Facebook discussion
2009
Ghana
Topic: Ghana
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Elliei agree please dont let us involved with the Ghana program be forgotten. We are devasted by what has occured and want to complete our adoptions also. We are a much smaller group and are spread out all over the country so please in your meetings tomorrow let it be known that those who are involved in the Ghana program 100% support the familes adopting from Ethiopia and all efforts to complete your adoptions...please make sure our families have a voice as well.
Pastor Deb thank you for speaking out....we stand behind you and the Ghana program.
Thank you for giving us hope
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Kevinour mission is to work with the Ministry to find a solution for ALL the families affected. -
LeahI am also worried that people have forgotten the families in the Ghana program. All of us have been just as heartbroken by this news and are feeling just as desperate to see a resolution.
Reiner- that may be happening elsewhere in Ghana but certainly not with the orphanage Imagine had partnered with (Hands of Mercy). Please do not spread false information to taint the outcome for the families in this program. -
ElsieAlso , the one person that worked for the orphanage that could possibly have been thinking about doing the child traficking was fired as soon as it was found out. Hands of Mercy is an honest charity and took immediate action. There are definite orphans without any families that need to be adopted and that's what we are all here for. Ethiopia is also not without it's scandals from what I've seen on the news in the last couple of years. -
Annettestandin support with rev Deborah I know the work that she does is 100 per cent truth and I will encourage people not to listen to the defamin word from those people.Lets ban together and keep doing what is right. -
RobynThe advice that was given today at the Toronto meeting is to talk to the media-GET YOUR STORY HEARD!! If they haven't tried to contact you-CONTACT THEM! I know all of the focus is on the Ethiopian program and that of course is because there are more of us but that doesn't make your program any less important!! We all need to work together. Sadly, I haven't seen/heard anything in the media about couples that are in the Ghana program. I cannot speak for you because your stories are different than mine. I have made a point of telling the media that it is not just Ethiopia that is invloved but I cannot speak of what I don't know much about.... -
JoyFor those reading this who are not familiar with the situation for families in the Ghana program at the time of bankruptcy declaration, here is a summary of our circumstances:
In the 6 weeks or so before July 13, Ghana families had received email notification from Imagine that the Ghana program would likely close, unless confirmation was received that the partner orphanage remained open and in good standing with the Ghanain government. Imagine received satisfactory documentation, and we were notified the following week that the program remained open. Two weeks later, we again received notice from Imagine that Ghana would likely close, as the agency had received conflicting information about the orphanage's status. As of July 13, 2009, Ghana families continued to wait for final news on the program. We had been receiving weekly emails stating each week that we would hear something the following week when there would hopefully be news to share. We were told that there was a board meeting July 10, after which we would hear the final decision.
A primary concern for families in the Ghana program (and perhaps other Imagine clients with Zambia, Haiti, etc.) is in regard to what options may be available to support us to complete our adoptions, as there was not an established process or program in place for us at the time of agency closure. We remain unsure as to whether the "suspension" of Ghana adoptions to Canadians is (or must be) a permanent, binding declaration, or if the suspension can be lifted should the parties involved be satisfied that child trafficking concerns have been laid to rest. While I have not been in direct contact with all Ghana clients, I can certainly attest to my own desire (and that of many other Ghana clients) that this matter be explored to the fullest extent, including solutions for Ghana, Zambia, Haiti, and other clients, and I know that there are Ghana clients willing to advocate for our situation (perhaps with a little coaching from those who have a strong sense of priorities and process in these unfamiliar circumstances). - ElsieHey everyone in the Ghana Program. Check out the Ghana facebook page as well. Joy has drafted a letter that we could use to send to important people. Read it and see what you think.
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WendyThank you for such a comprehensive overview of what is happening with the Ghana program. You are in our thoughts and prayers. -
SusanHi Elsie,
What is the Ghana facebook page? I am on one, but don't see a letter on it?
Thanks. - SusanDoes anyone know, regarding the '9 families', is that referring to 9 families that have referrals, or 9 families altogether with dossiers in Ghana?
- JoyThe Ghana FB page is "Canadians Adopting from Ghana" - the letter is the one geared toward the CIC that I drafted this morning - under its own discussion topic, not part of the wall posts.
- JoyI just updated the draft letter to CIC, and also posted a more general one outlining our Ghana situation, which can be sent to anyone else (ministries, MPPs, etc.). I have also sent the general one to BDO to ensure they understand our situation and encourage any efforts to work toward options for us. Both letters are in the discussion topics on the Canadians Adopting from Ghana Facebook group.
- SusanJoy, could you please email me a copy? Thx!
- SusanHi everyone,
Joy and I are trying to compile a list of the families in the Ghana program in the hopes of forming a 'cohesive' front and a better picture of the Ghana program for getting our voices heard. Could you please email Joy [gatsbyandthegirls@hotmail.com] and/or myself (humjs@shaw.ca) with your name, email, phone number (if you like) and where you are in the process?
As well, my husband, Jason, will be out in Ont. for the Creditors meeting (next week on Thurs.), after which he and Joy will be meeting to discuss direct implications to Ghana. They invite anyone available to meet with them. Pastor Deb will also be invited to join.
Details will follow. - JoyDoes anyone have a hard copy of Imagine's most recent fee schedule for Ghana? I seem to recall that they may have added post-adoption reporting fees to the Ghana program, but that information is not on my older paperwork. If they did, I would like to mention that in future estimated costs on my BDO claim form.
- JoyMe again - I'm now understanding the "balance of funds required for further service" to mean the funds already paid & how much of that money we think has realistically already been "spent" on service received, and how much would be pro-rated to cover remaining service with the agency. This is tricky...and not sure if I'm right about that interpretation...
- ElsieHi Susan. My husband Barry and I will also be at the meeting and would like to meet with everyone afterward.
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JeanetteJesse & Jeanette Martin, have a referral, are waiting a court date.jm81@porchlight.ca
519-846-5518
Have recently learned that our girls are now back in the care of their birth mother who had signed them over??? Not sure how this can be legal??? They are not doing well, as she is very poor and cannot care for them! Very worried and upset! How can this be happening??Need to get my babies home!!!!
PS Where is the creditors meeting on Thurs?? - JoyAt one of the Kitchener Holiday Inns...forget where I saw that - maybe on the BDO website?
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DeborahHi Everyone, I would love to attend the meeting on Thursay. I just need to know where. My daughter and son n law are part of the group and there are others who they are not counted in. There are more then 9 families.Love you all and praying. I am trying to get more pics of the kids so you all know they are ko. - Deborahhttp://www.chtv.com/ch/chchnews/video/index.html?releasePID=_u8F_gGYB1ZAGxDdHNNqGKE_noVATSOT
Pastor Deb telling the truth of what is happening