is bulgarian program moving?

Best I can tell, yes. My agency has been operating in Bulgaria even during the slow down, and has been getting matches for their clients, but now they are doing a big push. They are saying healthy toddlers are available, and that matches are expected 6 - 8 months after dossier submission. I think this is a great time to adopt from Bulgaria. There are around 24,000 children in orphanages, 6,000 under the age of 4.

Dear Kay, Thanks very much for getting in touch with me. I really appreciate it. I have a few more questions regarding Bulgaria. I hope you don't mind if I ask.... I want to know what is the minimum age child one can adopt from Bulgaria? Are the children in Orphanages or in foster care? If they are in orphanages, what is the ratio of caregivers to children? From what I have read most of the children for adoption are Roma. I know there is a lot of prejudice against the Roma in Europe. I want to know if the orphanage care is good as a result that there may be prejudices against Roma children? Lastly how many trips does one have to take to Bulgaria to complete the adoption?(our child was from Russia and we had to take two trips, and now many folks I know take three, which is hard on my husband). Thanks so much. You can PM me and I'll give you my email address. Sincerely, Amy K, New Jersey

I want to know what is the minimum age child one can adopt from Bulgaria? The children become available for adoption 12 months after entering the orphanage, which is usually a few days after birth. Depending when the match is made, it is possible to bring home a child a 1 years old. I do not know how many matches will be made with children this young right now. I would expect that bringing home a healthy 2 ݖ 3 year old would be very easy Are the children in Orphanages or in foster care? If they are in orphanages, what is the ratio of caregivers to children? The children are in orphanages. There are 360 orphanages in Bulgaria, with approximately 6,000 children under the age of 6 available for adoption. So, conditions in the orphanages varies. I do not know the ratio of caregivers to children. From what I have found in my 2 adoptions is that the orphanages are very poor. Many do not have hot water, and food is not plentiful. But, neither of my children were malnourished. The caregivers appear to be local women that try their best to love the children. From what I have read most of the children for adoption are Roma. I know there is a lot of prejudice against the Roma in Europe. I want to know if the orphanage care is good as a result that there may be prejudices against Roma children? Yes there are prejudices against the Roma. And again, everything varies by orphanage. But, my second daughter was 3 when I brought her home. She is Roma. She did not know how to hug, and had never been picked up, but she was loved. She was kissed on the cheek, she got to sit on their laps. She was very attached to her caregivers. And, she was very prepared to come home. During the first trip, I left a photo album of our home and friends, and had the translator write in Bulgarian what everything was. She recognized everything when she saw it. (It actually was VERY cute to watch her run around and get so excited when she saw something that had been in her photo album). So, they showed it to her, talked to her about it, and had her ready to come home. Zero attachment issues. Lastly how many trips does one have to take to Bulgaria to complete the adoption? It is 2 trips, each about 5 days each. I always left on a Saturday and was home on Thursday. Trip 1 may be 3 days longer depending on your agency. Your second trip is 21/2 - 3 months after your first. Amy, right now is a great time to get into Bulgaria. There are many children, and few dossiers. I just love the country and the children. My agency is saying they expect matches for healthy toddlers to occur 6 - 8 months after dossier submission. Once you have a match, you can have the child home in 3 months if you move fast. Write back if you have any other questions.

Dear Kay, I cannot thank you enough for all of the time you gave me to answer my questions. Earlier this evening I mentioned Bulgarian adoptions to my spouse. He still wants to take a bit of time to think it over as to whether we will adopt again or stay with one child, but I'm glad to know that Bulgaria now sounds like a good, viable option. Thanks so much, Amy K, NJ

Just wondering if you know what is the youngest that they come home? I prefer 1-2 years old, is that likely?

As I understand it, (and I could be off here), at the time of the pick-up trip: Under 18 months pretty tough 18 - 24 months, possible but may have a longer wait for a referral 24 months and up, no issue.

Thanks Kay. Amy K

I asked my agency about the ages of chilldren available for adoption. I figured this was pretty important to people, and I did not want to mislead. Following is her input regarding the ages and their availability of: Under 18 months pretty tough 18 - 24 months, possible but may have a longer wait for a referral 24 months and up, no issue. Currently, that is accurate; not because the children are not there but because the younger children are not on the registrar as of yet. The Directors of the orphanage worked so hard to get the childrenҒs data base current when the laws changed at the end of 2003(when the decision of which children were allowed to be matched by the Directors to a family and moved over to a referral by requestӔ where the government matched the children to the families) and then when the process slowed and children were not being matched, the Directors stopped sending updated files because they were not being added. They are working hard at this time to get the data base reestablished. There are an abundance of children who are 3, 4, 5 waiting҅.. Hope that helps

Thanks for doing the legwork for us Kay. I really have to talk to my husband the next few months and decide if one or two kids are right for us. Thanks again. Amy K, NJ

Hi Amy, I just saw that you are considering another adoption. How exciting. Two is way better than one! I personally think that it is great for a child to have a sibling :). I would even consider adopting another little girl, but it is probably not financially possible. And, Bulgaria sounds like a great possibility. I have visited Bulgaria (Sofia and some coastal areas) a few time and have had friends there - it is a lovely country to visit and great people in my experience. Good luck.

Hi kama, I hope youre well. Thanks for your reply. I am waiting until the new year to see if my husband wants to adopt again. Somehow I get the feeling that he's not on board. If he were, Id look into Bulgaria as a viable option. I"ll just wait and see what happens. Amy K, NJ