The following is an article from the Moscow News about the latest information available out of Russia. The forwarded email at the bottom is from our adoption coordinator. So what does this mean...we aren't exactly sure! But we do know that the Russian government is against a moratorium of international adoptions. What we believe will happen is more paperwork. Nothing is written in stone yet.
We hope that everyone is well.
Love, Kirsten & Michael
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Russia to Clamp Down on Foreign Adoption Agencies Violating Law
Created: 08.09.2005 15:58 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:58 MSK
MosNews
The Russian Prosecutor General's Office intends to strip foreign adoption agencies of their accreditation in Russia if they break the law, Deputy Prosecutor General Sergei Fridinsky said during a meeting with Thomas Atwood, president of the U.S. National Council for Adoption, RIA Novosti reports.
Speaking about a check conducted by prosecutors, Fridinsky said that over 30 ofthe 52 accredited foreign agencies were breaking the law, and the Prosecutor'sOffice is going to raise the issue with the Ministry of Science and Education.
Meanwhile, Thomas Atwood told Fridinsky that although he shares the concern ofthe Russian authorities, in his point of view international adoption must not bestopped.
According to him, 49,000 Russian children have been adopted in the U.S. over the past few years. "They have a good education and a happy life and, most importantly, they have a future," Atwood stressed.
In 2004 the number of children adopted by foreign nationals surpassed the numberof those adopted by Russians. Foreigners adopted 9,600 Russian orphans, while Russian nationals adopted only 7,400.
At the same time society has been shocked by the notorious trials of adoptiveparents from the United States. The court hearings in the case of Peggy Sue Hilt, charged with killing her 2-year-old adoptive Russian daughter, are to begin in the U.S. on Tuesday.
Another woman, Irma Pavlis was sentenced to 12 years in prison in May forkilling her 6-year-old disabled adoptive son. She was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in April but was acquitted of the more serious charge of first-degree murder.
Altogether, 13 Russian children have been killed in the U.S.
In Aug. 2005 the Pennsylvania State Court found adoptive father Matthew Alan Mancuso guilty of incest and the rape of his 12-year-old daughter adopted from Russia.
Several days earlier an American couple was charged with manslaughter, first-degree child abuse resulting in death and reckless endangerment after their adoptive son from Russia died of starvation.
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea Jacobs Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 1:52 PM
To: adopt@littlemiracles.org
Subject: Russia Update
YAY!!!!! Russia voted no for a moratorium!!! Let's worry about new time frames down the road; for now, let's rejoice in this good news :).
Andrea
Friday, September 09, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
It's official!!
Our paperwork is on its way to Russia!!! Now begins the long waiting process! It is estimated that we will be waiting 6-8 months for our referrals. A referral is the receipt of official information on our children. After receiving a referral it is recommended that we share this information with an international adoption doctor for their opinion on any possible missed diagnoses or clarification of any diagnoses. Then we can accept or reject the referral. We will not travel to Russia until we have accepted 2 referrals.
Next week I'll be going to Disney World with my family. Unfortunately, Michael is unable to join me in the adventure due to his new job. He has made plans to fish with some friends during the weekend so I know he'll be having at least some fun. My brother and his family leave for Germany in just a couple of weeks for a 3 year tour (something they have wanted to do for a long time). It will be nice to spend some quality time with them. We hope to be able to stop off in Germany on our way home so that our children can meet his children.
I guess now I'll start to work on our children's lifebooks. A lifebook is a kind of scrapbook that you create for your child/ren so that have a book to look back and learn about their life with their new family. I'll make blank pages that need pictures added and then add them when we return from Russia. I'm also making 2 little photo albums to leave with the children after our first visit. This will help familiarize them with what their new life will be like. We won't start planning the children's rooms until after the first trip. I have been reading alot lately about coming home and how to prepare yourself, the house, the children, etc. I have started collecting items that are recommended for traveling (travel sized toilet paper, travel sized kleenex, first aid, etc.)
Some of you have heard about the problems in Russia lately due to the untimely & sad deaths of 2 toddlers at the hands of the adoptive mothers. One mother wasconvicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The other mother goes to court inAugust. One concern lately has been what the Russian government will do after these to situations. It appears that the Russian government is not up to stopping the adotion process at this time (Of course with international adoptions from any country anything can happen.) What appears will happen is more work for us as parents. Two items mentioned for possible additions are a personality test and parent training. Neither one of these is unusual. As a matter of fact, some agencies and states already require these items. Also, some of the regions in Russia require these already. We aren't concerned at all. The one change that may affect us is that the judges may resist placing 2 young children with a couple at one time. It has been suggested that we either consider bringing home one infant or increasing the age of the other child to 4 or 5. Michael and I both believe we are supposed to adopt 2 children so we have agreed that we will raise the age.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I hope this message finds everyone happy and healthy.
Love, Kirsten & Michael
PS - If you haven't signed up for automatic reception of these messages. pleaseclick on the link below.
Next week I'll be going to Disney World with my family. Unfortunately, Michael is unable to join me in the adventure due to his new job. He has made plans to fish with some friends during the weekend so I know he'll be having at least some fun. My brother and his family leave for Germany in just a couple of weeks for a 3 year tour (something they have wanted to do for a long time). It will be nice to spend some quality time with them. We hope to be able to stop off in Germany on our way home so that our children can meet his children.
I guess now I'll start to work on our children's lifebooks. A lifebook is a kind of scrapbook that you create for your child/ren so that have a book to look back and learn about their life with their new family. I'll make blank pages that need pictures added and then add them when we return from Russia. I'm also making 2 little photo albums to leave with the children after our first visit. This will help familiarize them with what their new life will be like. We won't start planning the children's rooms until after the first trip. I have been reading alot lately about coming home and how to prepare yourself, the house, the children, etc. I have started collecting items that are recommended for traveling (travel sized toilet paper, travel sized kleenex, first aid, etc.)
Some of you have heard about the problems in Russia lately due to the untimely & sad deaths of 2 toddlers at the hands of the adoptive mothers. One mother wasconvicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The other mother goes to court inAugust. One concern lately has been what the Russian government will do after these to situations. It appears that the Russian government is not up to stopping the adotion process at this time (Of course with international adoptions from any country anything can happen.) What appears will happen is more work for us as parents. Two items mentioned for possible additions are a personality test and parent training. Neither one of these is unusual. As a matter of fact, some agencies and states already require these items. Also, some of the regions in Russia require these already. We aren't concerned at all. The one change that may affect us is that the judges may resist placing 2 young children with a couple at one time. It has been suggested that we either consider bringing home one infant or increasing the age of the other child to 4 or 5. Michael and I both believe we are supposed to adopt 2 children so we have agreed that we will raise the age.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I hope this message finds everyone happy and healthy.
Love, Kirsten & Michael
PS - If you haven't signed up for automatic reception of these messages. pleaseclick on the link below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)