Reactions to Adoption as a Tsunami Strategy

02/01/2005

Reactions to Adoption as a Tsunami Strategy

"The secret of success is constancy to purpose." - Benjamin Disraeli

Reactions to Adoption as a Tsunami Strategy

The ExchangeEveryDay for January 26, shared some stories and questions about adoption as a solution for Tsumani orphans from former World Forum International Organizing Committee member Vijaya Murthy from Mumbai, India. This generated a lot of responses, a few of which are included below. To view more reactions and to share your own, go to the Idea Exchange section on our web site at http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0521

Please pass on my thanks to Vijaya Murthy for sharing insight into a culture that we could only hope to imitate one day in our country! What a powerful message that sends. Perhaps CCIE could instead let us know where we could send donations to assist with the building and operations of one of the Mamta Grihas? Thank you for sharing that touching narrative with us! -- Linda Piper, Jo Ann's Child Care Center, Wilson NC

Thank you for sharing some thoughts on the question of adoption for the unfortunateTsunami children. I agree wholeheartedly with the train of thought that we keep the traumatised children in their own community as moving them to a completely new and foreign environment will be detrimental to their social as well as emotional well-being. Besides, how do we know that these adoptive parents are genuine? -- Unaisi Vasu Tuivaga, Pacific Preschool Council, Fiji

I agree that caution should be used when adoption is a possible solution to homeless children. But here in the Western world there are many families that would welcome the opportunity to welcome a child into their lives. Wouldn't this be a better option to poverty and starvation. -- Christina White, Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta

Thank you so much for this perspective. I am moved to tears. It feels rare to hear this sort of cultural perspective directly from an expert who is a member the group who could potentially be harmed. I feel privileged to be connected to the larger world of early childhood professionals through ExchangeEveryDay. This is one more case where my perspective has been enriched. Thank you. -- Maria West, West Family Day Care, Somerville, MA

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