Kevin,
I'm praying that this is not true. Our agency is investigating the situation thru our atty's. They have not encountered anyone offering the birth mom's any payments during the interviews that have been done thus far. The agency also stated that this same rumor came up several years ago with the US Embassy supposedly paying the birth mom's during interviews.

Kevin, is this curious to you or should we still have hope PGN is trying to work in good faith for the PAPs? Any new insight on why files were not released this week... is June something we can hope for?

It is certainly curious. But I also know that other interviews took place yesterday and nothing like this occurred.

As for why cases haven't been released yet, I don't know. I'm disappointed and have my fingers crossed like everyone else that they will soon - very soon!

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

I, too, wonder if it was bad questioning as opposed to intended "bribery". Sort of thinking that the interviewer was trying to get in the head of the bmom, perhaps even thinking long term, "What do these moms need to be able to retain their children and not have to do this?" That kind of information could certainly help the government establish a practical welfare system. Of course, that is not the time or place for such questions, and I agree that interviewer should be severly reprimanded if not dismissed outright.

Nothing surprises me anymore. Are there any of you out there that feel like this is never going to happen and we won't get to bring our babies home. I am really beginning to lose my faith in all of this and I hate it. Why won't someone get involved and try and help us. Please JCICS, DOS, someone. What ever happened to the meeting with the new president and how he wanted adoptions to continue. I am beginning to feel that he just said all of that and didn't really mean it. Please someone have some positive news soon.

JCICS is contemplating serious involvement. please go to http://www.jcics.org/Guatemala.htm

HTH susan pap

Kevin thank-you for helping us.Do you know when the forum will be back up?What I don't understand is why they say one thing ( president and wife, head of PGN),and then do something totally differenet. thanks jane

I would be interested to hear what Susana Luarca has to say about the bribes. Susana - can you give us your insight. this is really getting out of control now and I just read on another forum that during an interview yesterday the birthmother consented and signed during the interview and PGN took the child for further investigateion with no explanation or whereabouts of the child. I am sorry but they are truly abusing power here and I cannot believe that NO ONE in the US GOVT is willing to lift a finger here to help us and put a stop to this. ANd Susana what about that Amparo? Cant something be done???

I have asked my lawyer, too. She says they've had pressure, like the BM being called a "bad woman" by the officials, but no payment has been offered. Yet. But nothing surprises me either...

Speaking of no individual instance, let me encourage everyone not to take any story you hear on a forum at face value. There are many rumors and lies that exist out there. We hear them and then do our best to find out the reality and inform everyone.

I am not saying we are perfect by any means but we have a pretty darn good track record.

It does certainly appear as though some interviews have gotten a bit ugly. But we also do not know what was said in the interview, what the documentation shows, or how it may have been perceived. Needless to say, if there was something fishy that occurred with the case, the PAP may not get the whole story from those responsible.

Once again, I am NOT defending PGN! I am just trying to be objective and rational until we are able to get a better idea of what is truly happening. It does not make sense that some interviews would be smooth and easy and others not so unless there is a prick for an interviewer or something suspicious happened during the interview. Anything is possible of course but I just hate seeing the spins and emotional turmoil you all face when the realities are far from clear.

Paz,

Kevin
Guatadopt.com

Evidently it is the CNA doing initiating and participating in these interviews, and they were only to register cases. The agency (and their attorneys)with whom I am working has reported widespread harrssment and insulting of the birthmoms, with interviews taking up to two hours. They also are getting completely different answers about when files will be released, even if the second BM interview is completed. This is definitely not in the best interests of anyone and should be stopped. Our cases were to be grandfathered in under previous laws.....I hope JCICS will do something as no government offical or entity has responded to any of my e-mails...
Julie

Over the last week the information coming from Guatemala has become increasingly confusing and raised great concern:

* the raids on Nancy Bailey's Semillas des Amor and on the hogar run by Gudy Rivera's sister. Gudy Rivera is the head of the Congressional Committee on the Rights of Children and Families and I believe that committee has some oversight authority over the new CNA. Nancy Bailey's Hogar has been a model. The fact that the current administration is supporting witch hunts and abuses of authority that can't be - by any stretch of the imagination - in the best interests of the children is of utmost concern.

2. IF the Guatemalan government wants to institute a program of support for families with children, it should not be tied into the current "grandfathered" cases, where it can be perceived as bribes and an intentional act against ICA, rather than a constructive way of supporting families. Furthermore, there are MANY initiatives that accredited US agencies are prepared to provide when the new system is implemented. However, instead of implementing new, constructive policies, they are continuing to beat the dead horse. Why are so many resources being devoted to this?

