When will the authorities do something that really is in the best interests of the children?

Prayers for all those waiting. . .

Beth in MN

Where is this hogar located? Is it private or government run? Just curious. Thanks.

This is unbelievable. My wife and I were just there *yesterday* for Mother's Day. We have been visiting Semillas once a month since October 2007. Simply put the conditions there are *excellent*. Upon leaving our sadness is always tempered knowing that the children are so well taken care. Yesterday afternoon most of the kids were sitting in the shade in their saucers/bouncy seats enjoying the light breeze under the veranda with the nannies.

Why would PGN/Human Rights spend their precious resource on checking the conditions of a Hogar like Semillas? To me the reasons can only be suspicious at best and there must be some hidden agenda(s) to this action. Terrifying....

Unfortunately, this seems to be the norm in Guatemala right now. They do things under the pretense of the best interest of the child and I hope and pray that the children are not removed from the home. I understand that a lot of the children that are cared for there are older and removing them would be determinental. I hope those that have children there get some quick answers and do not have to go through the nightmare that the CQ families are living.
Saying a prayer for all children across the world tonight that are in need of parents-especially over those children in Guatemala for that is where our heart is.

Translation:

Supervision takes place at a casa cuna in Antigua Guatemala for alleged abuses. (Note* "vejamenes is a colonial term meaning abuses,obtained by violent means.)

BY press LIBRE.COM

13:00 | 12/05/2008

The authorities checked the conditions faced by children of the casa cuna, Semillas de Esperanza,
in Antigua Guatemala, for supposed abuses.

"We are checking if there is abuses at this casa cuna but the operation is still developing," said Diego Paz, an official auxiliary of the Human Rights Ombudsman.

The staff of the Attorney General's Office conducts the activity to see that everything is unwrap with adherence to the law inside the casa cuna.

The authorities have developed operational in buildings of this type to verify the environment and health care of where there are minors.

On Thursday, a week before a casa cuna in the colonia QUinta Samayoa, 7 in the capital area, where nine children were found in unhygienic conditions. In this place was arrested Rosalinda Rivera, sister of opposing deputy Gudy Rivera, and was linked to trial for trafficking and conspiracy.

Semillas de Amor has built an amazing new facility in Parramos, but have been unable to move their children there as they have been waiting for electricity for months and months. As a result the children are still at their "old" facility that Kevin referred to.

Thanks for the translation Marie and the clarification Joe. As I said, my Spanish is not so hot!

I have learned that the children have NOT been removed.

We will update as we learn more.

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

This is just astounding. It's interesting how 2 of the best run hogares in Guatemala - CQ and Semills - have now been raided. It's as if any good facility is falling victim to the caprices of officials intent on wrecking them. I feel awful for all these kids.

The Hogar had started some moving - are all the children still at the original site?

My heart and prayers go out to those children and PAPs.

Kevin, Marie, Kelly, and all -
As always, thanks so much for keeping us posted.

This just makes me sick. I was referred a child in 2006 who was taken to a hogar by PGN and the police. I could not get them to release him after many months and lost his referral because they would not allow him to be adopted. The hogar--according to a well known aid organization--has 4 staff and 65-75 kids (great ratio). I was told the director is corrupt and takes money intended for the children, so the aid organization cut her off. She also faked a charity at a hotel to make money for herself off of tourists.

How can this go on when good hogars are raided? Oh, yeah, I was also told she probably bribed either PGN or the police to have my son placed with her. Where was UNICEF on that one?

Sorry to vent, but this will always break my heart. Knowing that precious boy was sent to that place.

I did receive another referral and my son is now home, sleeping soundly in his bed. And the baby I lost will always be in my heart.

Meg- All the children are at the original site - none have moved to the new place yet.

Hi, this is Nancy Bailey from Semillas de Amor. I thought I would post a comment on our "raid" today by the ever competent PGN. The police and about 40 employees of the PGN and Human Rights group arrived unannounced at our children's home at 9:30AM. They came in stating they wanted to review our files. Well, even in Guatemala 40 people plus a few police officers are a bit much to review 51 files. About two weeks ago the head of the children's human rights organization in Guatemala paid us a visit to see our home. We happily let them in and our only "fault" was that we didn't have a fire extinguisher. We actually do but it was packed to move. These people have been to our children's home several times and we have always passed their review with flying colors as we did this time. It was a surprise to see her today.

