Adoption ARK - Ukraine

The Babies Left Behind

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:10:00 +0000

Adoption ARK’s Latest Humanitarian Project

The Ukraine, an Eastern European county with an old and established international adoption program. For some reason its government decided this year to put an age restriction on the orphans that can be adopted internationally. Why? To give their domestic adoption program a chance to gain “popularity”. The government was concerned that all the young children were being adopted internationally leaving domestic couples seeking to adopt “childless”. Well, you would figure this would have made millions of little babies leave the orphanages all at once into the loving hands of Ukrainian couples… Maybe, in the ideal world. In reality, even though Ukrainians are becoming more open to the concept of adoption they are still far from accepting it as wide-ranging as it is being accepted in the US. So, for many little ones this new rule only means their stay in the orphanage will be years longer. Many of them won’t see their mom and dad until they turn 5 years old. The lucky ones, who have older brothers and sisters, might be adopted faster, but unfortunately, there are not a lot of families open to adopt more than one kiddo at once…

This November Adoption Ark contacted one of the Ukrainian orphanages with a cheerful name “Little Christmas Tree” to offer them our support and humanitarian aid. This is one of the orphanages where kiddos under the age of 5 yo, those who can not be adopted internationally yet, are living, growing and waiting to be old enough. Of course, the main and most important thing, which is always needed in the house full of babies, is diapers. After speaking with the caregivers, it became obvious that they are very often short of this basic necessity. Right then and there using Adoption Ark’s humanitarian funds we were able provide a supply of diapers to the orphanage and I was lucky enough to accompany the donation and spend some time in the orphanage myself.

I bet a lot of you read terrible stories on the internet how Eastern European orphanages are run down, short of staff and how children are not taken care of and neglected. Well, I can’t speak for all the orphanages around Eastern Europe but all the ones I’ve visited (and this one was not an exception) were not like that and even gave me a tiny feeling of hope. Hope, that at least some of these children will have a future. Hopefully a bright one. You could see that the staff really cared for them, the orphanage was in a very good condition - even though there was a lack of financial means to keep the place modern and well-equipped. It was clean, bright, had lots of color and even had a homey feeling to it. Of course, this was no home but you could tell how much effort was put into the place to make it look like one. Every three children had their own nanny, who treated them kindly and hardly ever raised her voice, she knew exactly what each and every child needed at this particular moment and why he or she was happy or upset.

Neglect is the opposite of what I saw in that orphanage. When I went to the baby ward, the caregivers told me how sometimes, when they run out of diapers they do it the old way, wrapping babies in baby-linen and washing those afterwards. They didn’t seem to have any problem with that - leaving a baby in a dirty diaper was not an option for those women. And I know for a fact it wasn’t a show they put on for me because I was representing organization providing them with humanitarian aid, they were honest and upfront with me, they even scolded for not taking my shoes off in the corridor. I believe I wasn’t “American” enough for them, speaking the same language and knowing the cultural difference. They told me stories of all the babies I met – how this little girl had a mother who became an alcoholic after losing her husband and abandoned her daughter, how this little boy lost his mother, who was a single mom to cancer, and how the most beautiful looking baby was left at the hospital without even getting a chance to get to know his mother. They told me how some of the little boys and girls still had one or even two grandparents who only visit them once in 2-3 months and how they wait for this visit like it’s the happiest day of their lives and how those grandparents won’t even notice if those children were gone one day… One of the women with a beautiful baby boy in her arms asked me kindly not to take pictures of him from the right, which surprised me. It turned out, the baby boy was missing his right arm and she didn’t want people to think he was “less adorable” (how she said), in the picture. I could sense she was proud of the little boy and didn’t want anyone to think any less of him just because of his disability. That day I realized there is a little hero inside each of those women. They wake up every day and go to work to be a mom for those who are unfortunate enough not to have one. And being a mom is the hardest but at the same time the most rewarding job on Earth.

