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Originally Posted By Orsa

We are in the process of bringing two children out of SL. This is not an easy or trivial process. 12 families were denied their children when they went to the embassy in Senegal last month, on the basis of fraudulent paperwork. I would be incredibly careful and not look just at the low cost of the adoptions (ours were very reasonable), but at the agency's knowledge. If the agency tells you that you can adopt in SL, that is incorrect information. You can only obtain guardianship. Please be very careful; to wait for children and not have them come is heartbreaking. At this point, the US State Department is indicating that all SL adoptions are illegal.

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Originally Posted By jak

Orsa, Do you mind sharing which agency you are working with? Thanks.

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Originally Posted By Jak

Please email me privately: leantowind@aol.com

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Originally Posted By Orsa

Jak, sorry about the mix-up. Wrote the email at 12:30 a.m., so wasn't too clear. See message above.

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Originally Posted By Linda

There are other countries in which you do not adopt in country but only obtain guardianship, This is not a problem, We adopted from the Philippines. Their process is you obtain guardianship for six months. After the 6 month postadoption report is sent to the Phiippines, they then send an authorization to adopt in a U.S. court. You can still have your child on your insurance and use their new name.

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Originally Posted By Orsa

Yes, Korea is exactly the same. So, I know it is not a problem to do it, it is just that the agencies have not been doing guardianships, they have been doing adoptions, and the State Department has halted all these illegal processes. The US agencies need to change what they are doing in SL. If you want, I will be happy to give you the name, privately, of the woman at the State Department whom I spoke to. They are very serious about not letting SL kids out with adoption papers.

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Originally Posted By Selina

Thanks for the tip I am thinking about adopting abroad. I have no idea what to expect. This site is a starting point of information for me. Good luck and bless all that you do.

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Originally Posted By Becky

I would still very highly recommend adopting a child from Sierra Leone. The needs are SO great over there, and the children need our help. We are adopting a child from there also. And yes there have been some "stumbling blocks" along the way. But I have spoken with Senator Gordon Smith's office who has been working pretty closely with this whole process.

While speaking with their office this week, I was told that the SL Government has agreed to change their law regarding the 6 month residency for all adoptive parents. They have changed it "administratively" so far. Our State Department is working very closely with the SL Government to get this new law completely changed into a "Law". They anticipate 1-2 months to completion.

The SL Government has also been very accomodating to the US Parents & their families. They have treated them very kindly & want to get this whole thing worked out so the children can come home. I hope this encourages those who are waiting.