Seventeen Companies Want to Assist with the Adoption of Children from Kyrgyzstan UPDATED

We have been updating Kyrgyzstan in this post.

Now, we are told that 17 organizations are in contention!

“The Ministry of Social Development finished reception of applications from foreign companies engaged in international adoption in the Kyrgyz Republic. The press service of the ministry informs.

 

At least 17 foreign companies to be engaged in adoption of children from Kyrgyzstan [24.kg 2/25/14 By Anastasia Benguard]

Recall, Nightlight had an orphan hosting program in 2012.

168 children! And 11 US organizations apply!

REFORM Puzzle Piece

 Update: DOS issued a notice with six approvals on May 2,2014.

See it here: http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_alerts_notices.php?alert_notice_type=notices&alert_notice_file=kyrgyzstan_3

It is pasted below:

“Notice: Adoptions from Kyrgyzstan to Begin with Approval of U.S. ASPs

Kyrgyzstan’s adoption authority, the Ministry of Social Development, has authorized six U.S. accredited adoption service providers (ASPs) to provide adoption services in Kyrgyzstan in accordance with its new adoption service provider regulations which were implemented on January 10, 2014. Kyrgyzstan has indicated that this is the final step in reopening Kyrgyzstan to intercountry adoptions under the new procedures.

Although these new procedures are part of the Government of Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to develop adoption procedures that are consistent with the standards established by the Hague Adoption Convention, at this time Kyrgyzstan is not party to the Convention. The U.S. government will continue to process adoptions from Kyrgyzstan following the non-Hague Adoption Convention (Form I-600A and Form I-600) process.

According to the Ministry of Social Development, all adoptions from Kyrgyzstan to the United States must be processed through one of the following ASPs authorized by Kyrgyzstan:

Across the World Adoptions
America World Adoption
Lifeline Children’s Services
Nightlight Christian Adoptions
Premier Adoption Agency, Inc.
World Links Association, Inc.

These ASPs have complete information on the procedures for adoption in Kyrgyzstan and are responsible for submitting applications on behalf of U.S. prospective adoptive parents.

Kyrgyzstan requires the submission of four post-adoption reports: six months after the adoption, and at one, two, and three years after the adoption. The Department strongly urges parents to comply with Kyrgyzstan’s post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your authorized ASP will be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to Kyrgyzstan’s history of positive experiences with U.S. parents.

Please direct questions related to this notice, or a specific adoption from Kyrgyzstan, to the Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues at 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 202-501-4444 from outside the United States. Email inquiries may be directed to AskCI@state.gov.”

Update 2:

“Nine foreign organizations were granted accreditation for the right to participate in the adoption of children from Kyrgyzstan. This was announced today by Head of Family and Child Protection Department of the Ministry of Social Development Marina Dzhaparkulova.

According to her, the work on accreditation of foreign organizations that want to implement interstate adoption has completed. At all 17 companies filed documents.

“The accreditation certificate received 7 companies from the U.S., Sweden and Germany – by one. At least 6 organizations were refused: 4 from the United States and two from Spain. At present applications of two companies from Finland and the Netherlands are submitted. The Ministry of Social Development forwarded all the documents from applicants to the National Security Committee, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only after the positive conclusion of these bodies it was decided to grant licenses,” Marina Dzhaparkulova noted.”

Nine foreign organizations receive accreditation for right to participate in adoption of children from Kyrgyzstan [24.kg 7/14/14 by Tatyana KUDRYAVTSEVA]

Update 3:”The Court approved 5 applications of U.S. citizens to adopt children from Kyrgyzstan, the press service of the Ministry of Social Development said to 24.kg news agency.

According to it, 13 foreign citizens appealed to the court for adoption children from Kyrgyzstan. Those who didn’t have enough time to get custody of the children before the introduction of a temporary ban on foreign adoptions. “Currently, the court approved five applications on July 15 and 25, 2014, but the decision will come only after a month: August15 and 25 respectively. Then it will be possible to take the children. Other documents are being considered,” the Office informed.

As previously reported, in a database there are 152 children for adoption. Priority is given to national adoption. In the queue for adoption there are about 200 parents. Totally 235 children are adopted by foreigners in the KR.”

Court approves 5 applications of U.S. citizens to adopt children from Kyrgyzstan [24.kg  7/30/14 by Anastasia Benguard]

Update 4:”In Kyrgyzstan 186 citizens are queuing up for adoption of orphans. The Head of Family and Child Protection Department of the Ministry of Social Development Marina Dzhaparkulova informed 24.kg news agency.

According to her, in total the public database comprises 148 children left without parental care, from newborn up to 18 year-old. “It should be noted that the Kyrgyz tend to adopt children only of a small age, beautiful, healthy and smart. Also Kyrgyz have very developed related adoption: suppose, a couple can not give birth to own child and adopt a child from their close people having many children,” Marina Dzhaparkulova said.

