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Thursday, March 13, 2008
Coming into focus
Diary Observations
" It's important for us to articulate the vision that talks about helping the babies where they are and reaching them with nourishment, nutrition, and of course, the Holy Spirit and witnessing Jesus Christ to them where they are. We are outside the political fray and want to assist the government. However, the government ultimately chooses to pursue things."
just wanted to tell you a little bit about this wonderful country. We keep learning more and more each day. The impression of the orphan industry is quite varied. There are those who think it will be a continuation of past initiatives and that the attorneys that provide the adoption services will ultimately go on and continue as if it's business as normal. Many others believe that the change will be more profound.
The perception of these baby meetings and these mass meetings of the babies with American adoptive parents took them to be potential for a number of years to certain hotels for meet and greet opportunities. The stories of children who were stolen from their mothers and those that were encouraged to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and have babies for compensation, are quite compelling and emotionally they are very challenging. The problem is, is that nobody has a good idea what the percentages are, how many are in the different categories, and how much it has really changed. It's important for us to articulate the vision that talks about helping the babies where they are and reaching them with nourishment, nutrition, and of course, the Holy Spirit and witnessing Jesus Christ to them where they are. We are outside the political fray and want to assist the government. However, the government ultimately chooses to pursue things.
This recent tumultuous history of this country is incredibly complicated and frightening. The perception of these various factions within the country that have very different interests is a concern. We heard the attorneys that specialize in adoptions referred to as the mafia lawyers, and that this was in essence an unorganized or semi-organized group of attorneys that were making a great deal of money and were unscrupulous and powerful and dangerous. Still very much a sense that if you're on the wrong side of any activity, your life would be put in danger and need to be very cautious in dealing with anyone who may have something to hide. The article that Greg had written was perhaps a bit viewed as perhaps a bit incendiary or potentially contentious, and we would need to be very cautious in how we pursued that line of reasoning and that thought process. All in all, a massively wonderful day. This is an incredible country, a beautiful place, wonderful people, and incredible natural resources, and just a real exciting place to be at this point in time.
March 12, 2008.
" It's important for us to articulate the vision that talks about helping the babies where they are and reaching them with nourishment, nutrition, and of course, the Holy Spirit and witnessing Jesus Christ to them where they are. We are outside the political fray and want to assist the government. However, the government ultimately chooses to pursue things."
just wanted to tell you a little bit about this wonderful country. We keep learning more and more each day. The impression of the orphan industry is quite varied. There are those who think it will be a continuation of past initiatives and that the attorneys that provide the adoption services will ultimately go on and continue as if it's business as normal. Many others believe that the change will be more profound.
The perception of these baby meetings and these mass meetings of the babies with American adoptive parents took them to be potential for a number of years to certain hotels for meet and greet opportunities. The stories of children who were stolen from their mothers and those that were encouraged to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and have babies for compensation, are quite compelling and emotionally they are very challenging. The problem is, is that nobody has a good idea what the percentages are, how many are in the different categories, and how much it has really changed. It's important for us to articulate the vision that talks about helping the babies where they are and reaching them with nourishment, nutrition, and of course, the Holy Spirit and witnessing Jesus Christ to them where they are. We are outside the political fray and want to assist the government. However, the government ultimately chooses to pursue things.
This recent tumultuous history of this country is incredibly complicated and frightening. The perception of these various factions within the country that have very different interests is a concern. We heard the attorneys that specialize in adoptions referred to as the mafia lawyers, and that this was in essence an unorganized or semi-organized group of attorneys that were making a great deal of money and were unscrupulous and powerful and dangerous. Still very much a sense that if you're on the wrong side of any activity, your life would be put in danger and need to be very cautious in dealing with anyone who may have something to hide. The article that Greg had written was perhaps a bit viewed as perhaps a bit incendiary or potentially contentious, and we would need to be very cautious in how we pursued that line of reasoning and that thought process. All in all, a massively wonderful day. This is an incredible country, a beautiful place, wonderful people, and incredible natural resources, and just a real exciting place to be at this point in time.
March 12, 2008.
Day 1 Dinner notes
Wonderful dinner with our new friends - Wonderful believers and followers of the Lord. They have big hearts and serious concerns about the babies.
We have several ideas of the people that we can learn from. The focus of the project continues to get more clear. Assure all our friends and potential partners that we want to help the babies wherever they are and as long as needed. We also want the Holy Spirit to guide our efforts.
