[Katherine K]

We traveled to Ukraine in October and adopted our beautiful 4 year old son. Here are some tips I would like to share which may help others preparing to travel.

1. Relax, Relax, Relax -- I tend to be a worrier by nature, however as soon as we got on the plane headed for Kyiv the nervousness disappeared and a calm settled in which helped our experience tremendously. My husband and I just relaxed and stayed calm about our adoption, taking on the attitude that since we are in good hands, everything will fall into place. We had a wonderful adoption experience and will have a terrific story to tell our son as he grows.

2. Be Pleasant At All Times -- No one wants to help someone who is nasty or rude. Remember, you want to have a successful adoption. You will not be in Ukraine forever so show the people there that you appreciate all they are doing to help you adopt the child(ren) of your dream.

3. Smile, Smile, Smile -- A smile goes a very long way in making someone elses day more pleasant. The people at the National Adoption Center and at the orphanages work hard and don't get much in return. It doesn't cost you anything extra to have a smile on your face and greet them pleasantly. They see hundred and hundreds of people passing through their doors. Try to stand out for the moment and be more pleasant than ever. It will go a long ways.

4. Always Say Something Positive -- The job of the National Adoption Center and the orphanage is to find each child forever homes and families. You may be shown pictures at the NAC, or aof child with serious deformities, illnesses, etc., along with others that may not have any medical issues. Always say something positive and nice about each child (i.e. beautiful eyes, sweet face, etc.). Most people in Ukraine have learned a 2nd language and many understand English, but don't speak it because they don't have the opportunity to practice it. Big Hint: Be careful of what you say! There may be people within hearing distance that understand every word you say. For instance, our entire court hearing was done with people speaking Ukrainian and Russian with someone translating our English answers. After the court hearing we were told that the Judge understood every word we said in English, but made the translator respond in Ukrainian and Russian for the person taking down the transcription. Boy were we glad we didn't say anything in English that would have offended the Judge!

5. Be Thankful -- My understanding is that the government only supports each orphanage with money based on a percentage system. Therefore, each orphanage only receives a portion of what they need to survive from the government. The rest of their needs come from donations. Many people donate clothing etc., but sometimes the need for food is not met because their isn't enough money to buy the quantity of food needed for all the child to be fed proper proportions. The needs in each orphanage are great. Some orphanages do better than others (more visitors, adopters, etc.). Other orphanages are not as fortunate and have to struggle to do the best they can with what they have for resources. Remember to be as thankful as you can, after all this is where your child(ren) have come from. Many others are left behind. Do what you can. Another big hint: Money goes a lot further in buying things there than it does here. Therefore rather than carrying over lots of items purchased here at our rates, wait and buy the items there less expensively. Ask the orphanage what they specifically need. Then decide whether you can purchase this for them or donate some money towards it. It may be food, heating repairs, blankets, shoes, winter hats and mittens, etc. Be thankful and show it in whatever way you can.

karuschkatkatherine@yahoo.com