Overseas Adoption - natural disaster orphans?

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Permanent foster care and adoption is something DH and I have been considering for quite a while now, and this morning I heard about an 18 month old little boy in Sumatra who was found in a tree, both parents dead And it hit me, there are so many natural disasters happening around the world, what happens to the children left behind?

Does anyone know how I would even begin to find the info I need? My first thought was to ring the Indonesian Embassy, which I'll do in an hour, unless someone has a better suggestion. As awful as it sounds, I wondered if there is perhaps less red tape this way, because there is so much need and so little resources?

[*Sparklez*]

u are a beautiful and very selfless person i hope u get all the answers and info u need, wish i could help u but i would have no idea.... but i think ur amazing

[Mum2Romone]

Let me know how you go, having been to Bali many times and seeing all the poor street children, I totally understand wanting to help give a child from such a place, have a great life!

[Lulu]

I think there needs to be an agreement between countries for some reason. Maybe google international adoption OR check govt websites.

I doubt it would be "easier"...and the recent case of people in the US whipping HEAPS of children away that in fact did have parents hasn't helped. Actually, I'll go ask a GF of mine if she knows anything.....since she's a bloody indonesian princess (literally) she may have some idea.

[Indadhanu]

We considered this too after the Haiti earthquake. Well, considered theortically, since we aren't allowed to adopt as a couple in QLD.

We found that there are special conditions in place to make sure that the situation doesn't get taken advantage of (ie. people trying to 'sell' orphans, or claim that they are their own children because the parents have died and then try to 'sell' them in adoptions etc). Because of that, you still have to go through Australian channels, so that everything is above board and the children are legitimately orphans or put up for adoption byt their own family.

They also prefer not to process adoption of orphans after natural diasters, because so many things are uncertain, and they want to make sure there aren't any family willing to take care of the children before they mvoe them away from their community and culture etc.

But look into it, because I might be wrong, or things might have changed. It might be different now. So many kids need a home and a family, and your would be such a wonderful one for them!

[PumpkinZulu]

I have a good friend who has lived and worked in Indo for at least 10 years now, working for Amnesty (sp?), I'll send him an email and see what he knows xx

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Yep Lulu, that had crossed my mind I don't wanna get around the legitimate system, but we can't afford to pay thousands of dollars when it doesn't guarantee anything y'know? So I kinda thought there might be a 'rush' system because of the potential sudden influx. Which all sounds horribly clinical for such a devastating situation

Ahh, that's a great point Leasha, about making sure there is no-one there to look after them. Such a big change already, without sending them off to a strange country. Ironically, we may be barred from adopting as well, which is another thing I'll hafta check. Imagine stopping children from going to loving families instead of being stuck in institutions, on such ridiculous grounds

Thanks for your help ladies

[PumpkinZulu]

I just emailed my mate, asking if he knows of any organisations homing children after the tsunami/volcano, aside from the regular avenues of adoption. Will let you know his response

[blessedatlast]

I am just subbing to this thread.. I would adopt a child in a heart beat.. it is so sad that there are so many unwanted/orphaned children but so much cost and red tape involved with adoption.. I am not in a financial position to cover the cost of adoption (that and I'm single, so probably wouldn't be allowed anyway) but I could provide clothing, shelter, stimulation, education and LOTS OF LOVE...

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Thanks PZ

Alrighty, after looking through a few different sites, I found the Indonesian Governments criteria for the international adoption of Indonesian children. What a mouthful! There's a list of criteria you have to meet BEFORE being allowed to apply, and already we're not eligible -

1.4 The couple has been married for at least 5 years.
1.5 Current residency and occupation in Indonesia for a minimum of 2 years.
1.6 Preference is given to childless couples or to those who have one child already and are unable to have any more children.

1.6 needs to be proven further along the line with confirmation of 'involuntary childlessness' being provided by an Indonesian gyno.

They also have a religion matching policy, going so far as to separate out the different Christian religions. So we would be allowed to adopt only children who came from JW parents, we wouldn't be able to adopt just any Christian children because of the fundamental religious differences.

Of course, all of that is under normal circumstances, it will be interesting to see if there's any difference at the moment.

[Babyluv]

International Adoption in Australia takes a very long time and like you said lot's of red tape.
DH and I were on the list to attend an application Interview/Meeting in Nov and fell preg with our little honey bun.
It's something I'm also very serious about doing in the next few years but it can take 5 yrs in the process before you meet your child.
This I know is absolutely ridiculous as there are so many children out there who need and deserve to be loved.
The country has to have an adoption program with our country for it to be possible.
If you jump on the DHS website it gives you a list of the programs open, the countries, there requirements etc.
I would like to adopt from Ethiopia or India but for Indian adoption into Australia now one of the adoptive parents must be of Indian Decent and for Ethiopia I have heard of people waiting as long as 8 yrs.
Age, Religion, Number of biological children plus so much more is all taken into account.
But definately look at DHS website, adoption is a beautiful thing, there are so many little ones out there who need a loving family.

[Nelle]

The others are right, you'd need to go through your state's international adoption group, no avoiding the red tape. Partly, as Leash says it's to protect people being taken advantage of and giving up their kids without really wanting to, and they like to try to place a child with their own culture if they can. And then, you'd probably find kids from disasters finding homes in countries with slightly less red tape, like the US.
I hate how difficult it is in Australia, I totally get not wanting to take advantage but I think there must be a better system than what we have...

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Definitely Nelle I understand why it needs to be involved, above all else the children need to be kept safe and not taken advantage of, but genuine families shouldn't have to go through so much crap for children in genuine need of help. As usual, the bad guys make it harder for the good guys

[Lulu]

It has on RARE occasions & Indonesians are to proud too adopt out..
I wouldnt imagne it being easy at all let alone easier now with all thier disasters...
I know a woman married to an Indo who's sister had a 3rd daughter & adopted it to her childless Brother & Aust sister in law for this to happen they had to reside in Bali?Indo for a minimum 12mths (took them closer to 3 yrs!)
Cost them alot & took longer than they'd hoped & it was family giving the baby away...

The ONLY other people I know of are on here 2 aussies they were living in bali (not sure doing what or how long) & a baby was brought to them by a Mother who couldnt keep her, very tiny & they raised her they have been fighting to bring & then keep Kiki in Aust for years!!!
You could google Kiki's story the womans name is Loretta, they could contact her, but without having a vast knowledge of Indonesia it would be extremely unlikely!!! XXXX

That's what I got back from the Indo Princess xoxoxo

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Thanks Lulu Yeah, after reading the extensive criteria I was kinda getting that picture. Giving 2 years to paperwork I could do, but dropping everything to live in Indonesia is just not possible

[Trillian]

I know your heart is in the right place to want to do this, but there is a dire need of people willing to become foster carers for Australian kids too, if all the red tape prevents you from doing this

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

Yep, we've been to the foster seminar and started getting all our ducks in a row - just waiting on our house to be built and then we're full speed ahead. I previously didn't feel I could take on a child above school age, which meant giving up work, but the last couple of years of thinking and maturing and hearing dreadful stories of abuse have changed me. So hopefully by this time next year we'll be foster parents!

[Nelle]

There's an adoption, Permanent care and foster care area on the forums Keike, that might be a good place to chat too. xo