Philippines Adoption Blog

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We received the following notice from ICAB (Intercountry Adoption Board) regarding the swine flu.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local worker.  

Dear Partners:
This has reference to the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak which has officially reached global pandemic level. The spread of influenza is unlikely to be stopped but we hope that the spread of the infection in child caring agencies where the prospective adoptive children reside could be prevented. In this regard, the ICAB has adopted the following measures:

Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs) travelling from countries where the Influenza  A (H1N1) has been reported should do the following:

• Monitor their health upon arrival
• If they develop fever or have influenza-like symptoms upon arrival, they must immediately consult a doctor
• If they have no symptoms, they should proceed with the meeting/turn-over of the child with them
  
  The child caring agencies have been given the option to either allow the PAPs to visit their agencies for the official turn-over/release of the child with the PAPs or have the child brought to ICAB by the agency social worker for the official discharge

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 11:14:11 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Two families are currently in the Philippines picking up their children, and one more families is leaving this week!  We pray for safe travels and adjustments for all three families.  

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 12:05:26 PM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Bethany is excited to share that two families are leaving the end of May to pick up their children in the Philippines - May our Father bless these families in the travels, and also bless the children they are adopting.  

Did you know that May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?  This is celebrated in May to commemorate the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869.

Check out this website: http://asianpacificheritage.gov/

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 08:41:17 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Thank you go Bethany's China Team for sharing this post...

This year, Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th... HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHER'S AND ALL MOTHER'S-TO-BE!

..... although not officially on the calendar as a holiday, did you know the Saturday before Mother's Day is celebrated among the adoption community as "Birth-Mother's Day?"

A "BirthMother/First Mother" is the name given to a woman who conceives and biologically gives birth to a child who is relinquished or placed for adoption.

The adoption constellation involves many people (extended family, support, etc), but the triad consists of three points.  The three-points of the triad are: the child, the Adoptive Mother (or Adoptive Family) and the BirthMother (or BirthFamily), in no particular order.  Without one of these "points" the triad would not exist.  The relationship among the three sides is inter-related and inter-dependent.  All three sides of the triangle are of equal length.  All three should be celebrated equally!  Many Christians believe that as we are all God's adopted children, this adoption triad metaphor reflects the Trinity of our Father.

What are some ways that we as adoptive families can honor our child's BirthMother?  Internationally adopted children with little to no information about their BirthFamily oftentimes "fantasize" about where they come from and who their BirthFamily is.  In adoptive families that openly discuss the child's birth-country, BirthParents, and birth-culture, the children as adults report having a more positive self-esteem and self-worth.  Some parents encourage their children to write a letter to their BirthMom/BirthDad on these special days or even their own birthdays.  What is most important to remember is that each child has their own feelings about their BirthParents.  As Adoptive Parents, the best we can do is provide a safe and open place for discussion.

Different ways to "honor" or "celebrate" birthparents:
-Light a candle on special days.
-Say a prayer for them.
-Make a special page in the child's Lifebook to celebrate the BirthParent(s).
-Write a letter to your child's BirthParent(s) and put it aside to share with your child later.
-Write a letter/make a card jointly with your child for the BirthParent(s).
-Read age appropriate books together.
-Talk about what the BirthParents may look like.
-Celebrate unique talents that the child may have... and attribute them to the BirthParent(s).

Some adoptive families may not be comfortable talking about the child's BirthFamily or adoption.  Your child will perceive this level of being uncomfortable and may learn to be ashamed or fearful of the discussion.  In order to build a healthy relationship that is based on trust, it is important to be open with your child about their adoption.  If these discussions are open and supported from the beginning, your child will grow to learn that their adoption is celebrated, not hidden.  Your child will be proud to be adopted and will be able to honor their BirthParent's with Thanksgiving!

The book I Wish for You a Beautiful Life (Yeong & Yeong Book Company; ISBN 0-9638472-3-6) is a compilation of letters from Korean BirthMother's to their relinquished children.  Each letter is very unique and provides a glimpse of the different cultures and emotions that this choice has created, related to separation and detachment that a BirthMother may experience and/or express in writing.

As a Mother (whether through birth or adoption) of a child... whether your child is with you, with God, living in oveseas or yet to be born... Bethany Christian Services  wish you a warm and loving "Happy Mother's Day."  We also keep in prayer the BirthMother's that give Life to these precious children and love them enough to want for them, what they cannot provide.  These women too, should be celebrated, honored, and given Thanksgiving.  Their struggles and choices are immeasurable and we may never know them, but we do know them in our hearts.  We pray that they are safe, loved and at Peace.  