If adoptive parents for orphans aren’t found throughout Kyrgyzstan, they are given for international adoption. “The accreditation certificate in Kyrgyzstan received 11 organizations, involved in international adoption (from the USA, Germany, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands). At once 12 American citizens (those who did not manage to arrange custody of the children prior to the suspension of the process) filed applications to the court for adoption. Documents by 10 applicants were filed to the court. At least three of them entered into force, and the adoptive parents can take the children home. As soon as the children enter the host country, they get consular registration and every six months will send us reports on living conditions, maintenance, health of children. There have also been new applications (4 from the United States and 2 from Sweden) will be considered,” explained Marina Dzhaparkulova.”

Almost 190 citizens are queuing up for adoption of orphans[24.kg  8/14/14 by Anastasia Benguard]

Update 5:”Experts of the Ministry of Social Development of the Kyrgyz Republic will come to the United States to become familiar with practice of international adoption. The head of the department Kudaibergen Bazarbayev informed 24.kg news agency.

According to him, the head of the family and child protection department and the head of the international department will stay in the United States from September 13 till October 4. “They will become familiar with legislation of this country. Not every citizen is entitled to adopt a child, as there are very strict requirements. To the extent possible, our specialists will visit children previously adopted from the KR,” the minister said.

He stressed that national adoption is priority in the country. “The number of juveniles, who were taken by citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, is not comparable to a number of emigrants to foreign parents. It is no secret that the Kyrgyz want only healthy children. Therefore, for international adoption there are kids with disabilities, abandoned by our citizens. This work isn’t currently engaged by and politicized,” assured Kudaibergen Bazarbayev.

Note, the process of international adoption has renewed in Kyrgyzstan. The decision of Moskovsky district court, according to the head of the Social Development Ministry, 6 children out of 12 previously “not completely adopted” left the country.

The ministry added that reports on the adopted Kyrgyz kids come from the countries of their residence in a timely manner. Earlier it was reported that the state database has about 150 children left without parental care, from newborn up to 18 years. Accreditation certificate in Kyrgyzstan have 11 organizations from the USA, Germany, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands.”

Specialists of Kyrgyz Social Development Ministry to depart for United States to review international adoption practice [24.kg 9/11/14 by Anastasia Benguard]

Update 6:”A visit to orphanage always leaves an indelible mark on the soul of every man able to feel and empathize. Babies don’t understand yet that the most important people in my life – mom and dad don’t need them. But they really don’t get enough attention, warmth, love and affection: nannies and caregivers often are not enough. That’s why kids are pulling their hands even to unfamiliar aunts and uncles, often babbling word “ma-ma”. Some of the rare visitors will not pass by and give a few minutes of their attention. And the other one decides to adopt a child.

According to the State Registration Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, 923 children were adopted for 8 months in 2014. As noted, it is more than in last year. For 2013 at least 872 minors found their parents, and in 2012 – a little more – 980. Today the public database contains documents about 150 children (from birth to 18 years), left without parental care. There is a queue among the adopters.

But Kyrgyzstanis want to adopt only little kids, but beautiful, healthy and smart, the Ministry of Social Development admits. Also related adoption is very widespread among Kyrgyz: imagine if a couple can’t have a child, it takes a kid from large families of relatives. As a result, kids with disabilities, who are most often left by biological parents, are left without a family environment. Then international adoption becomes alternative to national one.

Last Chance

In 2014 the process was resumed, having issued 11 accreditations to foreign organizations from the USA, Germany, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands. Almost immediately 12 American citizens (those who didn’t issue the custody of the children prior to the suspension of the process) appealed to the court for adoption. Some kids have grown for 5-6 years of waiting. But parents overseas weren’t scared.

A 6-year-old Adilet, lets call him so, also had to wait several years. The boy was in the child’s home in Tokmak town, and then was transferred to Preschool institution in Belovodskoe village. Specialists diagnosed him with “mixed specific developmental disorders”. In addition, the child suffered from nocturnal enuresis, he was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia and other health problems. There was no one wishing to adopt a boy with such a diagnosis among citizens of the republic. But there were such among the citizens of the United States. In 2012 they met, but “for various reasons, the issue of adoption remained unsolved”. “And these citizens reapplied in 2014. The District Court of Chui oblast reviewed the case and approved it. The decision has already entered into force. Child needs serious medical care, treatment, rehabilitation,” the Ministry of Social Development noted.

According to the Head of Department for Family and Child Protection Ministry Marina Dzhaparkulova, foreigners adopted 12 little Kyrgyzstanis from the beginning of the year. “When the decision comes into force, the adoptive parents take the child home and get in the consular registration, and for three years every six months they should send us reports on the health of children, their living conditions,” she said to 24.kg news agency.

