[jessbychurch]

I am beginning to think of going to Guatemala. we went for Labor Day and it is unbearable, I need to see her again. If we go down there, is there anything possible that we could do on our end, regarding PGN. Could someone go there is person? We went to the embassy, without an appointment when we were under investigation. Could we just show up at PGN? Something needs to be done, and I am really struggling with this just staying here not able to do anything, and there is nothing no one will either tell you, or knows anything to tell you.

Could you go to PGN and find things out on your own? Is there anything that could be done if we travel to Guatemala?

[jpfister]

I was told just yesterday that people have gone down to Guatemala and camped out in the PGN office in an effort to get there adoption through. I was also told that some people even bribe the PGN officials to get there adoption processed!

I don't know if I could stomach the bribing, but if it takes too long I wouldn't be against confronting them face to face (nicely and probably tearfully) in an effort to get my babies!!

[jessbychurch]

Do you have timelines at to how much longer after they went were they released.. I feel like I am trying to go around the system, but I just want her home, she is getting ready to turn 8 months old, and which might sound still young, this has been a long battle for us.

Jess
PM if you would like

[becky]

I am going to step in here and state the I do not believe it is ever a good idea to suggest on a public forum such as this that someone would even 'consider' the idea of going to Guatemala to bribe the PGN officials to get their case done.

With all of the problems adoptions in Guatemala are facing due to pressure from UNICEF...the last thing we all need is for someone in Guatemala to suggest that parents here in the US are coming to Guatemala trying to 'buy' their way out of the legal proceedings that are part of the process. (and I can assure you that people in Guatemala DO read this forum)

I realize it is hard to wait for your children. I know it's especially hard when you have the extra time due to an embassy investigation...but you MUST let the process happen as it is supposed to happen. Making sure all adoptions are above board and meet the letter of the law is one way we can all do our part to keep adoptions open and available to everyone.

Unless you have been in PGN an extremely long time and have been kicked out for repeated, and unnecessary reason, I would not even think of going down to try to visit PGN. We must respect the process and let it happen as it is supposed to...even if it is hard to wait.

[jessbychurch]

I appreciate all and every comment made on the boards, and I do realize that they are just comments. I do have a good head on my shoulder and I take what is being said in good context. I appreciate you Becky for your knowledge of the system and I take your remarks to heart. I would never and have never thought about "bribing" or "paying" someone off, espically when it comes to the thought of the child we are planning to adopt. I would never do anything to put that at risk. I do believe that if I would not of gone to Guatemala during our investigation, I honestly believe that it still would be sitting on someone's desk. I feel sometimes, the time is really not as important on the other hand like it is on our end. I was wondering if it was even possible and if it had ever been done, just in case we had a longer wait in PGN. In everything you do someone needs to keep their options open.

I would like to make it clear that I never intended to BRIBE anyone to make our case go through the system.
Jess

[csw]

Hi Jessy
I have heard of parents going to PGN with their attornies...there are also several folks who can go to PGN and check on your case..if your agency is not giving you answers or you have been "in" for a long time..such as over 2 months. then you may consider contacting one of these folks...

With my son's adoption I went to PGN every day for a week and sat on a bench outside of the directors office..I sat and sat..with the baby all day every day! Our facilitator would introduce me and say something in Spanish to him and he would grumble something then walk away..he did not care if he signed or not..his term was up in a few days and it was almost Christmas....finally..on the 5th day of me waiting there..my facilitator asked me if I could cry...I told her I would not be acting, esp since I had been living there for six months...and if he did not sign I would be "stuck" there while the courts closed for a month for the Holiday's and then I couldn't leave until January or Feb..she also told me to get on my knee's and cry and beg him to sign...so the next time he walked by that is what I did...he grumbled..then went back to his office and signed...and I got home 4 days before Christmas...if I had not done that I know it would have been another 1-2 months till my son was home...desparate times call for desparate measures..

I agree with Becky that I certainly would not go if you have been in PGN for a reasonable timeframe..like 4-8 weeks.but...if you are not getting answers from your agency and it has been longer than that..PM me and I can give you the name of someone who can check on the status of your case..If your agency allows it..you could go and foster your daughter until the adoption is completed..I can help you with that also! At least you could be with her...

[Cinday143]

csw:
Just to clarify, your son's case was in Peru, so that was not the Guatemalan PGN that people are picturing as they read your story. I just don't want anyone to think that by going down and camping out in the hallway of PGN, that you may get somewhere.... I am sure it was the Peruvian equivalent of PGN.

[Tamhome]

I went down there and went into PGN with an interpreter... our attorney was unwilling to help us... so I went alone... and yes it worked.
I met many, many other families there doing the same thing... but all of them had their attorneys and translators with them... as I believe you should.
I don't know that I suggest that everyone go down there and do this... my babies were at the same age that yours is now when I went... we had been through the Hague and an embassy investigation ourselves... I just don't think they realize how this plays such amazing havoc with your emotions... I know that others thought I should not do it... but when it came right down to it I did what I needed to for my babies.
Caleb was also sick... he had pneumonia for 3 months that they could never clear up and he was sick when I got down there... they were misdiagnossing his medical problems... and being a nurse myself I was able to take him to the right doctors and get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
I was however down there for 2 months... we had visited the babies 2 other times prior to this visit and I went alone this time... our whole family agreed that the babies would be better off if I stayed and fostered them myself... so I did.
PGN can be a very frustrating place to visit... as the most popular thing they tell you is " tomorrow... we will help you tomorrow !" But after many "tomorrows" and a little gentle persistance Mrs. Merida did in fact help us and she worked miracles. For this I will be eternally grateful, I could tell she was limited by the system somewhat but really had a beautiful love for all of these children.
It was expensive... the translator was a minimum of $50 every trip to PGN. PGN is only a few minutes drive from the Marriott.
If you want more info... feel free to PM me
Good luck with your decision
Tammy

[LadyP]

Jess,

I hear you on this one for sure. You have certainly done your time with the embassy and you deserve to be out of PGN NOW!! For me, I have been in and out of PGN for the last 2.5 months with 3 kick outs. I also would be interested in any info that people might have about actually going to PGN in person.

[jennandsteve]

If either of you get any PM's that help you with this will you send them on to me. I have been in PGN almost 3 months now and am at my wits end. I would go camp on Merida's door step day and night if someone would assure me this would help.

Jenn

[Tamhome]

So that any of you that have questions about our experience can pm me.

Tammy

[csw]

Hi Cindi
Thanks! I assumed everyone could see from my signature line that he is not from Guat...but the PGN is very similar! I know of alot of folks who went to PGN in Guat and I also know of a wonderfull woman who can check on cases in PGN for a very small fee...I have seen people get results from going to PGN! Again..I would only recommend it if your agency is less than ethical (like ours was) and if you are in for more than the average time etc..

[parents2be]

When we went to Guatemala to visit Alex we actually did go to PGN with our lawyer and found out we had been approved.
I think it would help as long as your lawyer is with you and has a good relationship with the lawyers at PGN.
We did have a lot of problems with our case though so that is why we did go.
We didn't get Alex home till he was 14 months old.

[pjtbarnes]

...I did it, and I feel that going to PGN was what finally got my case approved, after being in the adoption process for 11 months. The adoption attorney assigned to me had been banned by the US Embassy, our facilitator was no longer involved in our case, and I had to hire my own attorney half-way through the process. I went to PGN with my attorney, an interpreter, and my daughter in my arms. It took several calls and visits to finally get a face-to-face meeting. If you have a good attorney -- respected by the PGN staff -- I think you should be able to get in to speak with someone about your case.

P.J. Barnes