With big smiles of their faces the caregivers also proudly told me one of the babies was being adopted by Ukrainian couple in a week and they were laughing and telling me a story of how they had almost scared this couple to death saying they will hunt them down if something happens to their “daughter”. They also told me a story of one little girl, who was about 2.5 years old and how even though she was the prettiest little thing alive, no one would ever adopt her domestically because she had an older brother, who is turning 6 and soon will be transferred to another orphanage. It was their concern but it became my hope. I knew that her brother was old enough, which gave her a chance to skip another 3 years living in this friendly, warm, but still not her own, home. Help her skip 3 years of not being able to call someone mom or dad. Hopefully a family, who is reading this article right now and who have always dreamt of having children, a boy and a girl, will finally have the courage to say that this is the day they’ve decided to bring their children home. Maybe it will be them or maybe it will be you?

Adoption Ark will continue supporting “Little Christmas Tree” orphanage in Ukraine and on our next mission visit we are hoping to put together a supply of splash-paper, coloring books and play-dough for the toddler group, which was kindly requested by the caregivers of the Children’s Home. If you wish to donate to this cause, please go to: http://www.adoptionark.org/public/pag195.aspx

With Love,
Marina Snazina
Adoption Ark International Program Consultant

Sign up here to receive Adoption ARK's Newsletter.

US State Dept. Adoption Alert for Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:27:00 +0000

The Ukrainian State Department on Adoptions (SDA) informed the US Embassy this morning that beginning July 11 SDA will no longer have the authority to process adoption cases. This will likely result in a temporary suspension of adoptions from Ukraine. The Ministry of Social Policy will take over as the new adoption authority in Ukraine, but does not yet have Cabinet approval to create a staff and begin processing cases. The Ministry does not yet know when they will be able to resume adoption processing. The amendments to the Ukrainian Family Code mentioned in the previous adoption alert will also go into effect on July 11.

We will ask the Ukrainian government to resume adoptions as quickly as possible. We will also continue to encourage the Ministry of Social Policy to protect adoptions where U.S. prospective adoptive parents have already been approved by the SDA to adopt a particular child.

According to SDA, there are now 139 U.S. families registered with the SDA, some of them already in-country. We will be following new developments closely to understand how it will affect the families currently in process and will be posting relevant updates. In that respect. we recommend that all American families that are currently in Ukraine or have appointments with SDA during the next few weeks send their contact information to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine’s Adoption Unit at: kyivadoptions@state.gov. Families should contact their local adoption service provider for further updates and details.

Sign up here to receive Adoption ARK's Newsletter.

Adoption Notice: Ukraine

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Adoption Notice: Ukraine

April 29, 2011

SDA authority and adoption processing in Ukraine

On the evening of April 7, 2011, President Yanukovych signed a Decree transferring all functions of, the State Department for Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child (SDA-- the current central adoption authority of Ukraine), to the Ministry for Social Policy. We do not yet know how the implementation of this transfer will affect processing of adoption cases in the immediate future however the SDA is continuing to process current pending cases at present.

We understand the Decree to amend the Ukrainian Family Code to reflect the transfer of adoption authority to the Ministry of Social Policy is currently in effect. However, the SDA has continued to carry out the functions of the adoption authority.
We will continue to encourage Ukraine to ensure that adoptions between Ukraine and the United States are not interrupted as the Ukrainian Family Code is amended and the procedural and logistical aspects of the transfer is implemented.

According to SDA, there are now 134 U.S. families registered with the SDA, some of them already in-country. We are asking all American families that are currently in Ukraine or have appointments with SDA during the next few weeks to send their contact information to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine’s Adoption Unit at: kyivadoptions@state.gov . Families should contact their local adoption service provider for further updates and details.

We will keep monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available.

Sign up here to receive Adoption ARK's Newsletter.

Adoption Alert

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:01:00 +0000

April 8, 2011

On the evening of April 7, 2011, President Yanukovych signed a Decree transferring all functions of, the State Department for Adoption and Protection of the Rights of the Child (SDA-- the current central adoption authority of Ukraine), to the Ministry for Social Policy. We do not yet know how the implementation of this transfer will affect processing of adoption cases. Whether SDA will be able to continue processing currently filed cases remains unclear.

The Presidential Decree will become effective immediately upon its publication in the Government’s official newspapers, which may be as early as Monday, April 11.

According to SDA, there are now 134 U.S. families registered with the SDA, some of them already in-country. We are asking all American families that are currently in Ukraine or have appointments with SDA during the next few weeks to send their contact information to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine’s Adoption Unit at: kyivadoptions@state.gov . Families should contact their local adoption service provider for further updates and details.

We will keep monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available.