Our lawyer came right away to the children's home as our advocate. Then the PGN wanted to take photos of each child. This was tough on the kids, who didn't understand what was going on. We had to bring children into the office running back and forth while 40+ government employees chatted on their cell phones and basically enjoyed our nice garden. I even had to take my 12 year old daughter out of class, with her teacher to help bring the kids in and take care of them. All the while I kept thinking that the children's rights were being violated but the human rights people just stood by silently and watched. These people are not concerned about the children and the truth is in the 14 years I have lived in Guatemala I can count on one hand the number of "children's advocates" who work for the government that do care about the kids.

We all went to court minus the few PGN employees and police keeping an eye on the children in case they escaped. It was a battle. Because this was in Antigua we had to go to the Juzgado de Paz. The PGN (mainly one very ignorant, self important ass) wanted to take all of our kids. There was no reason to take the kids and the Judge told him that. It was a long long battle. Then they decided they were taking three of our babies that do not have families. I had sent the files into our lawyer in Guatemala City to see if he could work with the Central Authority to find Guatemalan families that might want to adopt them. Since the files were with the lawyers they said we had no paperwork on the kids. This self important, ignorant PGN representative insisted on taking the three kids. And as another PGN rep said to me, "it's only three, you get to keep the other 48." I responded with, "each of those three children have names and a future". To them it is just numbers. We also had a birth mom we were taking into Guatemala City to PGN for her birth mother interview. One of the PGN reps was trying to convince her to take her child back. It was unbelievable. This woman's child is three years old and nobody knows about her in this birth mom's family. This poor birth mom was terrified. It is a game for these people. I was wondering where the PGN is or where the Human Rights are when kids are being murdered right and left on the streets everywhere in Guatemala? Makes me a bit suspicious that they would feel the need to protect the children in my children's home that are very well cared for.

The Press arrived (about 25 of them) as we argued with the ignorant ass from PGN about taking the kids. He had called them thinking he was going to make a BIG splash by coming to our children's home and removing the children. Boy oh boy was he mad when he found out that we had filed an appeal and that meant he could not remove the 3 children until the problem was solved in another court.

I really hate having my photo taken and there I was with cameras rolling, cameras snapping and really wishing I had chosen something else to wear this morning.

The raid was a joke. The sad thing for me is that these are very dangerous people. They make decisions that impact the lives of children and I have yet to meet anyone that seems even half way competent enough to make those decisions. It is game for them. The children are number and these people, no matter what their title, could care less about these kids and I think it is threatening to them when there are people who care and people who will take risks to protect the kids.

I spent the last year fundraising and building a gorgeous home for the children. I have poured my heart and soul into my work and the children. The Guatemalan government doesn't give us one centavo for our work or anything else and then they come and harass us. I left the court with the Press following me through the streets of Antigua and it was humiliating.

Since I had children at home to feed dinner to I politely told the Press that I would speak to them on Tuesday and they would get an interview with me one by one. I suspect they won't show up unless there is some drama to be had.

I am sad and very, very angry. The bests interests of the children in Guatemala will NEVER be taken into account.

Nancy,

I hope that if you give interviews, you'll make the same points you made in your post. This is just an outrage. This really is the story that is not getting told.

There clearly were abuses under the old system, but that does not mean that the old system was inherently bad. In fact, one of the good things about it was the care that children received in hogares and foster homes.

It's clear that the government is more interested in making headlines than doing the quiet, hard, day to day work of actually caring for children and protecting their true best interests -- which can include adoption.

This just infuriates me, Keep fighting!

Nancy,
I am so very sorry you had to endure this.
I totally agree with your assessment of the PGN official's behaviour.
I know you and your hogar has an excellent reputation.
Please keep strong and know that many people support you and your great work.

