[mom81lea]

Well folks here it is. I finally got some reliable info on how adoption in Rwanda works. The country is open and waiting for parents who are looking for children. If there ever was a need for adoptive parents this place has it. This information was gotten from a friend of mine in Rwanda who has been through the process. We are planning on adopting from there as soon as we are able. Just a quick question before I include the info though, what all is involved in a home study? What are "they" looking for and how does one get that done?

We are happy to answer these questions. As you know we finalized the adoption of our Rwandese daughter in May 2005 so we are familiar with the process.


Here are the questions she emailed to us:

1. How hard is it to adopt out of Rwanda?It is a relatively simple procedure. From the day we identified our daughter to the day we brought her home it took about four months. It is also very inexpensive when compared to adopting from other foreign countries. Your largest expenses would be traveling to Rwanda and the immigration fees for the US. The actual fees in Rwanda are less than $500.





2. Are there any adoption agencies that are working with Rwanda? Unfortunately no. Foreign adoptions are being done but people are acting on their own behalf or using someone in Rwanda to assist with the process. The vast majority of adoptions are by people coming from France.We know of an American couple from the US who has recently begun the process of adopting in Rwanda.





3. How would we find a child that we would be allowed to adopt, and who would we need to be in contact with to make that happen?One of two ways – you could travel to Rwanda and identify a child at one of the many orphanages in the country or could ask someone living here to find a child for you. We have only worked at one orphanage that, from what we have determined, appears to be placing most of the children in adoptive homes.





4.What are the chances, in your oppinion, that we could find a young child who does not have AIDS?Very good. The children at the orphanage we have worked with test all the children for HIV/AIDS. Most are brought to the orphanage at birth having never been breastfed which decreases the chances of exposure to HIV.





5.How do the national people feel about whites comming in to adopt children? Are they ok with the idea or are there negitive feelings about it? It has been our experience that they are very support and receptive to foreigners adopting children.





6. Is it possibal to adopt a very young child, under the age of 18 months?Yes. Newborns are placed at the orphanage every week. Many are never adopted and will spend their life at the orphanage. Sadly, for various reasons children are rarely adopted by Rwandan families.





7. What do you think about us or anyone adopting out of Rwanda? Is it wise, is it doable, and if we did would you or others be able to help us?We would recommend adopting a child from Rwanda. Yes it is wise and very doable. As there are no agencies working in Rwanda you will need someone here that is trustworthy to assist you through the process. There is some leg work that has to be done here in order to keep the process moving in the right direction. It is relatively simple but someone needs to stay on top of it and keep the paperwork flowing from place to place.





To get the process started you will need to file form I-600. You can get the form and instructions off the Internet. You will also have to have a home study. The home study must be prepared by an entity licensed/authorized under law of the State of the orphan’s proposed residence in the US. Contact your State Child Services Division for a list of approved people and/or organizations to conduct a home study.



There are other documents that need to be submitted in Rwanda in addition to the home study.



We hope this answers your questions.





Kelly and Laura

Kigali, Rwanda

So that's it. I am so excited by how positive things look there. As I continue the process I'll let you all know how it's going. If anyone has any other questions, let me know and I'll try to get answers for you. another good place to find detailed info about what needs to be done to adopt in Rwanda is the US Department of State that can be found if you type in Rwanda Adoption into Yahoo.------------Leah

[socialbug]

Hey Leah... I'm sending you a PM! Mandie

[KarynB]

Hello, just out of curiosity does anyone know if this is possible in Canada as well?

[maisey]

Originally Posted by mom81lea

Well folks here it is. I finally got some reliable info on how adoption in Rwanda works. The country is open and waiting for parents who are looking for children. If there ever was a need for adoptive parents this place has it. This information was gotten from a friend of mine in Rwanda who has been through the process. We are planning on adopting from there as soon as we are able. Just a quick question before I include the info though, what all is involved in a home study? What are "they" looking for and how does one get that done?

We are happy to answer these questions. As you know we finalized the adoption of our Rwandese daughter in May 2005 so we are familiar with the process.


Here are the questions she emailed to us:

1. How hard is it to adopt out of Rwanda?It is a relatively simple procedure. From the day we identified our daughter to the day we brought her home it took about four months. It is also very inexpensive when compared to adopting from other foreign countries. Your largest expenses would be traveling to Rwanda and the immigration fees for the US. The actual fees in Rwanda are less than $500.





2. Are there any adoption agencies that are working with Rwanda? Unfortunately no. Foreign adoptions are being done but people are acting on their own behalf or using someone in Rwanda to assist with the process. The vast majority of adoptions are by people coming from France.We know of an American couple from the US who has recently begun the process of adopting in Rwanda.





3. How would we find a child that we would be allowed to adopt, and who would we need to be in contact with to make that happen?One of two ways – you could travel to Rwanda and identify a child at one of the many orphanages in the country or could ask someone living here to find a child for you. We have only worked at one orphanage that, from what we have determined, appears to be placing most of the children in adoptive homes.





4.What are the chances, in your oppinion, that we could find a young child who does not have AIDS?Very good. The children at the orphanage we have worked with test all the children for HIV/AIDS. Most are brought to the orphanage at birth having never been breastfed which decreases the chances of exposure to HIV.