Many aspects of the Adoption process are functioning well and we need to learn from them and see where there may be needs -
We have several ideas of the people that we can learn from. The focus of the project continues to get more clear. Assure all our friends and potential partners that we want to help the babies wherever they are and as long as needed. We also want the Holy Spirit to guide our efforts.
Many aspects of the Adoption process are functioning well and we need to learn from them and see where there may be needs -
Day 1 Travel - Dinner Plans
Arrived at airport in Guatemala City. Waited indefinitely for the hotel shuttle to arrive. Eventually gave up and took a taxi. Spoke with many people about what their perceptions were in terms of the orphans and the adoption process. Most people, three of the four people I spoke to at first, seemed to think that it was business as usual that the adoption agencies were still able to help or get the babies adopted to the United States, but then I spoke to a fellow who said he works at the hotel and that there was an American woman from New York who has been down here three or four times and unable to get the child out of foster care. That apparently is perhaps where the challenge will be finding these many foster care homes that may or may not be registered with the government and that may be also where, as they run out of money, their lives could be significantly more difficult. So I had spoken to four or five people at length just as the point of view of the man in the street and encouraged that it doesn't appear to be as immediately disastrous as we were concerned about, but that the long-term situation does need significant assistance and guidance. E-mails have been pouring in from friends in the states and I think there will be many people that we can speak to, but I ultimately think that it is the foster care system that could be the focus of our research. They call it Casas Hogar. So, we will get together with Florie and Emilio tonight for dinner and get the ground running in the morning. Thanks for your prayers and interest.
Day One Travel Thought
Well we are changing planes in Houston. We arrived at Newark Airport this morning at 4:30 and are a little tired. One of the thoughts and concerns about the research project is that somebody had mentioned that the orphans in the adoption pipeline may have been grand-fathered into the adoption process and that many pundits are not as concerned or anxious or fearful that the tsunami of unwanted babies will occur. Part of me wonders if there may be a certain amount of business as usual, in other words, the 15 babies a day being exported to the US may be continuing and the transition to government supervision may be more of a soft transition or not the hard stop that we had been led to believe. That still begs the larger question, is there essentially a baby manufacturing component to the Guatemalan economy and my inexperience, my lack of experience in this area, makes me realize that I do not know or do not understand what the implications of that are, so those are my thoughts and will try to frame the research accordingly.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Dear Diary Travel thoughts
10:00 am March 12, 2008
Well we are changing planes in Houston. We arrived at Newark Airport this morning at 4:30 and are a little tired. One of the thoughts and concerns about the research project is that somebody had mentioned that the orphans in the adoption pipeline may have been grand-fathered into the adoption process and that many pundits are not as concerned or anxious or fearful that the tsunami of unwanted babies will occur.
Part of me wonders if there may be a certain amount of business as usual, in other words, the 15 babies a day being exported to the US may be continuing and the transition to government supervision may be more of a soft transition or not the hard stop that we had been led to believe.
That still begs the larger question, is there essentially a baby manufacturing component to the Guatemalan economy and my inexperience, my lack of experience in this area, makes me realize that I do not know or do not understand what the implications of that are, so those are my thoughts and will try to frame the research accordingly.
We thank the Lord for this opportunity to serve - Thank you Jesus!!
Well we are changing planes in Houston. We arrived at Newark Airport this morning at 4:30 and are a little tired. One of the thoughts and concerns about the research project is that somebody had mentioned that the orphans in the adoption pipeline may have been grand-fathered into the adoption process and that many pundits are not as concerned or anxious or fearful that the tsunami of unwanted babies will occur.
Part of me wonders if there may be a certain amount of business as usual, in other words, the 15 babies a day being exported to the US may be continuing and the transition to government supervision may be more of a soft transition or not the hard stop that we had been led to believe.
That still begs the larger question, is there essentially a baby manufacturing component to the Guatemalan economy and my inexperience, my lack of experience in this area, makes me realize that I do not know or do not understand what the implications of that are, so those are my thoughts and will try to frame the research accordingly.
We thank the Lord for this opportunity to serve - Thank you Jesus!!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Greg's original communication
INITIAL EMAIL
l just got back from Guatemala.........a few days ago...
Do you know anyone that will help w/ this situation .. or that at least that could shed light on it ?
GG
l believe l have seen the making of a coming orphan tsunami here in Guatemala yesterday(02/13/08)....