Dear Nancy,

Thank you so much for standing in the gap for these children. I will pray that your strength may continue. Kevin should we send this memo to our senators?

Kim

Nancy,

Thanks so much for protecting our children. My heart skipped a beat when I read the headlines and thought about our little girl being scared with all this going on.

As always, you have shown that you have the best interest of the children at heart. Please keep us posted of any additional news.

Nancy,

Thank you so much for posting. After a long and anxious night I feel much better hearing from you and knowing the children are safe.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this and so grateful to you for fighting for my baby and all the children at Semillas.

There's no way to thank you for what you do, but all of us who do care about the children know and understand, and will support you in every way we can. I, for one, am just so grateful for my baby's sake.

As previous posters have mentioned, I've been to visit Semillas 6 times since July of 2007 and have always found it clean, well-run and very pleasant. On the first visit I was invited to look around at anything, every room (even those for the older children), the kitchen, storage for all the donated clothes, and the office, and even had the chance to speak to the US trained and Board Certified pediatrician who comes to check the babies twice a week. There is also a registered nurse at the facility at all times. I've spoken with her and she was extremely helpful, too. The administrative staff is outstanding. Everyone I have met there has been friendly, helpful, competent in every way and obviously very committed to the children's well-being.

Like Joe, the difficulty of leaving after each visit and waiting for my baby has been eased dramatically by knowing he's receiving such great care. Even if I couldn't see this myself, I would know it by how healthy, happy, open, and developmentally on-target he is.

Please know that although there are ignorant asses everywhere, and it is truly beyond distressing to see them playing with the lives of children as if it really was a game, everyone who cares about kids, and all of the families you've helped to bring together, know the value of your work and are eternally grateful. The current climate will pass; your impact on these children's and families' lives will last forever.

Ruth

I am posting this comment in die hard support of Semillas de Amor, Nancy, everyone who works there, and the children who have no voice. We adopted our son from Semillas almost four years ago, and are in the process of adopting another child from there. We have visited Semillas on numerous occasions, including the new, beautiful children's village in Parramos. This is an exceptional place that is a shining example of what any hogar SHOULD be. The care provided by the staff and the facility (both the old one in Antigua and especially the new in Parramos) rival ANY comparable kind of place in the U.S. The fact that this surprise raid occurred in such a manner is beyond nauseating. Nancy and her staff have devoted their lives to caring for these children, and now it seems they are being slapped in the face by a government too ignorant to know a good thing when it sees it. Everyone, please, hope and pray that bureaucratic ignorance can give way to some common sense. These children or caregivers do not deserve this.

Thank you Nancy- I think we are all appreciative (and desperate) for first hand knowledge. Disturbing indeed.
Kevin, I also think that this post could be utilized (only if Nancy is willing). I'm not sure our government has an interest, but this action by PGN borders human rights violations. Can you could post a link to Nancy's post on the Guatadopt home page so that even glancers can find it. Thanks

We visted Semillas in 2004 & 2006. In 2006, our group worked at Nancy's children's home grounds in Parramos, painting the caretaker's home, inside & out, and planting the beautiful bouganvillas that I now see blooming in the photos. During the day, we all left our children at Semillas. One of the moms stayed each day, so they've had a familiar figure, but I can assure you, had we not felt completely safe, we never would have left our children there. We called it "Club Med" for kids.
The children had school there and ours joined in. They had plenty of age appropriate toys and limited age appropriate TV. They had play time outside, good food, lovely rooms and a good ratio of caregivers. Nancy said that she videotaped all of her birthmother relinquishements, so that should be an aid, should PGN try anything with the relinquishments.
In short, it was a place we had no qualms leaving our children each day for a week, and, to my eye, anyway, a model home for children.
I am sick that this is going on.
If they want to talk about children's rights being abridged, how about all the children living on the streets without enough to eat and no education?
I believe there are some abuses in the system- I know we had problems with our first referred child (whom we lost due to DNA nonmatch), so I do have some experience there. However, the amount of problems pales when you look at the rate of malnutrition of children in Guatemala. Why doesn't UNICEF and children's rights advocates care for that? Perhaps they can't get the headlines they can get for busting hogars?
Kathi

Nancy,

Thank you so much for your courage and determination in safeguarding the well being of all of the precious children in your care. My family visited our daughter there in April, and were filled with joy to see all the healthy happy children in such a clean and smoothly-run hogar. The futures of these children -- as well as the futures of the families awaiting their arrival with open arms -- depends on the continued efforts of you and your staff . . . and our appreciation can not be expressed in words. Your reputation is sterling in the adoption community, and your dedication is an inspiration to us all.

