The children who need families from Eastern Europe live in orphanages and are most often available for international adoption as toddlers and school age children. The children are usually placed in orphanage care due to poverty. Another reason is that single mothers do not receive sufficient support to raise a child. A smaller percentage of children are relinquished for medical reasons. A number of Eastern European countries have reformed their adoption legislations with the goal of promoting domestic adoption as well as international adoption, so that every child may have the opportunity to grow up in a family.
Most countries in Eastern Europe are looking for parents to adopt their orphaned and vulnerable children. Many of these children have some special needs. For example, see Slovakia.
Sunrise has made a long-term committment to work with Bulgaria. That country is trying to reduce the time to wait for a propoasl from 29 months to 6 months. As this becomes a closer goal more parents (worldwide) will look to this country to adopt.
Some European countries such as Poland restrict adoption to Polish nationals (both at home and abroad). Although Ukraine has over 100,000 children in orphanages, only a small number find Canadian families each year.
At the present time, BC residents are restricted from adopting from Georgia. When Georgia has a new adoption law, this restriction may be lifted.
Although Romania now bans intercountry adoptions (even to most relatives) other Eastern European countries are starting to recognize the benefits of intercountry adoption for their vulnerable and orphaned children.
Our Eastern Europe adoption specialist can assist you.
Canada V7M 3J9
Telephone: 604-984-2488
Toll free within Canada 1-888-984-2488
Fax: 604-984-2498