[oyinbo-oji]

Has anyone adopted from Sierra Leone from Adoption Advocates International or All As One? Or is anyone out there waiting for children from Sierra Leone? Private e-mail me......We are waiting parents, our dossier was sent 9 months ago and still no due date.

[4bek]

Our family is waiting for a baby girl that we are in the process of adopting through AAO as well. As far as I know we are waiting for a court date over in Sierra Leone at this point. It's an emotional roller coaster ride. Has a child been referred to you yet?

[Colorbind love]

[Edited To Remove Agency/Facilitator/fee based services Recommendations or comments]

Please remember that comments about agencies or other fee based services made after 2/10/2004 MUST be made via Private Message.

[ACMSD]

[Edited To Remove Agency/Facilitator/fee based services Recommendations or comments]

Please remember that comments about agencies or other fee based services made after 2/10/2004 MUST be made via Private Message.

[heathermac]

[Edited To Remove Agency/Facilitator/fee based services Recommendations or comments]

Please remember that comments about agencies or other fee based services made after 2/10/2004 MUST be made via Private Message.

[ACMSD]

Well, that's great to heard of a completed adoption story in SL. Your post gives me hope that my adoption will cross the line of completion. How has your baby adjusted to the culture shock of the US? Any unexpected adjustments?

[Edited To Remove Agency/Facilitator/fee based services Recommendations or comments]

Please remember that comments about agencies or other fee based services made after 2/10/2004 MUST be made via Private Message.


ACMSD

[BrandyHagz]

Please take a moment to review the announcement located at the top of each forum:

NEW POLICY TO BE EFFECTIVELY IMMEDIATELY

All agency specific discussions must be done in private. Discussing agency specific timelines, dossier preparation time, application process time, referral times and fees fall under this guideline.

[Colorbind love]

First, I read your policy statement and it says NOTHING about discussing timelines. Second, since I haven't personally used AAO, I most certainly did NOT discuss something specific to AAO on this thread. What I posted was general information on Sierra Leone adoptions, which last time I checked is still allowed here.

The current time line that people are actually seeing for SL adoptions is about 12-18 months. This is not agency specific. It is, in fact, related to the situation in the courts of Sierra Leone right now.

Since evidentally we are forbidden from discussing basic knowledge and information regarding Sierra Leone adoptions here, I will post publicly that I can be reached via PM and can steer anyone searching for information to a place where you can find actual answers, regardless of what agency you are working with. Those of us who adopt from Sierra Leone are a very small community. We try to reach out and support each other, irregardless of what agencies parents are using.

[BrandyHagz]

Discussing country specific information is fine…but even basic comments about an agency (regarding their accreditation or anything else agency specific) will result in a post being edited.

There were a number of posts that had agency specific discussions in regarding to paperwork timelines, application processing, fees and dossier prep time…again, agency specific info is not allowed, period.

I don’t know what your post had in it, but some portion of it violated the new policy on agency discussions, so it was deleted.

[heathermac]

Hmm, sorry, forgot that guideline. Our adoption took 16 months total. I think the hardest part of a SL adoption is that very unpredictable wait--that is SL--no matter what agency you use. Our daughter has been home now for 8 months and is adjusting very well. The first few months were quite difficult (as was expected, she is a strong-willed little girl)--she was 2 y, 7 m at homecoming. She was (I think) pretty typical for a newly arrived older toddler. She had some behaviors that were harder than others (whining, tantrums!, screaming, and angry, angry pouting when she didn't get her way)--most of these behaviors disappeared (or at least vastly improved) as she learned to communicate in other ways. Some of the other less difficult "adjustment" behaviors that we saw included clinging--a constant need for attention--talking or pulling on me or my clothes if I was trying to pay attention to the other kids. She could eat all day. We tried to let her have what she needed to feel secure and this meant a lot of my time and attention, a lot of reassuring, a lot of food, and a lot of allowing her to make good choices--she needed to feel in control of some things in her life! It has all gotten so much easier. She has always been loving and wanting to be loved. She had obviously been held and well cared for before she came home. She is so affectionate and loving. She has attached very well to us. She is (and has always been) kind to her brothers (older and younger) and really enjoys other kids--she has many friends and all my friends' daughters just love her. She is bright and happy. Looking at her now, it is amazing how far we have come in a short time--she is very sweet, kind, fun and smiling all the time. She is really a great kid!

[4bek]

Hi, I haven't been here for a while. Nothing new to report as far as progress goes, but I am going to SL to hold her on dec. 4 for a week and a half. I can't wait! I've never been away from my children this long (or my husband). Would appreciat your prayers.
Rebekah

[4 & More]

Wow Rebekah! How exciting! I am jealous! Did your agency arange the trip, or did you do it by yourself. My husband is going to Sudan in January for some mission work, and we had wondered if he might be able to see our little girl in Sierra Leone since he was that close. Our agency doesn't seem too excited about us going over there though!

[4bek]

My agency didn't do anything. I just let them know when I'd be there. Oh yeah, they did send my some hotel info., but I don't know if I'll be staying there. Anyway, I am going with the pastor of our church who travels to Liberia quite often. He helped me get my travel visa and tickets together. He also lets me know about cultural things I need to be aware of. I'll let you know how it goes. I hope your husband gets a chance to see your child.
Rebekah