Neglect of Children’s Rights

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Misunderstandings of UNICEF’s deinstitutionalization have caused the neglect of rights for some Guatemalan children. Instead of putting children into a safe refuge, the courts send them back to the same environment at the time of the rescue. They believe they are following the process described by UNICEF. Known for their advocacy for children worldwide, this organization’s influence upon the court systems promote steps going backwards.

This UNICEF takes a stand against institutions for orphaned or needy children. Through their investigations and studies, they state the following: “The more we learn about the brain and how it is negatively affected by the environment in which children grow, the stronger the evidence that children should not be placed in institutions — and children under 3 in particular, should never be placed in an institution. There is increasing evidence that not only does the brain fail to develop fully in children in institutions — but parts of the brain actually die — and this is not reversible.”1

The deinstitutionalization process closes down orphanages and children’s institutions, and then moves these children into a family environment. It sounds good on paper, but the Guatemala Children’s Court judges follow the advice without completely understanding what defines an institute and what they are not. They follow the goal to move a child out of the institution (according to their definition) within a few months from the time the child enters. Two distinct problems arise.

The first situation focuses on the course of action taken on behalf of each rescued child. In Guatemala, each child legally receives three audiences with a judge, a family member of the child, a court social worker, a psychologist, a human rights person, and representatives from the residence the child is residing at the present time. The first audience presents the status of the child, any known information, and what necessitated the rescue. The judge examines this information and delegates further investigation accordingly. The second audience brings any new findings before those present. After a discussion, the judge again designates others for further investigation with the decision for custody being made at the third audience.

With an overloaded and under-staffed court system, the children are rushed through the process. UNICEF estimates 370,000 orphans reside in this country, not counting the abandoned and abused, which could double or triple that number. How can the rights of children be accomplished in a couple of months, when so much is required and those qualified to do a complete investigation are not available?

The next point brings us to some serious implications that needy Guatemalan children are being denied safety and care. According to UNICEF, state run orphanages and institutions are not providing the sufficient family care needed for these children to properly develop.

There is a partial solution because Homes run by Evangelicals exist to serve these rescued children with a place of love and care so badly needed. UNICEF states the need of foster care in the deinstitutionalization process, but in Guatemala there are no foster care families or a move to develop such a program. There are family models called Homes where children are place within families with a housemother and housefather. The Children’s Court is not acknowledging the foster care type model and uses institutions to cover all child rescues and care facilities. This family model mirrors foster care and yet these Homes that are spread throughout Guatemala are not being recognized.

It’s the children who are suffering. They are being deprived of their rights due to lack of time for a complete investigation. They continue to live in fear and depravity when put back into the same abusive situation.

Children come to Shadow of His Wings and experience the love of a family and then are taken out just when they are adapting and adjusting to a family lifestyle.

The CNA, Guatemala’s National Adoption Agency, visits these Homes frequently. Their information could easily be passed onto the Children’s Court judges, assuring the family lifestyle model prevails. A clearer explanation of the terms Homes and Institutions should be provided for all involved in child rescue and care. Allowing more time for the required investigation can only help a child developmentally when in a safe and loving place. Using the facilities available keeps the children off of the streets and from gang involvement, sexual abuse and drugs. Problems are deeply rooted and much time needed to make the childcare system in Guatemala work better, but collaboration and communication between those involved make a difference in the lives of many children.

1 https://www.unicef.org/cambodia/12681_23295.html

 

 

 

Children’s Home Fire

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It stunned many of us to hear about the Children’s Home fire in Guatemala. The tragedy that took the lives of 40 youth with an expected increase due to the severity of the injuries. The reports stated that the kids rebelled against the abuses in this state run Home. Those in-charge of the girls locked them in a dorm room. During the night of March 8, over 50 other kids ran away. Out of desperation, some of the girls decided to set fire to mattresses, but the fire got out of hand and they couldn’t escape because of the locked door.

Hogar Seguro Virgen de la Asunción functioned as a Home for needy children and for teens in conflict with the law.That meant gang members lived with children rescued from abusive situations. What justice is there to mix adolescents involved in criminal activity with youngsters needing a refuge? One count states 785 young people were crammed into a facility established to serve 400. The atrocities at this particular Home didn’t go unnoticed, but nobody took a stand to investigate the allegations of girls being raped, kids starving, lack of sanitation, and physical abuse. All being crammed into a facility for less than half the population. These kids cried out for help and nobody listened until they took extreme measures.