3. MANY are reporting abusive interviews clearly designed to get the birthmothers to change their minds. This is a far cry from trying to find out if the decision by the birthmother was voluntary. In the past, the US Embassy has also conducted interviews of all birthmothers, with some of the same tactics being reported, and at the end of the day -- almost no birthmothers declared that they changed their minds. But these tactics are frightening the birthmothers and more and nmore of them are afraid to even come for the interview. We are also concerned about birthmothers who having completed their part in the legal process, have moved and can't be located. These interviews are retroactive requirements.

*Lack of representation for the birthmothers is not acceptable. Of course the most negative interpretation is that the lawyers might force the mothers to say what they want, but these mothers have cooperated throughout the process and the reported abuses justify that something has to change: either the mothers have representation by a team of pro adoption lawyers with impecable reputations, or the US Embassy provides witnesses, but the abuses must stop!!! It is also not fair for people from the CNA, PGN, MP, HR to all be interviewing birthmothers ()4 or more to 1 birthmother).

*Allegations that birthmothers have been given blank sheets of papers to sign.

* The fact that no cases have been released to the attorneys.

*The fact that Abandonment Cases have been put on the back burner, so kids are spending even more time in institutions.

*The fact that the Civil Registries are not releasing BirthCertificates and the FamilyCourts are not releasing reports... effectively shutting down the system.

We DO need the US Embassy to take a stronger role in assuring that protections are provided for the birthmothers and children and adoptive families in accordance with the intentions of the grandfather clause and the Guatemalan constitution, which does not allow a new law to be retroactive.

Hannah Wallace, Focus On Adoption

We just heard from our agency that two of their birth moms were offered money during their interviews with PGN, one interview lasted over 2 hours.
Kevin, do you think any of this has to do with the US arresting several members of a smuggling ring in Southern california yesterday (in the Los Angeles Times on line), many were from Guatemala, or the US raiding a manufacturing plant in the midwest a few days ago and detaining over 200 Guatemalans believed to be illegal immigrants? (I can't recall the paper that reported this but it was within the past week). This situation is really getting out of hand.

This is a dubious story, since PGN would have no source of funds for such an offer. Perhaps there is an interpretation or understanding problem. As host of Good Morning Guatemala and a bilingual translator I may be able to assist people here in Guatemala. My e mail is gmg977 @ yahoo.com (remove spaces on both sides of the "@" symbol)

Carlisle Johnson

To Hannah Wallace:

Thank you for the info, disturbing as it is....Is there a specific way to contact the US embassy, or a department to send comments to or do we just send notes to their general e-mail? Is any US entity doing anything to intervene? Thank you.

Julie W.

This information may not be true, but we need to be proactive and continue to call our senators and congressmen about this delay. My daughter and I call Senator Coleman-he is on the adoption committee and our state representatives. Please do the same and help.

It seems that the general public (here and in the US) only hears the ´other´side of the story (Guatemalan adoptions are wrought with corruption, and good ol´PGN and the CA is stepping in to put a stop to it). Can´t we round up some of these bio moms, call CNN and other major media, and have them explain then and there what took place through an interpreter. I realize there may be some fear for these women, and rightly so. But if this is happening (badgering, shaming, offering money) there´s got to be a way to prove this so that the general public and appropriate U.S. influences can step in! At the very least, can´t these attorneys and agencies (with these bio moms) arrange for private meetings between these bio moms and US officials (Norm Coleman, for example)? There has to be something we can do to show what is really going on.

This is a sad story but lets us as parents of these children try and find someway that we can rally together! If anyone comes up with anything I will be glad to help. The next thing I am going to do is PRAY!. I am sending prayers to each and every family in Guatemala and here on the U.S. for this to MESS to end we each have been through too much and the birth mothers should NOT have to be done this. HOW CAN WE HELP? I call my Congressman in Louisiana and they said that I was the first call. She took some notes and had me repeat it and said she would send it to Washington. Are we calling the right person for suport?
Julia

Hannah,

While I very much appreciate your words and insights, as well as those of Guatadopt, JCICS and Susana Luarca, frankly we already know this stuff. We know what these bmoms are being put through is an abomination, not to mention illegal in the eyes of the Guatemalan constitution. The question is: What is being done about it? It's all well and good to say that this NEEDS to stop and that the US Embassy NEEDS to step in, but what are the lawyers in Guatemala doing about it? And what can we do about it? Because to be honest, contacting my congresspeople has proven to be a waste of time. Susana Luarca had posted a while back that an amparo was in the works, but no mention has been made of it since and it's probably been almost two weeks. It's frustrating to read complaint after complaint from those in the Guate adoptions community without any progress forward. I just want my son home.