Happiness abroad

Before the suspension of the process of international adoption in 2012, nine orphans find family abroad. “Reports of all come regularly,” the Office assured. As an example, Marina Dzhaparkulova provided one of the reports on the adoption order. Recall, Nazgul (name was changed) in infancy was found on the street and identified in the orphanage. The child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. Because of the gravity of the head she was able to sit only at three years and only at five – to stand up for the first time. What future could wait for the girl back home? After the adoption of United States citizens in May of 2012, just off the plane the girl was taken to the examination and urgently operated. Now Nazgul goes to ordinary school!

“To tell the truth, she walks only on crutches. And sometimes uses a walking frame when she needs to go a long distance. Hydrocephalus almost disappeared. The last XR examination was made on May 4, 2014. Children’s neurosurgeon didn’t voice any concerns about the girl’s health. All doctors are surprised by her physical and linguistic abilities. Despite the developmental lagging of gross motor skills, fine motor skills develop at proper level. She learned to read and does it with pleasure, speaks very clearly, perfectly grasps the English language. Parents help to develop speed and spelling. Twice a week, the girl goes to physical therapy, which focuses on the development of fine motor skills, once a week – on water therapy,” Marina Dzhaparkulova reads extracts from the report.

“Nazgul – charming 8-year-old child, she is very attached to her parents. She manifests her love and companionship. She loves them hugging, kissing. Often smiles. She watches educational shows with pleasure, draws paints, collects puzzles, plays with het toy kitchen, with interest helps baking. But she’s stubborn and expresses her opinion without hesitation. According to her mother, she has no behavioral problems and simple reorientation of attention or conversation are the methods of behavior modification, if necessary. For foster parents upbringing of girls is a joy,” the document says.

For experience

“Minors only with serious disabilities are given up for adoption. Our citizens, knowing the diagnose that require large investments and long rehabilitation, renounce a child. Foreigners learn diagnosis, consult with doctors for necessary treatment and then decide whether they are ready to take foster care of such a child,” Marina Dzhaparkulova notes.

And recently, two specialists of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Social Development (at the invitation of the State Department) visited the United States and familiarized with practice of international adoption for more than two weeks. There were representatives of other union republics. “During the working trip, with the assistance of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States there were held four meetings with American families, which have adopted our children, – the head of the department Kudaibergen Bazarbayev told24.kg news agency following results of the visit. – Our employees made ​​sure that children live in perfect conditions, they are convinced that they have a bright future.”

Once for journalists there was organized video bridge with US citizens, who adopted minors from the Kyrgyz Republic. Then the officials promised to repeat the campaign. “Firstly, it is an expensive procedure, and secondly, adopters must give agreement. Work in this direction continues, have not stopped the work,” Kudaibergen Bazarbayev added.

In the United States, according to Marina Dzhaparkulova, institution of foster families is highly developed. Kyrgyzstan has only started introduction of this model. Altogether there were selected and trained 11 foster families, who receive by 11.8 thousand soms monthly. The fee includes cost of the child’s nutrition, acquisition of washing materials, utilities, purchase of clothing and footwear, bed linen, as well as medical, transportation and other services. Salary of adoptive parent comprises 6,000 soms.

“At first, contracts with foster families were concluded for a month. For us this is a new form, we wanted to see what would happen. If the experiment proves successful, we will extend. Term depends on psychological state of child and parents. Our experts will monitor, travel, visit families. If parents do not fulfill their responsibilities, agreement will be terminated and parents will be responsible, even criminal liability,” Marina Dzhaparkulova warned.”

Foster family: first step towards adoption [24.kg 10/21/14 by Anastasia Benguard]

Update 7:“At least 14 Kyrgyz children were given up for international adoption in 2014. The Minister of Social Development Kudaibergen Bazarbayev informed 24.kg news agency.

According to a report, as of November 1, the state data bank records 152 children left without parental care for 10 months of 2014. In 2013 there were 166 children and 186 – families wishing to adopt children, that is 14 less than in 2013.

The department has repeatedly pointed out that is national adoption is a priority in the country. If throughout the country there are no adoptive parents for orphans, then they are given for international adoption. At least 11 foreign companies from USA, Germany, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands have certificate of accreditation in the Kyrgyz Republic.”

At least 14 Kyrgyz children adopted in 2014 [24.kg 12/10/14 by Anastasia Benguard]

Update 8:“Number of families in the KR willing to adopt children increased, the press service of the Ministry of Social Development reported.

According to it, as on April 1, 2015 the state database registered 141 children left without parental care, as well as 207 families among Kyrgyz citizens wishing to adopt children. Also, the Ministry received documents on the four children left without parental care abroad. Currently, the preparatory work for their repatriation is being held.

It is reported that control social development department revealed 925 children left without parental care in the first quarter 2015. Of these, 235 children given in adoption and 402 children – custody or guardianship. Another 176 children were sent to boarding schools. And cases of 112 minors are being considered.

Since the beginning of the year 2,609 families in a difficult situation were revealed. Individual work plan for each is drawn up.”

Number of families willing to adopt children increases[24.kg 4/28/15 by Anastasia Benguard]