Kevin, I couldn't agree more. I entered this process after spending a summer in Guatemala to make sure it was a culture I could stay committed and connected to for the child I hoped to adopt. The location, the culture, and the language were HUGE pluses for me. I know one of the new components of the laws includes a guarantee to maintain culture and it is the one component I wholeheartedly agree with. I have already located a Guatemalan woman to do daycare to maintain primary language and have her on a list for a bilingual elementary school when she reaches that age. I have summer trips planned and have included traditional materials and objects throughout her nursery. I have bought and watched numerous DVD documentaries related to the history of Guatemala and weekly search on my DVR for any shows related to Guatemala or Mayans. I have over 30 shows recorded so far. My decision to adopt included the decision to becoming "Guatemalan" myself - to the best of my ability. I encourage others to show their commitment to the children of this amazing country - even those that aren't yet home, like mine.

Kevin, thanks for reposting, I missed it the first time around and you are so right! One of the joys of adopting from Guatemala is that my daughter has so many of the things that other internationally adopted children (now adults) tell us they long for. She has a copy of her original birth certificate, she has pictures and video of her birth mother; a woman who was able to chose to place her daughter for adoption and was able to see and hold her again the day before she came home to America. She has video of her life with her foster mother and father and many keepsakes that demonstrate their love for her. She wears the earrings that her birthmother purchased for her; small and red, signifying the love she has for her daughter. Because of the information we received, we were able to locate her biological brother and just this July were able to meet him and his family.

My daughter is a wonderful two years old. Happy, healthy and thriving. She never went one day without being held, loved and nurtured and she'll never have to go a day wondering who she looks like or where she came from, and for that I thank a system that allows women choice, that provides children with loving foster families and that gives children their history.

I pray that there will be the reform needed. If there is coercion, it must stop. Where there is misrepresentation it must end. Anywhere that a woman or child is victimized in the process must not be tolerated. But to not understand that this process has the possibility of keeping children's hearts whole while providing them with a loving family who can care for them is a tragedy.

I needed to read that right now.

Gracias Kevin

We would like to help you. Our daughter is trying to adopt. We donated money to your site and have written many letters and made many calls. What else can be done? Do you need any help?