To All Adopting Families of WACSN
Everyone here on the ground at WACSN – Liberia ask that you please except our deepest apology for not reaching out to you expeditiously as we would have liked. We would like to thank each and every one of you for being patient. While it is true that it has really been a very long time since we last posted any new information on the blog, we have been trying our level headed best to honor the Court Ordered instructions that placed a news block-out on communications regarding the case since all parties including WACSN have been ordered into conference to find an amicable resolution to the matter.
During this period, we have been engaged in active and ongoing communications with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Justice regarding the return of the children to WACSN’s care.
Things look very promising regarding the return of the children to WACSN. Please know that the presidential ban on adoption in Liberia has absolutely nothing to do with WACSN, but all to do with putting in place new adoption laws and regulations to replace our outdated ones that have not been revised to meet international standards over the past 40 years.
Liberia is very much interested in inter-country adoption, and we can assure you that every child that has been spoken for will be allowed to leave the country to be united with his/her adopting parents. The presidential ban on all adoptions in Liberia has not yet been lifted; hence, no adoption agency or individual in Liberia is allowed to process adoption here at this time. Activities of all six adoption agencies regarding the processing of adoption in Liberia remain on hold.
As a collective, adoption agencies have been holding meetings with stakeholders and meeting with Senators privately and as a group encouraging them to seriously consider passing the Children’s Act Bill or have the adoption portion of the legislation be removed from the Children’s Act Bill so that it can be debated and passed separately and independently.
On Wednesday June 24, Francis Nyepon met with an Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia concerning inter-country Adoption. The discussion centered on the law and why a reputable adoption agency (WACSN) and the MOH were at loggerhead about inter-country adoption. The Associate Justice also wanted to know from WACSN how adoption agencies in Liberia conduct adoption and by which means American parents come to adopt Liberian children. He also asked about any concerns that WACSN and other agencies had regarding adoption that should be looked into by the government and our particular disagreement with the MOH and MOJ.
Francis presented a written narrative to the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia regarding adoption and incorporated WACSN’s position on a way forward. A report was prepared dealing with adopting parents, the perspective of adoption agencies on the Children’s Bill that is currently pending before the House of Senate, and particularly the concern of many adopting parents. We give E-mails and letters from many adopting parents to the Associate Justice. The report included aspects of WACSN current engagement and dialogue with the MOJ and MOH through a Court Ordered conference with our lawyers. To our surprise, the very next day, Francis got a call from the Associate Justice assuring us that the matter will be brought immediately and directly to the attention of the president, and that he requested a meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Justice to discuss the matter in more detail.
We will personally continue to update you in this manner on developments regarding the Court Order conference and ongoing discussion and feedback from the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia on the matter.
Please communicate directly with Sister Pam and Francis. We ask that you please leave Maria out of all adoption matters for now so that she can continue to heal her family in love and peace after the untimely death of her husband just on May 3, 2009. We promise each of you that we will do our best to assist and answer any questions or concerns you or your family may have now and in the future.
May God’s purpose for you and each members of your family whom continue to burn in your hearts, and may you all seek diligently to fulfill it. May He bless each of you indeed, is our sincere prayer at WACSN.
In Him,
WACSN – Liberia Staff
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