[Bella'sMomToBe]

I wrote PGN....even though I am sure they are getting hundreds of emails a day (especially since the US DOS puts PGN's email address on their announcements). They may never read it, especially since it is not in Spanish....but oh well, I had to tell them what is on my mind...even if they aren't listening.

Anyway, here it is....

Dear PGN:

Hello and thank you for allowing me the privilege of adopting from your country. I am a United States citizen who began my adoption from Guatemala in May 2003. (This is when the paperwork was turned in.)

Although I was hoping that the process would run smoothly, it seems like there is a lot of concern in the United States on whether adoptions in Guatemala will continue. As it is now, many agencies in the United States are no longer starting adoptions from Guatemala. They are looking at countries such as Costa Rica and Panama to adopt from.

As a prospective adoptive parent with a referral from Guatemala, I am definitely finding myself wanting to pursue my adoption in Guatemala. However, if you find that adoption is not right for your country, I completely understand.

My question is, do you plan to instill new rules and regulations soon so that post March 5 cases can proceed? Or is this something that is going to take a long while and you don't see post 3/5 cases being processed in 2003?

Although I very much would like to adopt from your country, as I am childless, I am finding the wait difficult. I appreciate anything that you can tell me about the adoption procedures in Guatemala and what I can expect.

Again, I am very grateful that you are allowing Guatemalan children to be adopted to the United States. Be assured, the couples that go through the process to adopt from your country have your children's best interest in mind. In addition, should I be able to adopt the child that has been chosen for me from Guatemala, I plan to raise her with Guatemalan's beliefs and practices in mind. Someday, I hope that she will be able to return to her country and help her Guatemalan people.

Please let me know if and when you plan to process post March 5 cases. I am awaiting eagerly for your response, as if I cannot adopt from your country, I want to pursue looking for a child elsewhere that needs a home. Again, be assured that although we very much want to adopt from your country, we also want to respect what you feel is right for your country.

We are in hope that you find the United States citizens worthy of your children that need homes. Thank you for your time and effort in this matter.

Sincerely, Christine


Also, yesterday our local newspaper came to our house to take our picture for a story they are doing about our Guatemalan adoption. I will post a link when it comes out. One of my main points is that people donating to UNICEF really need to look at where that money is being spent. From what I have read, I am beginning to think that UNICEF is corrupt and needs an internal investigation by the US done on them.

Yesterday I also got a letter from congressman Joe Knollenberg. I was impressed with his letter. He responded to my concerns about Guatemalan adoptions and assured me that, "We must protect the children of American citizens and ensure that their opportunity to receive citizenship is not lost to unnecessary delays. I will continue to monitor this situation as it develops."

That is all I know for now.