I want a loving family to adopt my unborn child

Dear Pastor,

Greetings, and all the best for the new year. I have always been an avid reader of your column. I would like your knowledge and assistance as to how I can go about giving my baby daughter up for adoption. I have been searching the internet, but there is not much information to go by. However, there is a lot of information for applying for adoption, but not much if one wants to give up their child.

The issue is, I'm in a very rough situation at this time. I work full-time and go to college part-time, and I'm the sole provider for my eight-year-old son. My son's father has migrated seven-plus years now, and we have not heard from him since. I am not sure if he is dead or alive. My situation as it currently stands, as Jamaicans would say, I'm 'kotching' with a relative and it's not conducive for a young baby.

Pastor, I am pregnant and I'm building my house, but it's not going to be completed in time for the baby's arrival. The father of the baby is not able to assist at this time because he suffered a stroke about three months ago and he has been unable to work since then. So currently, I'm the sole breadwinner and the cost is very overwhelming. And I really don't want to carry another child into this situation.

So, Pastor, if you can assist me in finding a couple or family that is willing to adopt my daughter, and provide her with a loving and happy home, or point in the direction of how to go about starting the process, I will be glad. I don't have much time left. I eagerly await your reply.

Y

Dear Y,

I must warn you not to make any private arrangements with an individual or a family. If you insist that you would like to give up a child for adoption, you should do everything through the Adoption Board.

The Adoption Board is the only body that has responsibility for adoption of children in Jamaica. This service is undertaken for the board by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency that processes all applications.

Many people have given up their children for adoption when they were babies, but later they regret doing so and then they try to claim the children. So everything should be done legally.

I am sorry to hear of your dilemma at the moment, but I trust that you would overcome whatever difficulty you are facing. Giving a child up for adoption should be a person's last resort. So, be careful what you do.

Pastor