31 Juli 2007
WE GOT THE DATE!!!
Today morning ZfK called me - actually they called Peter, but I had his cell phone with me - and informed us that our dossier had been accepted and we had our appointment at the SDA on 24th September !!!
So now it's time for a hundred and one things we have to do before we leave - and of course we still are aware that it may be not the only trip to Ukraine we'll have to make - as it is still possible that there won't be children available for international adoption when we are there - but anyway: today we are happy :-).
So now it's time for a hundred and one things we have to do before we leave - and of course we still are aware that it may be not the only trip to Ukraine we'll have to make - as it is still possible that there won't be children available for international adoption when we are there - but anyway: today we are happy :-).
19 Juli 2007
Waiting... and waiting.
No news as of today, at least no news regarding our situation.
There are rumours, partially confrimed by people currently in Ukraine (see the FRUA board), that facilitators are now again admitted to the SDA appointments. Some find it a good change, I am not happy to hear it.
The SDA translators are good - and in the old system, the fact that facilitators were allowed into the appointment was one of the key corruption sources. The dishonest facilitators used to bribe old NAC employees and buy good referrals.
Now I hear that the reason for allowing facilitators into appointments is to "solve the problem of couples who did not find their child at the first appointment" and "allow the facilitators to better advise 'their' candidtes". Hm. I do not say that all SDA employees are open to corruption or that all (or most) facilitators will try to bribe. But nevertheless, I do not like this change at all.
There are rumours, partially confrimed by people currently in Ukraine (see the FRUA board), that facilitators are now again admitted to the SDA appointments. Some find it a good change, I am not happy to hear it.
The SDA translators are good - and in the old system, the fact that facilitators were allowed into the appointment was one of the key corruption sources. The dishonest facilitators used to bribe old NAC employees and buy good referrals.
Now I hear that the reason for allowing facilitators into appointments is to "solve the problem of couples who did not find their child at the first appointment" and "allow the facilitators to better advise 'their' candidtes". Hm. I do not say that all SDA employees are open to corruption or that all (or most) facilitators will try to bribe. But nevertheless, I do not like this change at all.
09 Juli 2007
Still waiting...
We are still waiting for any information from Kyiv. This week on Tuesday it will be four weeks since our documents were submitted. Normally it takes between 4 and 6 weeks to hear from the SDA, although it may be also 7 or 8 weeks. We try not to think too much about it now, there is anyway nothing we can do.
Currently the adoption situation in Ukraine is fine for those who are ready to adopt a child over 5-6. Those who want a younger child, unfortunately come back childless right now. It happened to yet another couple we know and from American adoption forums I know it happened to 40+ couples. They all expect to be re-invited to Kyiv in fall.
So actually it's quite ok that we - IF we are accepted - will travel most probably in September or October. We are approved for a child until 6th birthday, so I hope it will work out, although we still plan to check if it would be possible to extend the age limit by one year. Just in case.
Currently the adoption situation in Ukraine is fine for those who are ready to adopt a child over 5-6. Those who want a younger child, unfortunately come back childless right now. It happened to yet another couple we know and from American adoption forums I know it happened to 40+ couples. They all expect to be re-invited to Kyiv in fall.
So actually it's quite ok that we - IF we are accepted - will travel most probably in September or October. We are approved for a child until 6th birthday, so I hope it will work out, although we still plan to check if it would be possible to extend the age limit by one year. Just in case.
