As most of you know, this site has never been associated with any agency and while some funding has come from sales, most has come directly from me. Starting this week, I am excited to say that Becky Holmes (host of the Guatemala Forum on adoptions.com) and I will be acting as coordinators for Children of the World, Inc. (MO) . We will be working directly with Rudy Rivera’s agency in helping families adopt from Guatemala. For this reason, I feel it is necessary to take a secondary role on this site, otherwise, it may be construed as a conflict of interest. Since it is personally important to me that this site continues to exist (and it remains somewhat neutral), I am handing over the reins to the Guatadopt.com site to Kevin (an advocate, parent and excellent writer). I will continue to maintain and support the site as well as write occasional pieces. You may still reach me at my Guatadopt email.
Sincerely,
Kelly Caldwell
Guatemala Coordinator,
Atlanta, Georgia
Children of the World, Inc.
Kelly
Thank you for starting this site. It was a great source of comfort and information during my daughter's adoption last year through the whole Hague mess. Good Luck in your new project.
Best wishes, Kelly, and thanks so much for all you have done for us. We will miss your presence, although I'm sure Kevin is up to the task!
Posted by: Sarah, waiting for pink! at June 28, 2004 04:38 PMBest of luck with your new venture Kelly. This site is a wonderful source of info and I really appreciate all your hard work. The last year was the most difficult one of my life. I checked this site constantly for news of the Hague. It was definitely helpful to be able to find reliable information on adoptions in Guatemala. Thankfully my daughter is home now but I still enjoy reading your site. Thanks again for all your hard work!
Posted by: Laura at June 28, 2004 08:25 PMKelly,
I thank you (as I just thanked Becky on the Guatemala Forum for her help too) for this wonderful site that helped me much during our second adoption. I can say today that without Internet, without having met the Guatemala Forum first (were I met Kevin who directed me to this site) I would never have been able to believe that our second adoption would be possible - I live in Switzerland and there are no such sites here in Europe, there was no help and support during our second adoption over here.
Thanks to all of you and my best wishes to you, Kelly, and Becky for your great opportunity. Kevin I'm not surprised that you're taking this over since Kelly leaves. I know you will do just the best again and again. Thanks in advance.
Let's hope long long life to guatemalan adoptions.
Manuela
Posted by: Manuela at June 29, 2004 05:37 PMCongratulations!! Thank you for being a light in the darkness, providing adoptive families with factual, accurate information and advocacy for our children. I don't know how I would have made it through the Hague nightmare of last year, let alone the stress of the adoption process without the information and support I have received from this site. Many, many thanks to you for stepping up, creating this network for families, and giving countless hours of your time and talent. God speed, my friend.
Kelly
proud mommie to Juliana
home forever 4/27/2004
Kelly,
What exciting news for you and a blessing for Children of the World. Many people will be extremely lucky to have you on their team while awaiting their forever child. '
Thank you for all of the work that you have done and the ocuntless hours keeping us informed during the longest months of my life. I too was a post 3/5 parent who feared that we would never see our beautiful little Anabella.
You were a very key player in keeping so many updated and calm.
Best of luck and we are excited about Kevin's reign as well. Remind him how wonderful the calendar is we want another one this year!!!!
Best to you and Becky,
Karen
Proud mama to Jacob and Anabella home forever from Guatemala.
I second what everyone else has said. THANK YOU Kelly, from the bottom of my heart. What a gift to have people like you in the world. I look forward to Kevin's leadership as well. Best of luck in your new position!
Colleen
Posted by: Colleen at July 1, 2004 08:59 PM