Warning, this is a LONG post :)
Adoption is expensive. And the money part of adoption seems to be a HOT topic. One in which almost all people have an opinion, curiosity, confusion, or concern. So this post is to address the financial needs of adoption as well as where we stand. We are an honest, transparent family, and I want YOU to know where your $$$ is going and how we are using it.
"Sure does cost a lot to buy a kid." "Somebody's getting rich and my money won't be going to no scheme!" "If you can't pay the fees you shouldn't adopt." "You do know China is our enemy and you are feeding into their plan, right?" These are a handful of the comments which have been made, and I choose to see them as simply ignorant comments rather than mean. The people who said them really have no idea why adoption actually costs money, nor do they have a grip on cultural sensitivity. So in return, I offer this blog post to address these as well as other questions YOU may have also wondered, yet feared asking.
When we began this journey we had personally invested financially in several other adoptions, so the idea of adoption "costing" something was familiar. As we committed to bring our daughter home, we realized there were fees which must be paid to love and adore her forever as a loving mother and father. When we added on our son, the number became staggering. Prior to adding him, we prayed. A lot. We sought wise council, and the Lord would not let go of my heart. A mother's love and faith of a mustard seed. That's what I had. And I would say my faith may be a bit bigger than a mustard seed watching doors open and generosity come through. But I will be honest, and share a little piece of my fears and shortcomings - being 4 weeks from travel with many fees yet unpaid, there are times which mustard seed faith is all I can "muster" up.
A sweet adoption momma created this thermometer for me, isn't it great? I want to break down the "cost" of adoption and explain what the lines on the thermometer mean. While reading, keep in mind that every single person in the chain of events is paid....those who receive our documents, prepare them, translate them, authenticate them, approve them, each step is handled by someone who will be compensated for their time and expertise.
Home Study etc:
• Three separate social worker visits to our home for living quarters inspection and interviewing of each family member.
• Background checks from every state and country Steve and I have lived in since the age of 18. Keep in mind, both Steve and I joined the military at that time, and have been on the move for 20 years - this step spanned many locations.
• Reports written by our social worker, approved through our agency, then sent to the Secretary of State here in Colorado.
• Adoption education - Steve and I were required to take 24 hours each of courses to prepare for adoption.
• Support and guidance of preparing multiple needed forms regarding income, employment, medical clearances, and our ability to raise these 2 children. Almost all forms needed notarization, certification, and authentication as well.
• Citizenship and Immigration fee for biometrics service for orphan petition.
Agency Fees:
• This is the application fee plus total fee when adopting two children. The first child is $3750 and the second is $2000, plus the $250 initial application fee. We have paid $4000 of this $6000.
• Our agency handles all paperwork necessary between the US and China, translation of documents, etc.
• Coordination with a China liaison who works with the Chinese consulate and our orphanages.
Dossier Fees:
• The dossier is the entire packet of ALL the forms we worked to acquire - background checks, home study, employment verifications, reference letters, clearances, etc.
• Once ALL the forms have gone through the needed steps of notarization, certifications, authenitications at the county, state, and US level, they are put all together and sent to China as our "Dossier"
• Dossier Processing
• Dossier translation (Seriously, translators have a great job, keep that in mind young peeps reading this!)
China Gov't Fees:
• Adoption Registration
• Chinese Notary
• Chinese passport
• Official transportation
• China Guide
• US Visa Processing
Travel Costs:
• Roundtrip airfare for Steve and I
• In Country travel (planes and trains) for the four of us
• One way Airfare back to US for the kids
In Country Fees:
• Lodging for 2.5-3 weeks
• Food and living costs
• Medical exams for both children per US Consulate requirements
Orphanage Support:
• The orphanage donation of approximately $5,750 per orphanage is in support of the services our children received and to provide for the other children there. The services provided by the gov't are very limited. The support given by adoptive families helps with needed medical treatments/surgeries, food, orphanage furniture, clothing, basic necessities.
Post Adoption:
• There are a total of 6 reports which must be completed, at 1 month, 6 months, 1, 2, 3, and 5 years post adoption. The first 3 must be done by the social worker who did our home study, and all are submitted through channels of "the powers that be" in order to show the success of this adoption, the growth and positive development of these children by becoming part of our family.
The Ipad Mini Drawing line is to show what is needed to get to the minimum $2000 drawing amount, please help us get there by sharing this link - http://keirjourneytoseven.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_27.html -our goal is to do the drawing by 31 May.
I will update this thermometer daily to keep you all in the know!
It has been a true blessing these past 4 months, hearing from so many of our family and friends. What a joy to get to know you better, to feel your love and support, and to realize that our two children in China are already so very loved by our community (near and far).
