[Mandycannon05]

Hi everyone:

Has anyone researched or adopted from kenya or uganda? I have found a mixture of different information.

Thank you

[Doxie]

No I haven't but I would love to find out info on Uganda. Anyone?? Please??

[Lulu Bug]

I work with a nonprofit and travel to Kenya and Uganda a few times a year. I have visited in many orphanages and childrens homes and have never been in one that has succesfully placed a child to an American. I have heard it being done to European or Austrailian familes that were living there at the time, but it was done independently.

The orphan situation is getting worse over there. There are an estimated 25 million orphans in Africa right now. Many villiages/countries are not able to care for all of them. A few countries (Ethiopia in particular) have established laws and policies that help place children in an organized and ethical way, and open the door for support for all the children that may never be placed, due to illness. It is amazing to see.

Good Luck finding out. I hope that soon we will see more children from these countries that need forever familes finding them....whether that is in Africa, Europe, America, etc. :-)

[mel71]

You have to stay in Kenya for 3 months. This site is for an American run orphanage that does adoptions.

www.newlifehometrust.org/babystats.asp

If you google US agencies with Kenya adoption programs there are several.

[bluedaisy]

You didn't ask about this, but I want to make sure you knew that Ethiopia has a very stable and successful adoption program. And many of the children come from southern Ethiopia, right near the Kenyan border. Although they are two nations, certainly there are many ethnic groups (including the Oromo) who live in both countries.

[Hollyrcpm]

Originally Posted by mel71

You have to stay in Kenya for 3 months. This site is for an American run orphanage that does adoptions.

www.newlifehometrust.org/babystats.asp

If you google US agencies with Kenya adoption programs there are several.

I visited that baby home in February. It is truly lovely. It is run by an English couple, though, not a US one. They are great people who decided they HAD to do something - and they have!

Holly

[Colorbind love]

There are several US families in Nairobi currently reporting that they are STUCK in Kenya right now. Several government officials don't like whites adopting the children and are intentionally holding up adoptions. I've heard at least 2 mothers currently saying they've been stuck in Nairobi for months now. And, those in proces in Kenya are recommending families NOT pursue Kenyan adoptions at this point in time.

The latest I've heard on Uganda is that a handful of adoptions are trickling through under guardianships. Its so tiny and under the radar that the State Dept doesn't even have a website yet. But, there have been some recent rumors that the adoption laws have either been changed or are going to be changed. There is a very large US adoption agency working with humanitarian work in Uganda currently and among those heavily advocating for the laws to change and adoptions to be legalized again there. I really think Uganda is going to open up in the near future. As I sad, several cases have started trickling through under guardianships already.

I've been watching and praying about Uganda for about 3 years now. The the HIV orphan crisis there, I really think the country is going to have to allow adoptions, both domestically and internationally again with less restrictions than are currently in place.

[Dan Thomas]

Hi All,
We are interested in adopting my Kenyan-American wife's 5 y.o. nephew and 9 y.o. niece who live in Kenya. Any info on how to adopt w/o having to live in Kenya for 6 months and how to address the requirement of caring for the kids 3 months continuously?

Thanks!

Dan and Rebecca

[TravelMom]

I was in Kenya twice last year volunteering in orphanages and know several American families who have adopted from Kenya and a few who are in the process. HOWEVER, each had to move to Kenya for at least a year to accomplish this. From what I have been told (by them not from any official source), it is a lengthy and not at all clear cut process. They do not have a well established program with a clear straight forward procedure, so requirements and process change regularly. I know one family that has had a particularly hard struggle with officials and attempted bribery. Their son (the one they are in process of adopting) has been with them since 3 months of age and he is almost 2 and they have not been granted final approval of the adoption yet. Their time in Kenya is almost up and officials are using that to try and get more money out of them knowing they are desparate. I believe you have to be in Kenya for 3 months BEFORE beginning the Kenya aspect of the adoption and remain there until the adoption is complete (supposedly about 6 months but I don't know anyone who had it that quick). You do have the child during that entire time. The 3 months is a bonding period with monthly visits after that is approved you begin adoption process in Kenyan courts. Kenyans are coming around to the idea of trans-racial adoption but unfortunately many in the government just aren't there yet. The current President is making amazing strides against corruption and the number of American and European families living there and caring for Kenyan children is growing and swaying public opinion, so I bet it is only a matter of time before a good program is in place.

