International Child Foundation works with three adoption programs/orphanages in Haiti — Creche de l’Enfant Jesus under the administration of Chances for Children, Foyer de la Nouvelle Vie under the liaison team of Barbara Walker and Vera Valdivia and also Foyer de Sion. We are happy to discuss the difference between their programs so that you can choose, according your preferences and needs.
Adoption from Haiti is a bureaucratic process. The differences between the programs are minor but distinctive. Creche de l/Enfant Jesus is located outside of Port-au-Prince in Timache, and the orphanage has a wing for families to stay when visiting. Families are welcome to visit at any time at Foyer de la Nouvelle Vie and are assisted with lodging and transportation. Foyer de Sion’s three orphanages are in Port-au-Prince, and families travel only in escorted groups to visit their children or volunteer at the orphanage. Port-au-Prince is not a safe city for wandering about alone, so orphanages inside the city exercise extra caution.
A little history may help you understand Haiti… The Taino Amerindians were the residents of the island when it was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Over 25 years, the indigenous population was virtually extinguished. In the early 17th century, the French arrived, and in 1697, Spain ceded the western third of the island to France, and this portion later was renamed Haiti.
The French colony relied on harvesting lumber and growing sugar cane, through the importation of African slaves, and became one of the wealthiest colonies in the Caribbean. Environmental degradation was rampant and widespread, however, so by the time Haiti’s half million slaves revolted, the island was nearly a wasteland, and the poplulation relied largely on scanty subsistence farming.
In 1804, Haiti became the first black republic to declare independence. The auspiciousness of independence has been marred by poverty, political violence, deforestation and natural disasters. The UN has assisted with sponsoring democratic elections, and Haiti inaugurated a democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006. Haiti remains, however, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty. Due to this, there are many beautiful children relinquished for adoption.
Most of the children have dark skin, black hair and dark eyes. Most are infants and toddlers under age 3, but families may request to adopt an older child or sibling group, as well. The children reside in orphanages, rarely in foster care, and Creche de l’Enfant Jesus also provides educational programs.
Married couples and single women may adopt. Both prospective parents in a married couple should be over age 30. Couples should be married for ten years, or very close, with ability to prove that they cohabitated for a minimum of ten years total. Single women must be over age 30, preferably between the ages of 35-45. All adoptive parents will be asked to provide a reference letter from a pastor or minister. Parents can adopt more than one child at a time.
The Process
Most families complete their home study and prepare their dossier in 2 to 3 months. Once your dossier is submitted for translation, a referral is given within 2-4 weeks. Parents specify the criteria the orphanage will use in selecting their child. The orphanage selects a child and then sends photos, medical information and the child’s story to the agency. Families are asked to give the referral careful consideration. If they accept the referral, they are asked to sign an acceptance letter. If they decline, another referral will be made within a month.
ICF provides complete instructions with respect to the dossier document requirements and will advise your home study social worker as to the composition of a home study for Haiti adoption.
Once prospective parents have their dossier submitted to Haiti, it takes approximately 10-20 months to complete the adoption; timeframes are difficult to predict and delays due to legal or political problems are not uncommon, in Haiti or any country of adoption.
The adoption is finalized before the parents travel. If you choose to travel to Haiti to visit with your child before the adoption is finalized, your child will come to the US on an IR-3 Visa, which confers automatic citizenship. If you meet your child after the adoption is final, your child will come home on an IR-4 Visa, which requires that you apply for your child’s citizenship after your child is home in the US.
Parents are not required to travel to Haiti to complete the adoption; however, we suggest that both parents travel if possible, as it provides a special bonding time with your child. Most parents consider their travel to Haiti a unique and culturally enriching experience and try to take as much home with them as possible.
Special Note regarding Medical Information: Many people express concern about the possibility of their child having AIDS or being HIV positive. The best lab in Haiti carefully screens each child before they are accepted into the orphanage. The children are screened for HIV, Hepatitis B, Sickle Cell Anemia, Tuberculosis, and other communicable diseases.
ADOPTION FEES & ESTIMATED EXPENSES
Haiti Adoption
Application: $300
Home Study: ICF Home Study Fee is $1,000 or as set by your home study provider; there is no home study review fee if another agency prepared your home study
USCIS Fees: I-600A fee is $750 for the applicant including applicant fingerprints plus $80 per person for your spouse or other adult(s) residing with you to be fingerprinted.
Agency Fees: Total of $5,800; this is broken into two payments, the first is $2,800, which is paid with the Adoption Agreement, and a 2nd payment of $3,000, which is paid when the dossier is started.
Foreign Fees:
Foyer de la Nouvelle Vie/Creche du Ciel Bleu: $10,000 for the adoption of one child; in addition, there is a fee of $300 per month child care subsidy after acceptance of referral; an additional $350 is required if a presidential waiver is needed for a family with biological children; and $535 for a DNA test, if required by the US Embassy.
Creche de l’Enfant Jesus: $16,000 for the adoption of one child; fee reduced for the adoption of a sibling; this does not include translation and document authentication fee of $375 ($225 for Haitian Consulate certifications, $30 postage and $120 for translations)
Foyer de Sion: $8,000 for the adoption of one child; $5,000 for the adoption of a sibling; this includes translation and document authentication.
Paid upon approval of the Home Study by the Orphanage Liaison
• Half of the fees due to the orphanage/liaison team; plus translation and authentication costs, if paid to the liaison rather than directly by the family
Paid upon acceptance of Referral
• Balance of Foreign Fees
• DNA test fee, if required by the US Embassy
Paid in Haiti
• US Embassy Child Visa Fee: $400 (plus $670 for each non-related child you adopt)
• US Embassy Medical Fee: approx. $30; if adopting an older child, fees for vaccinations may be added, approx. $200
Travel Costs vary widely. Airfare is about $550 per adult, and you may pay a reduced rate for your child, depending upon the airline. Lodging in Haiti varies with the locale.
Adoptions involve several months of time.
Fees and estimated costs are subject to change.
International Child Foundation
http://www.childfound.org/haiti_adoption.html
For more international adoption agencies placing in Haiti and around the world, go to www.adoptionharmony.com
HAITI ADOPTION
Haiti is an island country located in the Caribbean, east of Cuba. It shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. It is considered the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, with over 85% of the adult population unemployed. Most are of African descent.