The $34,419 total here includes grants that have not yet applied, most which will not come until we have Travel Approval in a few weeks. We will have approximately $8000 due over the next week to ten days, and that is what our desire is to raise between the yard sale, iPad, and online auction. We appreciate any support you are able to offer, and we know YOU will be blessed by blessing these children!
To the questions I listed at the beginning, I am thankful you feel so comfortable in sharing your thoughts with me. I value the closeness we share to have allowed such openness. Adoption IS expensive. There are checks and balances at each step. Social workers, office workers, pencil pushers, investigators, police chiefs, notaries, lawyers, teachers, elected officials, and many many more, all play a role in ensuring that these children without a family of their own are placed in good loving families. Abuse and neglect DO happen, even with adoption. The goal is to do whatever they can to help protect these children and not only give them A family, but help in providing the RIGHT family. The people employed in this field, supporting the safe placement of children with families, deserve to be paid. I am not arguing that it is a LOT of money, I simply believe there are many things in society in which money is WASTED, and I refuse to see money spent on orphan rescue as a waste. Some may see $$$, where I see faces - a sea of faces of children without a mommy and daddy of their own. It is not "buying a child", it is investing in a cause more worthy than can be described....investing in LIFE. Human life. And if we don't value that more than "saving the whales" or "paying a football team fine" then what kind of people are we?
Steve and I are fiscally responsible, we both have good solid careers and are fully capable of financially caring for these two precious children. We planned to adopt in a few years, after we rebuilt our savings since we used what we had to buy a home, used family vehicles, and transition back stateside after our 7 years in Europe. God had other plans. I know that he called us when he did for a purpose....many have shared what a BLESSING it has been to be a part of our journey. We have also been given the opportunity to share Christ with others, and that alone is a wonderful benefit to adoption we never anticipated. Sharing how our faith has been strengthened through this process.
Someone told me when we first started, "Get ready....when you step out to adopt things will go wrong!" It reminded me of a military saying, "When the hubby deploys everything breaks!" So far, since the end of January we have had multiple "fires" to deal with....two broken windshields (still cracked, not on the high priority list lol), leaking roof, unexpected truck repairs of $1000, my car service light has been on for months and my engine has a mind of its own, dental work, cracked stovetop....you get the point. For most of it, we are doing everything we can to bide our time OR get the most cost effect repairs/replacements possible. Satan will not break us by breaking our stuff lol! In addition to all that, we have made adjustments to our lives to save wherever possible - eating out is not often and we choose wisely when we do; we haven't had TV for 10 years so no expense there; we have intentionally avoided most family outings to movies, bowling, arcades etc, and when we do go somewhere you can bet I have used a coupon or groupon or gift card to do so. We actually had a donation of a gift card designated for us to GO HAVE FUN and not focus on fundraising or saving for a day. Many people have said we owe no one an explanation of our spending, or that most people trust us to use what we are given wisely. But I wanted to include this paragraph for those who may question us....we are thrifty people by nature, and have no intentions of squandering $$$ now or ever. Thank you for partnering with us and having faith that the Lord directs our finances.
We have enjoyed our fundraisers, the camaraderie of tshirts, painting together, monthly weight loss challenge groups, sharing at our church....from the change given out of a young child's pocket, to the $2000 check written by a complete stranger, we have seen LOVE. And at the end of it all, that is what we desire...a simple act of LOVE, to show these two children they matter. People love THEM.
How can YOU help? We have several opportunities RIGHT NOW....yard sale on 30 May, Ipad Giveaway on 31 May, Online Auction 1-7 June, all are great ways to be a part of this! There will be an "Adoption Blessing Shower" on 14 June as well, details to come.
Want to do MORE? We are praying for IMPACT PARTNERS, 10 people to commit to $1000 or 20 people to commit to $500. If you would like to be a part of that, you can do your donation to either the Reece's Rainbow link, or Pure Charity, OR directly to our agency (phone or mail). You can even choose to remain anonymous if you desire, just note that when you do the donation. Having people step out as IMPACT PARTNERS would allow us to become fully funded and focus solely on preparing our children at home for their new siblings, gaining more knowledge in the areas of their special needs, and going to China with a burden lifted to embrace these kids without the distraction of money still needed.
http://reecesrainbow.org/88142/sponsorkeir
OR
https://www.purecharity.com/the-keirs-become-seven
OR
Across the World Adoptions
399 Taylor Blvd. Suite 102
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
925-356-6260
fax 925-827-9396
atwachina@gmail.com
www.atwakids.org
One final note....we appreciate each and every person who is supporting us financially, emotionally, and spiritually on this journey. If you have not been in a position to help with the cost please know that we need your prayers and love JUST AS MUCH as any monetary donation. We know God will provide the right people with the calling of partnering with us financially, so please know we completely understand financial constraints that prevent some from giving. We love you JUST AS YOU ARE, so please no guilt if this is not the time for you to give. Our prayer is for this opportunity to be a BLESSING to others, not a burden.
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