[greeniiiiz]

Originally Posted by TravelMom

I was in Kenya twice last year volunteering in orphanages and know several American families who have adopted from Kenya and a few who are in the process. HOWEVER, each had to move to Kenya for at least a year to accomplish this. From what I have been told (by them not from any official source), it is a lengthy and not at all clear cut process. They do not have a well established program with a clear straight forward procedure, so requirements and process change regularly. I know one family that has had a particularly hard struggle with officials and attempted bribery. Their son (the one they are in process of adopting) has been with them since 3 months of age and he is almost 2 and they have not been granted final approval of the adoption yet. Their time in Kenya is almost up and officials are using that to try and get more money out of them knowing they are desparate. I believe you have to be in Kenya for 3 months BEFORE beginning the Kenya aspect of the adoption and remain there until the adoption is complete (supposedly about 6 months but I don't know anyone who had it that quick). You do have the child during that entire time. The 3 months is a bonding period with monthly visits after that is approved you begin adoption process in Kenyan courts. Kenyans are coming around to the idea of trans-racial adoption but unfortunately many in the government just aren't there yet. The current President is making amazing strides against corruption and the number of American and European families living there and caring for Kenyan children is growing and swaying public opinion, so I bet it is only a matter of time before a good program is in place.

I just arrived back from Kenya a month ago (Oct 2007) from volunteering at an orphanage for 3 weeks.

While I did not meet anyone there that was adopting, I have been in contact with those that have done it (in the US, Canada and Europe) since I have been back. The is a Kenya adoption board on Yahoo groups.
I agree with what "TravelMom" has said.

You have to live WITH your perspective adoptee for 3 months BEFORE the adoption proceeding can begin, followed by 5-7 additional months, that's the estimate, but I have talked to a couple people and it took them 2-3 years. One was never approved to take their child home, this was a couple years ago and their daughter was 16 years old on the date of their adoption hearing. Cannot adopt after they are 16 so they were denied. She is still thier daughter and they ahve hopes that she can come to the US for university when the time comes.

You must be a married heterosexual couple
They will not accept a heterosexual non-married couple
No singles, unless for a special needs child, but not without great difficulty
One in the couple must be at least 25 years old, not over 65 yrs old
Must be at least 21 yrs older than the child you wish to adopt
Married at least 3 years

We are trying to find out if it will be possible for us to adopt, I have a shoplifting arrest from 16 yrs ago and when it was mentioned to the Kenya adoption agency they told the US adoption agency am talking to that it may be near impossible. ACK!
They are going to ask the children's commission. They don't know that I volunteered there (in Kenya and fell in love with the children there, especially 3 in particular) a month ago, that I have 2 biological children (age 5 &6) , I volunteer at their school every week, I volunteer in my community.
I can NOT imagine NOT adopting these children. I will not back down because it's difficult. I know it will test me and my husband, I know it's not for the faint at heart. I miss those children EVERY day.

OK, you get it ...... I will keep you posted on what I hear in my case.

Good luck with your desicion.

Tracy

[KarynB]

Hi Tracey,

Just wanted to offer you a word of encouragement - 5 years ago my DH and I were in your position exactly! We lived in SA for 6 months working at an orphanage along with our (then) 7 year old DD, and fell in love with a 2 year old boy. We couldn't imagine our life without him in it. SA did NOT have an adoption program with Canada at that time, but we moved forward anyways. To make a long story short - 9 months later we flew back to SA to pick him up, and he is now a happy and healthy 8 year old! Since then, Canada (Ontario) has done over 30 adoptions from SA, and it all started with our ds's adoption...and we went back this past January to adopt our second son from there.

Anyways - miracles do happen - you were brought to Kenya for a reason, so hang tough and keep going even when everyone tells you to stop. Keep us posted on your journey - where in the process are you now?

