Adoption is Ukraine is very unique. In this way I mean that there is one agency, within Ukraine of course, that is in charge of ALL adoptions. Agencies have no place in Country and are not allowed to operate there at all. The reason for this is simple, Black Market Baby selling. Back in the 90s, agencies would pay hospital staff to "supply" them with healthy babies. When a mother would come in and give birth she would often be told her baby did not survive. The truth being that the hospital was paid to give the baby to the agency who would turn sell it to hopeful parents from other countries. Some babies were even taken right from the mother's once they were home. Sad huh? I personally know a few adoptive parents who have found that this was the case with their adoptive children. Imagine being told that your child's birth parents have died, a true orphan. Then down the road a few years later, the truth is you adopted a kidnapped baby. A mother somewhere on the other side of the world was grieving and praying for the baby that she thought was in Heaven. It is completely tragic.
However sad, the true reason for my post to bring to light the fact that Ukraine has a law. NO PRE-SELECTION OF ORPHANS and they are not allowed to be "advertised" as being available for adoption. According to their rules, adoptive parents must attend a meeting with the social workers at the Adoption Center in Kiev. Here, and only here, are you allowed to be "matched" with a child(ren). There are extreme exceptions to this rule - when considering children about to age out or in the case of siblings. These adoptive parents are able to submit a request expressing their interest in a particular child and ask for a referral.
For some reason, lots of people, who I don't doubt have totally true and heartwarming intentions, break this law. Their excuse....these children are special needs. Still not acceptable! No one except the SDA can match and refer a child to the adoptive parents.
I have seen these happening all over the internet. One particular Blog started a huge chain effect regarding a boy from Ukraine who was HIV+. She started a fundraiser, put his picture on the internet, raised money, and then "found" a family to adopt him. Of course this little boy's picture melted everyone's heart just as it did mine, and they all started posting this on their blogs. Doing that IS ILLEGAL. Whoever doesn't think that the workers of the SDA search the Internet for this stuff is completely in the dark. They do! Things like this - cause problems - problems equal conflicts of interest between countries. Look at everything that is going on in Russia. Adoptions are harder than ever and the country doubts our ability (the USA) to raise "their" children. All of this is happening because of the bad choices only a handful of parents made. One incident can disrupt the whole adoption system. I can't help it, but I take that personally. There are also several advocates/agencies who post pictures of available children and basically make promises to you about adopting him/her. This, again, is illegal. Not only is that a problem, but I have heard that several of these Agencies have already been "caught" and reprimanded by the SDA, not to mention I have often heard of the good ole "bait and hook technique". This is when you are promised a particular child, you pay your "fees" but once you arrive to the SDA, surprise - sorry but that child is not available or already adopted. What now, sure you can get another referral but not all parents can handle a situation such as this. As a parent, you have your heart set on a certain child - you were given pictures, updates, medical records. He/she is yours and you have travelled half way across the world to finally hold them in your arms. Only to find out that was never the case. It is like having your newborn ripped from your arms and then immediately saying ok, now chose a new one from these pictures of strangers.
There is no reason to risk adoptions. There are too many children who need families. Sadly the arrogant American attitude is displayed way too often. As a proud parent of a Ukrainian daughter, I fully respect the country of Ukraine and their laws. I may not always agree, but I live in the US - not Ukraine - so my vote doesn't count. I am going there to adopt, and I fully intend to follow all laws..... and I ask that all you consider doing the same. For the sake of the children.
stepping off my soap box now!
However sad, the true reason for my post to bring to light the fact that Ukraine has a law. NO PRE-SELECTION OF ORPHANS and they are not allowed to be "advertised" as being available for adoption. According to their rules, adoptive parents must attend a meeting with the social workers at the Adoption Center in Kiev. Here, and only here, are you allowed to be "matched" with a child(ren). There are extreme exceptions to this rule - when considering children about to age out or in the case of siblings. These adoptive parents are able to submit a request expressing their interest in a particular child and ask for a referral.
For some reason, lots of people, who I don't doubt have totally true and heartwarming intentions, break this law. Their excuse....these children are special needs. Still not acceptable! No one except the SDA can match and refer a child to the adoptive parents.
I have seen these happening all over the internet. One particular Blog started a huge chain effect regarding a boy from Ukraine who was HIV+. She started a fundraiser, put his picture on the internet, raised money, and then "found" a family to adopt him. Of course this little boy's picture melted everyone's heart just as it did mine, and they all started posting this on their blogs. Doing that IS ILLEGAL. Whoever doesn't think that the workers of the SDA search the Internet for this stuff is completely in the dark. They do! Things like this - cause problems - problems equal conflicts of interest between countries. Look at everything that is going on in Russia. Adoptions are harder than ever and the country doubts our ability (the USA) to raise "their" children. All of this is happening because of the bad choices only a handful of parents made. One incident can disrupt the whole adoption system. I can't help it, but I take that personally. There are also several advocates/agencies who post pictures of available children and basically make promises to you about adopting him/her. This, again, is illegal. Not only is that a problem, but I have heard that several of these Agencies have already been "caught" and reprimanded by the SDA, not to mention I have often heard of the good ole "bait and hook technique". This is when you are promised a particular child, you pay your "fees" but once you arrive to the SDA, surprise - sorry but that child is not available or already adopted. What now, sure you can get another referral but not all parents can handle a situation such as this. As a parent, you have your heart set on a certain child - you were given pictures, updates, medical records. He/she is yours and you have travelled half way across the world to finally hold them in your arms. Only to find out that was never the case. It is like having your newborn ripped from your arms and then immediately saying ok, now chose a new one from these pictures of strangers.
There is no reason to risk adoptions. There are too many children who need families. Sadly the arrogant American attitude is displayed way too often. As a proud parent of a Ukrainian daughter, I fully respect the country of Ukraine and their laws. I may not always agree, but I live in the US - not Ukraine - so my vote doesn't count. I am going there to adopt, and I fully intend to follow all laws..... and I ask that all you consider doing the same. For the sake of the children.
stepping off my soap box now!
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