The change in the laws here that have effectively shut down the 15 adoptions(95% of which were to USA families) that were happening here per day.
There is an entire segment of the economy that is based on these $30,000-40,000 USA adoptions..and many people will be cut off when the law goes into effect TONIGHT !
The net results will be neglected babies, abandoned babies, illegal adoptions by non-screened families and babies that will be sold into the sex trade....since that will become their "highest paying" customers for these little lives...
Officials told me today about the 4000 registered babies that are waiting for their adoptions to go through...and an estimated 2000-12000 unregistered babies.....BUT BECAUSE THIS "INDUSTRY" HAS BEEN UNREGULATED no one could even tell me where the registered babies were right now...
You can't imagine what it felt like when l stood there in that 20' x 35' room w/ the 22 paperwork processors sitting at 2 oval tables and the 4000 files of babies, each represented by 4 thin sheets of paper, w/ a 2" x 2" color photo stapled to the top right, front corner......knowing that there was just 24 hours left before all adoptions would be stopped....at least for now.
l got the creeps when l walked outside and mingled w/ the 30 assorted people that have making a nice living on adoptions that were waiting for their "paperwork" to be processed...many were complaining of how the govt's new law was hurting THEM...
But worse is the fear of what will happen to those kids that have been waiting that don't make the "Cut-off"..when the $$ flow stops...in the next few days....especially the 1000's that no one officially knows about.
Who can we tell? Please help me get this story out......
What organizations can come down and help....to rescue these kids that used to be worth $30,000-40,000, but have just lost their legal value?
These kids can't defend themselves... they can't speak up...and now waiting parents can't even take them home.
l am not blaming the new Govt....the situation was out of control...they had to do something...l am convinced that their efforts are 100% sincere....but they need HELP !!!
Greg Garrett
SUGGESTION LETTER
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Health and Travel Info for Missions trips to GT
Before visiting Guatemala, you may need to get the following vaccinations and medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases you might be at risk for at your destination: (Note: Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities.)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Registration Over...
February 13, 2008
THE REGISTRATION IS OVER. WHAT NEXT?
The Guatemalans have the reputation of leaving everything for the last minute. Maybe that is why the registration process of over three thousand adoptions was less stressful for them than for the very organized foreign parents and adoption agencies, who plan everything in advance and who are not used to this kind of last minute rush.
By this time, must of you have received word that the adoption of your child was successfully registered. The last information we got came on Tuesday, about seven in the evening, while the people at the CNA kept working to finish their task before the stroke of midnight, although no one was submitting new cases at that time, just waiting for the registration numbers. Prensa Libre, biased against adoptions as always, quotes negative remarks of the new appointed directors, Marilys de Estrada and Elizabeth de Larios, who according to PL, expressed their surprise and concern for the high amount of children being registered, questioning where do they come from. For their information, those children are a small fraction of the more than 35,000 children who die every year of curable diseases and that thanks to adoption, will live happy and healthy lives, surrounded by the love of their forever families.
In case you wonder, no constancies will be issued. The number and seal of the CNA on the first page of the copy of the four page form is enough proof of registration. No investigation of the information provided in the four page form will be done by the CNA, because as ADA stated, the information was none of their busieness and the purpose of the form was for registration only, not for investigation. That is something that the amparo helped to make clear, although the Amparo Court has not ruled on it. Denial of the suspension of the offense act or law is not necessarily a denial of the amparo.
Added to the adoption file, it will open the gates of the PGN. After a month and a half of not admitting any cases, the amount of files being submitted or resubmitted at the PGN, will create a flood of cases. We hope that the reviewers and their reviewers as well, realize that looking for reasons to reject, that are not even required by law, only adds to their workload and that by delaying the cases, more than hurting the lawyer who has to wait longer to get paid, they are hurting a child who needs a family. More than ever, it is time that the PGN realizes that nobody opposes the thorough review of the cases, but that it is beneath them to display their power, by rejecting the same case, over and over, just because they can do it.
If an adoption in process was not registered with the CNA, that adoption cannot be finished according to the notarial process. The child will be placed by the CNA. If an abandonment decree was not ruled last year, the court will rule, when at last it does, that the child must be placed with a family by the CNA, not by the director of the hogar, who still will have the legal custody but not the right to find a suitable family for the child.
