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Helping the Children left Behind
by Doug Chalke
as printed in the Winter 2007 issue of Island Child
In 2006, Canadian families adopted 1,535 families from international locations. Of these, 263 children were adopted into the province of British Columbia. Since the inception of the licensed agency system in British Columbia in 1996 and the first international adoptions in this province, we have watched children arrive home, lovingly cradled by their new, glowing parents. We have seen these children grow and change in the care of the families who love them, and who frequently forget what life was like before this child entered their lives. For one family and one child at a time, the world is forever changed through adoption. And yet…
What about those children who do not come home? What about the children who carry on, living in the very institutions and orphanages that bring so many of our own children to us? For these children, life will spin in a different direction, one that we cannot possibly control, but are very aware of. Adoptive parents, in particular, voice this awareness time and time again. Their child (smart, beautiful and funny) represents a country to which adoptive parents now feel some sort of affinity, often akin to citizenship.
And with this affinity comes a sense of dedication, a desire to do more, to somehow make life better in the corner of the world that has contributed so much to theirs.
And so, in small and large ways, adoptive parents look for ways to give back. Adoption, like everything else, is impacted by our information age. With the click of a mouse we can access information about our child’s country of origin: news, culture, art and more. All of these open wider the curtain to our child’s soul and tell us a little bit more about who they are, and where they have come from. No longer are we separated by space and time from our child’s history and their first world experiences. And no longer can we remain unaware of what happens for the children who remain there.
Adoptive parents take their new surrogate citizenship very seriously. For these families the global village becomes a very personal place. It is a place to provide their children with a legacy they can be proud of, to honour their children by investing in their first home and their history. It is a place to feel a deep sense of responsibility to somehow give back to the countries that gave them their family, and to remember the children who remain there.
Adoption in BC
By Douglas Chalke, Sunrise Family Services Society
as printed in the December/January 2007 issue of Island Child
Q: I am interested in adoption. Where do I start?
A: It is important to learn as much as you can. Adoption is a big decision and you need to make informed choices. In BC, there are two ways to adopt. The first is through a government licensed adoption agency. Most adoptions, both local and international, are done through an agency. The second, is through the BC government. Children in the care of the government and who are available for adoption can be adopted through BC’s Waiting Children’s Program. For more information call 1-877-236-7807. There are many informative websites on the Internet to provide you with information about the adoption process and the risks involved in adoption. If you are considering adopting from another country, you will need to research your options so that you can make the best choice for your situation. Each country has its own regulations for adoption affecting the process, timeframes and costs.
Q: How do I pick an agency to work with?
A: It is vital that you have a good working relationship with your agency. You will be disclosing personal information and you need to trust that the staff at the agency will be professional and caring. Agencies differ in the various programs that they offer and the level of support they provide. Some agencies offer ongoing support groups and education for parents even after the adoption is complete. Ask other families who have adopted who they used and whether they were happy with the service. Or, ask the agency to provide you with names of families who have adopted and who are willing to share their experience.
Q: What are my options for adopting?
A: There are a number of options available. You can apply to adopt a child born in Canada or from another country. The top three foreign countries that children are adopted from are China, the United States and Russia. China is by far the most popular adoption program. Half of all children adopted internationally come from China. A small number of children also come from Ethiopia, Thailand, the Philippines and Haiti. Some countries are closed for foreign adoptions and others have restrictions in the number or age of the children that can be adopted. Take the time to become informed about the your adoption options so that you can chose a program that best suits your needs.
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