[Archive]

Originally Posted By Charlene

Hi. I am earnestly trying to find the best adoption program for me, a single woman in the US, 36 years olds. Because of the new quotas for singles for China adoptions, the prospects do not look even marginally good. So I am evaluating Cambodia and Vietnam.

Interesting, the Cambodia program is now closed (but some agencies say it should open soon) while the Vietnam program is technically open but the INS is warning it will soon be closed (last INS bulletin February 2002). Also, Vietnam seems to be a longer process, based in part on the requirement that the adoptive parent travel there twice (once for 5 days and then again a few months later for 14 days). On the other hand, Cambodia seems to require that a single be 40 (which I am not).

I would very much like to adopt an infant girl who is Asian. I'm confused when I see Kazakhstan childrens' pictures because some look Asian while others are red-haired and look Irish!

This is all so confusing to me. If anyone has any information on the timetable for reopening the Cambodia program (or info on the Vietnam program) it would be greatly appreciated. Its hard for me to follow message boards, but any thoughts would be appreciated to my email lizyahoo@hotmail.com.

Good luck to everyone.

(I exhaust myself every day trying to find information but know that the reward will be great indeed).

[Archive]

Originally Posted By robyn

Charlene, I appreciate the difficulty in making this decision. I have been involved in this process since this time last year and had INS clearance after an approved home study to adopt from Cambodia. I have been in contact with many people in Washington at the suggestion of my adoption agency and have little hope at this point for adoption from Cambodia. There have been dangling carrots as they have allowed some to complete adoptions who were already approved. Since my approval came through after the closing date of Dec 21 I have been told that I will not be allowed to finish in this country at this time. These months have been heart breaking and I would not recommend even starting the process in Cambodia. Because of this problem I have spent hours trying to make an informed decision about the next country with which to work. At this time the info on Vietnam is amazingly inconsistent from agency to agency and the pensding threat of closure comes up often. It seems to me that Kazakhstan is the safest choice. Info from agency to agency is most consistent there and people are comming home with children and speak of good experiences. My adoption agency tells me that they will assist in choosing an Asian child. I wish you well in this challenging journey. Please reply with an e-mail address if you would like me to keep you informed as I am just a bit ahead of you in this process. Robyn

[JActonKy]

Robyn, I am a 36 year old pharmacist from Ky. & just starting the adoption process. I want to adopt an asian girl. I would appreciate any tips or guidance from someone like yourself. The specific place is not as important to me as having a good experience with the least lag time. Can you help?
Jane @ jbugs99@aol.com

[Leah@Mandala]

The information below is what we are telling families in regards to adopting from an asian culture:

Cambodia is still closed. Rumors have been flying recently that it could open up in June. Agencies should NOT be accepting families into this program yet.

Vietnam IS temporarily closed to new adoption referrals. It is expected to re-open in April of this year. Families that already have referrals and made their first trip already are completing their adoptions and can expect to travel in the next few months. There are NO new referrals coming out of Vietnam at this time. We have been accepting new families into our Vietnam program with the understanding that they will be waiting for a referral.

Kazakhstan is currently open, though there has been some political unrest causing delays in travel. Adoptions are still being processed and referrals are still available. There are both asian and caucasian (and a mixture of both) children available.

China's numbers quotas have been lifted and the time waiting for a referral should shorten. From each agency, China is accepting only 6% of total applications from that agency to be from single women. You will still receive a referral, you may just wait slightly longer (but still less than last year). This has not been an issue for our agency as we simply wait to send in a single woman's dossier until we have enough dossiers of families to make the right percentage.

All of these programs are excellent! As long as you go into a program (any program) knowing what the CURRENT climate is, you should be fine!! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Best regards,
Leah

[jedatu]

I am looking to adopt from Cambodia or Vietnam. I am not really keeping my hopes up that either will be open before late summer. I have heard June for Cambodia and 4-6 months for Vietnam. I would not sign an agreement with any agency for either program. Some agencies are taking applications for Vietnam, but I still wouldn't get involved with an agency that does not have another program you are interested in. Kaz. is definately an option, but it is an expensive program. The babies will be older than in Cambodia or Vietnam, but if you were interested in China it would be a similar age range.

Personally, I am holding out for Vietnam (my first choice). Keep us up to date on what you decide.
Good Luck!

[JONATHAn schwit]

ROBYN, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL ME 1-800-662-3208 THANKS JONATHAN SCHWITZ

[JONATHAn schwit]

Originally posted by Archive
Originally Posted By robyn

Charlene, I appreciate the difficulty in making this decision. I have been involved in this process since this time last year and had INS clearance after an approved home study to adopt from Cambodia. I have been in contact with many people in Washington at the suggestion of my adoption agency and have little hope at this point for adoption from Cambodia. There have been dangling carrots as they have allowed some to complete adoptions who were already approved. Since my approval came through after the closing date of Dec 21 I have been told that I will not be allowed to finish in this country at this time. These months have been heart breaking and I would not recommend even starting the process in Cambodia. Because of this problem I have spent hours trying to make an informed decision about the next country with which to work. At this time the info on Vietnam is amazingly inconsistent from agency to agency and the pensding threat of closure comes up often. It seems to me that Kazakhstan is the safest choice. Info from agency to agency is most consistent there and people are comming home with children and speak of good experiences. My adoption agency tells me that they will assist in choosing an Asian child. I wish you well in this challenging journey. Please reply with an e-mail address if you would like me to keep you informed as I am just a bit ahead of you in this process. Robyn

[kaz campbell]

Hi -
Can anyone assist me ...
I am South African , lovingin Malaysia , loking at adoptions in Malaysia, china , vietman , cambodia or other asian country

Where do I start looking ?
can anyone point me in a direction .

regards
kaz

[grainne1]

Hi Kaz,
we have adopted from Cambodia in the recent year and have found the process there very swift and efficient compared to other countries that we have dealt with.Serey Puth, the Director of the Asians Orphans Association was excellent to work with, answers emails and questions immediately and very helpful. You can contact him direct at ibn@online.com.kh