[shanpine]

My heart hurts. It really hurts.
http://jcics.org/Guatemala.pdf

[robandjulie]

awful. just awful. heartbreaking.

Editted to add: As awful and sad as that piece is, I want to add that it's a BEAUTIFULLY written and very compelling piece and that JCICS has done a great service to the children and families of Guatemala by writing such a moving call to action. I only hope it moves the hearts and pens of those in power.

[becky]

so sad, but what we all expected.

[JosieWales]

Oh, gosh. We knew it would happen...I didn't know so little was being done to fix it. Thank God this was written.

I hope UNICEF GETS TO WORK. They pushed so hard for this--now they need to help fix it.

[TyAva]

So sad. I can't stand the thought of all of those sweet little children being left on the street. It's heartbreaking!

[shanpine]

Editted to add: As awful and sad as that piece is, I want to add that it's a BEAUTIFULLY written and very compelling piece and that JCICS has done a great service to the children and families of Guatemala by writing such a moving call to action. I only hope it moves the hearts and pens of those in power.

I agree, Julie....I agree!

[angieandstever]

I agree we all knew this would happen. It is so sad to me though. I think most of us will agree the system needed some fixing but at what expense???? This is the result. I am not quite convinced it is worth it. I hope the organizations like UNICEF who pushed for this step up to the plate soon before it gets worse.

[stephjoel99]

Just heartbreaking. If that was happening in the US it would be on CNN round the clock. It's unconscionable that this is occurring. Thanks, UNICEF. You're swell.

[dbkkr08]

The reality of this all is truly depressing. Of course, we are still waiting to bring our baby girl home, so any little bit of bad info makes us feel worse. I do believe one day they will get their act together and figure out a way to do international adoptions again. They have to! Too many children are suffering and dying as a result of their neglegance.

As for us, we thank God that someone still cares enough about those of us that are left to do something about it! We need all the help we can get!

[rapf777]

This is sooo sad. My heart breaks for those children..If I had the money dang it I would go there and open up a home for all those precious children of God. It kills me to hear such awful outcome on these children. These children could be in loving homes.

I hate the thought of them suffering like this.

May GOD protect these little ones as well as the birthmom and families.

Rose

[Quesita]

I agree that it is a very well-written piece, offering a compelling argument. Many nations around the world have urban centers in which abandoned street children are norm. Many of the children born this year will live with their families for 4, 5, 6 or maybe 10 years before they end up on the streets to fend for themselves. Those statistics may never be known, because a country like Guatemala certainly does not have the infrastructure to take a census of street kids. Other kids will remain with their families, but will work in the fields or factories in the same number of years. This situation is not unique to Guatemala, but exists all over Latin America, Africa and parts of Asia. Even parts of Europe.

One other factor which was not addressed in this piece is infant mortality. I remember looking at a chart on infant mortality in Guatemala, and there was a clear and steady drop during the years that adoptions were common. Many birth mothers made the decision to offer their child for adoption during pregnancy, and subsequently recieved milk and food support, as well as pre-natal care. She would also give birth in a hospital, with proper medical care. This is a tough one. Once the woman recieved this support, if she wanted to change her mind, and keep the baby, she might be forced to pay back the cost of the food and medical support that she recieved, and she might be unable to do so. And in that respect, she might be forced to do something that she would not have done otherwise. This is what I consider the gray area of the old Guatemalan adoption system. And I have real mixed feelings about the system as a whole in its previous form. Poor, disempowered women made painful decisions, that no person should ever have to make. But the decisions that those women face today are even tougher.

I would be interested to see the infant mortality statistics for this year and the next. The most at-risk pregnant women are the ones most likely to have gotten support via the adoption system. Now that this option no longer exists, has infant mortality increased?

I could write on the topic of poverty and adoption and displaced people and the need for economic reforms and global policies forever... but I have a hungry toddler waiting for my attention.

Hunger is relative...

[CEB]

It is a well written and compelling piece about a subject that needs to get much more attention, but it does pain me that it had to be written. I ache for the children and people of Guatemala. I know some reform was needed but what we see is not the solution. I hope JCIS is able to spur some action.

[bhouston]

In 2003 when Unicef almost *won* making Guatemala a Hague country....the lawyers and families fought hard because we knew than that this wasnt for the children but to shut down...the country for adoptions...all other countries that Unicef have been involved in have had the same outfit...Unicef is not going to be an active part of a solution...they have been the problem..and now these little beautiful children...suffer....and die...for no reason...

[hscott]

I too pray for all the children in Guatemala who need stable loving homes. I agree that YES we knew this would be the outcome of adoptions being halted. The birthmothers would have to make more heartwrenching decisions than giving a child for adoption because there is not that option anymore. It's the many children who truly need homes that suffer!

Thank you JCICS for a great article. Hopefully it will reach those and open the minds and hearts of those who can make a change!

Heather

[mcnay1]

I hope that UNICEF is bombarded by this article! What exactly will they think then? They need to finish what they started and begin to help this country and its beautiful children! This makes me so **** Mad!!!