Nancy, God bless you and may he help you keep those children safe. It breaks my heart to know that that the "New" PGN is no better and perhaps worse, then the old.

UNICEF and Ann Veneman be damned. I'm sick of them, how do we get the general public to hear us? Where are the millions they promised to "help" the families in Guatemala? Oh, that's right its all in Berger's pocket.

Please President Colum, do right by the children of Guatemala, they are your future and they are more precious than you will ever know.

I'm forever blessed to know my Guatemalan daughter and thankful she is upstairs, sleeping safe and sound. I wish that for all the Paps in waiting.

I'll fight for the rights of the children in Guatemala till the day I die.

Dear Nancy,
So sorry to hear you had to go through this. By past experience working with you, we can attest that you are a model to follow for adoptions in Guatemala, and mainly for the outstanding care and excellent conditions the babies receive in your hogar.

Nancy,

I am so sorry you had to go through this. I have heard nothing but positive comments regarding the care and treatment the children receive at Semillas de Amor.

You are a true advocate for the children. This harassment by the authorities will not go unnoticed.

Thank you for all of the care and love you give to Guatemala's orphaned children.

This is despicable. Nancy, is there anything we all can do for you?

Nancy-

this is absolute deja vu. it sounds almost identical to the CQ situation. the only peace i have these days is knowing that karma is a bitch.

We too will always be grateful for the home that Semillas provided for our daughter while we awaited her adoption. It was always difficult leaving her after a visit but I knew she was in good hands. I was always impressed with the atmosphere, the clean environment, and the care given to the children. We feel very fortunate to have found Semillas and in the process found our daughter...I am sickened by this act (to me of a power play) that truly does not represent the interests of any of those children.

Oh Nancy I am so sorry and really can't believe this happened at Seeds Of Love...I mean really if they wanted to see if the living conditions were OK...why the heck did they not check out your BLOG....Oh this makes me so mad...I love that you have the BLOG and are so open about the love programs you have the children in. It truly breaks my heart that the children were put through this today....Hugs

Nancy -

I was deeply saddened and frustrated by this news. You and Semillas de Amor do not deserve this. The orphanage you run has an impeccable reputation. The love and care the children receive through you is phenomenal.

Plain and simple, this is harassment. Raiding Semillas de Amor is totally contradictory to what's in the best interest of the Guatemalan children.

Nancy, you and the children you lovingly take care deserve all of God's blessings. I'm a grandmother anxiously awaiting the arrival of our grandchild from Guatemala. Through this wonderful site (thank you Kevin), and reading the Guatemala newspapers we try to get informed of the situation affecting current adoptions. I have to say though how upset I am at the distortions on the Guatemala press.....for instance Prensa Libre and Siglo XX both had articles about the raid in Antigua, but they presented the point to PGN's henchmen, not the thruth. I hope Nancy does get an opportunity to present her position and have the truth come out. May God continue to give you strength and love to carry forth your incredible mission.

Lita

It is really, really sad to see what the guatemalan government is doing to the children of Guatemala. They have a chance to a much, much better life than what they will get if they stay there. I am from Guatemala and am really sick to my stomach to see and read what is going on. The US government should get involved in finding a solution to the situation. It seems like it is worst now than before. We are going from bad to worst. Really sad

I just spoke with a staff member at Semillas de Amor - THEY WERE RAIDED AGAIN TODAY. Apparently they had an order to take all of the children but Nancy Bailey did not let them do so. The staff member expressed great fear and was audibly shaken --- "They want to transfer all of our children. I have a broken heart thinking that we could lose our babies."

