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This is an article from the Liberian press.

Liberia: U.S. Couple Refutes ACFI Child Trafficking Allegation


AllAfrica aggregates reports from Africa's news media. This is an article from the Liberian press. It is not a report by AllAfrica.

An American couple has strongly reacted to claims of allegations made against the African Christian Fellowship International (ACFI) regarding child trafficking under the church’s adoption program.

Mr, Daniel Hostler and his wife Sue Hostler, who live in Ohio, USA, said the allegation was not only false baseless and misleading, but has the propensity to deny several Liberian children whose parents whose parents lack the capacity to cater to them, the opportunity to pursue their dreams in the US.

The couple made the statement recently at the Daniel Hoover Children Village Mission School, owned and operated by the ACFI in Dixville, Montserrado County during programs marking the 163rd Independence Day celebrations of Liberia.

In separate comments, during an interview with journalists, Mr. Hostler said they came in contact with the ACFI around 2003 when the children choir of the organization had gone to America to participate in a gospel context there.

He disclosed that some members of the children choir spent few days with the Hoover family in their home in Ohio at which time they developed passion for the children and they decided to work in partnership with the ACFI.

According to him, their first trip to Liberia was in 2004 and upon their arrival, they visited the Daniel Hoover Children Village, the ACFI Headquarters where they interacted with a cross-section of people.

Upon their return to America the same year, he added they decided to adopt a child from Dixville who had lived with him for the past five years in Ohio.

Regarding child trafficking allegations being made against the ACFI, Mr. Hostler stated that they were very disappointed when they hear about and even read the articles on the internet posted by unscrupulous individuals which are not true.

Mrs. Sue Hostler, who expressed similar dismay regarding this information, bluntly said that more Liberians do not even understand why parents adopt children to raise them in the homes in America.

She furthered that although they are not worthy, but God who has provided resources for them has also put love in their heart to care for children, especially the less unfortunate ones, and maintained that they are very determined and will continue to support and raise up their adoptive son with God being their guard.

Also speaking during the interview, Momatu Hostler who was adopted at the age of twelve explained his challenges upon arrival in the US.

He said his greatest impediment was a cultural shock but noted he has now adjusted himself.

Momatu who also rubbished the child trafficking allegation, said his ambition is not only to be an ordinary person, but a productive individual where he will be able to assist someone in need and participate in the development of society.

“I am living happily with my parents in Ohio, and I intend to join the military following the completion of my college,” he concluded.


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