Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A Summary

I know a lot of readers are keeping an eye on this blog in hope that good news will come up here. Unfortunately, I have nothing new for you.
I keep getting emails from hopeful families asking if I have heard anything new. So I thought I would summarize what I know about the situation for international waiting families on the Sri Lanka list. The information below is what I have gathered from our agent in Canada and from other families all over the world.
The program was officially closed from November 2011 to May 2012. When it reopened in May 2012, only government run homes were allowed to place children in foreign countries. Private charity homes could only place children within Sri Lanka. As far as I know, this is still true today.
In 2012, there was 1 placement from Sri Lanka to Canada. The referral had been accepted before the program closed in 2011, and the child was in a government run home. As far as I know, there have been no referrals in Canada since 2011.
I have heard of one European family who got a new referral in 2012. We know for sure that this family was at the top of the international waiting list when the program was closed. As far as I know, this was the only international referral in 2012.
I know of one family who was able to put in their application in November 2012 and made it on the waiting list. At least until November 2012, new applications were still accepted in Sri Lanka. There are, however, rumours that they could stop taking new applications to allow for the waiting list to shrink down a bit.
I know that some European agencies (including the one who placed a child in 2012) are warning their customers about increased waiting times. Some have suggested that their customers apply to a different country. I have heard rumours of 5 to 6 years wait. This is only a rumour, but it makes sense with only the government run homes placing children internationally and a full year without placements.
I’m sorry that I don’t have better news for you. I’ll keep you posted if anything else comes up.
In the meantime, let's all try to keep in mind that these difficult measures were put in place to protect the children – our future children. It’s sometimes difficult to take a step back and look at things in a broader way, but adoption is all about the kids’ best interest. It sure is a lesson in patience for us!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Gen,

    I know its been so long since I have made a post. I have been keeping up with your blog. Thank you so much for all your tips and posts - I absolutely love them!
    The last letter we got was from the Sri Lankan consulate on September 20 2012 and we have heard nothing since. The last time I spoke to our Canadian agency I was told the Sri Lankans were in the process of hopefully opening up private orphanages as it was before. Something about new laws that need to be passed. I will keep you posted as soon as I get any mail from Sri Lanka. Take Care and have a safe and happy holiday.

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  2. Thank you BC-Sri Lanka! Please do keep us posted if you hear anything at all from your agency!
    Gen

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  3. Is there any update on this? My husband and I are considering adopting from Sri Lanka. I wonder if we might have it a bit easier as my husband is Sri Lankan born and raised and still has family there. Do you think our wait time would be adjusted for that?

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    1. Hi,
      Our agency has sent an email saying that there were 7 proposals from Sri Lanka since the program reopened in the summer of 2012. All were in Europe.
      At this pace, and considering how many applicants must be on the waiting list across the world, I cannot see a proposal coming to us before many, many more years.
      I don't think your Sri Lankan heritage puts you ahead, but that's something to verify with your agency. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news...
      If you're not committed yet, I would recommend considering other programs that may be working better right now.

      All the best in creating your family,
      Gen

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