[ripples]

The following was aired in Australia on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on March 2, 2010 about the lack of regulation of USA-based international adoption agencies, the lobbying strength of the adoption agency industry and the alleged lies that were told to adoptive families and inter-country adoptees. This docco covers the responses of several inter-country adoptees.

Here's an excerpt:
Journee Bradshaw, aged 16: ”I didn’t know that I’m going to stay here, I mean, they never told me that I’m going to have a family that I’m going to stay with and I’m supposed to be their daughter. They never told me that, I just found out when I got here.”

Kate Bradshaw (who adopted Journee) “You can’t imagine the depth of her pain. No one will understand the damage, it was seriously as if someone had ripped the soul out of her body and just left her. It was unbelievable, it was absolutely unbelievable.”

U.S.A. - Fly Away Home - Foreign Correspondent - ABC

[Dickons]

Heartbreaking. Really liked the question posed regarding if an Adoption Agency is Hague accredited then why will the do adoptions with countries that have not signed the Hague Protocal (or whatever the right name is)?

The Hague process may not be the perfect fix for all corruptive practices but it is a start to build on to create a better system than what was before.

International adoption is about finding homes for true orphans isn't it?

Kind regards,
Dickons

[meghann]

Originally Posted by Dickons

International adoption is about finding homes for true orphans isn't it?

It should be. I *think* it started out that way, before people got wind of the financial gain to be had. I've read that "facilitators" in-country can make more than most people would make in years, just from a single adoption; I guess for some people that end justifies whatever means they have to use to provide "orphans" for American families willing to pay.

It's really disgusting. :/

[EZ2Luv]

How sad. Looks like Ethiopia has become the new Guatemala. It is all about dollars and cents because there is a market out there. Sad reality that children/babies both in IA and domestic adoption are a commdity. Looks like UNICEF is going to be getting a donation from me.
EZ

[mom25-4g1b]

What I really don't understand is that there has to be a lot of legitimate orphans in Ethiopia. I would think that a 16 year old would be hard to place fron anywhere. I am very confused. I just can't believe Africa has run out of "real" orphans. It really is sad that the system is so corrupt that those kids may not get to the homes they need.
Blessings,
Mom to 5 in PA

[anilorak13ska]

thank you thank you thank you for sharing this link! I would've never thought to seek out info outside of what the adoption agencies themselves provide! I have a lot of homework to do before I proceed with my adoption plans.