Sunday, April 27, 2008
The sad state of things.
I can’t say that the recent news made by the US Embassy surprised me at all. Corruption has been rotting away at the state of Vietnamese adoption since 2005. When we traveled to pick up Kinhly, we were met at the orphanage by local police who eagerly had their hands out for their “cut” of the money. We didn’t bring any money, and they never asked the adoptive families for it, but they came in the front gates and left happily.
How is it that so many other countries have had successful-uninterrupted international adoption programs in Vietnam, but we can’t be there for longer than 2 years without screwing things up? On the same note, is it that we’re the only country who promotes the corruption, or are we the only ones who won’t put up with it? I don’t really know.
I’m comforted by the fact that Kinhly was so old (2 years old) when we adopted her. Since she had been there since the middle of the last shut-down, I’m sure (in my heart of hearts) that she was a legitimate abandonment. Melissa and I spoke just yesterday about how both our daughters entered the orphanage around the same time and in the same manor. We’re thankful that it was at a time when the US wasn’t working in Vietnam, and baby buying would not have been a lucrative endeavor.
I really wish that I had the time and the energy on a daily basis to keep up with all that’s going on. But I don’t....I just don’t. However, my heart really goes out to those families who have been patiently waiting for so long. I also hurt for the kiddos who will be abandoned (or relinquished) for real and have to wait for their forever family. I hope those other countries can fill the hole in legitimate adoptions.
On another note, I found out this week that I was wait-listed for grad school. For the second year in a row. I was pretty heart broken. But the “thankfulness” thing entered my head right away and I tried to find the up-side. I haven’t found it yet. But I’m looking.
Has it been a downer week for you too? Check out this YouTube video of Kinhly being our family Guitar Hero. She’s SO funny.
Also, Lola is crawling. She’s been working on it for about a month, and about 2 weeks ago we had success, but now it’s a daily thing. The adorable infant stage is gone. Hello toddler years. Damn it.