Karyn

[greeniiiiz]

Originally Posted by KarynB

Hi Tracey,

Just wanted to offer you a word of encouragement - 5 years ago my DH and I were in your position exactly! We lived in SA for 6 months working at an orphanage along with our (then) 7 year old DD, and fell in love with a 2 year old boy. We couldn't imagine our life without him in it. SA did NOT have an adoption program with Canada at that time, but we moved forward anyways. To make a long story short - 9 months later we flew back to SA to pick him up, and he is now a happy and healthy 8 year old! Since then, Canada (Ontario) has done over 30 adoptions from SA, and it all started with our ds's adoption...and we went back this past January to adopt our second son from there.

Anyways - miracles do happen - you were brought to Kenya for a reason, so hang tough and keep going even when everyone tells you to stop. Keep us posted on your journey - where in the process are you now?

Karyn

Karen
Thank you so much for your kind, kind words. It's nice to having encouraging words
Where are we in the process?
We have not officially begun, we have not started a home study because we have to wait and see if Kenya will allow us to adopt (because of my aforementioned arrest - 16 yrs ago.). I also *need* to know if the sibling group I want to adopt are truly eligible for adoption. I was told by the orphanage director that they were. Their mother is alive, in prison, but she abandoned them, left them for 3 days (went to work and did not come back), the children aged 14, 7, 4, 3 months went to the police station where they waited for 2 days. They took the baby to one orphanage and the following day took the others to 2 other orphanages, the 4 & 7 yrs old were at my orphanage. We are sponsoring the 14 yr old for boarding school now, he is about a km from the orphanage his younger siblings are at.
People have told me they think the baby was adopted, but I don't think they have any knowledge, just a guess and the oldest knows the name of the orphaange she was taken too. I was told by the direcotr that the mother could not have the children back because she had abandoned and neglected the children and this is not the first time.
I know it would be VERY difficult to adopt the 14 yr old and bring him to the US. All that he has experiencd in his life and the HUGE transistion from there to here. Depending on how long it takes he may be too old to adopt by the time we get there.
The US state dept definition is very srict on what an orphan is, so I need to find out if they meet the definition since their mother is alive, all have different fathers and I don't know anything about that either.

So I am in contact wth one of the 2 adoption agencies in the US that are registered to work with kenya. They are in contact with the agency they work with in kenya to find out more details for me.

I have been home for a month and it makes me sad I have been away from them for so long. I just want to see ALL the kids again, their were about 62 at the orphanage I was at.

I would love to chat with you about how it was in SA for your 7 yr old daughter. I worry about my children's health and safety while we live in Kenya for 7+ months .... and what to do about schooling. My older son (age 6 - 1st grade)has mild special needs, auditory processing issues,social skills issues, and a few small things that he receives services in school for. He does not do well in crowded places and/or chaotic ... it's overwhelming to the senses.
It's not forever only a year and he will be fine is what I keep telling myself.

Kindest regards,

Tracy
greeniiiiz817@yahoo.com

[KarynB]

Hi Tracey,

I'd love to chat further - I'll PM you my email address. I have an opportunity to go to kenya this February to do a needs assesment/audit on a children's home but won't go without my 15 month old, so I'd love to hear from you what safety precautions I'd need to take etc...or if it is even advisable. And I'd be more than happy to share with you how we handled travelling with our 7-year-old, I think it is totally do-able!

Talk soon
Karyn

[lansforum]

Hi there,
Please visit LITTLE ANGELS NETWORK - Home
Its always important to get the right information...that way you wont spend money on the wrong process or people. Visit the pages "Adopting" and "partners"

Adopting from Kenya is easy because the laws have just been changed to comply with international standards.

All the best!
LANS

[dlg1912]

Hi! I am new to this whole forum thing. My family is currently in the process of adopting a child from Kenya. I spent 4 months volunteering at an orphanage there and we fell in love with eachother. He already calls me mom! (he is about 2) I too have heard lots of conflicting information on Kenyan adoptions. I have been told by a number of people that due to Kenya adopting the Hague convention regulations adoptions go smoother now. We were told that we may need to only stay in the country for 6 weeks until the gaurdian report from the social worker is complete then we could come back to kenya when all the legal red tape is finished and take him home. I am not sure if this is 100% correct and am looking into it further but am hopeful for the moment!

Good Luck Everyone,

dlg