ACT | Documents

It is with great sadness and regret I announce that due to very difficult circumstances we will not be adopting the three children from Ethiopia that we committed to adopt.

We hired Celebrate Children International (CCI) to facilitate our adoption. However, as time went on we became increasingly concerned and uneasy about the lack of answers we were getting, the defensiveness of the agency, and mostly, the fact that the agency was so heavily involved in the relinquishment process, when this is clearly a conflict of interest according to every other reputable agency we contacted.

We terminated our contract with CCI, hoping we could find some answers through a private investigation. We were able to find someone who could go to the orphanage personally to interview the children and their mothers. We were told by our investigators that both mothers claimed CCI had approached them and encouraged them to place their children for adoption to the United States. We also have video of the director specifically telling the mother that she could easily find a new family for her child.

Countries: Ethiopia, United States of America

Organizations: Celebrate Children International

S.Leone police investigate child trafficking allegations

AFP Global Edition | 2009-12-29 19:10:27

Police in Sierra Leone on Tuesday said they had released on bail four members of a US-based non governmental organisation after questioning them in connection with a child trafficking scandal.

Backed by Interpol, Sierra Leone police are investigating claims by 40 parents in the west African state that their children were trafficked to the United States 13 years ago from the northern city of Makeni.

Assistant Inspector-general of Police Francis Munu, who is heading the probe in conjunction with officials of Interpol, told journalists Tuesday; "We have quizzed, and detained for a number of hours but later released on bail four senior workers of the organisation Help a Needy Child International (Hanci)".

He did not identify the officials.

"We are treating the investigation at an extremely high level," Munu said. "We have obtained statements from most of the affected parents and are making contacts with the necessary government agencies that were reported to have carried out adoption process."

A parent of one of the adopted children who asked not to be identified said, "I handed my daughter, who was then 10 years old, to the organisation for care purposes, but have not been told the fate of her since then."

"The organisation promised to educate her up to university level in Sierra Leone as she had become disadvantaged as a result of the rebel war in the country," he said.

Hanci denied that the children were trafficked. A senior executive of the organisation, Dr Roland Kargbo, said, "The children were flown to the US with the consent of their parents."

But the parents refuted this statement.

"One of the objectives of the investigations is to see how we can establish communication with any of the adoptive parents or the adopted children and this is why we have the collaborative help from Interpol," police official Munu said.

"Although it is a bit critical as some of the people who are alleged to have played vital functions are difficult to trace as well as some important documents, we should be able to end our probe in four weeks time and send the file to the Law Officers Department for legal advice," he added.

Sierra Leone's Social Welfare and Children's Affairs Minister Soccoh Kabia said, "we are fully supporting the police investigations".

Kabia disclosed that he has "ordered the immediate suspension of all activities regarding adoption" and will "propose amendments to the country's adoption laws which will make it mandatory for people wanting to adopt a Sierra Leonean child to be resident in the country for six months before the request is considered."

S.Leone police investigate child trafficking allegations

AFP Global Edition | 2009-12-29 19:10:27

Police in Sierra Leone on Tuesday said they had released on bail four members of a US-based non governmental organisation after questioning them in connection with a child trafficking scandal.

Backed by Interpol, Sierra Leone police are investigating claims by 40 parents in the west African state that their children were trafficked to the United States 13 years ago from the northern city of Makeni.

Assistant Inspector-general of Police Francis Munu, who is heading the probe in conjunction with officials of Interpol, told journalists Tuesday; "We have quizzed, and detained for a number of hours but later released on bail four senior workers of the organisation Help a Needy Child International (Hanci)".

He did not identify the officials.

"We are treating the investigation at an extremely high level," Munu said. "We have obtained statements from most of the affected parents and are making contacts with the necessary government agencies that were reported to have carried out adoption process."

A parent of one of the adopted children who asked not to be identified said, "I handed my daughter, who was then 10 years old, to the organisation for care purposes, but have not been told the fate of her since then."

"The organisation promised to educate her up to university level in Sierra Leone as she had become disadvantaged as a result of the rebel war in the country," he said.

Hanci denied that the children were trafficked. A senior executive of the organisation, Dr Roland Kargbo, said, "The children were flown to the US with the consent of their parents."

But the parents refuted this statement.

"One of the objectives of the investigations is to see how we can establish communication with any of the adoptive parents or the adopted children and this is why we have the collaborative help from Interpol," police official Munu said.

"Although it is a bit critical as some of the people who are alleged to have played vital functions are difficult to trace as well as some important documents, we should be able to end our probe in four weeks time and send the file to the Law Officers Department for legal advice," he added.