I am distraught at the prospect of loosing my child. My husband and I have visited her twice and spent time bonding with her. We are quite attached. I have heard rumors that UNICEF is behind the money that is being offered to the B moms. Is there any truth in that? It seems like the Guatemalan gov't couldn't possibly afford to to pay an 18 year stipend for thousands of children. But do the B moms have any concept that what they are being offered is a farce?

ACTION :

Email the US Embassy in Guatemala.

AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov (American Citizen Services)

adoptguatemala@state.gov (Adopton Unit)

SEND THEM A QUICK EMAIL. WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE TOGETHER.

This is going out of our hands!!!

I am not impress, not even a little bit....This was going to happen sooner or later....

If it is true or not....there's not question that this has like 80% of true.

We know how PGN people treats the BM, it is againts the moral.

Where are the human rights, in this case???
Why does the lawyers in Guatemala accepting this humilliant action??

I cannot find the answers to these and many others questions...but theres no doubt that this is getting bigger and bigger.....

This is happening because these people thinks that they have a lot of "power" this is why Guatemalans and americans need to make a strong union and show them that the good will win. I know that this sounds like the lines of a superheroes movie but it is true.

If you notice, PGN and CNA are working together and we can do the same, we can use the same weapon to destroy them...Adoptants can talk to their government (Senators) and Guatemala has to fight,all the lawyers has to make a big union and start protesting about this...raise your voice, ask for justice, speak up!!

If we know that PGN and CNA are making illegalities with the cases, we are making even a bigger illegaly than they are doing, we are not protesting!! we are like little ants, letting them to smash us...it is time to show how big and strong these ants can be!!

we need to fight back, US and Guatemala (the goods) againt the bad Guatemalans (PGN and CNA) and we will safe the life of a lot of children.

The life of these children are in the middle of the battlefield, their future will change in every second, in every day and in every decition that we take.

It is in our hands and brains the changes that we have to do to make this happen!!

The good will triumph!

And something that we should learn from the kids: "Never lose the hope that lives in our heart"

Yes, we all know what is going on but the media exposure is the only way to end this. The US media has to get down there and interview those on the right side; the Guatemalan media will never cease nor admit to publishing lies after lies to cause yet another form of coercion: public humiliation and societal opposition.

Adoptive parents need to organize and march in front of PGN! It's about time adoptive parents are seen, heard, and perhaps this will end. I suspect the CNA has received money from UNICEF that was promised to Berger. Is that too wild an idea?

Maybe that is where the initial payments would come from if they were to succeed in buying back consents. I personally believe the birthmothers will see right through this, particularly when word travels fast in Guatemala, so many already know what to expect but there is no excuse for the horrible harrassment.

I would also like to bring an important point which is that the citation process needs to allow more than two chances. Supposedly, as of now, PGN cites a day to two in advance. If they miss they can reschedule once. If they miss the second time, the case is remitted to the police for investigation and they take the children away. Why is this so?

Suppose we were told by our physicians they would never see us again because we cancelled or missed two appointments. Why is it that if the Guatemalan officials KNOW that some mothers live far away, or are away working for weeks, that they will not allow an open scheduling system where if they cannot make it the first time, that the attorney can keep searching and request the interview when he has found her?

We know how DNA tests and Court appointments have to be rescheduled many times because the mother cannot make it. We also know sometimes they are gone for weeks or months. So, why is this an NOW or NEVER situation?

That PROVES that the only intention behind these so called "interviews" is to STOP the grandfathering of as many cases as possible.

There has to be a group willing to protest NOW for the birthmother's rights. This is out of control.

Someone on another group suggested that we all go to the Embassy in Washington DC. Does anyone live around there that maybe interested in organizing a group to stand outside of the Embassy??

