[kamari]

Hi, I've been researching adoption for a while now and I recently came across a website with pictures of several children in Armenian orphanages and I just fell in love with them. In further research I have learned that there are not that many agencies in the U.S. (3-4 I think) who handle Armenian Adoptions. I have also read that Armenian ancestry is "preferred" and that you have to sign something stating that you will maintain their cultural heritage.

If any of you have adopted from Armenia, I was wondering:

2) when did you adopt?
3) do you have Armenian Ancestry? if not, was it a problem?
4) what was your experience like?
5) what exactly do they mean by the requirement regarding culture?
6) any tips or advice?

And if you would PM to let me know which agency you used and what you thought of them, that would be great too!

Thanks!

[Maria K]

I'm just starting to look into Armenia... were you able to find good resources for support?

[kamari]

We're still in the research/saving-up stage of our adoption journey. It's going to take us a couple more years to have our finances and family situation (I just gave birth to my last bio child) ready. Unfortunately, I have not received any answers to the above questions, but fortunately I have the time to keep looking.

[sak9645]

I did not adopt from Armenia, so I can't answer all your questions. However, I want you to be aware that virtually all countries want you to maintain a child's awareness of and pride in their birth culture.

Many internationally adoptive parents join support groups for families adopting from their country of choice, or their region of the world. These groups tend to do things like celebrating holidays as they would be celebrated in the foreign country; arranging for performances by dancers, singers, actors, and puppeteers from the country; having playgroups so that the children see other families like their own, and so on.

Some adoption support groups, for countries with a large number of adoptees (like China) hold reunions for children from particular orphanages and regions. I have friends, for example, with children from a particular orphanage in southern China. There is actually a reunion every year in a different part of the U.S., and the orphanage director often attends, because she genuinely cares about the children who were in her care.

Many families try to learn the language of the child's country, add art from the country to their homes, cook special foods from the country, and talk to their children, as they get older, about current events in their country of origin. It is very common for families to take "birthland tours" of the country when the child is old enough to travel well and learn from his/her experiences.

Sharon

[kamari]

sak9645 - Thank you for your reply. I am aware that many have such desires, but from my reading it is my impression that Armenia puts a particular emphasis on this and I was wondering if they had specific requirements to define what they viewed as fullfilling the requirements. For example do the adoptive parents have to agree to celebrate a specific holiday? or something of the like. Or is it more of a general thing? That was what I was wondering.
However, I did find your reply rather interesting and informative and I thank you for it. :-)

[ready4family]

We are currently in the middle of an Armenian adoption. We are in between our two trips right now.

Are you still wondering about Armenian adoption? I'll answer any questions you may have.