2/10/09 Update on Guatemala
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A coalition from JCICS was in Guatemala during the first week of February to review the changes that have taken place during the past year that Guatemala has been a convention country. Here is a link to the page to read the report that was issued: http://jcics.org/Guatemala.htm.
There have been changes during the past year: end of allegations of corruption in inter-country adoptions, protections against child trafficking, birth families respected, and Central Authority in place reviewing all adoptions.
Joint Council reports that an estimated 6000 Guatemalan children are institutioinalized. Abandoned children are being left on the streets and some found when it is too late. Only about 60 domestic adoptions took place during the last year and no new inter-country adoptions are being initiated. Approximately 1000 old case are still pending completion. Bethany does have less than 10 children waiting to be united with their forever families.
The protection of children in extremely important to Bethany Christian Services (and many other agencies that have worked in Guatemala). We are exploring ways to offer a continuum of services to the at risk children and families in Guatemala.
Bookmark :
A coalition from JCICS was in Guatemala during the first week of February to review the changes that have taken place during the past year that Guatemala has been a convention country. Here is a link to the page to read the report that was issued: http://jcics.org/Guatemala.htm.
There have been changes during the past year: end of allegations of corruption in inter-country adoptions, protections against child trafficking, birth families respected, and Central Authority in place reviewing all adoptions.
Joint Council reports that an estimated 6000 Guatemalan children are institutioinalized. Abandoned children are being left on the streets and some found when it is too late. Only about 60 domestic adoptions took place during the last year and no new inter-country adoptions are being initiated. Approximately 1000 old case are still pending completion. Bethany does have less than 10 children waiting to be united with their forever families.
The protection of children in extremely important to Bethany Christian Services (and many other agencies that have worked in Guatemala). We are exploring ways to offer a continuum of services to the at risk children and families in Guatemala.
