Adoption paperwork, left
There are many differing opinions and opportunities regarding adoption. Domestic or international? If international, what country? “Open” adoption (where the birth family and adopting family have contact) or traditional, "closed" adoption? Agency or private attorney? What about foster-adoption, children with special needs, non-traditional families, sibling groups, older children, orphanages ...the list goes on.
But almost everyone believes that all children deserve a "forever family."
One might think that everyone would agree on what is best for an orphaned or abandoned child. That’s not always the case. Newsweek’s Pat Wingert addresses this issue in “When There’s No Place Like Home,” Newsweek, February 4, 2008 Issue. (If the link does not work, access the article here in PDF.)
GCOF families honor Ministry of Education Advisor Tamara Amazashvili, left
Georgian AdoptionsCurrently all adoptions in Georgia are of children either in orphanages or in foster care. Cindy, mother of two Georgian angels, shares her view on the orphanages: "Occasionally I'm asked by well-meaning people to describe the living conditions that my children came from. I think these people want to be reminded of how materially blessed we are in the U.S. Well, every adoption begins with difficulties and sorrow, no matter what country the child is born in -- otherwise there would be no situation that required a child to change families! I tell people the truth: that I was surprised to find that the orphanage we visited is NOT an awful, desperate place. It is an orphanage, to be sure, and the living conditions could certainly be better. But the caretakers I met were genuinely loving and fiercely protective of the children, and the facilities were clean and orderly. I think the Georgian orphanages do amazing things with the lean resources they have. I chafe at the suggestion that my children are little waifs that we've 'rescued' from desperate situations. They are my precious children."
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Our PositionsThe Georgian Circle of Friends does not take positions on issues. We are a voluntary organization, and our members represent a wide range of opinions. That said, we are a group of parents who adopted children born in Georgia. We are all proud of our kids, proud of their Georgian heritage, and proud to have made our families through adoption. |
