by Gary Gamer, President and CEO
Hanoi, Vietnam—The Holt-supported Tu Liem childcare facility in Hanoi is a tranquil reprieve from the hustle, bustle of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. Inside this bright and cheery center are precious children in need of families.
For some of the children, Holt is working with their single moms, providing counseling and economic support so that they can better care for their children upon their return. Others will be adopted by Vietnamese families. But for many, international adoption is their only hope for a family. Unfortunately, this option is now at great risk. The governments of the United States and Vietnam need to conclude an agreement by the end of August for international adoptions to continue.
I am in Vietnam with several adoption leaders and child welfare advocates identifying common ground where the two governments can reach such an agreement, so that children will not suffer.
Both governments and key agencies such as Holt agree that adoption practices can be improved to provide better safeguards for children, and one way to do so is by moving these practices toward principles outlined in the Hague Convention–the treaty to protect children adopted internationally.
The government of Vietnam is very interested in ratifying the treaty, and can get halfway there by working with only those U.S. agencies that are “Hague-accredited.” Another need is greater transparency and accountability in financial matters related to adoption. Standards for agencies developed by the Joint Council for International Children’s Services, with Holt input, address these needs and can be readily folded into an agreement.
The children at Tu Liem have incredible stories. I held one child in my arms who was rescued by Vietnamese officials from child traffickers as they were headed to another Asian country. Despite attempts, his birth parents have not been located. Yes, this is a tragic story, but we do not want it to end here. This child will likely be declared abandoned, and we will work to place him with adoptive parents.
Thousands of other children in Vietnam have similar stories–their only option for a family is international adoption. The next chapters of their lives need to include the finding of permanent, loving families. There are solutions for improved practice; I have heard them firsthand from officials and agency leaders alike. It is imperative for children that officials in Vietnam and at the U.S. Department of State buckle down and come to an agreement.
I thank you for advocating on behalf of children for this immediate need with your own elected officials.
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As a PAP to Vietnam, and a Holt client Thank you for doing everything possible to keep our dream of having a child from Vietnam completing our family. Even above that, thank you for advocating for the orphans of Vietnam that they may be safe and taken care of. This is why I chose Holt.
We adopted from Vietnam six years ago. I was saddened to find out that the Vietnam program was in peril. I called our officials regarding Vietnam and adoption. We have followed the yearly sending of information that they have required from us. Never would we want to be the cause of other children not being able to be adopted down the road. So I know that the Vietnamese Government has seen at least one child thriving in a loving home. And I know that their have been others too. Thank you so much for not accepting a closed door, shrugging and walking away. Thank you for the work you have done in the past for us to have been able to bring our precious child home. And for the ongoing work for the children there now and others who will eventually find their forever families. Sincerely, Lorraine Fouch
We too appreciate all the work toward trying to keep the door open with Vietnam. In Sept 1999, we brought home our son. He is now 10..almost 11 yrs old. He is a super sports boy. He excels not only on the playing fields of all sports he tries, but he also is a straight A student. We are truly blessed to have him and to think that others like him may not have a chance for a forever family is very sad. We also send our annual letter, which I was slightly delayed this year, but made the mail this week. As God adopted us, we to adopt His children.
Thank you for all your efforts and will keep you in prayer. Sincerely, Monica and Wendell Stavig