Today I received Holt’s E-newsletter. Within that letter was a plea to pray for the children of Vietnam within Holt’s care. I copied it for you to read.
“Just how much international adoption depends on mutual governmental cooperation became apparent again recently when the agreements between the United States and Vietnam unraveled. The U.S. Department of State and the government of Vietnam quickly came to an impasse after a short volley of accusations and counterclaims.
Unfortunately, we’ve been here before–from 2001 to 2004. During this three-year moratorium on international adoption between the United States and Vietnam while the governments slowly worked out an agreement, Holt International and our caring sponsors and donors continued to care for Vietnamese children, continued to improve childcare facilities, continued to preserve birth families whenever possible.
But, ultimately it was some children who paid the highest price for the failure of governments to agree. The children spent months of their childhood apart from the families who eventually adopted them.
And it looks as if some children may have to wait again. And this is despite Holt’s commitment to the kinds of practice that both the U.S. and Vietnamese governments claim to desire. We at Holt will advocate for ethical adoption practices, and we will urge our governments to work together toward an agreement. We also ask you to join us in seeking a higher power to intervene for the sake of orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children in Vietnam. Please join us in praying for an expedient and effective agreement that will both protect children and facilitate the meeting of their deepest needs–to have the love and belonging of a family.
John Aeby, Holt Director of Communications”
To view the June Holt E-newsletter click here.
