Aids Orphans – Page 4 – Positively Orphaned

International Adoption from THE CONGO

April 6, 2010April 26, 2012 by Bethany, posted in Country Programs

Adopting from Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo or DRC)

At least one HIV positive child from DRC has found an adoptive family so far, and hopefully more will soon.

This family adopted a (HIV negative) toddler boy from DRC and their process only took 7 months. One agency mentions the timeline as 4-10 months after the homestudy is complete, at which time travel can commence.

According to Rainbow Kids children are available from infancy to early teens. Unrelated children may be adopted at the same time.

According to Rainbow Kids and Adoption.State.gov, there is no age limit for parents although one agency specifies DRC law as 25-55. Single men, single women and married couples may apply although married couples need to be married 5 years. The number of children in the home seems to vary. Apparently DRC prefers not more than 2 children currently in the home, although exceptions can be made for special needs adoptions. According to Compassionate Hearts, you can have up to 3 children in the home. A recent adoptive family says that it no longer matters how many children are living in the home, so inquire with a reputable agency for current information.

There is no medical ineligibility for adoptive parents, which may mean that HIV positive parents can adopt from the Congo. A medical report from a licensed physician is required stating that the adopting parents are in good health and mentally capable of taking care of themselves and their child(ren).

The agency Compassionate Hearts is currently processing an HIV adoption. Here is a list of attorneys for those who would rather adopt independently with a lawyer. Two other agencies which work in DRC which may or may not place HIV+ children include MLJ Adoptions and Wasatch International Adoptions.

Travel is approximately 4 weeks or longer.

More information can be found on the Congo Adopt Yahoo Group.

5 Year Olds Waiting for a Family

April 4, 2010October 14, 2010 by Bethany, posted in Children Waiting for Families

The Russian Orphan Lighthouse Project is advocating for a 5 year old boy and a 5 year old girl, both HIV positive and available for international adoption. They can be adopted together or separately and they are not related. They are promisingly characterized by a teacher as “well developed”. They are not delayed and are otherwise healthy. They are yearning for a family. The girl above is Yuliana and the boy below is Artem.

Thanks to Traci for advocating for these two which is how I found out about them. Let’s all spread the word and hopefully their families will come forward soon.

International Adoption Program: UGANDA

April 3, 2010March 27, 2011 by Bethany, posted in Country Programs

HIV positive children are starting to be adopted from Uganda.

According to Rainbow Kids and Adoption.state.gov:

Applicants must be at least 25 years old and 21 years older than the child they plan to adopt. In the case of a married couple, it is sufficient for one spouse to meet these requirements. Singles are allowed to adopt a child of the same gender unless an exception is made.

One parent I spoke with completed the entire adoption in 8 months and another in just 6 months. Costs in the $12,000 range (2010 independent). Here is another cost breakdown. This family also discusses the process and fees.

Travel time 4-6 weeks to complete the adoption in Uganda. There is a 3 year residency requirement which is often waived for special medical needs.

There are links in the right column of this page in the section titled ‘HIV Orphanages’ which may lead you to an HIV+ child in Uganda. You can do an independent adoption with a lawyer for a child you have identified. You can also ask around on the groups mentioned below to possibly find a positive child. One family on the Yahoo HIV Adoption group said that using a lawyer in Fort Portal and using the court system in that city is fast and inexpensive.

For agency adoptions, try Adoption Advocates International, Holt International, Agape Adoptions or Lifeline Children’s Services.

Recent adoption story 1

Recent adoption story 2

Recent adoption story 3

Waiting Children: Toddler Group

March 19, 2010March 18, 2011 by Bethany, posted in Children Waiting for Families

Here is the Toddler Group we met while traveling to the orphanage in Eastern Europe. All of the children in this group are HIV positive. I also previously posted the Children’s Group. Many of these children are available for international adoption. Please inquire.

She is a quiet girl, but not necessarily shy. She seems to go with the flow and she gets along with everyone. I wish we could have gotten her out of her shell a bit more to see her real personality. I think she needs to get out of an orphanage environment to realize her full potential.