This source also confirmed that the PGN interviews have changed dramatically in format and they now are taking the birth mothers and speaking to her alone for up to an hour as part of the interview. They then give her five minutes to change her mind on the adoption. The birth mothers emerge drained and confused.

I feel like we need to more than ever ask our government for help! What should we do?

Nancy Bailey has just posted a detailed account (with photos) of Raid #2 today at Semillas de Amor. Here is the link :
http://www.semillasdeamor.org/blog/index.html

Raid #2 on our children's home
by Nancy Bailey

Monday was the first raid on our children's home. That post is below this one. Today's raid was even more brutal than Monday's. On Monday we filed an appeal for the president of the children's court to review our case and to recuse the judge in Chimaltenango from hearing our case because of prejudice. Tuesday there was another appeal filed in Chimaltenango. Tuesday morning we have visits from both the Bienstar Social and the head of human rights for Sacatepequez. Neither offered any advice, nor any help. I still don't know why either group even showed up since they had done their big search on Monday. However, today the PGN came back with a vengeance.

Early this morning I went to the court in Chimaltenango with my attorney. There we found the head of PGN in Chimaltenango practically foaming at the mouth with anxiety and excitement. I saw his face and I knew it was bad. We were told by the courts that he had a court order to remove all of our children. This is not legal since we had filed an appeal and they cannot remove the kids or do anything until our case is heard. But this snake of a man from PGN, Rigoberto Duarte, made sure our appeal was not in the file for the judge to see. While we waited to see the judge my office called and said the PGN was there and they were pounding on the door and screaming to be let in. I flew, 90 miles an hour, back to Antigua to see three large vans, 50+ PGN representatives, a lot of police as well as Press.

So I pulled out my camera and starting taking photos. I invited the press in, did not let the PGN nor the police in. I know enough about Guatemalan law to know they could not come in without a judge and a court order. So I bought a bit more time and spent an hour with the press explaining what had happened, how we were being treated, and introduced them to all the kids.

Then the judge from the juzgado de paz Antigua showed up with the court order to take the kids. I was told to sign the document and without even thinking, I must have been reacting from a very primal mama bear place, I slammed my fist down on the table and yelled, "NO YOU WILL NOT TAKE MY CHILDREN!" I went nuts. The snake from PGN kept trying to get me to sign the paper and then starting whining to the judge that I wouldn't sign it. I threw it at him. The judge, who knows me and my work and I am sure felt awful, made a call to the judge in Chimaltenango. Our lawyer was successful in having the court rescind the court order. Everyone was escorted out of our children's home.

Tomorrow I will go to the Ministerio Publico, with my lawyer to file a criminal complaint against the PGN.

I have posted photos from Monday and from today on our blog, www.semillasdeamor.org. I always carry a camera with me and thought I should have some documentation of the harassment. There should be some interesting reports in the Guatemalan news as well as papers. Sure hope they didn't get me on film slamming my fist against the table and screaming at the judge and 50 PGN employees.

One of the reporters asked me today if I was planning on closing our children's home. I told her, "no, that I planned on fighting even harder for the children's rights".

Nancy,
What happened today is just horrifying. Thank you so much for standing firm and not letting PGN take the children away. The illegality of what PGN is doing is simply amazing!

How awful! Nancy, the children are so blessed to have someone as determined and protective as you keeping them safe! Sending you strength to keep fighting.

To the families who have children there, my heart goes out to you. HOpefully this is resolved and your babies come home soon!!!

Prensa Libre has a new article about the latest raid on Semillas de Amor : http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2008/mayo/14/237867.html

Here is a loose translation :

Antigua Guatemala. Until yesterday remained unresolved the fate of 51 children, who were found in the interior of the association Seeds of Love, located in Block 55 of the Reform Street, Gardens in Antigua.

The lawyer of that entity filed an appeal in the Magistrate's Court of Antigua Guatemala, to prevent the Attorney General's Office (PGN) to withdraw three children who lacked legal document for adoption, after a complaint that a mother her daughter was there.

