TXMomof4 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 My very dear friend goes to Ghana every summer to work at an orphanage that is supported in part by our church. This is part of the email from my friend. In July 2010, I met Patience Adu. Patience was born with lymphangioma on her right face, and the Doctors in Ghana, after two unsuccessful surgeries, state nothing more can be done for her in Ghana. Since then, we have been working to get her the treatment she needs. Plan A On April 30, 2012, Patience and a house mom, Gladys Bulley met with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana. Their visas were refused by the consular officer who conducted the visa interview because Patience Adu “has no links with her biological parents and lives in an orphanage/children's homeâ€. They asserted that Gladys Bulley would give her out for adoption when they arrive in the United States … although the Village of Hope has no such track record in over 20 years of service. Such an act would stand in stark opposition to everything this mission seeks to accomplish … raising up children to strengthen Ghana. Documents presented include: · Letter from the surgeon who performed the two surgeries that Patience has already had in Ghana and states that nothing more can be done for her in Ghana. · Letter from the surgeon who would perform the surgery in the U.S. at no cost. · Letter from the hospital in the U.S. where the surgery would be done free of charge. · Letter from the U.S. host and a statement from her bank. · Affidavits that the U.S. Government would not be asked for any monies for her care and treatment. Plan B We contacted Senators and members of Congress in Texas and Tennessee. They have all received the similar response. Consular Officer ruled “Ineligible under Section 214b†and medical visa was refused. “Interviewing consular officer did not doubt Ms. Adu’s need for treatment. However Ms. Adu has been abandoned by her parents in Ghana and she lives in an orphanage. Her ties to Ghana are exceedingly weak at this time in her life and she could not demonstrate any compelling reason to come back to Ghana after arriving in the U.S. for medical treatment.†Plan C It has been recommended by the Senators and Congress that we apply for a Humanitarian Parole. Humanitarian parole enables an otherwise inadmissible individual to enter the United States temporarily due to urgent humanitarian reasons. Filings are made to the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) in DALLAS, TX We have an InfoPass appointment with the USCIS on Thursday, June 14 to ask questions of the USCIS. It seems the InfoPass allows you to ask questions prior to submitting formal documentation. We have been told that we must prove that she will return to Ghana after her treatment. THAT IS THE ANSWER WE NEED! How does a 10-year old child “demonstrate a compelling reason to come back to Ghanaâ€? Patience DOES have a home and a family in Ghana. It is called the Village of Hope. She receives the same benefits that any child would receive in a natural born home -- she is loved, fed, protected, is receiving a Christian education, being taught life skills and will have a key role in changing the future of Ghana. Other than our word and our integrity, how does one prove that? We will also state that we are willing to submit a bond. WHERE WE NEED SUPPORT Please pray that this appointment will be successful. It is still shocking to me that the US Embassy, “did not doubt Ms Adu’s need for treatmentâ€, however, they are preventing her from the treatment. Please pray that while we work through these issues that the tumor will not grow, that the tumor will no encroach on her eye, that the tumor will not cause breathing or swallowing difficulties and that the pain becomes minimal and controlled. Please, please pray for this little girl. I know it will work out - it has just taken so long. There has to be someone who will listen and do what is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I will show this to dh's step mom. She may have an idea. She has never dealt with Ghana, but she has hosted kids from Central and South America for surgeries here in the States, and has arranged for other families to host kids, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKidAcademy Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I have no experience or advice, but I will be praying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Praying for little Patience to get the help she needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMomof4 Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Lynne, I would appreciate any ideas. We've got lots of heads working on this, but it seems such a no-brainer - a child needs surgery, all the financing has been taken care of, she got a passport - and to be stopped dead in the water like this is very frustrating. Thanks for your prayers everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Praying! Please give us updates. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Praying that she gets the surgery soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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