Investigations have brought forth questions as to what really happened. For example, the girls burned wore pajamas leading to the idea they did not intend to runaway so why lock the door? Pray that truth will be revealed and steps of correction can take place.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39252990?SThisFB

The cry for justice goes forth with the question, “What can we do to help these children?” Shadow of His Wings Orphanage will receive 20. Many of the orphanages in Guatemala are making room for more children. That brings us to another situation. With the influx of kids, the monthly budget increases. For Shadow and 20 more kids, the monthly increase is estimated to be $2,500. Orphanages are like us and depend upon faithful donors. This is one of the biggest ways caring people can help along with prayer. People can donate to individual Homes to curb the rising cost each faces. Those orphanages have sites on internet.

Another option for help is through a ministry called Orphan Resources International. This group of people receive donations and contribute these items to area orphanages. Shadow has received ministry and been blessed by them for fifteen years. Dennis Freed, a member of this group and director of Fundaninos, wrote the following March 10, 2017.

“We currently serve 50 privately run orphanages. Some of those orphanages, already full, will be taking more children in from this government ran home making the need for food and general necessities even higher. We need to raise approx. $25,000 to meet the needs of these children. Please consider giving on our Go fund me account – It is these children’s time to have a second chance, and we want you to be a part of it along with us. These children deserve it. Please consider giving to our budget for the additional children arriving with severe needs to at these orphanages.”

DONATE TODAY:
https://www.gofundme.com/guatemala-orphanage-fire
You can give through our website if you wish to receive a receipt.

http://www.orphanresources.org/ways-to-give
If you cannot give financially, please join us in prayer!

Another option for helping these children is through the sponsorship program. Lives are changed when the children know there are people who care. This opportunity provides direct contact with a child while helping with their needs. We at Shadow hear many testimonies from the children sponsored and the sponsors themselves about the value and blessing for this type of program. Check out the following links for more information.

Sponsorship Info: www.sohwo.org/sponsor-a-child/ or https://www.facebook.com/sohwo

People are taking action to help these children and to make sure history does not repeat itself. Pray for these people that the Lord will fill them with wisdom and guidance. The answers don’t come easy, but I believe what the enemy intended for evil, God will use for a good .

A newsletter from Casa Bernebe, an orphanage close to Hogar Seguro, wrote the following: “In the hours following this tragedy, the Christian Alliance for Orphans in Guatemala released a video via social media, and this resulted in an executive level meeting with the First Lady at the Presidential Palace. Additionally, our own social worker David McCormick was invited to participate in a top-level meeting with the Supreme Court and other directors of government entities to discuss what needs to happen next.”

It’s a matter of team work and we all can have a part in it according to our abilities. Join us in ministry to the neglected and hurting children of Guatemala. Pray that there will never be a need for a Children’s Home fire to get the attention of those who can make a difference.

Spiritual Leaders

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I had my feet up on the couch while eating a sandwich in front of the TV, when the phone rang. After the call, I made a cup of chicken broth, covered it, took it to the car, and prayed all the way to the orphanage. We had an emergency. I entered the bedroom and saw a pale-faced girl with listless, glazed eyes. She had the appearance of one who had died. I kept hearing the word death in my mind, and I knew we needed to get into spiritual warfare.

Within the orphanage, we had a small group of dedicated intercessors, comprised of eight girls and some adults. I asked Gerber and Yonith to call them to the casita. When they joined us, I told them that we as spiritual leaders needed to pray and follow the Lord’s leading. “Elena has some female problems, but there is something deeper going on here. I don’t know what it is, but God can reveal what we need to know.”

Having refused to eat or drink anything, Elena surprised me by emptying the cup of broth. The team prayed aloud over her, and Elena responded with a tight smile. Still hearing the word death in my mind, I asked if anyone had anything from the Lord. Josselin came forward and told Elena that she might not feel important, but she was to all of us. We all nodded, mumbling “amen” as Josselin continued with words of encouragement. Tears dripped down Elena’s cheeks. Josselin moved back to the group and said, “I feel something very strong here.”

“Is it a good strong or a bad strong,” I asked.