5.How do the national people feel about whites comming in to adopt children? Are they ok with the idea or are there negitive feelings about it? It has been our experience that they are very support and receptive to foreigners adopting children.





6. Is it possibal to adopt a very young child, under the age of 18 months?Yes. Newborns are placed at the orphanage every week. Many are never adopted and will spend their life at the orphanage. Sadly, for various reasons children are rarely adopted by Rwandan families.





7. What do you think about us or anyone adopting out of Rwanda? Is it wise, is it doable, and if we did would you or others be able to help us?We would recommend adopting a child from Rwanda. Yes it is wise and very doable. As there are no agencies working in Rwanda you will need someone here that is trustworthy to assist you through the process. There is some leg work that has to be done here in order to keep the process moving in the right direction. It is relatively simple but someone needs to stay on top of it and keep the paperwork flowing from place to place.





To get the process started you will need to file form I-600. You can get the form and instructions off the Internet. You will also have to have a home study. The home study must be prepared by an entity licensed/authorized under law of the State of the orphan’s proposed residence in the US. Contact your State Child Services Division for a list of approved people and/or organizations to conduct a home study.



There are other documents that need to be submitted in Rwanda in addition to the home study.



We hope this answers your questions.





Kelly and Laura

Kigali, Rwanda

So that's it. I am so excited by how positive things look there. As I continue the process I'll let you all know how it's going. If anyone has any other questions, let me know and I'll try to get answers for you. another good place to find detailed info about what needs to be done to adopt in Rwanda is the US Department of State that can be found if you type in Rwanda Adoption into Yahoo.------------Leah

Hello,

How exciting. I did not know Rwanda was open to adoption. We have four adopted children with room for another. Have you started the process? Can you tell me more please?.

Brenda

[teranga]

I know nothing about adopting from Rwanda, but found this on the state dept. website and found it very interesting. why aren't there more adoptions from Rwanda, is what i wonder after reading this??

"ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS: Adoptive parents must be under the age of fifty years old. However, a judge can waive the age requirement.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: There are no residency requirements for foreign adoptive parents.

TIME FRAME: Allow 1-2 months to complete the Rwandan adoption and subsequent immigration procedures. Allow two weeks in Africa: 4 working days in Rwanda and 10 days in Kenya.

ADOPTION AGENCIES AND ATTORNEYS: There are no known adoption agencies that provide adoption services in Rwanda. Upon request, the U.S. Embassy can provide a list of attorneys. Neither the Department of State nor the U.S. Embassy can vouch for the efficacy or professionalism of any attorneys on this list.

Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.-based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adoptive parents contact the Better Business Bureau and licensing office of the Department of Health and Family Services in the state where the agency is located. The Department of State does not assume any responsibility for the quality of services provided by these private adoption agencies or their employees.

Please see Important Notice Regarding Adoption Agents and Facilitators at the Web site for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at http://travek.state,gov/travel//fami...untry_381.html

ADOPTION FEES IN RWANDA: There are no Rwandan government fees associated with international adoptions. However, adoptive parents can expect to pay for any attorney’s fees for services rendered.

ADOPTION PROCEDURES IN RWANDA: Prospective adoptive parents must petition the local court having jurisdiction over the prospective adoptive child’s residence. Once the adoption is approved, the adoption decree is filed at the local vital records registry for the child’s place of residence.

Papers are filed with the Ministry of Local Administration and Social Affairs. A travel letter from the Ministry of Family and Gender is required for the child to exit Rwanda. Documents from the Government of Rwanda are in French - U.S. Embassy Kigali will provide English translations of these documents for use in Nairobi. Prospective adoptive parents will need English translations of the birth certificates and death certificates (if applicable) of the adopted child’s birth parents to complete immigrant visa processing in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy in Rwanda can assist in locating translation services, but no U.S. Government resources are available for translating birth or death certificates. "

You can read the complete information at
Intercountry Adoption Rwanda

[kmommy]

Do you know if the same adoption process in Rwanda applies to someone adopting from canada?

[MissyOK]

This information is very old and very wrong. Just FYI.

[DeborahM2B]

Missy is right. Adopting from Rwanda has changed. Mabe there weren't any agencies in 2006 that had a Rwanda program, but I know there are now three U.S. adoption agencies that do.

[betsy.h]

what are those US agencies that have a rwandan adoption program?

[AuntieSasa]

Am I allowed to name agency names? I don't know all the rules here, so I apologize in advance if I'm not supposed to.

The three agencies with programs in Rwanda are the XXX. Edited for agency discussion.

Please PM for agency info. Thanks!!

[Bellagirl26]

Anyone considering Rwanda, please PM me, there is an agnecy just started to do them who LOST the first of 20 or so Arbitrations coming their way, I can say with great certainty (being victimized by them), that they will take your money and not provide an adoption. I believe they will be put out of business soon. Please, pm me for details before using one of the 3 that comes up when you google Rwanda and adoption. Thank you.

Bella

[highlyblessed]

can someone pm me the name of reputable agencies? And the name of agencies to avoid. And has anyone adopted successfully from Rwanda that has contacts?