A recent article from CNN exposed the perspective of many political leaders that African adoption should be discouraged ‘at all costs’ …
U.N. Special Rapporteur, Najat M’jid Maalla, asserts that, “Due to the illegal nature of these acts, it has been difficult to properly document them, but it is known that there have been cases of children sold by their parents, and children abducted and later trafficked or even placed for adoption because wrongly considered orphans.”
A policy to close the door on adoptions from Africa affects children like Nyla who was adopted from Rwanda and now lives in Hong Kong with her parents of UK citizenship.
Nyla was just two or three days old, no one really knows for sure, when she was found abandoned in the middle of a field in Rwanda. She was “black and blue,” says her adoptive mother, Karen Brown. Her umbilical cord was still attached.
. . .
“If there’s a mum and dad and everybody knows your name and you have plenty of food and you get a great education and you’re loved, I personally don’t think it matters what country you’re in.”
To be honest, I don’t understand the worldview that would discourage families from bringing orphans into their lives through adoption. I don’t understand how someone like David Mugawe can assert that the adoption of African orphans to non-African families “must at all costs be discouraged.” I do understand that there is something inherently valuable about culture. God has designed that mankind exists with diversity and different cultures will appreciate different things in his creation differently. But, to elevate cultural pride over basic mercy is perplexing to me.
I’m assuming a lot hear and would like to talk about this with David Mugawe … maybe he can persuade me. But, we would have to talk about why “peace girl’s” adoption should have been discouraged at all costs.