Representatives of the PGN, the Human Rights Ombudsman and the National Civil Police conducted a surveillance in search of Carmen del Rosario Callejas Quinonez, 8 months old.

They established that the documents of 51 children had not been reported in a court, which led to PGN ask the representatives of that association respective records.

However, it was not until the afternoon, when they filed the paperwork complete 48 children, not three, who said only count with birth certificates and a copy of the writ of alleged mothers.

Rigoberto Duarte, PGN's lawyer, said that Judge Peace, Aida Gamboa, notified them that they could not take children because of the quantity and that, before handing Carmen del Rosario Callejas, he had to testify in court . But hours later, Gamboa changed opinion.

"We have noticed anomalies, for the complaint in the case of Carmen, from the three infants without dossier, and the other 48 children," said Duarte.

Staff PGN hoped the move toward the capital yesterday to Carmen del Rosario and Juan Carlos Alonzo, 6 months; Katerinne Vanesa Suchité of 8, and Carolina Col Ical, 6.

Gamboa said that the appeal submitted by the association interrupted a resolution, which is not within its competence to resolve. "Children are at the same location under police surveillance," he said.

Nancy Bailey, director of the birthplace home, insisted that everything was legal, and that the appeal is a right for all. At the end of this year, the pipeline continued to be resolved.

Thank you Nancy!! God Bless you for what you are doing for the children. It is about time someone took a stand against the criminals at PGN. These people are unbelievable.

Keep up the good fight!

Hi Nancy,

I'm so so sorry about this. My little boy is with you at Semillas and I have the utmost faith and respect for you and Semillas. Your orphanage is amazing and you are a strong person with alot of integrity and I would like to help you. Please let us know if all of the parents could rally together and go to Guatemala and take a stand for all of the children and help all of you.

Nancy, please know that MANY people are pulling for you and your staff and your children as you continue to make your courageous stand. Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do to help.

Nancy, this is a travesty. We are praying and pulling for everyone at Semillas. In a world filled with so much evil it is amazing how some entities will try to make something so wonderful so ugly. We are there with you in spirit, soul and heart and would gladly rally together with other Semillas parents to take a stand on your behalf. Never give up.

I am appalled that PGN is inventing false reasons to attempt the smear one of the finest institutions for orphans in Guatemala. Perhaps if they cared about the welfare of children they would "invade" the poor communities throughout the country to provide them with clean water, decent living conditions, and education.

Dear Nancy,

People with a heart and a brain recognize and appreciate all you have done and continue to do for the children of Guatemala. My son is with you now in Semillas and I have faith that he and the other children will stay safe and with you until I am able to bring him home. Many prayers are with you and the children now. I hope you feel that. Your efforts will not go unnoticed, I promise you. Stay strong, please let us know what we can do to help. Remember that good always wins out over evil.

A sickening article :

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=4787761&page=1

As posted on the Big list and sharing here at the request of the original poster:

If you are interested in discussing ways to provide help for the children of Semillas de Amor and Nancy Bailey, please join _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Semillasdeamorconnection/_

Nancy Bailey has posted an update on Semillas de Amor.

WORD IS THAT PGN HAS ANOTHER COURT ORDER TO SEIZE THE CHILDREN AND SEMILLAS IS EXPECTING ANOTHER RAID.

Here is the link :

http://www.semillasdeamor.org/blog/index.html

Nancy Bailey has learned that there is yet another court order to seize the children from Semillas de Amor. She believes ANOTHER RAID IS IMMINENT.

I have contacted Senator HillaryClinton and received an immediate concerned reply from her office -- they are contacting the US Embassy in Guatemala and the US Department of State.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES - IT IS WORKING!

HI Joe,
Thank you for posting the information about Hillary. I tried to contact her, but had difficulty. Please post the information to reach her and other representatives. My son is at Semillas and I am heartbroken and disgusted over this. Thank you for your help and cooperation.

Gina,

I have found the most successful way to contact Hillary Clinton's office is actually via fax to her Immigration department.

The fax # is 212-688-7444

I'm sure you will hear back from them.