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    Petition to Pass Bill No. #551

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    To: Panama & the Global Community

    Bill No. 551: 
    • LIMITS # of family members investigated  
    • SETS time limit for process of children being declared adoptable, with sanctions if not enforced 
    • CREATES Foster Care department in Panama 
    • PERMITS Foster Families to adopt their foster children
    1,000

    470 people signed a petition


    Of 2400 children living in 34 institutions across Panama only 90 are currently in a state of "Adoptability".  The remaining children are pending files, waiting years for their family investigations to be completed.  The completion of a child's family investigation will determine whether the child is reunited with their biological family or declared "adoptable".  Children age out of institutions at 18 and are high-risk for human trafficking, prostitution, teen pregnancy and crime.  Because SENNIAF does not have a department dedicated to the monitoring and implementation of Foster Care, Foster Care is rarely used despite being acknowledged by leading authorities as Best Practice.  And the current law, Law 61, makes it illegal for Foster Parents to adopt their Foster Children.  For older children this may be the child's only chance of being adopted.   We have been told that the children "are being well cared for", they have a roof over their heads - food and clothes.  But they are not living in a family!  They are growing up deprived of the love of a mother and a father.  Your signature will let legislators in Panama know these children matter, we must create efficiencies within the system to ensure they are placed in safe, loving family environments as soon as possible. The future of over 2400 children hang in the balance. ACT NOW!  SIGN OUR PETITION.
    Issues: ,

    1. Update #4

      Posted by Brittany Wilson-DeVries (Campaign Leader) on Mar 9

      Update #4

      Notice!  On January 16th in Panama City at 10:00am EST,  in the Blue Room of the National Assembly, Deputado Marylin Vallarino presented Amendment to Law 61.  The legislation is now known as Project No. 551 and is a new law that will replace Law 61 of 2008.  In the weeks following the committee has met on two separate occasions to discuss the law - this is the First Debate.  Once concluded there will be a vote to decide whether or not the bill progresses to Second Debate.  Three...

      …

      Update #4

      Notice!  On January 16th in Panama City at 10:00am EST,  in the Blue Room of the National Assembly, Deputado Marylin Vallarino presented Amendment to Law 61.  The legislation is now known as Project No. 551 and is a new law that will replace Law 61 of 2008.  In the weeks following the committee has met on two separate occasions to discuss the law - this is the First Debate.  Once concluded there will be a vote to decide whether or not the bill progresses to Second Debate.  Three debates are required for a law to be implemented.  

      We have been asked to present at the First Debate and to bring along our supporters.  The date has not been announced.  Now more than ever we need you to support our cause!  When we know the date we will send an invitation to invite you to the National Assembly.  #BeAVoice for children without representation.

      For more information please contact brittany@queridopanama.com, join our social media campaign by following us on Facebook & Twitter @QueridoPanama #BeAVoice. Thank you for supporting our cause and defending every child's right to a family.

      Sincerely,

      Brittany DeVries

      Producer & Querido Panama Campaign Manager


    2. Update #3

      Posted by Brittany Wilson-DeVries (Campaign Leader) on Jul 1, 2012

      Due to recent political unrest in Panama we are still waiting to meet with the man responsible for signing and presenting the Amendment to Law 61. United Way Panama and Ana Perez have joined our campaign to lobby for this legislation and many others are committing to help. Please continue to support and spread the word through Facebook & Twitter @QueridoPanama Over 2,000 people have viewed the short documentary "Dear Panama," if you have not seen it please watch http://youtu.be/CDDakmqCvUI...

      …

      Due to recent political unrest in Panama we are still waiting to meet with the man responsible for signing and presenting the Amendment to Law 61. United Way Panama and Ana Perez have joined our campaign to lobby for this legislation and many others are committing to help. Please continue to support and spread the word through Facebook & Twitter @QueridoPanama Over 2,000 people have viewed the short documentary "Dear Panama," if you have not seen it please watch http://youtu.be/CDDakmqCvUI and share. (B)e a voice for Panamanian children waiting for families, their lives depend on our response.

    3. Update #2

      Posted by Brittany Wilson-DeVries (Campaign Leader) on Jun 15, 2012

      Please continue to talk about and share #AmendLaw61. Facebook/Twitter/web. According to our sources Amendment to Law 61 has not yet been presented to the National Assembly. We know the man responsible for presenting this legislation, we are trying to get an appointment. When we do we want to show him that not just Panama but the world supports this amendment. We must continue to (B)e a voice for these children.

    4. Update #1

      Posted by Brittany Wilson-DeVries (Campaign Leader) on Jun 11, 2012

      Dear Supporters,

      Through Causes over 50 people from around the world support Amendment to Law 61, in combination with signatures we have in Panama we now have more than 200 in support. Thank you for your signature! Through your signatures we hope to convince the local legislators to defend children's rights to a family.

      ~Brittany

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    Recent Signatures

    1. 470
      Karl Wint West Palm Beach, FL
      4 days ago
    2. 469
      Shawn D. Savage Panama
      8 days ago
    3. 468
      Vania Thurler Brown Las Vegas, NV
      15 days ago
    4. 467
      Jonathan Domingo Philippines
      23 days ago
    5. 466
      Coleen Helling Janesville, WI
      29 days ago
    6. 465
      Esteban Alberto Domínguez Molina Venezuela
      1 mo ago

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