Its 2009 and yet the light at the end of the tunnel has failed to appear. I'm sure that one could analyze the current state of affairs 40 different ways. But it doesn't change the fact that there are an awful lot of orphanages closing and those that are still running are at capacity, struggling or pressed for funding. Honestly, Kevin and I have been up to our eyeballs with our day jobs which certainly affects our ability to keep the site going or report on what is going on. Yes, we'll be sending some relief funds down to Guatemala (thanks to all who donated some funds and got their calendars!!). I knew it was going to be stressful to even try to get a calendar out this year. We just didn't have the time nor the resources to do it. But hindsight...yes, I am glad we (guatadopt readers) can lend a little support. We do have some extra calendars but I have not had the time to package and ship anything above and beyond the current orders.
Whew. Keep the prayers and good vibes coming for these innocent children!!!
ADA also has a new post out with their perspective: THE ADOPTIONS LAW A YEAR LATER
Posted by Kelly at January 21, 2009 08:53 PMI wish it would be possible for someone to go and document the condition of these orphanages and the children being turned out to the street because of lack of funds. I would think it would be easier to gain support for change if the conditions we hear about for the children could be better documented.
Posted by: Jo at January 22, 2009 02:00 PMThe situation in Guatemala IS deteriorating. I'm concerned that those in power and in the adoption world in Guatemala(those who exerted influence to essentially "shut things down") will try to keep the rest of the world in the dark about this, because to do otherwise would essentially be admitting they were wrong, and that although the adoption system was flawed, the plight of children in Guatemala is far worse as a result of the changes that have been implemented,and the essential shutting down of the international adoption system in Guatemala.
UNICEF, claiming to have the children's best interest at heart, is a huge force behind what has happened. I'm sure they had plenty of people on the ground trying to uncover any indication of fraud, to prove their point.
Now, I wonder, how many people do they have on the ground, making visits to orphanages and city streets, to see just how many children may be sick or die, as a result of their heroic effort to "change the system."
The situation IS dire. And the media now? I realize that closed orphanages and homeless children and malnourished babies will make a far less interesting news story than one of a stolen baby (and exactly HOW many of these situations were found and proven true?), but if they, or anyone who worked so hard to paint Guatemala adoptions as all-bad, really cared about the children, they would be speaking up now as well!
What can we adoptive parents and PAP's do to help? I know we can donate money, but how else can we highlight what is going on and get someone who cares and who can do something about it to notice?
Kelly and Kevin,
Thanks for your recent posts and for "hanging in there."
I'm trying to find a reference I believe was on this site, sometime over a year ago (maybe during the Guatemala 5000 Initiative) to an article written by a woman with strong credentials explaining why it's so important for the healthy development (attachment and bonding) of children for them to be placed in loving homes as soon as possible, rather than allowed to remain in institutions.
I've tried to find it in the archives and can't; am thinking it might also have been referenced on the JCICS website.
Does anyone else remember this, and if so, could you please direct me to the right place to find it? Thanks to anyone who can help.
Ruth
Posted by: Ruth at January 22, 2009 04:35 PMRuth,
It is basic developmental psychology (I'm a developmental psychologist) that for normal attachment to occur, children need stable, consistent, attentive, responsive caregivers. Institutions typically don't provide this (of course there are some exceptions, but they are rare). One quick reference, from the Univ of Minn International Adoption clinic is at: http://www.med.umn.edu/peds/iac/postadoption/attachment.html
What can we do to help Guatadopt and the international adoption situation. I don't know where to start but I feel the need to do something.
Julia
Check on this site's Forums section, under Site Projects and Charities. Folks have started a thread on Ways to help in Guate.
Posted by: sjbj at January 23, 2009 10:41 PMHi Everybody,
As some of you may know, we are still stuck in PGN due to our birth mother leaving before the extra PGN interviews were announced. There seem to be only 2 British cases left in this mess and we are very glad that most children are home, safe now.
News from Guatemala seems to get sadder everyday at the moment (we just saw that Covenant House is shutting down its refuge for street children, due to lack of funds, and have heard that there are huge numbers of children waiting to be adopted). Street violence has claimed the lives of teenagers of several people that we know and seems to be escalating.
There are still a great many Americans stuck in the process and, with the changeover in US President, we thought you might like to help put pressure on the US Government in order to get sensibly regulated adoptions going again. We received the following email today and wanted to share the information with those interested in joining ACT for Adoption (see below).
Thanks very much,
Caroline and Patrick
Harvard Law Professor Elizabeth Bartholet is Director of the Child Advocacy Program at Harvard Law School (one of the sponsors of ACT for Adoption) and is a nationally renown child welfare and adoption advocate. Some of you may remember that she wrote an editorial in favor of international adoption in the Washington Post (Nov. 4, 2007) "Slamming the Door on Adoption - Depriving Children Abroad of Loving Homes."
Quote:
ACT for Adoption
Introduction
December 2008
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We have an opportunity to restore adoption to its rightful priority as a legitimate, welcome solution to the needs of children living outside of family care.
ACT for ADOPTION is a coalition of supporters of adoption who can be mobilized to communicate with the White House, Members of Congress, government agencies and the press to educate and advocate for legislation, policies and administrative procedures supportive of adoption. Children without parents have no seat at the policy table, and no voice to refute sensationalistic articles that would deny a loving family to a child rather than face the hard work of effective regulation. We must be prepared to speak for them.
President-elect Barack Obama made his support for adoption clear during his campaign. Hillary Clinton, his nominee for Secretary of State, has been a member of the Congressional Coalition for Adoption (CCA). CCA is a bicameral, bipartisan caucus dedicated to improving adoption policy and practice, and to focusing public attention on the advantages of adoption. Confirmation hearings and legislative initiatives will begin early in 2009, and we have the chance to roll back the anti-adoption bias that has crept into both domestic and international child welfare agendas.
ACT for ADOPTION is sponsored by the Center for Adoption Policy, and the Child Advocacy Program at Harvard Law School.
Please also forward this email to anyone who you think will be interested - Subscription link. ACT for Adoption : Mailing List Signup
Links...
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Center for Adoption Policy Center for Adoption Policy
Child Advocacy Program at Harvard Law School
HLS : Child Advocacy Program