*In this Blog Post, we use the term "BirthMother" to refer to the woman who conceived and birthed the child whom was then adopted.  There are other terms such as: "First Mother" or "Biological Mother" or "Genetic Mother" to name a few.  The PC world of language and adoption is sensitive and we mean no offense to any particular term mentioned or not mentioned

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 11:40:39 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Often referred to as the Land of 7000 Islands, the Philippines in know for its stunning beaches, tropical rain forests, active volcanoes, undeveloped islands, and hospitable people.  With 7107 islands, to be exact, it is a veritable paradise with countless islands to explore.  Although some of the islands are not suitable for habitation, there are three main islands where most of the population lives; Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Because of its unique location, the Philippines has been a commercial, cultural and intellectual hub of Asia since the dawn of history.  The South China Sea sweeps its western shores and the Pacific Ocean wrap the coast line to the east and south.  Its northern neighbors are Taiwan, China and Hong Kong and to the west lie Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.  Interweaved throughout the islands are spectacular coral-fringed islands, populated by medley of wildlife and cultures. Filipinos are very hospitable by nature, and it is not unusual for guest to be given the best room in the house, being treated like an honored member of the family. It is particularly evident during the many local fiestas when strangers are encouraged to take part in the feast.  Tourists can always find a fiesta happening somewhere in the many cities and barrios throughout the country. Check out this site for more information: www.tourism.gov.ph/

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 12:39:07 PM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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There are approximately 143 million orphans in the world today.
Many children are older, or a sibling group. Some children have medical, physical or developmental challenges.
We aren't asking you to help 143 million orphans, but you can make a difference by being a Bethany Prayer Warrior.

Prayer Warriors will receive pictures and information of children waiting through Bethany.

We ask that you pray for the children.
Pray for families who are willing to accept the children with special needs into their hearts and homes.
Pray for those who will never be adopted. May someone come into their life and love and care for them.
 
Each of us is part of the Body of Christ. It is He in us that is more than able to make a difference.

If you want to be added to the Prayer Warrior group and receive emails about waiting children, please send an email to:
jvandyke@bethany.org

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 08:22:55 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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This past week, an adoptive families brought to my attention the following article, Arroyo Signs Adoption Bill into Law, regarding the declaration of abandonment of children in the Philippines.  

Abandoned children need to go through judicial process before they can be declared abandoned and legally free for adoption.  In the past, this could take a long time before the proceedings were completed (sometimes even years). With the passing of the new law, abandoned children can be declared abandoned through administrative process within a much shorter time (within a period of 3 to 6 months).  A significant advancement in the pre-adoption process!!

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 11:11:42 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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One of our adoptive families shared their joy with the first snow with their son:
It was 7:15AM when we awoke to a phone call, "School is closed today due to inclement weather."  We jumped out of bed and ran into our son's room as we both peeked out of his bedroom window.  Our son's window faces our street cul-de-Sac.  There was frost on the window and snowflakes came fluttering down quietly. Our cul-de-sac was blanketed with soft white powdery snow.  It was beautiful.  It was so peaceful, serene, clean and pure.  I looked over to our son still asleep in his bed oblivious of the season's first snow fall. Today is another first for our son.  We missed a lot of his "first" during his early years.  His first step, his first word and his first smile.  Today was a gift, it was a first for all of us. Our first snow day with our son.   Dad had an flight to FL, yes sunny warm FL!  But he wasn't going to miss his son's first experience of real snow in it's purest form.  It was a perfect start of a beautiful day.  It's all a novelty to our son.  He wants to wear his hat, snow boots, scarf and gloves inside the house, to bed, to school.  He can't wait to go out and shovel the driveway and the whole entire cul-de-sac !.  Hypothermia, pneumonia and influenza does not concern him.  He had fun, he had a ball, he loved the snow.   He's a 4 yr old kid from the Philippines enjoying life at its finest.  Indeed it was a beautiful day.
 
 

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 02:07:38 PM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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What a great opportunity to connect to Filipino Heritage!  Filipino Heritage Camp is celebrating its 10 year anniversary August 7-10th, 2009 at YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch in Winterpark, CO.  There theme is Celebrating Our Filipino Heritage. They will be exploring celebrations of weddings and birthdays, with additional activities for the families throughout the weekend.  Please feel free to contact Lorial through Filipino Adoptees Network for more information

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 09:41:45 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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One family has returned home with their child this month, and one more family is already scheduled to travel in January!  We're hoping for at least one more family to solidify travel plans for January.

Bethany will be closed the afternoon of Dec 24, and both Dec 25 & 26.  ICAB is closed from December 25 until January 2.  

Wishing you all a Happy Holidays!!

Posted by Alison M. Adema At 11:27:04 AM Location | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)