On Thursday I received news that the government of Liberia had closed down six orphanages because of misconduct. Our orphanage was not one of them and as of Friday things were still moving ahead although slowly.
Tonight I read a speech given today by the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Here is a quote,"The gross mismanagement of the adoption program (which aims primarily at placing orphans in homes in the United States), by both Liberian and U.S. personnel in the concerned NGO is the subject of a report by a Special Committee which I appointed for this purpose. Essentailly, we have discovered that many of the children in these orphanages are not in fact orphans but children taken from thier living parents on the promise of support and a good life in America. Morevoer, we found that young children were being sexually abused at some of these orphanages, while others including officials of government, have used the program to extort money from potential adoptors. We have thus suspended the adoption program until laws, policies, and proper guildlines have been estabished and we have asked our concerned friends and partners in the United States to be paitent as we try to correct the serious malpractices which exist. We expect the National Social Welfare Policy and National Adoption Act which will be submitted to you during the course of the year, will provide guidance and prevent such abuses in the future. "
I will be speaking with our agency tomorrow to gain a better perspective. One positive is that our lawyer in Florida has a very good relationship with the Ministry Department over adoptions in Liberia.
We will continue to trust the Lord! May His will be done! Please continue to pray for the healthand safety of the children in Liberia.
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