“It’s a bad strong,” she replied.

“It’s the spirit of death,” I replied, as I rubbed my hand on Elena’s icy forearm. Her skin felt hot moments before, but it suddenly turned cold like an icicle.

“Josselin, would you lead Elena in prayer and come against this using the authority Jesus gave us? Elena needs to speak against this spirit, commanding it to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Immediate action took place, and I could feel the warmth return into Elena’s limbs.

One of the team said that Elena needed to make a confession, and when she did, she would be healed. The lady didn’t know anything specific, but Elena admitted that she did need to confess something. Wanting to protect her privacy, I suggested she choose someone she trusted, and they talk through this. Surprisingly, she chose me.

“Mama Carroll, I feel like I’m not important to God anymore, so I haven’t been giving Him any attention. I have shut Him out of my life.”

With a swift reply, I explained that the Lord had put her on my heart three weeks ago. “If God didn’t care, why would He put you in my mind so strongly? Elena, where would you be if you weren’t living with us?”

“In the streets.”

“With all the girls who live in the streets, why did God pick you to live with us? His plan for you is a great plan, and you are in training for His purposes.”

We prayed after she confessed her sin and then rejoiced together. “Okay, mi amor, you need to eat and rest so you can go to school tomorrow.”

After saying good-night, this bundle of life bounced up the stairs without any assistance.

With great joy, I thanked the team of prayer warriors for the victory we saw in Elena. We encourage the girls in the orphanage to walk in spiritual leadership, and I saw it happen that night.

Gut-Splitting Laughter

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One day I pondered if laughing hard could be harmful. So many other situations done to extremes are declared hazardous, and my thoughts questioned the possibility of damage done by gut-splitting laughter.

The event that brought this to my attention happened one morning. Focused on the computer in our office, my ears picked up screeching and shouting. Joanne and I looked at each other and simultaneously jumped up. We headed for the kitchen, where the cook and helper prepared all the meals for the children in the orphanage. A great battle unfolded before our eyes.

Elena and Gloria, armed with brooms, charged at a well-fed mouse, who dashed toward some boxed groceries. Heather, an intern, stood guard with a can of Bygon insect spray. The two brooms slapped close to the pursued mouse, until he turned toward the handlers and dove under the stove. Not defensively trained, the ladies screamed and leaped back. I grabbed Elena’s broom and poked it under the stove while Joanne blocked the side. The trapped victim flashed his beady eyes as he climbed the propane hose while being showered with insect spray. In the moments of panic, the jumping critter ran over Heather’s feet. She screamed bloody murder with her feet leaping in the air, and off went the mouse behind the washing machine.

By this time, I gave up the broom and grabbed the counter to keep from falling. In tears and laughter, I hung on as the scenario continued.

Elena attacked one side of the machine while Joanne stabbed in the corner from the other side. Surely this would get that bugger. Where else could he go? The mouse jumped toward Joanne, and she set off a series of screams and leaps that would have put the Ferrari prancing stallions to shame. I lost my grip on the counter and squatted on the floor, roaring hilariously. Meanwhile, the chase continued, but every swat from the wooden weapons missed the creature.

The patio close by had a large opening at the top. A TV antenna hung down to floor level, and this provided a way of escape for Mega Mouse. Gloria took one last swing, spinning herself around but missing the target. The intruder made it to the roof. From my perspective, I saw that critter turn his tail to us, swishing it back and forth saying, “Nanananaana,” before he took off for freedom. We’d been out-maneuvered. The scoreboard read: Ladies 0, Mega Mouse 1.

Everyone collapsed, breathing heavily, and reviewed everything with laughter that shook the metal roof. My insides ached from using every muscle in my abdomen. Did I damage anything? I’d never laughed so hard in my life, and because I ached, I questioned if I overdid it.

Doing an investigation on the internet, I learned that laughter might cause pain in gut-splitting situations, but it is actually an antidote for pain. One writer called it the best medicine. According to Wikipedia, “laughter is a physical reaction in humans, consisting typically of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system.” On another site, I saw that laughter boosts the immune system, triggers the release of endorphins, and protects the heart. We left that day with healthy bodies after the fight with Mega Mouse.

Dear Readers, how many of you have had a gut-splitting laughter story? I invite you to share it with us. We could all use some good medicine.