[SingleMama2B]

My DD was an "older Child" adoption. I hosted her July/August 2004 for 2 weeks in the summer.... I paid for her airline tix, visa/passport ($950), and then did all of the paperwork, etc. My final cost(s) totaled $31,000. I did have to make 2 trip, but only 5 days notice - on the plane in 4 days, which was during the Christmas Holiday.... my round trip tix cost $2,200!!!! I traveled alone (single mama here), and my second round trip tix with 14 days ahead of travel was $648!!! Big difference in costs. I stayed at the Marriott Rennancinace (sp???) and it was expensive (but good for me traveling by myself to be in a "western hotel"), whereas you could save $$$ by staing at a nice hotel that is les expensive, or even a "Home stay". I paid by the hour for the driver and translator, took most of the "gifts" except the "MAIN" orphanage gift. It was suggested that I wait til I was there and to ask what THEY needed. My DD's orphanage was extremely POOR, and they had 1 (mercury) thermometer for 100 kids!! The nurse on site requested medicines, theremomenters, a Blood Pressure machine, bandages, etc. I went shopping, and came back to the orphanage with 14 theremometers, 1 blood pressure machine, 2 HUGE Shopping bags (these bags where the BIGGEST handle shopping bags i have ever seen), full of medicines, bandages, etc. The medicines ranged from cough syrup, to aspirin, to diahrehia meds, you NAME IT. Also purchased 36 rolls of toilet paper!!! This is a Huge accodomy there!!! I had to use the bathroom while at the orphanage, and they where pleased to show me to the "GUEST bathroom". It was a poceline HOLE (no seat), concrete floor which was soaking wet, SHREADED NEWS PAPER for toilet paper, no hot water, no soap, nothing to dry your hands.... It was GOD AWFUL!!!! I couldn't go!!! Later, I did see where there children went, and it was WORSE if you could imagine!!! Anyway, the cost for everything that I mentioned above was $150.00!!! That's it, and it was what THEY needed!! I of course took all of the other "Gifts" for the director, officials, etc., and tons of hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, tooth brushes, tooth paste tubes, school supplies, craft supplies, candy, etc., but to wait until you are there, is the best (and saves on packing )

You will have ALOT of costs here for our Gov't paperwork too!!! INS, finger printing (at least twice), police reports, homestudy, notarizing, $$ to acquire Birth Certificates, Marriage/Divorce papers, passport, Visa's (double entry or more), plus the Apostilling by your state. It does add up. The Agency(s) can ONLY give you an ESTIMATE, and it will differ.... I did a home equity loan, and it worked out great.

Make sure you LOOK into each Agency good, and make sure, MOST OF ALL.... They are NGO (Non-Government Organization) registered!!! Also they have to be REACCREDITED!!! This is the BIG ONE. If they 9the Agency says... "oh, we expect to have it real soon!" you may want them to notify you WHEN they have it "IN-HAND"!!! I also would NOT sign on the dotted line until they have it in-hand, or if their past "Accrediation" is spotless, and you have talked to many past families that where successful with their process!!! This is the BIGGEST of all.... From what I have heard.... they plan to START Reaccrediting Agency(s) in about 4 to 8 weeks..... This is a BIG FLOATING date of course.

I wish you luck and best wishes for your New Journey!!! It will be difficult at times, but in the end..... ALL IS SOOOO WORTH IT!!!!

Blessings..............