Sierra Leone's Social Welfare and Children's Affairs Minister Soccoh Kabia said, "we are fully supporting the police investigations".

Kabia disclosed that he has "ordered the immediate suspension of all activities regarding adoption" and will "propose amendments to the country's adoption laws which will make it mandatory for people wanting to adopt a Sierra Leonean child to be resident in the country for six months before the request is considered."

S.Leone police investigate child trafficking allegations

AFP Global Edition | 2009-12-29 19:10:27

Police in Sierra Leone on Tuesday said they had released on bail four members of a US-based non governmental organisation after questioning them in connection with a child trafficking scandal.

Backed by Interpol, Sierra Leone police are investigating claims by 40 parents in the west African state that their children were trafficked to the United States 13 years ago from the northern city of Makeni.

Assistant Inspector-general of Police Francis Munu, who is heading the probe in conjunction with officials of Interpol, told journalists Tuesday; "We have quizzed, and detained for a number of hours but later released on bail four senior workers of the organisation Help a Needy Child International (Hanci)".

He did not identify the officials.

"We are treating the investigation at an extremely high level," Munu said. "We have obtained statements from most of the affected parents and are making contacts with the necessary government agencies that were reported to have carried out adoption process."

A parent of one of the adopted children who asked not to be identified said, "I handed my daughter, who was then 10 years old, to the organisation for care purposes, but have not been told the fate of her since then."

"The organisation promised to educate her up to university level in Sierra Leone as she had become disadvantaged as a result of the rebel war in the country," he said.

Hanci denied that the children were trafficked. A senior executive of the organisation, Dr Roland Kargbo, said, "The children were flown to the US with the consent of their parents."

But the parents refuted this statement.

"One of the objectives of the investigations is to see how we can establish communication with any of the adoptive parents or the adopted children and this is why we have the collaborative help from Interpol," police official Munu said.

"Although it is a bit critical as some of the people who are alleged to have played vital functions are difficult to trace as well as some important documents, we should be able to end our probe in four weeks time and send the file to the Law Officers Department for legal advice," he added.

Sierra Leone's Social Welfare and Children's Affairs Minister Soccoh Kabia said, "we are fully supporting the police investigations".

Kabia disclosed that he has "ordered the immediate suspension of all activities regarding adoption" and will "propose amendments to the country's adoption laws which will make it mandatory for people wanting to adopt a Sierra Leonean child to be resident in the country for six months before the request is considered."

S.Leone police investigate child trafficking allegations

AFP Global Edition | 2009-12-29 19:10:27

Police in Sierra Leone on Tuesday said they had released on bail four members of a US-based non governmental organisation after questioning them in connection with a child trafficking scandal.

Backed by Interpol, Sierra Leone police are investigating claims by 40 parents in the west African state that their children were trafficked to the United States 13 years ago from the northern city of Makeni.

Assistant Inspector-general of Police Francis Munu, who is heading the probe in conjunction with officials of Interpol, told journalists Tuesday; "We have quizzed, and detained for a number of hours but later released on bail four senior workers of the organisation Help a Needy Child International (Hanci)".

He did not identify the officials.

"We are treating the investigation at an extremely high level," Munu said. "We have obtained statements from most of the affected parents and are making contacts with the necessary government agencies that were reported to have carried out adoption process."

A parent of one of the adopted children who asked not to be identified said, "I handed my daughter, who was then 10 years old, to the organisation for care purposes, but have not been told the fate of her since then."

"The organisation promised to educate her up to university level in Sierra Leone as she had become disadvantaged as a result of the rebel war in the country," he said.

Hanci denied that the children were trafficked. A senior executive of the organisation, Dr Roland Kargbo, said, "The children were flown to the US with the consent of their parents."

But the parents refuted this statement.

"One of the objectives of the investigations is to see how we can establish communication with any of the adoptive parents or the adopted children and this is why we have the collaborative help from Interpol," police official Munu said.

"Although it is a bit critical as some of the people who are alleged to have played vital functions are difficult to trace as well as some important documents, we should be able to end our probe in four weeks time and send the file to the Law Officers Department for legal advice," he added.

Sierra Leone's Social Welfare and Children's Affairs Minister Soccoh Kabia said, "we are fully supporting the police investigations".

Kabia disclosed that he has "ordered the immediate suspension of all activities regarding adoption" and will "propose amendments to the country's adoption laws which will make it mandatory for people wanting to adopt a Sierra Leonean child to be resident in the country for six months before the request is considered."

