Archive for US DOS children’s issues
Instant Family of Five, Oh My!
Posted by: | Comments
Going from a young, carefree couple living in New York City to the instant parents of three babies is an incredible change. We, at Semillas de Amor, were fortunate to watch that transition and all the joy it brought to the Copper deCarlo family. The family did not bring home “just” three little ones but one of Guatemala’s infamous street dogs as well. The Cooper deCarlo family found a four month old puppy in the bushes starving to death. So caring for three little ones was not enough, nope, they loaded up the pup, named her Cula, and she became number four in the adoption story. This family has been quite the inspiration. While they lived at Semillas de Amor, not only did they love their own children, but they loved and cherished all the children at our home. We have all been blessed.
Cula
Free Range Kids
Posted by: | CommentsTrying to get my “real” work done while I am at the children’s village is nearly impossible. My real work is mainly trying to find donations to keep the kids fed, clothed and educated. No easy task. However, watching the kids playing, outside my office window, makes me want to be out there with them. So most fundraising is done when I am home and while at the children’s village I get to play. I couldn’t resist bringing my camera while I hung out with the kids.
There are photos of Ruby. Ruby is our new dog. We found Ruby running in the streets, almost hit by cars, and just terrified. She was living outside, near the entrance to the farm where I live for a few weeks. The farm manager told the security to get rid of her. The security guards told me, knowing that I would probably not say no, so she became our new dog. We let her settle in at our house before bringing her to meet the kids at the children’s village. Ruby was a terrified dog and so afraid of everyone. This has been her first week at the children’s village, spending the day, and has done well. I explained to the kids that someone had been very mean to her, which made her very afraid of people, and then threw her out. Sadly most of our kids can relate. I have been so amazed by how kind the kids are to Ruby. They move slowly with her, know that she is nervous and pet her gently. The children have learned a true lesson in kindness.
We also sampled lettuce from our garden today. We have lots of different kinds of lettuce and all ready to eat. I didn’t realize, when I bought the lettuce plants, that what I had purchased was not what most people plant here. No iceberg lettuce in the garden, but lots of baby lettuce, the fancy stuff you guys in the States pay a small fortune for. Lucky for our kids we can grow our veggies cheaply and have fresh vegetables every day. Our next food move will be eggs, but have to build the chicken coop first and then buy some chickens.
Enjoy the kids!
Protect the Children, March on Washington D.C., June 17th
Posted by: | CommentsThe United States Department of State continues to look the other way while the Guatemalan government violates the human rights of adopted children of US citizens and continues to break their own laws. Most of these children have passports and US visas. However, the Guatemalan government feels the need to detain these children, most for over a year now. This is an extreme violation of these children’s human rights. While the bureaucracies battle it out, while everyone shirks from taking any responsibility the children suffer. Sure the kids get feed, lots of fresh air but they don’t get their families and that is what they need most. These children have been denied the right to the family that has legally adopted them. You may ask “why?” First, nobody really cares. I have seen that first hand in the US and Guatemalan governments. And the truth is that the Guatemalan government is angry at me for standing up to them. That isn’t done in Guatemala. When one does take on the system the price you pay is a big one.
Please check out the blog guatemala900 for more information regarding the march in Washington DC on June 17th.
As well, please read the article the gives detailed information on how a family adopting two children suffered through this nightmarish insanity
This is a slideshow of some of our kids being held hostage by the Guatemalan government with no help or assistance from the US government. These children know their adoptive parents, think of how very sad it must be for them to be in limbo waiting to go home and more than likely feeling like their parents don’t want them home. Show some support. Check out the Guatemala900 information and help us get the kids home.