Taking into account the Guatemalan-last-minute factor and the problem with the former directors who clung to their positions way after they were fired, and the lack of funds to work, because even the registration was done all by hand, as if there were no computers and other gadgets to make life easier, we see with great concern that there are no plans to implement child care services. The lawyers keep getting petitions of mothers who want to place their children for adoption and there is not a place where they can be directed to do so. The registration of in process cases was very important, but so is the care of children whose mothers cannot support or keep them. Thus far, there are no alternatives for them. UNICEF must be very happy that those children will be tossed out in a garbage dump or left at any public place, at the mercy of whoever finds them, as it has happened in all the countries where UNICEF has closed down adoptions.
ADA is deeply concerned for the welfare of the children and for the right of the mothers who choose to give a better life to the children they cannot keep. Because we are fully convinced that the State of Guatemala is not prepared to assume the enormous responsibility of taking care and finding families for the needy children, we cannot sit back and watch how the number of children of the street grows, while Casa Alianza and UNICEF make better and more heart wrenching videos of the terrible situation of the children in Guatemala, to increase the donations of unsuspecting souls, who don’t know that the money they donate, will never go to alleviate the situation of those children, because for those organizations, children are like animals in a zoo. Must be kept caged, so people can watch them. They cannot be let out of Guatemala, so they can be visually exploited. What a shame!
For those reasons, ADA will remain filing all the necessary legal actions to restore the rights of the mothers, of the children, of the foster mothers, of the private orphanages and of the law professionals, to participate in the adoption process, in a Hague complying system, that will not leave it entirely in the hands of the government of Guatemala. We trust that justice will prevail, and that this State centralized system which is not respectful of our democratic system and our Constitution will be ruled unconstitutional and that the opportunities for the children will open again.
Posted by Susana at 01:25 AM | Comments (11)
February 11, 2008
Background - Guatemala doing the right thing!
February 13, 2008
THE REGISTRATION IS OVER. WHAT NEXT?
The Guatemalans have the reputation of leaving everything for the last minute. Maybe that is why the registration process of over three thousand adoptions was less stressful for them than for the very organized foreign parents and adoption agencies, who plan everything in advance and who are not used to this kind of last minute rush.
By this time, must of you have received word that the adoption of your child was successfully registered. The last information we got came on Tuesday, about seven in the evening, while the people at the CNA kept working to finish their task before the stroke of midnight, although no one was submitting new cases at that time, just waiting for the registration numbers. Prensa Libre, biased against adoptions as always, quotes negative remarks of the new appointed directors, Marilys de Estrada and Elizabeth de Larios, who according to PL, expressed their surprise and concern for the high amount of children being registered, questioning where do they come from. For their information, those children are a small fraction of the more than 35,000 children who die every year of curable diseases and that thanks to adoption, will live happy and healthy lives, surrounded by the love of their forever families.
In case you wonder, no constancies will be issued. The number and seal of the CNA on the first page of the copy of the four page form is enough proof of registration. No investigation of the information provided in the four page form will be done by the CNA, because as ADA stated, the information was none of their busieness and the purpose of the form was for registration only, not for investigation. That is something that the amparo helped to make clear, although the Amparo Court has not ruled on it. Denial of the suspension of the offense act or law is not necessarily a denial of the amparo.
Added to the adoption file, it will open the gates of the PGN. After a month and a half of not admitting any cases, the amount of files being submitted or resubmitted at the PGN, will create a flood of cases. We hope that the reviewers and their reviewers as well, realize that looking for reasons to reject, that are not even required by law, only adds to their workload and that by delaying the cases, more than hurting the lawyer who has to wait longer to get paid, they are hurting a child who needs a family. More than ever, it is time that the PGN realizes that nobody opposes the thorough review of the cases, but that it is beneath them to display their power, by rejecting the same case, over and over, just because they can do it.
If an adoption in process was not registered with the CNA, that adoption cannot be finished according to the notarial process. The child will be placed by the CNA. If an abandonment decree was not ruled last year, the court will rule, when at last it does, that the child must be placed with a family by the CNA, not by the director of the hogar, who still will have the legal custody but not the right to find a suitable family for the child.
Taking into account the Guatemalan-last-minute factor and the problem with the former directors who clung to their positions way after they were fired, and the lack of funds to work, because even the registration was done all by hand, as if there were no computers and other gadgets to make life easier, we see with great concern that there are no plans to implement child care services. The lawyers keep getting petitions of mothers who want to place their children for adoption and there is not a place where they can be directed to do so. The registration of in process cases was very important, but so is the care of children whose mothers cannot support or keep them. Thus far, there are no alternatives for them. UNICEF must be very happy that those children will be tossed out in a garbage dump or left at any public place, at the mercy of whoever finds them, as it has happened in all the countries where UNICEF has closed down adoptions.
