After getting tons of emails with questions per day, I thought I should tell everyone how this site came about and WHO I am....
First off, I apologize for not responding directly to everyone's email...it is just impossible to answer all the questions.
ABOUT THE SITE:
I (Kelly) along with my husband adopted a beautiful little girl from Guatemala last year. During the process, I seemed to have to search the web to get answers to questions I had about the process. So, I created the site to *organize* information that I found and to post tidbits that I thought were interesting. I also felt that unless a parent subscribed to multiple lists and read many, many posts....it was difficult for them to *understand* the process and the constant changes.
Since April, the future of Guatemalan adoptions has been a BIG concern to many of the readers. I attempt to post as much information as I can....and I am carefully seeking other writers to help make the site as informative as possible. But please understand that AT THIS TIME this is a TRUELY non-profit site and the webmaster has a 9 month old daugther AND a fulltime job.
As for many of the questions....I KNOW that many of you are pre March 5th cases and you are frustrated and stressed beyond my wildest dreams. But, I cannot predict WHAT/HOW/WHY the US government (mainly DOS), nor the Central Authority, nor any other part of the Guatemalan Government will act in the future. I can ONLY pass along what has already happened.
As for your agencies....
Many of you have been extremely frustrated with your agencies. Some are halting referrals and some are still referring because PGN has *ASSURED* them that they do not intend to cease adoptions. Please understand that ANY REPUTABLE agency is doing the best that they can with the information that they have (and believe me, they are working just as hard if not harder to represent/fight for you!).
Thanks for all the encouragement and suggestions. I hope this will ALWAYS be a site FOR THE FAMILIES!
Kelly
webmaster
Keep up the good work Kelly!
Your site is clean and looks very professional. As a newbie to adoption, I've been turning to your site as a good synopsis of the various things going on.
Your site is a good resource, please don't allow it to disappear.
If nothing else, you could add a PayPal button to help defray the expenses.
-D
Posted by: Donald Kerns at June 15, 2003 12:23 PMI just discovered your website. Keep up the good work. I find it very informative. Thanks!
Posted by: Debbie at June 16, 2003 10:58 AMI was referred to your site through my agency. I have not stopped reading since I logged on...and will continue to do so daily. Thank you for keeping us posted!
Posted by: Susan at June 16, 2003 11:01 PMThank you so much, Kelley. I am sure many of us would make donations
Posted by: mimi at June 19, 2003 11:39 AMKelly, I am looking for a little advice. We are just about to accept a referral for a little girl who will be declared adbandoned on the 25th of June. In spite of all that is going on, what would you suggest? We have opportunities to change our paperwork to another country, since we have not been able to accept this little girl yet. We are worried that we could spend the next year or two trying to get her home. What would you advise someone in our possition, who have not yet accepted a referral? Accept the referral, or cut our losses and go to a different country?
Posted by: Cindy at June 23, 2003 04:21 PM