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October 25, 2003

NPR Weekend Edition

(Posted with permission from Hannah Wallace, President, Focus On Adoption).

Dear Friends,

Yesterday I was interviewed for an NPR Weekend Edition broadcast on Intercountry adoption. Though the show will probably be getting commentary on the Hague Treaty and implications of the recently released Hague Regulations for the United States, there was significant discussion about the impact of the treaty on Third World Sending Countries and evidently, there will be a family adopting from Guatemala who will also be interviewed. My interview was about 50 minutes long and I wish I could remember what I said... just have the feeling that it wasn't complete enough!!!! I have no idea what will be kept in or edited out... though I've made a strong argument for a follow up show just on Guatemalan issues....

I hear the show will be broadcast between 5-6 E.T. on Saturday, October 25, from Washington DC, Weekend Edition, All Things Considered, Steve Innskeep...

Hannah Wallace, Adoptions International

Posted by Kelly at October 25, 2003 12:00 PM
Comments

This show will be aired online starting at 4:30 PM PST. Here is the link:
http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/

Posted by: David at October 25, 2003 01:46 PM

I just listened on the net. What a wonderful interview. I began listening in fear of another adoption bashing story...yet found it to be a nice presentation.....as we would expect from NPR. Congrats Ms. Wallace!!!!

Posted by: Jack at October 25, 2003 07:16 PM

Update on the link at NPR:
http://www.npr.org/features/feature.php?wfId=1478980

Posted by: David at October 25, 2003 08:02 PM

Hannah-

Is there a fact sheet that states the dire circumstances of Guatemalan Children,
and the state of poverty there, how the country
has been riddled with civil war, and how this
has impacted families there, and what
would happen to these children if they
were not adopted?
When we write letters to the media/organizations/and anyone who
will listen- if there is a fact sheet with hard
data perhaps they would present a different
story.

Thank You!

Grace

Posted by: grace at October 26, 2003 08:29 AM

Excellent point! What is happening to the children who are not being adopted but still have been relinquished? Are they in orphanages, on the streets? There seems to be a misconception that there is a "shortage" of children needing homes which leads to rhetoric about "markets." Isn't the truth that there are many more adoptive children needing homes than adoptive parents available to join with them into loving multicultural families?

Posted by: Lauren at October 26, 2003 12:47 PM

I have been reading all the posts and my questions is....How do you feel about still considering Guat for adoption.I am still in the process of sending all my paperwk for a referral but I dont know if I should continue.I dont mind the wait,I just want to make sure I will be able
to complete the adoption.
Agencies are still offering Guat as a good prog for adoption so I assumed this is ok,but after reading your posts I have doubts!

Posted by: Tina at October 27, 2003 08:57 AM

Tina,

I can't tell you what to do, but I can say this ordeal goes beyond frustrating. I was told by my agency in the beginning that I could face some problems because of Hague, but never, ever did they tell me I could lose my referral AND my money until after I had received my son's photo and was way into the process. Then, I was given the option of "returning" the referral and getting some of my money back. It seems, at least in my experience, once they have your money you cannot get any answers as to where your case stands. I'm sure there are others who have had better experiences, but I wanted you to know how I feel. Definitely check on the money issue before you get to far in the process.

Posted by: Tonja at October 29, 2003 10:33 AM