[weeklyupdate]

Hi there,
We're an American couple hoping to adopt a South African baby but don't know how to go about it. Looking for advice. We're hoping to adopt a white baby but it seems like they're very hard to come by. Any advice or contacts anyone can suggest?

Thanks.

John

[Nalanik]

...adopting foster children?

[Elena Thomson]

John,

I have recently been in South Africa in order to hire a social worker who will manage our adoption once our home study is complete. I am not sure if my experience will be of assistance to you. I am American, but my husband is South African. We live in Britain, which is a signatory to the Hague Convention. As such we are obligated to undertake the home study here, but can have the "adoption" procedure undertaken in South Africa.

The South African government accredits social workers who are licensed to manage adoptions. Our home study will be sent to the South African authorities and then the social worker will search for a "suitable" child. Once one is found, the court adoption will take 6 weeks to complete. After that the social worker will then also assist us to secure entry of the child into the UK through the UK Consulate in Pretoria.

As far as the race of a child - you mention that you would like a "white" child. I think that you will have a very difficult time adopting such a child in South Africa since the "white" population is such a small percentage of the total population there anyways - about 12%. You would do much better to look to other counties then - Romania comes to mind.

If you would like me to give you the name of the social worker we are using, I would be very glad to share that with you. She is in the Eastern Cape.

I am not sure if any of this helps, but I would imagine that if the US is also a signatory to the Hague COnvention that the process much be very similar.

Best Wishes.

[karabear]

John,
We recently adopted a child from South Africa. We used A New Arrival Adoption Agency, based out of Montana. But as far as I know, all the children in that program are black. It is my understanding that South Africa has closed adoptions to the US right now because the US has not adopted the Hague Treaty and its practices. I've heard that it should come through sometime in 2004. If you want a white child for sure, I would also suggest looking at other countries. Blessings...

[lvaltle]

Hi there John

I am a South African living in California and have just adopted a little South African baby! Pls email me and I will give you some more information about the process and the new laws.

Jacqueline

[SandyMcKeen]

Originally Posted by weeklyupdate

Hi there,
We're an American couple hoping to adopt a South African baby but don't know how to go about it. Looking for advice. We're hoping to adopt a white baby but it seems like they're very hard to come by. Any advice or contacts anyone can suggest?

Thanks.

John

Hi

You are quite correct that white babies are very few and far between. Your best bet would be to make contact with a pregnant girl through friends/family and do it that way. We are in the process of adopting a very special little boy through a contact we established via a friend. May I suggest that you give our social worker Sue Krawitz a call - she may be able to put you on the right track. Her numbers are:
Tel: 27 11 6406685 Fax: 27 11 6406838.

I hope that this helps

[wtngtobemom]

Hi, I am a South African living in Canada and we are busy with the adoption process.

Sandy - are adopting a white or black baby from SA? As you saying that if you find a birthmother of a white child in South African it is possible to adopt this child outside of South Africa?

I would love to hear more about this
Thanks
Wendy