OPTIMISTIC NEWS FROM GUATEMALA
Guatemala Minister Counselor Fernando de la Cerda is returning to Washington, DC today after an intense 10 day trip to Guatemala which included 2 meetings with Guatemala President Alvaro Colom. Fernando is reporting significant progress in finding solutions for moving the adoption cases of the Guatemala900 forwards towards resolution. Fernando's efforts in Guatemala also included individual meetings with the PGN, CNA, Court of Appeals, MP, and with his own Department of Foreign Ministry.
On Monday, July 26th, President Colom hosted a meeting with the highest level officials from the PGN, CNA, MP and several high level lawyers. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss adoptions, including the resolution of the grandfathered cases. The same group along with the Deputy Secretary of Interior and high level officials from the SecretarÃa de Bienestar Social (SBS) convened again on Monday, August 2nd and will do so again next Monday, August 9th. Fernando reports that President Colom was sympathetic to the children who are in limbo and spearheaded discussions with the other officials about how cases can start to accelerate towards resolution. Fernando is optimistic that end result should be some significant measurable progress in the coming weeks and months.
As a condition, the officials in Guatemala are requesting information on the remaining cases. Specifically, Guatemala is asking for :
* Adoptive Family's Names
* Child's Name
* Biological Mother's Name
* PGN or CNA identification Number
Fernando de la Cerda said "I cannot stress enough how important it is that we have this information. There is no way for us to try to help without it."
Families can ensure that their information is provided to Guatemala by completing the JCICS/CCAI/GUATEMALA900 survey. Over 125 families have already completed the survey, and their information has already been sent to Guatemala. Fernando de la Cerda indicated that the Dept. of Foreign Ministry has already started to process the families information that was provided. Guatemala indicated that they need to have ALL of the families information for the next meeting with President Colom on Monday, August 9th. JCICS, CCAI, and Guatemala900 will send any addition family information that is obtained this week to Guatemala at the end of the day this Friday, August 6th. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT FAMILIES COMPLETE THE SURVEY!
To participate in the survey, visit the following link : http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Guatemala2010
This sounds like great news. We are praying that this will be the action necessary to bring ALL the waiting children home.
Posted by: sjbj at August 4, 2010 08:31 PMExcuse us. According the meeting held in Gt, exist the possibility of new adopcions phase? We had adopted a child ten years ago, before to go in Italy, and he ask to us a brother. Help us!
Posted by: Marion Gerich and Ivan Zafron at August 5, 2010 03:49 AMThis sounds like it could be wonderful for all of the waiting children and waiting families! I pray every day that these children are allowed to come home soon. The children need permanent families to love and nurture them. The families need relief from this stress and heartbreak. Thanks for keeping us informed.
Peace,
Lizzie
And even perhaps consideration for future children who have need for a permanent home. Let's hope and pray.
Posted by: MacKenzie at August 5, 2010 05:27 PMAs a waiting PAP I just don't see where this is going to be any different than all the other times. Supposedly CNA and all are "on board", but our child's last hearing to have her declared adoptable (even though originally a relinquishment) the CNA rep didn't even bother to show up! Nor did our attorney or the birth family. No surprise re: the birth family, I figured they would disappear again once they were found and questioned several months ago. Sad thing is, the law states that only the child and PGN rep must appear for the hearing to go forward, but it did not! This was the 2nd time this happened. The law states that a hearing MUST go forward if both the child and PGN rep are present. It seems to me that the laws there are nothing more than mere "suggestions". The rules only apply to the PAP's, not the courts or officials themselves. Shame on them all for stealing these children's lives! They will never get this time back and there is no reason they should all be lingering in orphanages when there are families who have been fighting tooth and nail for them for years now! STOP investigating these children and START prosecuting the dirtbags who have put these poor kids into such a horrendous situation!
Posted by: anonymous at August 6, 2010 01:23 PMAre they meeting with anyone in RENAP? Our file has been in RENAP now for four months! I do not see why we are waiting so long for a new BC! Help!
Posted by: Karen at August 6, 2010 03:22 PMAs far as I understand the current discussions are focused on the transistion grandfathered cases that have been caught in the pipeline since December 2007.
I hope we can hear optimistic news for a reopening in the near future. There have been news articles out there regarding Guatemala opening on a "trial" bases.
ann
Well our case is one that is a transition case. We were told our adoption would be finally finished, now as of today all transition cases are stopped until they can legally figure out who and when are going to process them. This from a e-mail from our lawyer today
Posted by: Jenny at August 9, 2010 08:15 PMI completed the survey when you posted this announcement. Do you know when we might be contacted or if there is someone I should follow-up with?
Posted by: Therese at August 18, 2010 06:38 PMDoes anyone know what happened at the August 9th meeting? There has been NO update on that meeting or if it ever took place. According to our attorney all transition cases are stopped until all parties decide who is responsible for what.
Posted by: Jenny at August 28, 2010 10:23 PMI heard from a friend that renap is not doing bc's, is not functioning as gov wants so is shutdown indefinately until gov determines how to process. You don't have to post this but wanted to give you the heads up.
Posted by: lisa at August 29, 2010 08:45 AMFrom my contact at CNA new adoptions do not have a set date to begin. First they stated June, then July or Aug and now - no date. Rumor on the street - not official word is Oct. Hopefully the latest push of guat900 is because of the pilot program. Maybe just maybe the US stated they would not enter into the pilot program until they clean up the mess they made with gradfather cases. - Now that is just one theory and is not fact just a guess.
Posted by: chrissy at August 30, 2010 11:07 AMNew cases? Who would ever consider starting a new adioption in Guatemala? Of course I understand why PAP's in transition are still working to finalize their adoptions.To open up a new case under some "trial system" would be insane.
Posted by: Henry at September 9, 2010 01:49 PM