Adoption Tax Credit Form

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:35:00 +0000

The Adoption Tax Credit can be confusing. Please visit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQryETwRziA for more information on the
qualifications and filing instructions. You can also view the form at
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8839.pdf

Adoption Notice

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:11:00 +0000

Ukraine
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Bureau of Consular Affairs

Office of Children’s Issues

January 12, 2011

U.S. Embassy Kyiv has learned the proposed bill to place a moratorium on intercountry adoptions in the Ukrainian parliament has once again been postponed. There has been no announcement of a rescheduled date.

In order to best prepare for all possibilities in Ukraine, Embassy Kyiv encourages any prospective adoptive parents with cases currently open in Ukraine to contact the U.S. Embassy Kyiv Adoption Unit<mailto:kyivadoptions@state.gov> with their case status and contact information. The Embassy maintains a listserv to communicate with U.S. citizen prospective adoptive parents and will use this to send updates as information is available.

The U.S. Embassy Kyiv<http://ukraine.usembassy.gov/> and the Department of State<http://adoption.state.gov/news/ukraine.html> will continue to post updates on their websites as new information is available.

Adoption Notice

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:28:00 +0000

Issued By:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
December 14, 2010

U.S. Embassy Kyiv has learned the moratorium bill has been removed from this session's agenda and rescheduled for the session taking place Dec 21-24.

Adoption ARK's Report Card

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:40:00 +0000

Adoption ARK is very excited to share with you our latest survey results. Our “Report Card” reflects our commitment to orphaned children and the clients that we serve. International Adoption is not just a job; it’s a calling. At Adoption ARK, we are honored to assist you in adopting a child and we thank you for choosing us as your international adoption agency. Thank you to all the clients that participated.

View Adoption ARK’s Report Card at http://www.adoptionark.org/upload/adoptionarkreportcard_87895.pdf

Sincerely,
The Team at Adoption ARK
(847) 215-2755

Follow Adoption ARK on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/adoptionark
Visit our YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/user/AdoptionArk

Adopting one child won't change the world; but for that child, the world will change.

USCIS Centralizes Processing of Orphan Adoptions Change will Streamline Processing

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:46:00 +0000

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced
that on April 1, 2010, it is centralizing processing and adjudication of all
new orphan (Non-Hague) petitions with the agency's specialized adoptions
team in Missouri.
Prospective adoptive parents will continue to file their Petition to
Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative (Form I 600) and Application for
Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (Form I 600A) with USCIS' Dallas
Lockbox facility. The Lockbox will forward the case to the Orphan Unit at
USCIS' National Benefit Center (NBC) for processing and adjudication. The
applicant will receive a receipt notice with the NBC address and contact
information for follow-up correspondence.
While this takes place behind the scenes, adoptive parents will benefit
because it allows USCIS to:
* Process applications and petitions more efficiently,
* Streamline and standardize work processes, and
* Offer more consistent service.
Parents will also benefit from the specialized skills and experience of the
NBC Non-Hague Adoption Unit, based on the NBC's implementation of the USCIS
Hague Adoption Convention program in 2008.
USCIS has dedicated a toll-free NBC Adoption telephone line, 1-877-424-8374
and published an Orphan Home Study Tip sheet (Form M-760) to aid adoption
service providers and prospective adoptive parents.
Local USCIS field offices in the United States will continue to accept
requests for extensions and change of circumstances for approved Form I-600A
applications in accordance with the current filing instructions. Overseas
U.S. citizens may continue to file Form I-600 at a U.S. Embassy, consulate
or USCIS office abroad that has jurisdiction to accept the petition.
However, in order to file a Form I-600 petition abroad, the petitioner must
have an approved Form I-600A and be physically present in the adoptive
child's country.
Prospective parents who reside abroad may continue to file the Form I-600A
with an overseas USCIS office or the Dallas Lockbox facility.
For more information on orphan adoptions visit:
http://www.uscis.gov/adoptions.

Free Seminar "Parenting Children from Haiti and Other Hard Places"

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:07:00 +0000

Adoption Learning Partners is pleased to bring you this webinar in cooperation with The Evan B. Donaldson Institute and the Joint Council on International Children's Services.