I spent quite a bit of time cuddling with this little guy. I’m not a medical professional, but I think he is delayed. He seemed very worried the whole time we were there and I get the feeling that he doesn’t roll with change very well. He was crying a bit when we first came in, but the caregiver comforted him. He has strabismus which is correctable. I didn’t hear him babble at all. He is very mobile and he is a super sweet-heart. He let me hug him and cuddle no problem. DOB 2007. More here.

I loved this little guy! He is such a sweet angel. I plopped him in my lap and he was quite happy staying there munching on his cookie. He makes good eye contact and he just goes along with whatever the situation is. He is a very good boy and he’s absolutely beautiful! Baby picture.

This little boy is so sweet and gentle and kind, but I think he is physically delayed. He is the only one in his group who does not walk (yet?) I should have asked if it is something more serious, and I can find out if you inquire. His caregivers do not encourage him to walk. When he tried to get off his perch to crawl after a toy, the caregiver put him back and told him to sit 😦 I tried working with him for a minute to stand and hold onto my hands and he looked at me with confusion. But I was so happy to get a smile out of him! He’s precious.

Waiting Children in Eastern Europe

March 16, 2010November 9, 2013 by Bethany, posted in Children Waiting for Families

I have just returned from an orphanage for HIV positive children in Eastern Europe. Most of the children in this group are available for international adoption. Please inquire.

This little boy is a sweet kid. He seems to get along with everybody and he’s just generally very easy going. He’s fun and he goes with the flow. This is ‘James’ on Reece’s Rainbow.

This little guy has now been transferred to a different orphanage nearby which is also very good. When I met him, he mostly stayed with a caregiver observing the fun, but he seemed too nervous to interact.

This little boy is really nice and gets along well with others. He doesn’t play too rough and he is very considerate. Lots of energy and loves attention. DOB May 16, 2005. (Daniel on RR).

Infant HIV Testing

March 8, 2010March 8, 2010 by Bethany, posted in HIV/AIDS News, Other Topics

HIV can be passed from a birthmother to child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding. Transmission rates are approximately 35% if the mother and child are not treated (this average varies in different parts of the world and twins have a higher transmission rate). The best way to prevent transmission is for the mother to stay on a course of anti-retroviral therapy(ARV) throughout the pregnancy, and for the newborn baby to receive medicine as well. In this scenario, transmission rates fall to 1%.

All newborn babies carry their birthmother’s antibodies. A baby born to a mother with HIV will test positive to an HIV antibody test, until the mother’s antibodies leave the baby’s bloodstream, which can take up to 18 months. This does not mean that the baby has HIV. The recommended HIV test for babies 18 months or younger is a PCR test which tests the baby’s DNA (not the antibodies).

Negative: HIV infection can reasonably be excluded among HIV exposed children with two or more negative DNA PCR tests performed at age greater than one month and one of those being performed at or greater than four months. Negative DNA PCR tests drawn when the infant is less than 28 days do not exclude HIV infection, particularly if the infant has been exposed to antiretroviral medication in utero or after birth.

Positive: An infant is diagnosed as infected at any age by two positive DNA PCR tests performed on separate specimens.

HIVguidelines.org

UN seeks to eliminate mother-to-child-transmission in Africa

March 6, 2010March 6, 2010 by Bethany, posted in HIV/AIDS News

Could this be the last generation of AIDS orphans? From the United Nations News Centre. A wonderful ambitious plan. Here is a short excerpt:

The United Nations is seeking to virtually eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, where 390,000 infants became infected with the virus that causes AIDS in 2008, through the use of antiretroviral drugs during and after delivery.

“AIDS has become the leading cause of death among infants and young children in much of sub-Saharan Africa,” Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director Michel Sidibé said…

International Adoption from LATVIA

March 2, 2010May 31, 2019 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

Toddlers in Africa – International Adoption

February 25, 2010February 25, 2010 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

February 24, 2010February 25, 2010 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