International Adoptions

[Mulan'sMom]

I adopted DD5 from Viet Nam in 2001. She was five months old to the day when we picked her up from the orphanage. I used Adoptions from the Heart, headquartered in Pennsylvania, though I used the Cherry Hill, NJ office. They were wonderful. Back then, we only had to make one trip to Viet Nam. Shortly after I adopted, Viet Nam shut down its international adoptions, and has just reopened them this year. Now you have to make two trips. We were in Viet Nam for 2 weeks - the first week we trekked from place to place to put in the paperwork for "Mulan's" visa, etc. The second week we spent waiting for it to come through - but we used our time to tour around and see a little bit of the country. What an experience! Yes, the TV and the food is odd - but the people are amazing - tough, resiliant, bustling...not unlike "Mulan" herself! It took me a year from soup to nuts. The process could have been completed in as little as 7 months if I hadn't taken extra time to rehab my house. I got my referral picture on December 28th and was on a plane to Ho Chi Minh City on February 24th. To say that my head was spinning is an understatement. As to finding a reputable agency - go to the information sessions of all of the agencies in your area. Pick several that meet your criteria as to fees, schedules and country programs and then check the Better Business Bureau and your state's Attorney General's office to see if any complaints have been lodged against them. Do your homework online as well. Then do a gut check and pick an agency and get the process going. Hold on for dear life and ride the momentum right into parenthood. The moment your child is put into your arms for the first time makes it all worthwhile.

 

[proudpop]

For those asking about Orson Mozes or looking for an adoption agency to use, I highly recommend using Mr. Mozes and his agency, Adoption International Program. My wife and I had a wonderful experience with him. His staff was very helpful, as well. They answered every question that came up as well as helped us with all of the paperwork. The process went smoothly and we now have a beautiful daughter. I would suggest using AIP to anyone looking to adopt internationally.

 

[Sandy22]

A book recommendation, if you're interested...

I thought Toddler Adoption, the Weaver's Craft by Mary Hopkins Best was very helpful in understanding what a toddler/preschooler goes through in an adoption.

Cynsaun, good luck on your adoption! I'm adopting from a caribbean country so I can't help with Russia. But I would highly recommend joining a yahoo adoption group specific to Russia.

Toddler Adoption, the Weaver's Craft is a definite must-read for anyone adopting toddlers.

 

[kdibattista]

For those asking about Orson Mozes or looking for an adoption agency to use, I highly recommend using Mr. Mozes and his agency, Adoption International Program. My wife and I had a wonderful experience with him. His staff was very helpful, as well. They answered every question that came up as well as helped us with all of the paperwork. The process went smoothly and we now have a beautiful daughter. I would suggest using AIP to anyone looking to adopt internationally.

Proudpop... Welcome to the DIS!!!!

I don't want to scare you off on your first post but I have heard horrendous things about him and would advise anyone who is looking for an agency to look somewhere else. I'm glad you had a good experience though.

 

[TheRatPack]

My husband has finally came around to the thought of adding 2 more to our family and so I've been researching sibling groups. He says he would want to do it within the next few years, so they can grow up with our kids (we want older siblings, not babies).

I had found a great listing on one of the photo sites and the oldest girl resembles my bio son....so wild. Anyhow, I emailed about them and it would be a little over 40,000 to adopt them both (including inner country fees but not gifts...etc.). So how on earth do you afford it?

We had initially thought of setting 20,000 aside, but doubling that in the time frame that we had set would be impossible. We decided to pray a lot about it, but everytime I think of another 20,000 it's just makes me realize it's out of our reach and times not standing still so we should forget about it.

I wish there was a program where you paid for their adoption, the plane ticket to get here and then you were forced to put the 20,000 or whatever it would normally cost in a college savings plan for the youngster. After paying for their adoption I won't have anything left over to put them through college, and since we'd be adopting older siblings (5-11 years old) it's not like I'd have 20 years to start a savings plan for them either.

So many thoughts.....I guess time will tell if it's meant to be.

 

[skoi]

Can't help with Russia, but want to say congratulations and good luck. We just returned in Jan. with our new daughter from China. She was also special needs (cleft lip and gum). Now, we're looking into Kazakhstan, which is where my heart has been for sometime.

And yes getting off the plane (me, dh, dd 11 and ds 7) was surreal for all of us. We went to sleep at the North Pole, and woke up in Beijing. We had all traveled internationally before, but China was a whole different ballgame then Europe and Mexico! I'm sure if we make it to Kazakhstan, it'll be even stranger.

Julie