International Adoption Program: JAMAICA

by Bethany, posted in Country Programs


There is an HIV orphanage in Jamaica called Dare to Care which has 3 homes in Kingston and Spanish Town. Here is some further info in the Jamaica Online Star, The Gleaner, contact info, and a Google search will provide many more links.  There are probably other HIV+ children in other orphanages. I have “heard” that the CDA in Jamaica can match you with a child according to the age/gender/special needs you request but that process takes much longer than if you identify a child in advance. The process in Jamaica seems challenging. Plan on following up constantly to keep your paperwork moving along, and it may help to visit during the process to keep things moving. Try to establish a connection/relationship with someone at the CDA so your paperwork doesn’t stay at the bottom of the pile.

Less than 100 Jamaican children per year find adoptive families in America.

Children are available for adoption as young as 6 weeks.

Most Jamaican adoptions are done independently, without an agency. The adoption authority in Jamaica is the CDA.

Requirements according to Adoption.State.Gov, and Rainbow Kids.

Age Requirements: At least 25 years old and no upper age limit.

Marriage Requirements: Single persons are allowed to adopt. Couples must be married at least 1 year.

Other Requirements: No restrictions on family size.

After a referral is accepted, the adoption process in Jamaica takes about 3 months. You then travel to Jamaica and stay 5-7 days in Kingston to get your child’s visa from the US Embassy, then travel home with your child. Citizens of the US receive guardianship and complete the adoption at the county court where they reside (your home-study agency will assist you).

For more information, join the Jamaica Adoption Yahoo Group

International Adoption from LATVIA

by Bethany, posted in Country Programs

There are a few HIV positive waiting children in Latvia who are available for international adoption. Latvia is an Eastern European country between Lithuania, Estonia, Russia and Belarus across the Baltic Sea from Sweden. It is a Hague country. Parents are required to travel for 1 to 2 weeks and rent an apartment where the child comes to live with you for a bonding period. If the referral is not suitable, you can request another. Once a referral is accepted, there is a court hearing, followed by a 20 day waiting period, during which you can fly home or wait in country. Total travel time is 5-6 weeks if you stay in Latvia, or you can make 2 trips. Dossiers for special needs children are given priority. The children are aged 1-16.  Most adoptions take 12-18 months. Typically it takes 3-5 months for document preparation, then 1-2 months to be registered in Latvia. Unrelated children can be adopted simultaneously. Requirements:

Age Requirements: The adoptive parent should be at least 25 years old, and at least 18 years older than the child.

Marriage Requirements: Single men and women are allowed, as well as married couples.

More information about the process: Adoption.State.gov

Agencies: The following agencies have advocated for HIV+ children waiting in Latvia:

Other American adoption agencies working in Latvia include:

One World Adoption Services, All Blessings International, CCAI Adoption Services, World Links Association, and Nightlight Christian Adoptions

For people outside the United States, wishing to adopt a Latvian child, first try to find an adoption agency in your country which processes Latvian adoptions. If there aren’t any, try contacting the authority via a translator:

Latvian Adoption Authority
Adoption Division, Department of Out-of-Family Care
Ministry of Welfare
28 Skolas St., Riga, Latvia, LV-1010
Tel: 371-6702-1600
Fax: 371-6727-6445
E-mail: lm@lm.gov.lv
Internet: http://www.lm.gov.lv

BBC: ARVs make HIV+ people become close to non-infectious

by Bethany, posted in HIV/AIDS News

This BBC report is about using ARVs to stop the spread of AIDS. In it, Dr. Brian Williams, a leading figure in the field of HIV research is sited:

Speaking at at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in San Diego, he said 30 million people around the world were infected with HIV – with two million dying each year.

“The tragedy is that the disease continues unabated. The only real success story is the development of these extremely effective drugs that keep people alive and reduce their viral load by up to 2,000 times. They become close to non-infectious.

I make note of this because people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States are given ARV meds so that their viral loads become ‘undetectable’. In other words, there is VERY little of the HIV virus in their bloodstream. This report is claiming that an undetectable state is close to a non-infectious state. If you read between the lines, Dr. Williams does not even mention the use of condoms – he mentions the use of ARVs to stop the spread of the virus. [I could go into a discussion about that, but this post is about the article itself.]

This is the second time I have heard the word ‘non-infectious’ being used. The first time being the Swiss study which says that HIV-positive individuals on effective antiretroviral therapy and without sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are sexually non-infectious.

However, separate research (last paragraph) showed that 10% of men with an undetectable blood viral load had “significant” viral load in their semen which they said meant that HIV could be detected, but were unable to say if potentially infectious quantities of the virus were present.

Toddlers in Africa – International Adoption

by Bethany, posted in Children Waiting for Families

Children’s Home Society and Family Services is looking for families for 2 toddler boys in Africa. These are 2 separate photolistings, the boys are unrelated and can be adopted separately.