The question in Guatemala has always been whether or not the mothers that are relinquishing are receiving unbiased counseling not tied to adoption dollars as to all their options. The cry has been that there is no support system to provide realistic options. The evidence has shown that baby finders and attorneys have engaged in coercion, intimidation and threats, along with outright payments (baby buying) to induce relinquishments to supply a demand and money driven market. The January Dateline (still available on msnbc.com) story showed baby brokering and kidnapping in the Guatemalan adoption industry. So if lengthy, coercive interviews are being conducted by PGN and if money is being offered to keep the family intact, perhaps it is a way to uncover the abuses that lead to relinquishments.

The US implementation of the Hague is the only one in the world that involves the accreditation of private adoption agencies. The main accrediting body, the COA, has a board dominated by adoption industry members and people with strong ties to the adoption industry and its donor list is also dominated by adoption industry interests. So far, quiet a few agencies with questionable pasts have been accredited. An agency that is currently soliciting funds from clients to stay afloat, in an obvious example of financial mismanagement, is accredited. The agency that we used, Adoption Choice, whose foreign attorney and US consultants served time in federal prison is accredited. Right now, it looks like few, if any agencies will not be accredited. This calls into question the entire accreditation process and the effectiveness of Hague implementation in the US, which was heavily influenced by the adoption industry. PEAR (Parents for Ethical Adoption Reform) is gathering a list of accredited agencies that have documented ethical and legal problems in order to file a formal complaint under the Hague with the DOS.

So, I take issue with Hannah Wallace's comments that mothers should have representation at interviews by pro-adoption lawyers. They should have representation by unbiased pro-child and pro-family lawyers whose income does not depend on adoptions.

Additionally, I'd be very curious as to what the many initiatives accredited US agencies are ready to provide when a new adoption system in Guatemala is implemented are. Will there be initiatives that support family preservation and support the aggressive pursuit of those engaged in adoption abuses?

The reaction of the adoption industry to the current situation in Guatemala reminds me of a child who has a tantrum when it refuses to clean its room after repeatedly being asked to do so. The parents have decided to clean the room and throw out the toys that the child refused to put away, triggering the tantrum. Over the past decade, the adoption community has failed to take significant and sufficient action against the abuses of the system so the current situation was predictable and inevitable.

David K
www.adoptionagencychecklist.com

I had promised myself no to post any comment for a while, since someone lately felt offended by my remarks, but right now I feel that it is important to do whatever we can to stop this out of control situation. I have called and e-mailed all the Senators and Representatives in Washington and in my State; I have e-mailed the DOS and the US Embassy in Guatemala City and I have sent a fax to Sen. Hillary Clinton. I also have sent an e-mail to Oprah Winfrey.We have to push as strong as we can, we have to try every thing we can to solve this horrible problem. If something goes wrong with our adoptions we don't want to have the remorse that we could have done more and we didn't do it. WE WILL BRING OUR CHILDREN HOME.

Vince

I agree with anonymous.
We need to do something now!
PLEASE talk to you SENATOR, I am sure if Guatemalan lawyers has the support of the US SENTATOR, they will have more faith and they will fight back with no doubt.
I just heard that people from ADA had a meeting with the US Consulate authorities in Guatemala, and they discuss about the bad administration of PGN and CNA, their answer was: "WE CANNNOT HELP YOU BECAUSE THIS IS A INTERNAL PROBLEM, US GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO NOTHING ABOUT IT".
How come???
How can this happened???
I consideer (as many of you) that this is an international problem!!!
People from US and Guatemnalans are involve!
I do not know, how our authorities (Guate-US) cannot help us.
This is being close to start a war!! meanwhile, the kids does not have a clue of what's going on??
PLEASE, PLEASE!!
WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, IT IS NOT FAIR THAT THE FUTURE OF THESE CHILDREN AND YOUR HAPPINNESS IS IN THE HANDS OF THESE BAD PEOPLE, THAT CAN DESTROY IT SO FAST.
All the effort of your lawyers, agencies, families will be in vane. Will you let this happen?

This is what I emailed to the address that was given by Joe!
Let these people start hearing our voices!
I am in the process of adopting a child from Guatemala. Can you help the adoption cases that are suppose to be grandfather?
This is all sad we as adoptive parents do not believe that interviews given to the birthmothers are fair. Neither do we believe that our files should be held as we are part on the process that fell under the old laws not the new. We want what is best for child, birthmother, and adoptive parents.
PLEASE HELP!
Julia

There was a interview this week at PGN and even though the bmom said she still wants to give the child up for adoption, PGN took the child to a hogar and said they want to investigate the case. You can read about this on the Bethany Guatemala Forum.

Sara King, I feel exactly like you. Very sad and helpless.