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?oe=UTF-8&q=cache%3AHtMMxGwP02sJ%3Awww.domesticsecuritypolicyinfo.com%2Farticle%2FS.Leone%2520police%2520investigate%2520child%2520trafficking%2520allegations

Organizations: Help a Needy Child International (HANCI), MAPS (Maine Adoption Placement Services)

Countries: United States of America, Sierra Leone

Wikileaks - SUBJECT: FROM LUSAKA TO HAGUE: ZAMBIAN ADOPTIONS

09LUSAKA928

2009-12-08 11:43

2011-08-30 01:44

UNCLASSIFIED

Embassy Lusaka

Countries: Zambia, Ghana

Organizations: Wikileaks

CIB busts a surrogate mother ring

Updated Sunday, December 27, 2009 12:24 am TWN, The China Post news staff

CIB busts a surrogate mother ring

Changhua, Taiwan -- The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) busted a transnational group that offered surrogate mother services in Changhua County Thursday.

Suspect Lo Hsien-lung, his Thai wife surnamed Wu, and four other accomplices were detained on Christmas Eve on charge with the violation of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act.

This is the first case in Taiwan of these such services being offered online.

Countries: Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, Vietnam

PLAN Adoption to close Dec. 31

Social Issues and Health | Sat, 12/26/2009 - 11:14 am | Read 519 | Commented 0 | Emailed 1

Tags: McMinnville

By Starla Pointer

Plan Loving Adoptions Now, the Mac-based adoption agency that has changed the lives of nearly 4,500 children over the past 34 years, will close its doors Thursday, Dec. 31.

Countries: United States of America, Liberia

Organizations: PLAN Loving Adoptions Now, Inc.

BCN: New Reports on Children without Parental Care from Save the Children UK andEveryChild; Report to US Congress; Stocktaking R

From: Kathleen Riordan <kriordan@unicef.org>
To: bettercarenetwork@listserve.com
Sent: Tue, December 22, 2009 11:06:23 AM
Subject: [The Better Care Network] New Reports on Children without Parental Care from Save the Children UK andEveryChild; Report to US Congress; Stocktaking Report on Children and AIDS; jobpostings, conferences and much more...

To the Better Care Network:

Please note that the link to our homepage is currently being repaired. In
the meanwhile, our entire site remains available and can be accessed at
http://www.crin.org/bcn. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Visit our homepage for two new reports from BCN Steering Committee and
Advisory Group members, Save the Children UK and EveryChild.

http://www.crin.org/bcn

- Research shows the number of children growing up without parental care is
growing most rapidly in less developed countries. Without adult protection
children are more likely to die at an early age, are at greater risk of
malnutrition, violence and exploitation and more likely to miss out on
school. Despite this, preventing the loss of parental care is frequently
absent from international development and aid policies. A new report from
EveryChild, Missing: Children without Parental Care in International
Development Policy, urges governments, charities and donors to cease
funding the unregulated expansion of children’s homes in poor countries and
warns that failure to keep children in families, out of residential
institutions and off the streets, will be another barrier to the
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

- Keeping Children Out of Harmful Institutions explores why governments and
donors continue to prioritize institutional care, despite the breadth of
evidence on the harm it can cause to children. The report argues for a
range of interventions to support children within their own families and
communities, and for family and community-based alternatives for those
children needing care outside of their own families. This report challenges
governments, UN agencies, donors, non-governmental organizations,
faith-based organizations and others associated with the use of
institutional care to review their own strategies and take urgent steps to
care for and protect some of the world’s most vulnerable children.

Both of these reports are available in our library and will be featured on
our homepage in the coming weeks. Visit http://www.crin.org/bcn.

Other Documents and News

- Peter Bell, former Co-Chair of JLICA, responds to the New York Times
article “Study Suggests Orphanages are Not So Bad” in a letter to the
newspaper’s editor. Bell’s response underscores the crucial role families
play in ensuring strong developmental outcomes for children and highlights
how family strengthening measures, such as cash transfers, can be used to
limit separation and institutionalization. To read Bell’s letter to the
editor, visit our news section via the link below.

http://crin.org/bcn/details_news.asp?ID=21478&themeID=1003&topicID=1023

- The Fourth Stocktaking Report on Children and AIDS calls attention to
children and young people living in a world with HIV and AIDS. It comes
four years after the launch of Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS, an
initiative dedicated to putting children at the heart of the global AIDS
response. The Stocktaking Report, a joint effort of UNICEF, UNAIDS, WHO and
UNFPA, reflects on the progress thus far in meeting obligations to
children, and offers authoritative data, evidence and recommendations on
how to accelerate action at all levels with particular guidance on ensuring
international support for social protection approaches are both
child-sensitive and AIDS sensitive.