Africa – 3 year old boy

This bright boy is 3 years old. He is an easy going child. He gets along well with other children. He is a child with HIV and waiting for a loving family to bring him home! Contact ltrinh@chsfs.org

Africa – 4 year old boy

This lovely little boy is 4 years old and born in 2005. He is described as a happy child. He has HIV and he is waiting for his own family. Please contact ltrinh@chsfs.org for more information.

8 Year Old Boy Waiting in Ethiopia

by Bethany, posted in Children Waiting for Families

WACAP has a waiting child photolistings for an 8 year old boy. He is SO cute! There is a substantial adoption fee reduction. Contact Lynne Mason.

Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 03/01/2001
Continent: Africa

This little one loves to have fun and play!

He is tiny and has many friends.

He has an immune system disorder which does not slow him down and he takes regular medications.

He is in grade 1

His mother died and his father recently passed away.

He is very sociable and would love to be part of a family.

There is a $6000 Promise Child Grant for eligible registered families.

S.0301.16178.07

International Adoption from ETHIOPIA

by Bethany, posted in Country Programs

There are HIV positive orphans waiting in Ethiopia. See the Adoption Stories page to see many wonderful children who are now home with their families in America, or in the process of being adopted. The program is now a 2 trip process in the $30K range which often takes longer than one year.

It is rare for a child under 3 to be waiting for adoption. There is a waiting list of adoptive parents hoping to adopt HIV+ babies and toddlers from Ethiopia. This is a great program for PAPs interested in adopting preschool and school age children. You will find information on this site about children waiting in Ethiopia by visiting the Waiting Children page.

The most experienced agency placing HIV+ children in families is Adoption Advocates International (AAI) and there are several other agencies as well – click and scroll down to Adoption Agencies.

Yahoo groups include Single Adopt Ethiopia and Adopt Ethiopia.

Requirements according to Adoption.State.Gov, and AAI.

Age Requirements: If single, the prospective adoptive parent must be at least 25 years of age.  If married, there is no minimum age. There also is no maximum age limit for adoptive parents (according to the US Dept of State). The max age of 43 can be flexible for those adopting HIV+ children (according to AAI).

Marriage Requirements: Single persons may adopt HIV+ children.

Other Requirements: No restrictions on family size.

1 yr old Baby Girl Waiting in Latin America

by Bethany, posted in Children Waiting for Families

Children’s Home Society and Family Services is looking for a family for a 1 year old baby girl in South America. Click here for more information about qualifications for adopting from this country.

This chubby-cheeked girl was born on 12/2008. She just turned 1 year-old and is developing well. She is described as being calm and gentle. She enjoys cuddling with her caregivers. She has good strength to support herself. She is a darling little girl and waiting because she has HIV. Contact for more information: ltrinh@chsfs.org

International Adoption from INDIA

by Bethany, posted in Country Programs

There are many HIV positive orphans in India. Here is an adoption story and the same family is featured here.

Adoption agencies include Children’s Home | LSS, Illien Adoptions, America World Adoption, Children’s House International and Holt International. In Canada, contact Children’s Bridge.

Here is the link to the yahoo group for adoption from India.  Here is the link to the yahoo group for single parents adopting from India. One family adopted a 2 year old girl from the Naz Foundation Care Home and the care was excellent.

Requirements according to Adoption.State.Gov and Rainbow Kids

Age Requirements: Applicants must be at least 30 years of age and not more than 55. Married couples must have a combined age of 90 years or less if adopting an infant. The age of any one of the PAPs should not exceed 55 years (although US Dept of State says this is flexible for children with special needs). Single parents up to age 45 can adopt (according to US Dept of State). PAPs should be 21 years older than the child.

Marriage Requirements: A married couple that has been in a stable relationship for at least 5 years.  Single persons may adopt. LGBT individuals and couples welcome. According the US Dept of State, singles should not be widowed or divorced, but these requirements aren’t listed on the other 2 sites.

Other Requirements: No more than 3 children in the home.

Contact the agency to find out if any of these eligibility requirements are flexible for children with HIV.

Travel: Usually 3-5 days.

The Children: Infants to Pre-teens.

US Embassy in India

Central Adoption Resource Authority in India and eligibility requirements

2 Waiting Children in Asia

by Bethany, posted in Children Waiting for Families

WACAP has waiting child photolistings for 2 children in Asia. Their adoption fees are reduced considerably. Contact Lynne Mason LynneM (at) wacap (dot) org.

Boy – Asia

Born February 2004

• Expresses himself well

• Is regarded as being polite and quiet

• Born with an immune system disorder for which he receives comprehensive treatment

• Plays well with others and is very talkative, engaging friends and strangers alike.

Adoption assisted with a grant of $7000.

OAS.0204.15760.05

Girl – Asia

Born June 2003

• Has been successfully treated for tuberculosis

• Receives comprehensive treatment for a congenital immune system disorder

• Plays well with her friends and has excellent self-care skills

• Health problems occasionally prohibit her from attending school outside of her institution

Adoption assisted with a grant of $7000.

RSL.0603.15755.05