Ukrainian Adoption - Our Story
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Ukrainian Adoption - Our Story
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Consider Ukrainian Adoption
For many people adoption has become a reality of their lives. I would not at all discourage people from adopting domestically, but orphanages in other parts of the world are no where comparable to those in the U.S. Children have very little, and education is non-existant. Thus their prognosis for a viable future after they are put out of the orphanage is somewhat bleak. My husband and I have had the priveledge of adopting an orphan from the Ukraine. Though we did have a 'help organization' assist us, we basically did an independent adopt. Which is something that is encouraged in the Ukraine. The process is not at all what one would expect, not lengthy, or complicated, but best of all, the cost is significantly less than domestic adoption. Prospective parents can choose their child, and are given medical records. Since our return to the states, with our 4 yr. old son, we have prayed about our experience and decided to help other interested people adopt children from the Ukraine. If you feel led to adopt internationally, and would consider Ukraine, and would like more information, drop us an e-mail, we will be glad to forward the information to you. God Bless on your adoption journey! James 1:27
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Our Adoption Story
Our Interest in Adoption:
We became interested in adoption about 5 yrs. ago. We have a friend who is a missionary in Albania, and works as a volunteer at an orphanage. We had been trying for several yrs. to adopt from Albania, but they were not open to U.S. adoptions. Additionally, we have been supporting a church in Dzerzhinsk Ukraine for sometime (4 yrs.), and in the past 3 yrs. an orphanage in the same town. We hve been helping them through providing clothing, medicines, Bibles and other personal items, along with financial assistance. Several times the people of Dzerzhinsk have asked that we come for a visit. Thus, in Oct. of 98', I decided to go for 3 weeks. Before traveling, we decided to try to get information on adoption in the Ukraine, and we found a woman (Diane S.) and her husband (Yuri) to help us. We went ahead and got the INS forms filled out, and the home study started (it was complete upon my return) I already had a passport, and my husband applied for his, along with our 3 bio. children, who would travel with us for the adoption.
My first trip:
My travel took me to Russia and Ukraine, and I had a great time! I just love Ukraine and Russia, the culture, food, people, and I even don't mind the train! We visited 2 school (that we feed hungry school children), and even night the missionary taught evening Bible classes. I had the opportunity to teach the women. We visited the local orphanage and met witht he children/workers and the director. We were able to leave 2 suitcases full of humanitarian aide with the children. What a joy it was to see their faces. While visiting with the children in the orphanage, it was brought to my attention that these children were available to adopt. Specific children were not pointed out, but an overall generalization, that children were available. After finishing our part of the trip in Dzerzhinsk, we went on to Kyiv to visit Diane and Yuri from SENSE. She happily provided us with all the information from completing the adoption paperwork. After, completing my trip, I returned home to complete the paperwork.
Our Adoption Journey:
We completed the dossier packet, and had everything notarized, state authenticated and then sent the papers to DC through a courier, and he took it from there. The papers were then sent to the Adoption Center in the Ukraine for their approval, and a person picked them up from there for translation. We then were given the approval to adopt, and prepared to travel. The whole process was 5 1/2 months from starting the paperwork, to leaving for Ukraine.
Then..........
We were prepared to leave for Ukraine in late Feb. 99'. For us, we thought it was critical for our (3) children to go, since they are 8,9, and 12, and were adopting an older child. We specifically requested a child between 3 - 5. We also took a close personal Ukrainian friend to help with the children and traveling. We headed for the airport, 17 - 70lb. suitcases in tow, 8 of which were filled with humanitarian aide.*** Our first 'log' of the trip we were delayed in Atlanta 4 hours, thus missing our connecting in Vienna, and arriving too late for the connection to Kyiv. We arrived in Kyiv 12 hours late, missing our appt. with the AC director and missing all our checked bags, as the airline left them in Prague (we were deverted to Prague!)
Our appt. for the AC was rescheduled for the next day, which we went to, wearing the same clothing from the day before, and we had NO gifts for the office workers, or the director. She was very understanding to this problem, as it was out of our hands. Unfortunately, we were told that we would not be able to adopt from the orphanage that we have been helping. That was really hard for us, but God truly had His hand in everything, because the door was opened for us to get another boy.
22 hrs. later........
After the 22 hr. train ride,
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The Adoption Process
A usual stay in Ukraine for an adoption is about 3 1/2 working weeks, so allow 4 weeks travel. For the adoption, after your dossier has been approved, and you are paper ready to travel, you fly into Kyiv, Ukraine. Remember, at customs to 'declare' all monies/valuables, as customs can legally confiscate anything you do not declare. The next day you go to the Adoption Center to interview with the director, and then look at photos available children. Then you decide what children you would like to meet, and they provide you with an invitation to go to that particular orphanage to meet with the children you would like to choose from. Then you leave for that city. Upon arrival the facilitator has already arranged for lodging, and depending on the time, you get settled, and/or go on to the orphanage to see the children. You basically can take time to choose a child, but the longer you take the longer the process is going to take. For us, we just know the child, it was obvious. But not all people are like that. After the choosing of the child, the court date is set, then you wait (usually + or - 4 days), then after the courst date there is other paperwork that the adoption facilitator does, and you either go along, or stay and get acquainted with your child. After all the paperwork is finished in the city, and you get the birth certificate and passport, you go back to Kyiv for a Dr. appt. (for the child), and to the US Embassy. Also the facilitator has some paperwork to go for you. Time permitting, you may have a day for some sightseeing, otherwise, you fly to Warsaw for one day of business at the Embassy, then you are prepared to fly back to the states.
Some things to remember about adoption:
All gifts and expedition fees are your responsibility. Although, there is no fee to the orphanage, we do suggest you take some 'gifts' to leave there. Usually gifts are: medicines/vitamins, children's tylenol and cold medicines. Personally, I took 30 bottles of Wal-mart brand children's tylenol and 10 bottles of cold medicine. Some orphanage directors do request a financial donation to the orphanage - it depends on him/her. If so that gift should be in teh $100 - 200 range (US$). We do NOT recommend that you ever give money to an orphanage director, but that it is very important to converse with the director concerning their orphanage needs, and observe for yourself, and then go into the city and purchase what they have requested. Giving it directly to the director/workers/children yourself. Not only is this practical, and shows a great respect for their for their specific needs, but then you have the opportunity to see the joy on the children's face!
The other offices which sometimes ask for expedition fees re: the court and passport office. (anywhere from $50 - 200). They will make requests clear to your facilitator.
Cost of Adoption:
Remembering that we took a total of 6 people with us on our trip, our airfare was higher than most. But all expenses, U.S. (paperwork) and Ukrainian facilitation, and Warsaw fees inclusive, and our airfare, our adoption was just at $10,000
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US: TRCFILL@aol.com
(Teresa and Rich)
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