To read the entire report, visit:
http://crin.org/bcn/details.asp?id=21472&themeID=1004&topicID=1025

- U.S. Government and Partners: Working Together on a Comprehensive,
Coordinated and Effective Response to Highly Vulnerable Children: Third
Annual Report to Congress on Public Law 109-95 is now available online.
Public Law 109-95, the Assistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children
in Developing Countries Act of 2005 was signed into law to respond to the
global orphans and vulnerable children crisis. The report provides global
estimates of the number of highly vulnerable children; a summary of United
States Government (USG) assistance programs for highly vulnerable children;
a summary of progress coordinating the response among USG agencies; key
strategic issues and opportunities; priorities for 2009–2010 and beyond;
and a summary of the results and achievements of USG assistance.

The entire report is available now at:
http://crin.org/bcn/details.asp?id=21473&themeID=1001&topicID=1006.

- ReliefWeb reports that according to Save the Children’s new report
millions of children are unnecessarily at risk of the dangers of living in
institutions, including rape, exploitation, trafficking, beatings, torture,
and psychological harm. To read the entire article, visit
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SKEA-7Y3EPF?OpenDocument

Jobs and Conferences
- Save the Children International has decided to launch a global Child
Protection Initiative (CPI) which seeks to promote a greater strategic
approach to child protection globally. The project will lead and encourage
enhanced collaboration and develop a common human resource pool for child
protection and common approaches for understanding child protection
throughout the international community. Qualified candidates are
encouraged to apply to the following posts before 17 January 2010:

Programme Manager, Child Protection Initiative, Save the Children:
http://www3.rb.se/jobb/cgi-shl/User_Applicants.exe?action=VIEW_SPECIFIC_JOB&jobId=277&publishLanguage=0

Fundraising Manager, Child Protection Initiative, Save the Children:
http://www3.rb.se/jobb/cgi-shl/User_Applicants.exe?action=VIEW_SPECIFIC_JOB&obId=278&publishLanguage=0

- Upcoming Deadline! For Our Children is urgently looking for a European
Trainer in the area of producing and implementing standards for the
protection of children in safe family environment. To review the terms of
reference, visit http://www.detebg.org/?cat=48&news=588.

- Call for Abstracts! The National Research Conference on Child and Family
Programs and Policy will focus exclusively on policy issues pertaining to
child and family well-being. The conference, to take place 21-23 July 2010,
will draw in researchers from many disciplines including family studies,
psychology, sociology, social work, public policy, political science,
economics, criminal justice, child development; practitioners from social
and human services; and policy/decision-makers who are concerned about
programming and policy to support child and family well-being. For more
information on attending or submitting an abstract, visit:
http://www.nrccfpp.org/

General Information

- As of December 22, 2009, the listserve has 1912 participants who are
working on issues related to the care and support of vulnerable children
across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.

- The purpose of the listserve is to enable members to exchange information
on matters of mutual concern. If you would like to share a document, raise
a specific issue, or reach out in any other way to the Network, please send
the information to us at kriordan@unicef.org. In the interest of keeping
messages consolidated, we will manage announcements on the listserve and
send out a few messages each month.

- We would like to involve as many people as possible who are concerned
with better care issues in the Network. Please advise anyone who would
like to be added to the listserve to send us a message at
kriordan@unicef.org with "listserve request" in the subject line.

Alternatively, visit the homepage of the Better Care Network web site, and
click on the upper right box where it says "click here to sign up for our
email announcements".

http://www.bettercarenetwork.org

Best,

Ghazal Keshavarzian and Kathleen Riordan
Better Care Network Secretariat
__________________________
Kathleen Riordan
Assistant Coordinator
Better Care Network
UNICEF - Child Protection Section
3 UN Plaza - Room 735-1
New York, New York 10017

212.326.7104
kriordan@unicef.org

_______________________________________________
Bettercarenetwork mailing list
http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/bettercarenetwork

Organizations: Better Care Network (BCN) - US, Every Child, UK, (UN) Guidelines on Children without Parental Care, Better Care Netwerk (BCN) - NL, Save the Children

Hamilton couple celebrates adoption through salvaged Cambridge agency

1

submitted photo

Karyn and Kenneth Black found out on Wednesday they have be ...

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Countries: Canada, Ethiopia

Organizations: Imagine Adoption