Tag: Special Needs Adoption

International Adoption Program: UGANDA

by Bethany, posted in Country Programs

International adoption from Uganda

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.

See also the Uganda Adoptions Yahoo Group, Uganda Adoption Yahoo Group and Ugandan Adoption Facebook Group, Ugandan Independent Adoption Facebook Group.

Recent adoption story 1

Recent adoption story 2

Recent adoption story 3

Waiting Children: Toddler Group

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.

Waiting child photolistingsShe 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.

 

international adoption waiting child photolistingI 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.

special needs adoptionI 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.

special needs adoption photolistingThis 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

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.

Waiting child photolisting - international adoptionThis 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.

Waiting child in UkraineThis 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).

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

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