemala in January 2006. He was so lovingly cared for and we want to go again so badly. With so much bad publicity though we are scared to go this route and are afraid of the Hague Treaty stuff.... any thoughts?
Posted by: Beth at April 19, 2007 10:27 PMHello Troy, any idea when the Dateline piece will run (or did I miss it)? I see that you flew out of Peoria, I spent college years in Bloomington/Normal. Now fathering a 10 month old girl and 15 month old boy in Florida, we are all loving life.
Posted by: george at May 3, 2007 05:16 AMWill someone be so kind as to email me with information on adoping from Guatemala, we are thinking about it, and live in North Carolina. We would like to know people's thoughts and experiences, etc. What agency did you go with, and what made u choose that agency over others? I am really scared of trusting an agency and then find out over time that they are not true. How does the whole process go? Were there red flags? I'm am currently completing my home study but the company I'm using is NOT an adoption group. They just perform home studies. I have been reading all the information on La Primavera, is there a website for them? How do you visit their facility?All the information that you provide will be greatly appreciated. Thank you up-front for your time and consideration to our endeavors! Please feel free to email me at gabi6192@bellsouth.net
Posted by: Deedee at May 5, 2007 10:20 PM