Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

Want to help? ** updated

September26

I’ve got a challenge for all of you out there. Most of us in adoption world are aware of Cheri and Erin – stuck in the bureaucracy of Guatemalan adoption and living in Antigua for the better part of a year already with no end in sight. We all say how horrible it is. We silently thank God or the fates or some other higher power that we aren’t stuck like that. We all wish there is something we could do.

Right now, this moment, this is something helpful you can do. The Department of State has been somewhat not supportive of Guatemalan adoptions (my theory is that they cause a little more work for them than other countries). The DOS issued a statement yesterday indicating that they are basically going to hang the families in process out to dry at the end of the year. This is our government stating they aren’t going to intervene on behalf of American citizens who entered into a good faith agreement with another country. Cheri explains the impact on her and other in process families on her blog.

So go read Cheri’s words. Write your senator. Call the DOS. Write the White House. Cheri provides all of the contact information on her blog. Don’t think that your 1 letter or call can’t make a difference – if this is important to you, SPEAK UP NOW.

According to several individuals on adoption.com, Gerry Fuller is the person assigned to the Guatemalan situation.  His email is: fullergw@state.gov

posted under adoption
8 Comments to

“Want to help? ** updated”

  1. On September 26th, 2007 at 10:38 am Steve Says:

    I also urge everyone to take 10 minutes to send a letter to the President, your Senators and your Representatives. Using Congress.org, you can send a letter to each of them in just 10 minutes.

  2. On September 26th, 2007 at 11:16 am Antigua » Blog Archives » Antigua Seriously Pushing For WTO Approval To Distribute Free Music And Movies Says:

    […] Want to help? Want to help? September 26th, 2007 I’ve got a challenge for all of you out there.? Most of us in adoption world are aware of Cheri and Erin – stuck in the bureaucracy of Guatemalan adoption and living in Antigua for the better part of a year already with no end in sight […]

  3. On September 26th, 2007 at 11:57 am jane Says:

    Oh man. I am fired up! Posted it on my blog, sent an e-mail to everyone I know, but now I’m sitting here looking at a blank page because all the words I want to write are innapropriate…even for government officials. Thanks for igniting this fire. I WILL get something out today.

  4. On September 26th, 2007 at 3:53 pm Andrea Says:

    Also posted something on my blog. One of my Senators is running for president, so perhaps he’ll be willing to listen a little more. Thanks for the post, Michelle!

  5. On September 26th, 2007 at 9:09 pm Ginger Says:

    Already did that !!!!!

  6. On September 27th, 2007 at 7:43 am Steph Says:

    Gerry (DOS guy) has already contacted my neighbor (in process) back via email – he actually addressed some of her specific situation so he clearly wasn’t sending a form letter back. We need to keep the pressure on this guy!

  7. On September 27th, 2007 at 9:53 am carla Says:

    thanks for this michelle….

  8. On September 27th, 2007 at 12:18 pm Beth Says:

    Thanks for the support, the information, and the push to action. I just have to believe we can make enough noise to have an impact. I just can not think about the alternative.

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