Dr. Karyn Purvis will spend one hour answering parents' questions on parenting their children from Haiti, and other "hard places" (which she will define). Feel free to ask questions about attachment, sleep issues, behavior challenges, family dynamics, or any other challenge you are facing.

Questions should be submitted in advance by completing the form below (please include your child's age). They will be read to Dr. Purvis by our moderator. We'll get to as many questions as time allows.

Dr. Purvis is co-author of the book "The Connected Child," and the Director of the Institute of Child Development at TCU. Her focus is on research based interventions for vulnerable children. She travels extensively, providing training and consultation for families and professionals working with at risk children.

Please register at http://www.bluestreakwebinars.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=ED50DD8985

The Story of 3 Brothers

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:58:00 +0000

Our story started in June 2004. Adoption Ark and Grand Avenue Methodist Church sponsored 10 Ukrainian orphans to come to Porterville California for 3 weeks. A friend called me and said a family had something come up and was unable to host one of the little boys. She asked me if I was able to do it and I said I would ask my husband Scott. I did and he said “what’s 3 weeks; we can do anything for 3 weeks”. So, we met Denis.

Right away we hit it off. He is amazing. He has two clubbed feet but that doesn’t slow him down. My husband was the advisor for the High School Stock Car Racing Series at our daughters High School. We would go to the races every weekend and Denis had a great time. He got to sit in the car and loved the atmosphere.

Our families also loved him right away. Even though he spoke Russian, the kids didn’t care. Kids don’t really care about talking when they are sword fighting or riding bikes together.

About a week into the visit, my husband looked at me and said “I really like him a lot”. I said “me too”. So, we started the adoption process.

The adoption wasn’t done the first year because of his “parent’s rights” were not relinquished. We asked Adoption Ark if we could get Denis the next summer again and they started working on that. We called Denis to tell him and he said “can my brother Roman come?”. I said HOLY COW!! After some checking we found that it was true. Our best friends’ said they were interested in Roman. That worked out great because his new mom is Blond just like him and left handed just like him and he loves to shoot his bow and arrows with his new dad.

They came in June of 2005 and Roman and his family had a great time for 3 weeks and we got to keep Denis for 2 months. It was very hard to say good bye again. Right after Denis left I got a call from a Shriner. He said “we want to fix your little boys feet”.

Finally in March 2007 I got the call to go get the boys. Right before we left, I called Denis to tell him we were coming and he asked if his brother could come and I told him “of course Roman is coming”. He said “no my other brother”. Again HOLY COW!! We of course brought the older brother Victor home too. He’s a great boy.

We live only a few miles from Roman and the boys all play together often and we all go to church together.

We have been home now for one year and 6 months (5-20-07). Denis (11) and Roman (9) have both grown about 4 or 5 inches and Victor (14) has grown 12 inches. They are all reading, writing and speaking English very well. Denis had surgery on his left foot in June ’08 and the right foot done in October. He is amazingly strong. He never complains and both feet are doing wonderful.

They have been through so much yet they are so well adjusted. They are amazing boys. I can’t imagine our lives without them. It feels as if they’ve always been here. We love them all very, very much.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Raya

Sign up here to receive Adoption ARK's Newsletter.

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Sandra Bullock won the Oscar for Best Actress last night for her role in the movie ‘The Blind Side.’ If you haven’t seen the movie yet, it is about Michael Oher, a homeless, traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick after being taken in by a caring woman and her family. In her acceptance speech Sandra said, “what this film was about for me, which are the moms that take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from." Adoption ARK couldn’t agree more! Today, on International Women’s Day, Adoption ARK would like to say thank you to all the mom’s that have loving cared for adopted children. Please remember…Adopting one child will not change the world; but for that child the world will change. The world changed for Michael Oher and countless other the day their moms took them in their arms and began a life-long pursuit of loving them unconditionally.

FW: Great Story Written from an Adoptee Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Adoption Ark) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:54:00 +0000

The article, The Case for International Adoption, is a wonderfully written, very informative example of why International Adoption is such an important aspect of our society. Written by Jeneen Interlandi, an adoptee from Columbia, the article tackles the issue of adoptees being able to develope a cultural identity within a family of a different ethnic background. In the end Jeneen concludes , what matters most is not where a child is from, but whether or not that child is well loved and well cared for by a responsible family—regardless of race or nationality.

Click here to read The Case for International Adoption by Jeneen Interlandi