Action Needed!

Ok, I've stayed away from the politics long enough. Below is a message that is being urgently passed out tonight. Please, EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, take action, in defense of the children of Guatemala, in defense of our sweet Bella.


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With permission, I reproduce below a post from Hannah Wallace to the FOA Board of Directors. You are free to share this with whomever you wish.


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 and Friday (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)

Please post this on all listserves.

Tomorrow, we'll provide a list of Guatemalan Congressmen and email addresses to contact.

Hannah Wallace, FOA

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Links:
Link to Guatadopt site for form letters
Info from JCICS

There was another bill (#3635) that went before the Guatemalan Congress that would have served the children better. It is most likely too late for that particular bill, now that the initial approval of the Ortega law has passed. However, there is still time to add ammendents to the Ortega Law, and we would be wise to suggest the better parts of Bill #3635 be added for the protection and welfare of the children. Find information about that here.