[emzierose]

My husband and I are planning to adopt from Haiti. Does anyone know how you would go about with an independent adoption? I've heard it can take a lot longer but costs less. What are the timeline and costs differences? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Right now we are feeling more led to adopt an infant, although that could change. I have been told that babies are often abandoned in hospitals and that it can be possible to adopt those babies. Anyone ever been in a situation like this? Thanks.

[sis2kensia]

Hi,
It has been my experience that independent adoptions actually tend to be faster than most agency adoptions. I think much of it has to do with the orphanage you use. Sometimes, you can adopt indpendently or with an agency from the same orphanage - so if it is a fast, reputable orphanage I guess that if the agency wasn't slow it shouldn't hold up the progress. Does that make sense? LOL.
I know there are a few orphanages that are known for being faster than others. If you are interested I can PM you some links to those.
Babies are abandoned at hospitals and either a representative from an orphanage will go get them or IBESR (Haitian Social Services) will turn the child over to an orphanage in Haiti. So, yes, you could possibly adopt an infant abandoned at a hospital but there are many infants available in Haiti and I'm not sure that infants from hospitals make up the majority of those available. I think many of them are actually abandoned by birthparents who can not or don't want to raise them.

Hope this helps,
S.
sis2kensia@yahoo.com