Elizabeth Emanuel is married and mom to 8 children, 3 bio's and 5 adopted. She has over 15 years experience with International Adoption. She has adopted from Korea, China, Guatemala, and domestic US. After losing two referrals during the usual process in Guatemala, Elizabeth became an advocate for children with no voice or choice in those who handle their future.
She supports and assist those who work to expose corruption in
adoption. She believes in the valid concepts of the COA, and in the Hague Accreditation
process. She credits this as the first solid step towards regulation,
and accountability in International Adoptions. She continues to work
towards awareness for stronger State and Federal laws to protect
waiting children, and adoptive families
from agencies who chose to conduct the business of adoptions with
unsecured contacts in the sending countries. Elizabeth has repeatedly
called for more accountability with in the US system, between State
Licensing officials, and the Department of State. She strongly feels
definitive Federal legislation is needed to cover International
Adoptions. By example of the experience her family endured, (along
with the children she loves in Guatemala), there is only limited
protection for those entering the adoption system, including the
children in sending countries, the birth families of those children,
and the US families who want to adopt them. Today, Elizabeth has the blessing and joy of keeping up with one of her lost referrals, who was returned to her mother in court in Guatemala City in February, 2008. In her search for this lost daughter, Elizabeth discovered that the mother of this child in Guatemala City, was also searching with courage, and hope, after the alleged deceptive loss of her precious toddler and her new born. With the help of Norma Cruz and Fundacion Sobrevivientes, Elizabeth's adoption documents, approved by the US Embassy, were useful in providing information to the courts about those handling the future of these children. Elizabeth has been informed that this case is still under investigation with the authorities in Guatemala. She has requested further information from the US Embassy. To this date, she has received no assistance from Consular General. The precious little girl she was referred, accepted, and was approved to adopt, suffered greatly during the 18 months she was away from her mother. Elizabeth feels that seeking the truth in her case is important to the future of this child, as she continues to heal and grow with her family. Both little girls are deeply loved, and well cared for by their mother in Guatemala. Elizabeth can be reached at betsyleslie@yahoo.com |
