OH, Liberia~ April 28 2009

Court update: Postponed until Fri. 10:00 am!

Dr. Susan was interviewed on the radio this morning, here were the questions posed to her, and her responses.


Interview Questions for Dr. Susan

1. Dr. Susan Olson welcome to Liberia

2. We learned that you are here volunteering your services to WACSN for the second time free of charge-Why did you choose WACSN as the organization to volunteer with??

WACSN has a solid foundation for caring for children. I wanted to be apart of expanding on medical services that they previously had in place by caring out exams, growth charts, and putting together formal records, treat infections, as well as treat them all for worms/parasites.

3. We also learned that during your last visit,you fell in love with twin boys whom you have since adopted. How did this come about?

Yes I did, and today is their birthday. I have thought about adoption for along time. After being here, meeting the children and seeing the boys I knew thatI was brought here for more than one purpose. That was to help the children and staff of WACSN and to make these two little boys part of our family.

4. Deputy Minister Joseph Geebro and Lydia Sherman of the MOH says that children adopted from Liberia by American parents are:

a. being trafficked- this is not true, the children were adopted by American families that went through extensive local,state, & federal investigation.

b. Their body parts used for medical purposes:and /or- That is a very morbid, cruel accusation to making in the year 2009 and is a blatant miss judgement of Americans.

c. put into slavery- That act was abolished in 1865 by Abraham Lincoln and is still upheld and supported in the 13th ammendment of the Constitution of the USA.

5. Dr. Susan, could you please explain: Who approves American Parents for international adoption?

A State licensed agency within the State you live, The US Dept. of Homeland Security, Dept.ofImmigration, and the Embassy of the US in Liberia.

What is the procedure or process that you go through as parents to be elgible for adoption?

There are many steps it takes and the process can take as long as 6 months to gain approval from the US Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of Immigration. There are many documents that have to be completed. You have to have personal, professional references, you have to show financial stability with 2-3 years of tax returns, you have to have a budget made out of monthly expenses, physical exam, if you have pets you have to show current vaccination records. A home study is completed by a State licensed agency to asses your home for a number of safty issues and enough indoor and outdoor space for the number of children you want to adopt.

6. Dr. Susan, you were the last medical doctor to fully examine the 35 WACSN children that the court says were illegally removed from that organization's care:
What were your professional findings on the welfare, health and upkeep of the children when you last saw them?

They were happy, healthy, active. I think we identified 1 or 2 children with ear infection that we treated. We did growth charts which showed-


7. Deputy Minister Joseph Geebro and Lydia Sherman of the MOH are claiming that children in the care of WACSN were badly cared for and many malnourished- First, is that true?-

Absolutely Not!!!That couldn't be farther from the truth.
Could you please address those claims?

The children were in exceptionally good condition. They had hot meals, clean clothes, spiritual instruction, singing, dancing, soccer, kick ball,

8. With the allegations being made by MOH against WACSN on child trafficking and smuggling- What is your opinion?

The children in WACSN care were relinquished by a parent or family member in the hopes that they would be adopted and have an opportunity for a good life.

9. What are you and other American parents who adopted Liberian children doing about the ban on adoption and the WACSN children that the court says were illegally removed from the WACSN adoption home on the Old Road on March 26th 2009?

We are working hard with our respective National Leaders(Senator and Representatives) from our States, we have sent information to Liberian Ambassador Barnes in Washington D.C. as well as President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. There has been a family on the local News.

10. In court the Deputy Minister of Justice Mrs. Eva Morgan told the court that the 35 WACSN children were taken to Don Bosco Home for better care.

I was terribly upset, and angry as these children had very good care where they were at, and angry that the Ministry of Child Welfare would purposefully traumatize these children by removing them the way they did.It was thoughtless and very poor judgement.

11. What message or messages do you wish to leave with the Liberian public regarding the adoption of Liberian Children to the United States?

a. I want the Liberian people to know that we understand the hard times you are having and highly respect those individuals that want their children to have better opportunities. Americans that adopt from Liberia have very big caring hearts. They are driven as disciples of the Lord to extend their homes to help children grow and prosper. We also want to continue to work with WACSN to care for relinquished children. You need to stop and think....What are the guidelines in Liberia for a orphanage/children's home?? I would think at the top of the list would be food, clothes, shelter, and opportunities... The children that were relinquished had little to no food, the clothes on their back and marginal shelter, and no opportunities.
WACSN met all these needs and more