Gary Gamer, Holt President and CEO
Kathmandu, Nepal—Intercountry adoption is suspended in Nepal as the government deliberates on a new set of regulations. Meanwhile, over 400 children who have already been matched with foreign families are stuck in the system waiting for final government approval.
This scenario is not new on the intercountry adoption scene. Controversies and changes in adoption systems have impacted children in places like Cambodia, Romania and Vietnam. Significant changes in adoption processing, licensing of agencies and government restructuring are evident in other significant countries from which children are placed in intercountry adoption such as Russia, Ukraine, Guatemala, and China.
Obviously children are not aware of the issues that swirl around them that so profoundly determine their destiny. They just want to be held, protected, cared for and loved. I am visiting child caring centers in Nepal as Holt is setting up its program in this majestic country. Children in these centers are abandoned, they have lost parents and they are not getting any younger. Families already matched with Nepali children are acutely aware of these needs and the politics, and hang on every bit of news.
With colleagues from other agencies and Holt staff working in Nepal, I am speaking with Nepali government and child welfare associates to help move the process forward. We are working to balance the immediate needs of children stuck in the system and the longer term task of advocating for a system that offers the best safeguards for children in need of families. These two approaches are not mutually exclusive. Many Nepali people agree. Clearly, the children who are awaiting final approval need to be processed through as soon as possible.
But we cannot advocate for this without also dedicating ourselves to ensuring the future intercountry adoption in Nepal will work in the best interest of children. This is the system Holt aspires to be a part of. Only experienced child welfare entities should be licensed to work in Nepal. The adoption system must be ethical and transparent, especially in ensuring no improper financial payments. And foreign agencies working in Nepal must invest in training and building the child welfare infrastructure in Nepal, including services for homeless and vulnerable children who cannot be adopted.
The Nepali people I am meeting give me hope that this can occur. There is ample good will and examples of good practices. I am very excited about Holt International building on this potential for the benefit of many Nepali children who are in need of families.
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