FREEDOM DAY: Some of the 37 children rescued from the West African Support Network(WACSN).  A source from Don Bosco Homes confided in FrontPageAfrica that many of the children released from the WACSN compound are malnourished and were very hungry upon arrival at the homes.

Monrovia -

hirty-seven Liberian children who have been kept at the West African Children Support Network (WACSN), an adoption agency for several months without access to their parents in violation to a Liberian government moratorium on adoption have finally gained freedom through the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Save the Children, Don Bosco Homes, the United Nations Children Fund and other local and international agencies as they are now in the care of Don Bosco Homes after been released Thursday.

The Children have been placed in the temporary care of Don Bosco Homes, a local children rehabilitation center for care until they are reunited with their families.

Members of the Liberian National Police take children freed from the West African Support Network Thursday.

On last Saturday, the owner of the West African Children Support  Network (WACSN) Madam Maria Luyken with the aid of several top officials of the Liberian government including River Gee County Junior Senator Nathaniel Williams, Deputy Managing Director of the Liberia Produce and Marketing Corporation, Cllr, John Caranda resisted attempts by a team from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Don Bosco Homes and Save the Children along with four police officers to take delivery of the children.

The head of WACSN locked the doors of the fence to the compound in which the children were kept as Cllr. Caranda and another lawyer only identified as Cllr. Mathias began calling top police officials and the Minister of Justice Philip Banks to withdraw the police that had gone to seek the release of the children.

After several calls to top officials of government and threats against the four police officers, top officials of the Liberian National Police ordered the four police officers to leave the vicinity of WACSN, something that forced representatives from the Ministry of Health, Don Bosco Homes and Save the Children United Kingdom to also leave their quest to have the children release feeling insecured.

Few days later, WACSN called selected journalists and denied information that they were keeping the children illegally.

Ms. Luyken disclosed that the program was established since 1995 and started operating in Liberia 1997 and they have given over 300 children out for adoption and their contract states that the adopted parents are to give update reports on the children adopted, which she said they are cooperating.

Responding to information that parents have been denied access to their children, Ms. Luyken said “The Ministry of Health came along with some police Officers to have the Children removed without a Court order, so I stopped them, because they can’t just barge here because of an allegation and demand to have the kids removed without any document to that effect. If the government wants to close down the agency they can go ahead, but I’m disappointed over the reaction from the government about adoption, what is the difference from past governments? It is the same, but different players.”

She told the few journalists that there are 37 kids in their adoption home with over 200 children on Todee Mission which she said WACSN is supporting.

“We also have over forty children on scholarships in various schools including the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine.  The parents themselves bring their kids to us because they cannot afford to support their children due to the hard cost of living in the Country”, Ms. Luyken explained.

Stating her own past life, madam Luyken said she is a born and bred Liberian and her parents didn’t give any of them out for adoption, because her parents could afford it at the time; unlike now, after the series of wars in Liberia when poverty is on the increase.

Commenting on information that they are involved in child trafficking and the sale of children to adopted parents, Maria said they are not involved in child trafficking; neither do they sell children to adopted parents.

“We are not involved in child trafficking and we don’t take money from adopted parents but they do pay an adoption fee of US$ 8,000.00 which is universal. After the adopted parents pay the US$8,000 to us, they also pay a lot of money to the US government”, Ms. Luyken told journalists.

Maria concluded that there are 23 Americans including a millionaire arriving in Liberia to bring investment because of the French family, “We have written the President to meet with 45 Americans who are due in the Country soon; but she has not called us yet, maybe the next government will be friendly”.  

After Maria Luyken’s press conference at the West African Children support Network (WACSN) located on the Old Road, Sinkor Wednesday, the WACSN compound was a scene of sorrow and excitement Thursday when onlookers stood to watch the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Save the Children, Don Bosco Homes and Officers of the Ministry of Justice remove 37 children from the Orphanage home on the Old Road and take them to Don Bosco Homes in Paynesville operated by the Catholic Organization.

The children are to be kept for some period and later reunited with their families after the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare along with Don Bosco Homes, Save the Children UK, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) went to the compound of WACSN on Thursday with a pickup fill with officers of the Liberian National Police to seek the release of the children.

When FrontPageAfrica arrived on the scene where the Kids were being removed, a lot of white Missionaries invited by WACSN for a crusade that is to take place soon were seen sad while some could not hold back their tears when the children were taken away.

The two adopted parents, Mr. and Mrs. French who adopted five Children three Years ago were also present, and expressed sorrow. Mrs. French was seen in tears, while Mr. French said sadly, but briefly almost in tears that he understands what it is to be a Christian.   

FrontPageAfrica also visited the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and briefly spoke with Mr. Joseph W. Geebro, Deputy Minister for welfare, who said he was getting ready to leave for the Justice Ministry to pick up  a document which will enable the removal of the Children from the Orphanage Home.

Responding to earlier reports that the Ministry was denied entrance to the WACSN compound, Deputy Minister Geebro said he was in a hurry; but said they were not going to rest until the Children are removed from the Orphanage. However, there will be a press Conference this Friday; to comment on the entire saga concerning the children.

A source from Don Bosco Homes confided in FrontPageAfrica that many of the children released from the WACSN compound are malnourished and were very hungry upon arrival at the homes.

According to the source, the children were fighting to have meals, when they were served food and soft drinks, with some fighting each other for food.

The source who said, it is unprofessional to comment on the well-being of the children to the media, said the condition of the children was deteriorating.

“Even if you want to adopt these children why can’t you give them enough food to make them appear healthy, see how the children look, how will somebody even feel encouraged to adopt them, I think these children were kept for a different purpose”, the top Don Bosco official lamented.

The top Don Bosco official said one of the children spoke in a one on one, that nearly made those around to share tears.

“The Children were starving and when the little girl saw the food she said, we never use to eat plenty food when we were to that place..o they can put three people together in small pan”, our Don Bosco source explained.

The Liberian government about three months ago banned adoption, acting on information that many adopted children are not protected when taken away from Liberia.

President Sirleaf  said, she placed the ban on adoption until the neccesray legal framework to protect adopted children is put in place.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare then ordered all adoption agencies to release children in their possession to their parents’ in adherence to the presidential mandate; until the ban is lifted.

The West African Children Support Network has been keeping the 37 children defying the ban on adoption.

Now that the children are freed and living at Don Bosco Homes, it is not clear what action will be taken against WACSN for disobeying a presidential mandate, banning adoption by keeping the 37 children.

Investigation continues.

Reporter Mae Azango can be reached at 06-545-960 or mazango@FrontPageAfrica.com.For comments and suggestions to this story write to FrontPageAfrica.com located on Camp Johnson Road at the corner of  Camp Johnson Road & MacDonald Street, Monrovia, Liberia.