ADA is deeply concerned for the welfare of the children and for the right of the mothers who choose to give a better life to the children they cannot keep. Because we are fully convinced that the State of Guatemala is not prepared to assume the enormous responsibility of taking care and finding families for the needy children, we cannot sit back and watch how the number of children of the street grows, while Casa Alianza and UNICEF make better and more heart wrenching videos of the terrible situation of the children in Guatemala, to increase the donations of unsuspecting souls, who don’t know that the money they donate, will never go to alleviate the situation of those children, because for those organizations, children are like animals in a zoo. Must be kept caged, so people can watch them. They cannot be let out of Guatemala, so they can be visually exploited. What a shame!
For those reasons, ADA will remain filing all the necessary legal actions to restore the rights of the mothers, of the children, of the foster mothers, of the private orphanages and of the law professionals, to participate in the adoption process, in a Hague complying system, that will not leave it entirely in the hands of the government of Guatemala. We trust that justice will prevail, and that this State centralized system which is not respectful of our democratic system and our Constitution will be ruled unconstitutional and that the opportunities for the children will open again.
Posted by Susana at 01:25 AM | Comments (11)
February 11, 2008
Petition - Education
We, the undersigned recognize the need to change the past adoption & orphan care system in Guatemala. We recognize that it will take the collective wisdom of many stakeholders and authorities to determine the best solution and a long time to implement the solutions. Our immediate concern is for the children that as of this day are caught up in the system that have been or will be negatively affected by the change. Therefore, we suggest the following:
1.that temporary orphanages be set up at strategic locations around Guatemala that would also serve as "no questions asked" drop off centers for babies.
2.that the Guatemalan Govt put out an immediate request for help from trusted humanitarian organizations around the world to come to Guatemala to help.
3.that all solutions for the short term include keeping the children in Guatemala until a consensus is obtained to do otherwise.
4.that all lawyers or notaries who have been involved in any adoptions in 2007 be required to disclose the locations of any orphanages, child care homes or facilities they are aware of. Also, they would be required to disclose the location of any children that are orphans or were awaiting adoption before the law changed. There needs to be severe penalties attached to any violations of this requirement.
5.that all people, homes, or facilities that have any orphans be required to immediately report their location and the location of every child not currently living w/ their parent that they are aware of. There needs to be severe penalties attached to any violations of this requirement.
6.that qualified professionals be immediately hired to go inspect all facilities and create a routine inspection system to insure the care of the kids in these homes or facilities. These professionals would have immediate access to the judges if the kids are not being properly taken care of, to petition the court for their removal if the current caregiver will not voluntarily relinquish the child(ren).
7.that immunity & protection will be immediately given to anyone that has knowledge of corruption, illegal, or harmful practices that have been taking place in the past regarding these children, if they come in and report said activities w/i the next 30 days. This immunity will be for any non-leaders in said activities.
8. that an immediate media campaign be started w/i Guatemala to communicate the new policies & the immunity/protection for people who will volunteer information.
Greg Garrett
1.that temporary orphanages be set up at strategic locations around Guatemala that would also serve as "no questions asked" drop off centers for babies.
2.that the Guatemalan Govt put out an immediate request for help from trusted humanitarian organizations around the world to come to Guatemala to help.
3.that all solutions for the short term include keeping the children in Guatemala until a consensus is obtained to do otherwise.
4.that all lawyers or notaries who have been involved in any adoptions in 2007 be required to disclose the locations of any orphanages, child care homes or facilities they are aware of. Also, they would be required to disclose the location of any children that are orphans or were awaiting adoption before the law changed. There needs to be severe penalties attached to any violations of this requirement.
5.that all people, homes, or facilities that have any orphans be required to immediately report their location and the location of every child not currently living w/ their parent that they are aware of. There needs to be severe penalties attached to any violations of this requirement.
6.that qualified professionals be immediately hired to go inspect all facilities and create a routine inspection system to insure the care of the kids in these homes or facilities. These professionals would have immediate access to the judges if the kids are not being properly taken care of, to petition the court for their removal if the current caregiver will not voluntarily relinquish the child(ren).
