I used Orphans Overseas & from what I recall, at most, they only completed 2 adoptions from Nam Dinh & that would have been the summer of 2006. The last baby referred from Nam Dinh was late fall ‘06 & that placement fell through.

This is a collaborative blog. Countlessly, when people complain that we are only sharing one side or one viewpoint, we reextend the invitation (see tap at the top of the site titled “Speak Up!”) to other viewpoints but interestingly there are fewer times than I can count on one hand that those with differing views chose to take us up on the invitation. I suspect – and correct me, please, if I’m wrong – that seldom are folks willing to take a more vocal stand because that opens themselves up to scrutiny and it seems possible their viewpoints may not hold under scrutiny.

To that end, you have now been asked at least twice to share the number of adoptions your agency has completed out of this province and you’ve been conspicuously silent. To add to their questions, I’d love to know the number of referrals compared to the number of completed adoptions for your agency (and the other two agencies however this questions is specifically posed to you and obviously you can’t speak for the other two agencies) out of this province. Thanks in advance for this information.

I check this blog frequently as a source that pulls together all of the info coming out of Vietnam regarding adoptions. When I read the post, I looked to see which agencies were involved. Two of them, I immediately said something that would translate into non-swear words as “it figures”. The other surprised me a little. I did not immediately think “oh great, another sucky agency”. Instead, I wondered how many of that agency’s adoptions (if, indeed they completed any from that province) were older children or special needs adoptions and then I talked to a couple of people who might have additional information. Perhaps other people read this blog and make immediate decisions about which agencies are guilty of ethical violations (and worse). I do not. I start here. And then read the actual stories, ask questions of others in the know, and – if the information would ever involve my agency – I’d go straight to the agency and ask questions.

So… I appreciate what VVAI is without condemning it for what it is not. It’s almost impossible for the adoption agencies to get accurate information regarding Vietnamese adoptions… how can you expect these writers to do so? I appreciate and value their opinions and information.

The VVAI contributors discussed whether or not the information about the agencies should be included in the post itself. We decided not to include it because the agencies had not been directly linked to the scandal. Still, the third article does say, “Vu Duc Long, head of the Vietnamese Justice Ministry’s International Adoptions Department, said then that most children sent for overseas adoption from the two Nam Dinh centres had ended up in France and Italy, and some in the United States,” which means that at least one of those agencies I listed had adoptions that were affected.

However, the last time we posted about arrests in Vietnam (http://www.adoptionintegrity.com/2009/06/26/three-child-traffickers-jailed-in-vietnam/), someone asked in the comments which agencies had been working in that province, so I knew the question would come up here as well. That’s why I posted it.

Nowhere did I say that those agencies were guilty. As an adoptive parent though, I believe it is completely relevant information. I personally would want to know if my agency had been in the province being discussed so that I could ask my agency the appropriate questions. I certainly have my own opinions on which agencies were likely to be involved, but you will notice that I did not post that here.

With all of that said, it is not my job, nor the job of any other of the VVAI contributors, to stand up for agencies. It is the agencies’ job to stand up for themselves. We are an open forum and as we have not censored your posts. You are always allowed to validate your agency in any way you choose. Frankly, the more info the better. I would certainly appreciate it if you would share more with us.