I would suggest an organized protest in DC outside Guatemalan embassy vs at PGN. At PGN sounds too risky it is their country and who knows the outcome. It may not help. IN the US maybe some congress and media could get involved
just a thought

Yes, we need to go to DC and protest in front of the Guatemalan Embassy and try to get media coverage. We adoptive parents need a voice NOW! How can we get this organized? Anyone have ideas?

Kevin, Will the forum be back up soon? Not to bug you, just needing the support of those who understand!

Hi Everybody, Just wondering if there are any other adopting Parents in the Dallas area. If so, maybe we could get together and maybe go to our Congressmen or government officials or even the media? Maybe just toss some ideas around and see what support we can get behind us. We've tried so hard to stay positive and not feak out, but I really feel we need to band together in each city and see if we can make a difference. Maybe other cities around the country could do the same. Let see what we can do and bring our children home SOON!

Months ago, I called a contact I made in the Guatemalan Embassy in DC trying to get help in getting our adoption processed. I was told then that they are not to have contact with the embassy in Guatemala regarding adoptions. Their only responsibility is to authenticate our paperwork. I live about 90 mins from there, though, and will be willing to protest if others are willing to go.

HERE WE GO AGAIN. " GOTPOWER ". OUR DOS SAYS THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T INTERFERE IN AN INTERNAL AFFAIR OF A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY. IS IT OR IS IT NOT THEIR JOB TO HELP THE US CITIZENS FACING PROBLEMS ABROAD? IS IT OR IS IT NOT THEIR INSTITUTIONAL JOB TO HELP US CITIZENS HAVING PROBLEMS IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY? AND AGAIN WASN'T GUATEMALA A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY WHEN OUR US CONSUL IN GUATEMALA ( MR J. LOWELL ) WAS PRESENT AT THE GUATEMALAN CONGRESS SESSIONS TAKING NOTE OF THE CONGRESSMEN VOTIN YES OR NO TO THE ORTEGA LAW? WASN'T GUATEMALA A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY WHEN THE US DIPLOMATIC PERSONELL IN GUATEMALA CITY TOLD THE GUATEMALAN CONGRESSMEN THAT THEY COULD FORGET ABOUT MORE VISA TO TRAVEL TO USA IF THEY DID NOT VOTED YES TO THE " ORTEGA LAW ".WHEN WAS LAST TIME THAT IN THE USA CONGRESS FOREIGN DIPLOMATS WERE DOING WHAT MR. J. LOWELL DID IN GUATEMALA? THIS IS DISPICABLE AND DISGRACEFULL. I AM TIRED OF ALL THIS BUNCH OF BS. I AM READY TO FIGHT. IF I HAVE TO FLY TO THE HELL TO DEFEND MY RIGHTS I DO IT. LET'S BE ORGANIZED NOW!!! NO MORE COMPLAINING, NO MORE TALKING!!! LET' S MAKE SO MUCH NOISE THAT OUR VOICES WILL BE HEARD BY THE PEOPLE LIVING ON MARS. IT DOESN'T TAKE TO MUCH TO FIX A DATE TO GO TO WASHINGTON DC. LET'S DO IT NOW!!!
WE WILL BRING OUR CHILDREN HOME.

VINCE

Please get the forum up, I miss being able to connect with everyone.

Hannah stated that Civil Registries are not releasing birth certificates. This is the first I have heard of this. We were approved by PGN and out on April 7th. Our file was submitted to Guatemala City for a birth certificate which was to take 8-10 business days but we still do not have it. One thing after another....

Our agency is working diligently but seems to be unaware of there being a general shut down on release of birth certificates. Has anyone gotten a birth certificate in the past month? Any other problems with birth certificates? This is the first that I have heard about it being a general shut down on birth certs.
So close to bringing our baby home and yet so far....

Jean

Vince,
Why should current DOS activity surprise anyone? The CIA has much Mayan blood on its hands. But then again, we don't interfere with soverign states, such as Nicaraugua, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Cuba (who originally backed Castro et al?)etc, etc.

I think it is good idea to protest in front of the Guatemalan Embassy. There is also the Guatemalan Consulate office in New York City( on Park Ave.). I've been there to get some of the paperwork done. Please post if others in the NY, NJ area are interested in protesting in front of that building. I think the Washington DC protest also makes sense. I'm there if a date is chosen. This craziness in Guatemala with children who have already been matched with a family has got to stop!!

