Update on Adoptions

A little news on adoptions in Liberia this week. A glimmer of hope.
I'm quoting Angel's blog because I can't say it any more clearly than she did...

"This week adoption service providers have been getting more confirmation that the government of Liberia does want to proceed with adoptions as soon as a new adoption law has been passed. The difficulty at this point is that a new policy has been proposed in the Child Act, but the Senate is conflicted about the Child Act for many reasons that have nothing to do with adoptions. The Child Act was written by international partners who did not take into account Liberian culture when writing the act. Therefore, much of it isn't applicable or goes against Liberian culture.
Adoption service providers pointed this out a year ago and suggested a bill be written that specifically addresses adoptions. This idea is finally gaining momentum. After strategizing with our Liberian adoption director this week and talking to other adoption directors, we have decided that the best plan of action is to lobby the Senate to pass an adoption bill if the Child Act does not pass quickly.
I realize this is short notice, but if you are in the process of adopting from Liberia, the best way you can help right now is to send a letter to CAS signed by you for our Liberian adoption director to take back with her to Liberia imploring the Senate to pass an adoption bill quickly so your child(ren) can come home. Please include a photo of your family as well as a photo of your child(ren). Please send six copies of all of this to be distributed to the President, the Central Adoption Authority and the Senate committee. Letters need to be at the CAS office by Thursday (February 11, 2010) in order for our director to take them back to Liberia with her. We believe it is important for her to take back signed copies with photos, which is why we need you to do this quickly. (CAS address: Christian Adoption Services, Attn: Angel Rutledge, 624 Matthews Mint Hill Rd, Suite 134, Matthews, NC 28105)
Possible topics to address in the letter would be: when you were matched with your child, the negative impact it could have on your child to wait this long to be united with you, your motivation for bringing your child home, your desire for the Senate to pass a new adoption bill immediately, your desire for the Central Adoption Authority to accreditate agencies and begin processing adoptions as soon as a new law is in place, reiterating your preparedness for bringing your child home, the negative message it sends to international partners about Liberia's concern for her children as this issue remains unresolved, and your thankfulness for those in leadership who will show their commitment to Liberia's neediest children by passing this legislation immediately.In addition to your letters, adoption service providers will submit a letter, which I will post as soon as it is written and approved by other service providers. "

We wrote the letters, as many families have, and Georgia will bring them to Liberia herself when she goes home in several days.