October 4, 2007

Maya is 5 months old today! I love you, Maya!
I KNOW THIS IS LONG BUT PLEASE READ IT ALL! THIS VERY MUCH WILL AFFECT IF MAYA EVER COMES HOME!!!!
More bad news but this is REALLY bad!!! The Ortega Law was passed yesterday in Guatemala. it appears as though next week congress will go through a detailed, point by point, reading of it where ammendments can be made. It is my understanding that among proposed ammendments are a "grandfather clause" as well as a "delayed implementation date". However, no one is certain on those two items. It has also been rumored that this process will actually NOT happen next week and may not happen until after the November 4th elections. but since NO ONE thought this law would even be addressed until AFTER the election (and it has already been passed), it is important that we act now. If this law passes as is, there is NO clause in it to allow current in-process adoptions to continue. In addition, it does not allow singles to adopt. That could mean Maya will NEVER come home to me! PLEASE READ BELOW AND HELP NOW. You can also read more from last week on my Blog from September 25th to now.

The JCICS initiative called for actions next week. Next week is TOO LATE. Our information about the Ortega Law in Congress was incomplete and we believed that the Adoption Law would not be voted on before the run off on November 4. Now there are TWO THINGS which must be done immediately: ALL adoptive families in process and their supporters must be notified to contact their congressional representatives on Thursday (4th) and Friday (5th) (by email, faxed letters and telephone calls) and ask them to urge the Department of State to assure that a grandfather clause is in place which allows every adoption to be completed under the law it started under. At the same time, Senators and Congressional Reps should be aware that our Department of State has urged the Guatemalan Congress to pass an adoption law which offers no plan for (1)funding adequately (2) child care (3) services to pregnant women and vulnerable children and that the Guatemalan Congress will be discussing amendments on Tuesday Oct.9 -- the DOS should encourage - with the same energy with which they encouraged the passage of this law -- amendments which include a realistic funding plan, child care plan, and prenatal, natal and postnatal services as well as a realistic way for existing child care facilities to be able to care for the children in their care (funding). Families should call and fax the Department of State directly to urge support for amendments which could make this law more functional, as well as advocate for a grandfather clause and a delayed date for the law taking effect, so that fewer children will be at risk. There are many letters, petitions, and links to Congress and the DOS on www.guatadopt. com (under Campaign Clearinghouse)