[2Bulgarianbeauties]

Update from Bulgaria: The new Minister of Justice Mrs. Miglena Tacheva gave an exclusive interview for the biggest TV in Bulgaria – BTV yesterday. She stated that she dismissed Mrs.Antoaneta Kalauzka, Director of “International Legal Child Protection and Intercountry Adoptions” Directorate for non-execution of her duties.

One of the main reasons for her dismissal is the artificial hold of the adoption procedures. Mrs. Tacheva officially stated there is no such requirement from the Europeac Comission and also a political decision for decrease the number of adoption procedures and it is intolerable that the adoptions are limited in numbers.

This will open the Bulgarian adoption program. The whole team of the “International Legal Child Protection and Intercountry Adoptions” Directorate will be changed.

[Kayse]

That's great news. I hope the changes take place quickly. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Kayse

[fuzz_ball]

I got an e-mail from my agency this morning concerning the same news! I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself! I haven't been able to call my wife yet to tell her, but I can't wait!

[lkw5]

What do all this mean regarding changes in the Bulgarian adoption program? I had heard that this program was very slow, will it speed up the process?

Has anyone heard anything about that? Also, can either of you tell me what agencies handle adoption (or what agency you used) and what to expect, i would appreciate your input. I am currently researching adoption as my husband and I are close to stopping TTC and I want to look at different programs and make a decision on what would be best for our family.

Please pm me with the agency info.

Thanks,

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

The process is definitely going to speed up. The reason Bulgaria was slow is that the former MOJ would only let out 100 kids per year. The new MOJ has vowed to change that, and has fired those who assisted in this slow down. There are around 10,000 children in orphanages, so there are pleanty available for adoption.

The actual adoption process in Bulgaria was rather quick, except for the match process. Once I had my referral last year, my daughter was home 2 1/2 months later.

I haved PMed you with agency information.

[lkw5]

Thanks for the info Kay. I appreciate it.

What was your experience in the country like? How did people react to you telling them about the adoption?

Also, what ages were your kids at adoption?

Just interested in hearing more about your story.

Thanks!

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

I absolutely love Bulgaria. For such a small country, there is so much going on! When you fly into Sophia, it is like being in a mini New York. Traffic is crazy, no place to park, etc. Once you get out of the capital, I felt like I was in 1500's Poland. You see donkey carts, and women in babushkas! When we hit the black sea, we were in the classiest resort town I had ever seen. Everything was white, clean and sophisticated.

Your translator travels with you, and takes you where you need to go, so you never have to worry about getting somewhere. The hotels are clean and comfortable.

The children are so beautiful. Both mine had the typical orphanage delays, lose about 1 month for every 3 in the orphanage. But, after 1 year they had both caught up. DD#1 was 2 years 1 week when she came home. DD #2 was 3 1/2. There were no problems with reactions to my adoption in Bulgaria. Moast of the children that are adopted internationally are Roma, and the Bulgarians have little care for them.

Now that there is a new MOJ, I think adoptiong from Bulgaria is a wonderful choice. The process is easy compared to many countries. The travel is quick, and the in-country staff (at least with my agency) is a lot of fun.

[amyfk]

Wow! I think it's great that they want to start up adoptions again. I am floored--10,000 kids in orphanages. Wow that's a lot. I have a friend(elderly lady) who grew up in an orphanage and she said there is nothing like growing up in a loving home.
It's sad that most of the children are Roma. Are the Roma forced to give up their children by the Bulgarian govt.? Do they just have unusually large families that they cannot take care of? Why is the majority of the orphanage population Roma?
Interestingly enough my baby adopted from Russia is at least part-Roma. You can tell from her bronzed skin from the summer. I didnt know she was Roma when I got her referral, but she is a great kid. She is smart, on-target, very physically adept. etc. It is sad to think of all the Roma kids like her abandoned in orphanages.
Hopefully the new MOJ will get things going again.
Thanks for the update,
Amy K, NJ

[fuzz_ball]

It's due to the extreme poverty and prejudice against the Roma in Bulgaria that they sometimes must resort to giving up their children.

[lkw5]

Amy and Fuzz Ball,

Would you be willing to share with me who you are using/have used for adoption in Bulgaria (Please PM me).

I am very interested in knowing more about Bulgarian Adoption, so any insight that you have would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lisa W.

[amyfk]

Thanks for your input Fuzzball. I would wish my husband would consider adopting from Bulgaria....but he's not onboard with my wishes.
Amy K, NJ