[bardcyn]

Hi Everyone!
My name is Cyndee Barduson and I'm the new moderator of this group. I look forward to answering any and all questions you may have in regards to adoption from Belarus. If I don't have the answers, I'll do my best to track them down!

I just wanted to briefly introduce myself and share a little bit about our adoption experience. First of all, I've been married to my wonderful husband Steve for the past 12 years. We have 3 bio sons ages 11, 9, and almost 8. After the birth of my youngest son, my doctor told me that we should not try to have any more children. We desperately wanted a daughter, but put our dream on hold thinking we would just have to wait for daughter-in-laws.
We moved from Minnesota to Maryland around 18 months ago due to my husband getting a job transfer. We both heard commercials on the radio for international adoption through an agency based in Washington DC. We began the process of adopting a baby girl from China in October of 2001. The agency we were working with called us at the end of October to tell us that China was severely restricing the number of adoptions and we would have to consider another program. This agency only did adoptions through China, but frantically tried to put together 4 different countries to put their current families into. We were pushed through 3 different programs in 3 months and couldn't take the inexperience or lack of communication, so we cut our ties with the agency and I began researching other countries to adopt through. Because neither my husband nor I could travel for a great length of time, we found that we met all of Belarus's requirements and they met all of ours. We found a wonderful agency called Beam of Hope and signed on with them the end of January. We just returned November 9th with our precious daughter Alexandra "Lexi" Victoria Barduson. She turned one on November 23rd so we were able to celebrate her first birthday.

I will share more about our experience in later posts, but wanted to open up the forum to any questions you may have in regards to adopting through Belarus. I look forward to getting to know all of you and being a part of your adoption experience.

Sincerely,
Cyndee

[mamasoon]

I am interested in any info. you can give me about adopting from Belarus. For instance, what agency did you use, estimated costs and any other info. you think would be helpful.

thank you in advance,
Kathy

[dvona]

My agency deals with Russia and Belarus. We have left it open to adopt from either country. However, I really don't know much about Belarus. I was told that the children are generally older. Do you know how long they must be on the registry? Also, is it true that only one trip is required? Are the orphanages comparable to those in Russia? Are the health concerns of FAS as prevelant as in Russia? What features or coloring do most of the children have? Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Donna

[Daisies500]

Dvona-

I have not completed my adoption but have done a lot of research. What I have found is that the children are usually comparable in coloring to Russian children. They often have blond or brown hair and light eyes. So far I haven't heard of any adoptees showing signs of FAE/FAS. It is very much frowned upon in Belarus to drink while pregnant. I can't of course say it never happens, but people who have traveled and completed adoptions rave that the orphanages are wonderful and the caregivers are truly caring. While they want financially, they make the best with what they have, and there seems to be no neglect. (this is juct in the testimonies I have seen personally)
The children all adjust very well to their new families, which is a testament to the care they receive. The costs are comparable to Russia, ranging from $18,000 to $25,000.00, depending on the agency, when you travel, etc. The benefit with Belarus is that you only have to travel once. Children are on the registry for 6 months, so generally the youngest to come home are about 9 months old.

Good luck!
Heather

[akme]

NO! The orphanages of Belarus are not wonderful; the caregivers are not caring! I am sorry if it seems that I am lashing out... I am Russian and have volunteered in Belarussian orphanages for the past two summers. The children most people adopt usually come from the 'model' orphanges--- and there are maybe two or three of them in the entire country. Most orphanages have nothing to give to the children-- I know personally that hot water is offered once a week in some orphanages; food is hardly eadible; children are regularly sent off to psychiatric hospitals for misbehaving.

The Baby homes are better equipped and sometimes are staffed by caring individuals, but the truth of the matter is that Belarus cares little for its orphans. If you are thinking of adopting (I know that it is almost impossible as of now), please consider an older child--- someone from ages 6-16. These children have almost no hope!

[heatherb67]

I am going to be visiting Belarus this summer. I want to get an authentic look at what the orphanages are like so I can report first hand.

Please advise what orphanages/where are not "model" facilities so I can check into this. Also, I would like to look at which are the worst so I can perhaps direct some funding their way. I have some well connected friends in Minsk who may be able to faciliate this.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by akme

NO! The orphanages of Belarus are not wonderful; the caregivers are not caring! I am sorry if it seems that I am lashing out... I am Russian and have volunteered in Belarussian orphanages for the past two summers. The children most people adopt usually come from the 'model' orphanges--- and there are maybe two or three of them in the entire country. Most orphanages have nothing to give to the children-- I know personally that hot water is offered once a week in some orphanages; food is hardly eadible; children are regularly sent off to psychiatric hospitals for misbehaving.

The Baby homes are better equipped and sometimes are staffed by caring individuals, but the truth of the matter is that Belarus cares little for its orphans. If you are thinking of adopting (I know that it is almost impossible as of now), please consider an older child--- someone from ages 6-16. These children have almost no hope!

[heatherb67]

Hello. I'm a Minnesotan exploring adoption in Belarus. Congrats on your successful experience...I had Beam of Hope on my "radar", but I can't get the website up? Are they still up & running?

Also, I have another thread that deals with trying to educate officials there. I understand you're in Maryland, but do you happen to know of any other parents in MN who adopted from Belarus? (I want to put together a "documentary" of sorts to show to officials.)

My friend was born/raised in Minsk. He came to MN when he was 16 to attend communty college in Willmar of all places...He is the reason I've become so interested in Belarus.

Any direction you can give me is appreciated!

Heather




[= We found a wonderful agency called Beam of Hope and signed on with them the end of January. We just returned November 9th with our precious daughter Alexandra "Lexi" Victoria Barduson. She turned one on November 23rd so we were able to celebrate her first birthday.

[akme]

Heather...

I know for a fact that the orphanage in Zhodino is a model orphanage-- they have German sponsors who regularly donate to the school/orphange. The school has a swimming pool, tennis court, and hot water regularly. I am not saying that is bad, but it is a far cry from the many other orphanages scattered around Belarus. I know there are a few more model homes, but as to their exact locations I am not sure; off the top of my head. I have an acquaintance who is over there now and should be returning shortly-- he is visiting several orphanages at the moment and I will find out the names of the orphanages as soon as possible.

The two orphanages that I worked at were centered around the town of Borisov. They both have found sponsors through the past year, however (thank the Lord!), but there are so many orphanages who recieve no help. The truth of the matter is that the orphanages that are located in the countryside, several miles from any real towns, are the ones that suffer the most. They are too easily forgotten...

[heatherb67]

I anxiously await for your friend to return and perhaps help identify some more of the locations. By the way how have you ended up getting hooked up with the orphanages?

[Jcadma]

Heather,

My husband and I are in the process of adopting our second child from Russia, but a friend is currently unsure what will happen with her referral from Belarus. Our friends have their referral and photo of a toddler and are having to wait and possibly consider other options. Do you have any information on why/how long Belarus will be closed?