Estonia
Estonia is a wonderful, EASY
program for families hoping to adopt children with
Down syndrome and other special needs. It is not a
very well known program, and we hope to change that for the waiting children
there! Only about 20 children per year are adopted internationally!
There is only one licensed agency in the US working in Estonia at this time.
This is an older child, sibling groups, and special needs program only.
Estonian families adopt the healthy infants and toddlers.
2 trips, 1 parent
Single MEN and women are permitted to adopt
Parents must be at least 25 years old, no stated upper age limits
Referrals complete with video and medical profile
Western-standard care of their orphans
Estonia is one of the three Baltic States which include Lithuania and Latvia. We have children with Down syndrome available in all three programs. Estonia lies on the European continent, directly across the Baltic Sea from Finland. The capital is Tallinn (pronounced TAHleen). The people of Estonia are mostly of Finnish descent, and are all light-skinned/Caucasian. About 40% of the residents of Estonia are Russian, and speak Russian. Both blonde and brown hair are found. Estonia has a fascinating, centuries-old history, and the country is absolutely beautiful to discover. Many of the people there, especially those in public/retail service, also speak English, so getting around is very easy and does not require a use of Estonian or Russian. All airport signs are also in English as well.
Unrelated children can be adopted in the same trip, regardless of whether they are in the same orphanage or not.
Maximize your donation by including the extra cost of Paypal's fees!
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(April 2007) More photos and VIDEO available
(at age 5)
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Andres Born September 17, 1998 Estonia I HAVE A FULL GRANT! Andres is living in ESTONIA, a former Soviet republic on the Baltic Sea west of Russia. Estonia fared much better economically than some of the other Eastern European countries, so their children are better cared for. The facility he lives in is an old Soviet era two story building. But the inside has been completely renovated, is very clean and homey, and they have all brand new furniture. The children live in "families"...groups of about 8 children. Each family has it's own living area, bed rooms, bathrooms, school rooms, and kitchen. I have just returned from visiting with Andres myself.
He is an absolute ANGEL. He is 9 now and is in the first grade. He
can TALK, he is potty trained, and is truly a perfect example of the loving,
happy, social, friendly children that children with Down syndrome typically
are. He understands Russian and Estonian. His
language skills are really coming along, so introducing English to him at
this point would be good. I know that Andres will really thrive in a
true family setting, with others around him who are typically developing.
His adjustment will be an easy one too. You will never regret
your decision to share your family with this handsome young man. Andres needs a family who is experienced with older children with special needs, and also who is experienced with international adoption and the behaviors that sometimes arise in children who have been living in orphanages their whole life. Andres is a VERY smart and loving little boy, and he will adjust well, but as with any child, he needs a family who is patient and understanding and can recognize his behaviors as "coping mechanisms". Andres' fees have been dramatically reduced, so with
home study, INS, and travel (two trips), you'd be looking at about $16k.
Both parents should travel the first trip (about 4 days), and then only one
parent must travel for court about 4-6 months later. That trip is
about 10-14 days. Traveling in Estonia is very easy and very safe.
Most people there speak at least functional English (those working in public
service, such as hotels, taxis, the airport, restaurants, etc).
Estonia is a great program for first time international travelers. For additional information about ANDRES, please contact Barb at Adoption Hope |
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August 2007
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KRISTEL Born March 26, 2005 ESTONIA This precious little girl lives in ESTONIA, a former Soviet republic on the Baltic Sea west of Russia. Estonia fared much better economically than some of the other Eastern European countries, so their children are better cared for. Kristel is 2 years old now. She is crawling and very feisty! She is able to sit up by herself, can pull up and can cruise (when she chooses to). She has excellent trunk strength/tone, and is very strong in general. She has a killer grip too, so watch your hair and your earrings! She is as pretty as a picture, with platinum blonde hair and blue eyes. She has the same nanny as Andres did before he moved to the home for older children. She adores both of them. Kristel is a very determined and independent little girl. She will thrive in a family setting. Kristel was born with a minor heart condition, but it was surgically corrected early in life and she is perfectly healthy now. Her medical report indicates she is growing and developing well, sleeps well, and has a good appetite. Estonia's adoption travel requirements are VERY EASY in comparison to many other countries. The dossier is simple too. Two trips. Both parents travel the first trip for about 4 days. Only one parent must travel for court the 2nd trip, 10-14 days. There is a video available (old), and greater medical history info as well. Total country and agency fees are $6800. For additional information about this beautiful little girl, please contact Barb at Adoption Hope I have $250 in my grant fund towards the cost of my adoption!
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Join the Yahoo group for families adopting from Estonia!
AdoptingfromEstonia-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
for Kristel