We're getting into some nasty territory here, folks. The number one reason that parents adopt on the "black market" is because they get kicked out the front door. A typical Haitian adoption will cost anywhere from $12-20,000. If you travel and spend extra time with your child there, the tab can run up even higher. The costs are really not much different from S. Korea, China, Liberia, etc. International adoption is not an inexpensive option. However, some years ago, banks started offering low interest loans for families choosing this route. It's still a very expensive choice and one which most families save for years to accomplish. My husband built two homes for one of our Korean adoptions and a school for another. Let's not forget that there are almost 400,000 children waiting in America for families either. Not a piddly number.
I can't wrap my mind around what these people mean about subsidizing foreign adoptions. Does this mean gifting or loaning families thousands of dollars for the adoption of a single child? That would be legal but hardly fiscally prudent for a church group. Think how much good could be done by sending a gift of $20,000 to a well researched and established children's home or hospital.
Setting up private adoption agencies and only placing within a certain church here in the states? Well, that's not allowed. Everything has oversight--everything. That's why the State Dept. and the Hague decide that a country can place internationally. Many many countries don't make the cut.
I'm afraid, plain and simple, that this group had some half-baked plan which was driven by a single person with a "dream" or a "calling". Notice that the goals of the group have changed depending on the interview and the day. They've alternately wanted to rescue, place for adoption, or "stay with the children forever". I'm terribly afraid that someone is lying, just as Melly pointed out.
I find it interesting that, even given the absolute devastation in Haiti, the officials have stepped up to protect these children and to make a stand against this sort of crime. The officials and Ms. d'Adesky have done everything right. The Americans have screwed up horribly and embarrassed us all. I cringe to think of the time and money this debacle has cost.
And, what would have happened if they had been successful in getting these kids over the border? What was the next step? Did they think they could go back to Port au Prince and get the paperwork? You need the child with you to get the proper documents and visas. And what were they planning on telling the Dominicans about their little hotel/rescue home? Inspections, schooling, medical care, social work.....sounds like a couple of steps got left out.
I wonder if this group is embarrassed or ashamed of their actions. Has it sunk in?
