Guatemala question

MicKen · 07-23-2003, 03:06 AM

I adopted from Ukraine about a year ago. I recently had someone call me to inquiire about adoption from Ukriaine, they had originally wanted to adopt from Guatemala.

But something has happened recently to make them decide otherwise.

Does anyone know what the changes are with Guatemalan adoption?

I am just curious.

jen-duck · 07-23-2003, 04:51 AM

It's horrible-

Dh and I are TRYING to adopt Joel from Guatemala-

What's happened is the Hauge treaty. Guatemala courts
have/want to take away the referral making from the lawyers and the us agencies. and are holding (not saying they are- but they are) the up the process right now. Agencies are not allowed at this time to give any refferals. (my understanding of it)

They are trying to add new regulations- like a psychological evalutation and a longer stay in the country.

For example- what has happened with us- our facilator was sitting on our case- because he (and still doesn't know) know which court to put it in FC or PGN - which they're calling central authority now- because they're not even sure which our they want to start with. he didn't even file our POA until July 2nd. (which it was down there to him by -signed may 8th- in guate May 12th.) because we told him too. there was this cut off for cases on June 30th- no more referrals- etc.. those cases between March 5-june 30th are safe- but are taking time because their courts will see they're not compliant with the new regulations- but they don't have the new regulations set yet- GO FIGURE..(that's how they're holding them) so now lawyers are filing ampargos- to make them rule on the cases- and PGN is appealing those- then the court has 30 days to rule it's just a MESS...

we thought we had lost joel because he didn't file the poa until after the deadline- but we got our us embassy preapproval of joel last tuesday- (he is abandonment) OH the other thing- the children they don't want in fosters anymore- only government certified or approved orphanges- which there are only 4 of them- right now-

We still don't even know if he's filed any papers???? and agency doesn't know either- it's like no one is doing anything- and it's becoming SO frusterating- and heartbreaking...

Jen

MicKen · 07-23-2003, 06:09 PM

Oh my gosh, I didn't understand all of that, why are they wanting to stop US agencies and Lawyers from working with adoption? WHY would they want to take children out of foster care and into crowded orphanages? Now I remember that is why the couple that called me decided against adoption from Guatemala.

And why make parents stay longer in country? I guess it was all too easy for pre-adoptive parents before.

My heart goes out to you, I will say a prayer for you and Joel.

And STAY ON that facilitator you have over in Guat., it sounds like he is messing things up himself!!!!

KGJacob · 07-24-2003, 11:10 AM

I haven't posted in a really long time but I still lurk occasionally. Here is my input.

We accepted a referral January 13 from Guatemala. We were well before the march 5 cut off that was an indication that cases after March 5 would fall under new guidelines. However, the attorney in Guatemala that our agency hired screwed the case up and someone started telling us lies as to where our case was in process. (Either the attorney lied to our agency or our agency lied to us).

I took matters into my own hands and contacted some offices in Guatemala and sure enough, our case had not been registered.

At this point, we are out $16,200, and have no child. I contacted our agency regularly for a while and the last thing I received from them was an e mail that says don't call us, we'll call you.

There is so much corruption in this adoption network that a lot of us have been screwed. And we have NO RIGHTS. Basically, I guess if I was meant to be a parent, I would have gotten pregnant. Giving out thousands of dollars to basically try to buy a baby is just stupid.

Personally, I think it would be better to take the independent lawyers out of the mix and make adoptions in Guatemala government run. It would be more fair for everyone.

I feel as if I am under a lot of stress right now, between my new job and trying to handle my feelings and my husbands feelings. We have not pursued anything further to try and recover any money yet. But right now I am all out of fight.

Adoption is not a miracle for everyone. Some people just go broke.

JenJen78 · 07-24-2003, 12:53 PM

KGJacob,
I'm so sorry to hear this has happened to you. I just don't know what to say. I hope that some day (after you have had time to heal), you will be lead to whatever is best for you.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

MicKen · 07-24-2003, 02:31 PM

KGJacob,

I am so sorry this is happening to you. We thought we had major roadblocks before going to Ukraine, but nothing like this. Our agency kept telling us international adoption can change at any time, I just always wanted reassurances that it wouldn't.

Please don't give up, I know you will be a parent. And don't think of adotpion as "buying a baby", it really is difficult process (as you well know), I think just as difficult as infertility and ttc. But there are (or SHOULD be) many hard-working individuals all along the way that deserve money for thier help. But it sounds like the Guatemalan system is INDEED incredibly corrupt, and your money needs to be back with you.

I am so sorry. I would be beyond PISSED. But try not to give up. And don't think just becauseof some unscrupulous individuals that it is not in God's plan for you to be parents.

I don't know what to say, I wish I could help you.