China and Pre-adoption Contact

We made a stir with a post on January 10, 2012 when we discussed two disgusting behind-the-scenes adoption schemes.

We now will cast one of those schemes—PAPs being charged by an outside party for contact and information about a “waiting” child–into a new light. We should have known better than to think this was a new and innovative money-making opportunity. In fact, it was competition for an already established business!

Yes, that’s right. There has been a very OPENLY advertised business doing this for quite some time . It even boasts of 700 contacts made pre-adoption. OBVIOUSLY NO GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY cares–or do they? (See Wasatch reference below.)

The business has such a sweet name too: Ladybugs N Love. It is run by a former facilitator for the adoption agency All God’s Children International.

See http://ladybugsnlove.com/catalog.php?category=14

“We are making orphanage calls!

Angela spent over 4 years as a facilitator for an American adoption agency. She forged relationships with many SWI personnel in this time. Angela has made over 700 orphanage calls to date. She knows the culture and boundaries set by the various orphanage staff.

We have received photos from approximately 95% of these calls. Angela has a way with the SWI staff and she can usually get most questions answered within 7-10 business days.

*We have even been able to get new information
for prospective parents in the 48 hours window
for locking in a file on the shared list.*

We are always willing to try to ask for updates and have successfully asked for more medical information and tests for some of our clients.

IF YOU NEED HELP, WE WILL TRY TO GET ANSWERS!

If we ever receive sensitive new information about your child, the first call we make is to your agency to notify them.

(for instance, we have found that a child has passed away…or has had surgery…or has a new medical condition.)

CURRENTLY THE FOLLOWING ORPHANAGES ARE NOT COOPERATING WITH US FOR UPDATES:

KunMing, Yunnan

BeiJing CWI

Hangzhou SWI

Chongqing ( need LOA BEFORE UPDATE)

Feng Cheng

GANSU province SWIs

EFFECTIVE 10/31/2011 –
Wasatch has asked their families to work directly with their agency for getting updates and sending packages. ”

Wait a minute… didn’t Wasatch JUST get suspended for SN placements? Hmmm…don’t you love all this marketing? “These orphanages are NOT COOPERATING”. That is agency-speak for THESE ARE THE ONLY ORPHANAGES FOLLOWING THE RULES!!!!!!!

Care Packages

Not only does Ladybugs N Love make calls, you can send care packages to your waiting orphan through their service. See http://ladybugsnlove.com/catalog.php?category=8

“BASE CARE PACKAGE

The base care package letter and service fee is $35.00
This includes a letter up to 600 words and the fee for our time/energy to get your package ready to go. Many times this involves personal shopping to honor requests.

YOU MUST PURCHASE THIS BASE PACKAGE TO SEND A CARE PACKAGE.

“Add ons” are found below and on the following pages.

**These item are bought at the cost you pay–there is no mark-up***
They include:
a camera w/loaded film and battery – $12.00, candy/nuts – $8.00,
photo album – $12.00, three photos – $4.00,books – $6.00, blanket – $10.00, age appropriate toy – $10.00, stuffed animal – $8.00,
decorated cake – $25.00, photo pillow – $30.00
seasonal outfit – $30.00, Self Addessed Stamped envelope to Angela-$3.00”

Now we have been told that if you are an “advocate,” you get a discount for some services. I feel like I am in a cheesy infomercial.  Maybe they could throw in a BlanKid buddy or a Snuggie for Dogs while they are at it.

Hague

Hague regulations Chapter 2, Article 4 (c )(2) and (3) talks about giving consent FREELY and not induced by payment or compensation of ANY kind found at this link and pasted below

http://www.hcch.net/upload/conventions/txt33en.pdf

“the State of origin –

a) have established that the child is adoptable;

b) have determined, after possibilities for placement of the child within the State of origin have been given due consideration, that an intercountry adoption is in the child’s best interests;

c) have ensured that

(1) the persons, institutions and authorities whose consent is necessary for adoption, have been counselled as may be necessary and duly informed of the effects of their consent, in particular whether or not an adoption will result in the termination of the legal relationship between the child and his or her family of origin,

(2) such persons, institutions and authorities have given their consent freely, in the required legal form, and expressed or evidenced in writing,

(3) the consents have not been induced by payment or compensation of any kind and have not been withdrawn, and

(4) the consent of the mother, where required, has been given only after the birth of the child”

Pre-adoption contact, which seems to be completely contrary to Hague regulations is a long-time, lucrative “adoption service” being provided by a former agency representative.

Just as the “special focus” program is a free-for-all for frothing adoption agencies clamoring to get the next kid locked for themselves so they can get the precious 1 healthy child for every 5 Special Needs children placed, these side businesses are all allowed to continue as they did before China was a Hague country.

I would really like to know why the US bothered to sign the Hague if its regulations are so brazenly flaunted—for profit.

Perhaps former facilitator Angela would like to comment. We’d love to know all about her “special” relationship with orphanages. PAPs need to know what these relationships are like too.

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