7.that immunity & protection will be immediately given to anyone that has knowledge of corruption, illegal, or harmful practices that have been taking place in the past regarding these children, if they come in and report said activities w/i the next 30 days. This immunity will be for any non-leaders in said activities.
8. that an immediate media campaign be started w/i Guatemala to communicate the new policies & the immunity/protection for people who will volunteer information.
Greg Garrett
How many Orphans are stranded?
Letter from friend outlining current situation
INITIAL EMAIL
l just got back from Guatemala.........a few days ago...
Do you know anyone that will help w/ this situation .. or that at least that could shed light on it ?
GG
l believe l have seen the making of a coming orphan tsunami here in Guatemala yesterday(02/13/08)....
The change in the laws here that have effectively shut down the 15 adoptions(95% of which were to USA families) that were happening here per day.
There is an entire segment of the economy that is based on these $30,000-40,000 USA adoptions..and many people will be cut off when the law goes into effect TONIGHT !
The net results will be neglected babies, abandoned babies, illegal adoptions by non-screened families and babies that will be sold into the sex trade....since that will become their "highest paying" customers for these little lives...
Officials told me today about the 4000 registered babies that are waiting for their adoptions to go through...and an estimated 2000-12000 unregistered babies.....BUT BECAUSE THIS "INDUSTRY" HAS BEEN UNREGULATED no one could even tell me where the registered babies were right now...
You can't imagine what it felt like when l stood there in that 20' x 35' room w/ the 22 paperwork processors sitting at 2 oval tables and the 4000 files of babies, each represented by 4 thin sheets of paper, w/ a 2" x 2" color photo stapled to the top right, front corner......knowing that there was just 24 hours left before all adoptions would be stopped....at least for now.
l got the creeps when l walked outside and mingled w/ the 30 assorted people that have making a nice living on adoptions that were waiting for their "paperwork" to be processed...many were complaining of how the govt's new law was hurting THEM...
But worse is the fear of what will happen to those kids that have been waiting that don't make the "Cut-off"..when the $$ flow stops...in the next few days....especially the 1000's that no one officially knows about.
Who can we tell? Please help me get this story out......
What organizations can come down and help....to rescue these kids that used to be worth $30,000-40,000, but have just lost their legal value?
These kids can't defend themselves... they can't speak up...and now waiting parents can't even take them home.
l am not blaming the new Govt....the situation was out of control...they had to do something...l am convinced that their efforts are 100% sincere....but they need HELP !!!
Greg Garrett
INITIAL EMAIL
l just got back from Guatemala.........a few days ago...
Do you know anyone that will help w/ this situation .. or that at least that could shed light on it ?
GG
l believe l have seen the making of a coming orphan tsunami here in Guatemala yesterday(02/13/08)....
The change in the laws here that have effectively shut down the 15 adoptions(95% of which were to USA families) that were happening here per day.
There is an entire segment of the economy that is based on these $30,000-40,000 USA adoptions..and many people will be cut off when the law goes into effect TONIGHT !
The net results will be neglected babies, abandoned babies, illegal adoptions by non-screened families and babies that will be sold into the sex trade....since that will become their "highest paying" customers for these little lives...
Officials told me today about the 4000 registered babies that are waiting for their adoptions to go through...and an estimated 2000-12000 unregistered babies.....BUT BECAUSE THIS "INDUSTRY" HAS BEEN UNREGULATED no one could even tell me where the registered babies were right now...
You can't imagine what it felt like when l stood there in that 20' x 35' room w/ the 22 paperwork processors sitting at 2 oval tables and the 4000 files of babies, each represented by 4 thin sheets of paper, w/ a 2" x 2" color photo stapled to the top right, front corner......knowing that there was just 24 hours left before all adoptions would be stopped....at least for now.
l got the creeps when l walked outside and mingled w/ the 30 assorted people that have making a nice living on adoptions that were waiting for their "paperwork" to be processed...many were complaining of how the govt's new law was hurting THEM...
But worse is the fear of what will happen to those kids that have been waiting that don't make the "Cut-off"..when the $$ flow stops...in the next few days....especially the 1000's that no one officially knows about.
Who can we tell? Please help me get this story out......
What organizations can come down and help....to rescue these kids that used to be worth $30,000-40,000, but have just lost their legal value?
These kids can't defend themselves... they can't speak up...and now waiting parents can't even take them home.
l am not blaming the new Govt....the situation was out of control...they had to do something...l am convinced that their efforts are 100% sincere....but they need HELP !!!
Greg Garrett
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