Name the date and time in Washington DC and I will come from OHIO for it!!

Please, Please, bring back the forum. I miss everyone. I have checked for it to come back several times each day.... No forum :(

Thanks for all you do Guatadopt!

Does anyone have fax numbers to the Guatemalan embassy. Is there any reason we cannot start another campaign like we did in October?

Kevin or Marie,
Can you please comment as to when the forum might be back up. My interview is this week and I really need the support of my forum friends.
Thanks
Janice

Jean,

We got out of PGN on April 8 and did get our birth certificate (after about a 2 week wait). I remember reading that soon thereafter even those out of PGN were at risk of being halted as no new certificates were being issued. I hope you get some answers soon.
Lilian

I am in NJ and would be able to come to NY - please let me know.

Our BM told the PGN people to go fish in the toilet when they asked her about desisting on adoption to us. We are so thrilled. We do not know if there was any talk of money or not.

Michelle

If the US government won't help, try the MEDIA!

It is becoming clear now that western governments will do nothing about this (re. "not interfering with a sovereign state" replies). The only hope is to make a huge stink in the media and perhaps they will SHAME the US and Guatemalan governments into action.

Concentrate on
1. the abuse BMs face in the interviews,
2. the children being in care unnecessarily long, and
3. the illegality of going back on the grandfathering law.

Could everyone copy their e-mails/faxes sent to their senators to major newspapers and TV stations? Find as many as you can! Oprah is a good idea. Send to more!

Marching on various government departments will also help secure media attention.

Only Americans have the numbers - thousands involved in this - to actually achieve something.

To David K. from Adoption Agency Checklist:

Who exactly do you think is qualified to be a "pro-child and pro-family unbiased lawyer whose income does not depend on adoption" ..the only people you think are appropriate to be with the birthmom while she is harassed and insulted? Who is going to determine who meets these criteria and where will they find these attorneys?

What is going on is way beyond just trying to determine which cases involve corruption. I guess you believe Dateline to represent totally unbiased and thorough investigatory journalism, so given that what they aired is true in some cases, do you think that makes it right to use the same abominable tactics (intimidation, coercion, payments) to induce mothers to take back their children, whether or not they gave them up willingly in the first place, and whether or not they can care for them?

Regardless of what the "adoption industry" thinks or believes about this situation, I don't see how what is going on is in the best interests of the birthmothers, or the children.

Julie W.

The US Embassy in Guatemala has a posting on their website dated 29th April with details that they received from PGN regarding plans to review all cases in PGN (http://guatemala.usembassy.gov/adop20080429.html). My reading of this was initially “no need to panic” although in now seems that circumstance have changed to the extent that the information given to the US Embassy by PGN was incorrect or, at best, is now out-of-date. Even if (rightly or wrongly) the US Embassy does not want to ‘interfere’ with the internal affairs of a sovereign state, I can see no reason for them not to ‘query’ if the information they were give previously was correct or if it is still applicable and if not, why.

I’m sure that it wouldn’t take many phone calls and emails to the US Embassy to generate enough pressure for them to make this enquiry and, if nothing else, this may prompt PGN to issue a statement that would shed some light on what has been going on as there seems to be a big lack of clear-cut information at the moment…

Best wishes

please go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OurGuatemalanchildren/ if you want to band together to get some attention of the media and govt.

Kevin & Kelly,

This is NOT a complaint b/c you guys are awesome & have done so much for the adoption community...

Do you think you can post an estimate of when the forum will be back up? I know I check for it several times a day & my adoption is complete, so I cannot imagine how those in-process feel! It's such a great source of comfort & support to everyone to talk there...also, in this time w/soooo much uncertainty, a little thing like knowing when the forum will be up again would probably give people one less unknown to handle.

Thanks!

When will it end? When will someone fight for "US"? When will I stop being milked dry with all the foster care, updated docs, etc? When will someone think of my daughter? When will someone do their job LEGALLY? When will my agency help me?

I am now just sad and scared....

PLEASE bring the forum back! I am really missing it! It is the only place where anyone understands all of this. PLEASE!

Have here been any confirmed reports of birth mothers changing their minds after the PGN interview?

For what it is worth, we attended a USE meeting in Antigua last Thursday which was attended by John Lowell. He spoke PAPs after the meeting on this whole BM interview process.

He stated that the US can not tell Guatemala what to do or not do, BUT he did say that the US is pushing for PGN to release cases once the BM interview is complete. All they can do is suggest it.