More pictures are on Ethica's website
I scared myself by reading adoption info on the internet. I do that every now and then because I don't fully understand the process or who is who... So, after receiving an email from a fellow PAP (prospective adoptive parent) with some concerning news, I called our agency this morning. I've been putting off calling for an update as long as I can, as I know it is something that I will quickly get addicted to doing.
It was really good to talk with our program director. She is honest and well-informed. But, that doesn't mean the news was all positive. The MOU will not be resigned. That is the agreement between the VN and US governments allowing adoption. It expires Sept 1st of this year. The US will not resign it because VN has not met some of the requirements, including a fee schedule to make all adoptions the same (and attempt to eliminate baby buying) and more government oversite of each province. Resigning it would require that Vietnam totally restructure how they work provincially, meaning provinces would have to give up control to the country government, which is quite unlikely, especially in such a short amount of time. Apparently other Europpean countries have no issues with the way it works now, so at least if the US isn't able to adopt from Vietnam anymore, some children will still find homes.
Vietnam isn't super thrilled with the US Embassy right now either. With the change of the I-600 process, the US stated that the wait period for approval would be up to 60 days. Vietnamese law said it had to happen within 30 days. So, VN changed their law to be 60 days, and now the Embassy is taking far more than 60 days in most cases (because they are backlogged and understaffed). That has offended VN officials. Also, when the Embassy investigates adoptions, they are showing up unannounced to the orphanages, and in unmarked vehicles. They probably have reason for doing so, but this has also offended VN officials, making it harder to negotiate and come to an agreement so that adoptions can continue. I am glad the US has high standards and making an effort to improve the ethics of VN adoptions, but it is making it harder on us PAPs. It shouldn't be about us though. It should be about the children.
Our agency only had one referral last month, and none so far this month. The director said it has been very slow, and it is probably partially because of the big Tet holiday last month, and because of the current US/VN relations. When the Director of our agency, John, was in VN last month, he was told several referrals were on their way. We'll see. We have been waiting 5.5 months, and have gone from number 39 to the early 20's.
The waiting list isn't that informative though, because some of those on the list are requesting boys, and some are requesting girls, while some are eithers. But, we still have a long wait ahead of us.
Some families in our agency are have also signed on with their Nepal program (which has been closed but should reopen any day now), meaning they are doing concurrent adoptions. These families hope to adopt 2 children, one from Nepal, and one from VN, but in case VN closes, they will still have one adoption to be waiting on. The thought has crossed our minds to do this, but likely with a different country. But, our hearts are set on Vietnam, and our current plan is to wait several years after we get Liv, and adopt an older and perhaps special needs child. Or maybe to do foster care and adopt out of it. We'll see.
I also learned today that it is the orphanage officials that give the referrals to the agencies of their choice. Once the agency gives that referral to a family and the family accepts it, a letter of acceptance is sent to the VN government, and that is when they know who is matched with who. So, it is important that agencies maintain good relations with orphanages, and often do this by aiding (charitably) them. I know our agency is helping a little boy get much needed surgery to remove a huge facial tumor, has helped install several water purifiers, and is helping remodel a building into a new orphanage. I know it is not their motive to get more referrals by doing so. They have always helped the Vietnamese orphans, even while the country was closed before.
I suppose the conclusion of what I learned today is that things are looking hopeful that adoptions would be completed for people like us who have their Dossiers in Vietnam by the date it closes, but it is also looking likely that VN will close to US adoptions for at least a short time. The JCICS (Joint Council on International Children's Services) has vowed to fight for VN/US adoptions, and that will be helpful. We just need to pray hard. Please join us in praying that God would unite orphans with their loving families soon.
For other PAPs out there, please don't read what I write as fact. I don't totally understand everything in this US/VN adoption world, but this is my take on what our agency told me.
