Russian children

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Knowing makes a difference!
This presentation was made to prepare you
better for adopting from Russia. Please choose
from the topics below to learn more about what to
expect during your adoption travel

• Travel to Russia

• About Russia

• Russian children

• Adoption process

2
Russian children
Due to nations diversity Russian children look
different, but equally lovable! Blue-eyed
blondes, brown hair dark eyed cuties with
caucasian or asian features all of them are
children from Russia.
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We request that families be open to children up
to 18 months old.  In some cases, families are
referred a child slightly older than their
referral request. The majority of the children
adopted to the US are 18-24 months old. The
waiting time for girls is longer than for boys.
You will wait more than 2 years when request a
child as young as possible. The more specific
you are in your requirements, the longer it takes
to find a child for you. Please, try to be more
flexible.
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We suggest you to consider very carefully the
expectations regarding your dream baby, do it
well before your trip and come up with a
realistic picture of the child you want to adopt.
Children in the orphanages look sad and unhappy
even though caregivers give the children care
with all the resources they have. No one can be
happy living in an orphanage. Please, remember
that only loving and caring family can make
these children blossom and look cute, just like
on these pictures we used for this presentation.
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How children are matched with the parents?
The Ministry of Education and Science of the
Russian Federation
There is a database of all Russian children left
without parental care and it is the official
listing for all adoptable kids. During first
6-8 months after getting into the database these
children are available for domestic adoption
only. If a child is not adopted by a Russian
family during this period, then he/she becomes
available for international adoption.
The CHI does not match you with a child.
Officials/social workers from the regional
department of the Ministry of Education match you
with a child based on the information from your
dossier, your requirements. But they put childs
best interests above all. The Russian Family
Code requires to keep confidentiality of
adoption, thus you will not be provided with any
information about your referred child prior to
coming to Russia. However, some exceptions can be
done for special needs and older children.
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Who are these children?

• Children who were abandoned/foundlings
• Children whose biological parents died
• Children whose biological parents relinquished
  them voluntary or were deprived of their parental
  rights by a court due to
• Financial problems
• Asocial life style
• Unwanted pregnancy
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Criminal or neglect cases

Please be advised that adoptive children come
with their own history and issues. In some
cases, dealing with childs traumatic past
requires a lot of patience and hard work from the
parents, and this is the only way to help your
child to recover.
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Very little or no information is available about
biological parents or prenatal care despite of
our best efforts. In some cases, e.g. when the
child is a foundling, details of his/her birth
will be never discovered.
Information about a child
You will receive a summary of the childs medical
history and diagnoses from the orphanage during
your first trip to Russia. Youll be able to talk
to the doctors, caregivers, nurses, and orphanage
director according to their availability.
Families should come with a list of questions for
the doctor and caregiver.  Be respectful to them
as they will testify in court.
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• Can you believe that all these children had
  severe medical diagnoses at the time of the
  adoption?
• Did you know that institutionalization causes
  developmental delays and aggravate existing
  medical problems?
• What do you know about medical issues which are
  common for kids adopted from Russia?

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Russian medical diagnoses may sound scary even to
a professional General Practitioner due to
differences between approaches applied in Russian
and American medical schools and terminology.
These are common medical diagnoses of Russian
orphans

• Developmental and growth delays,
  institutionalization effects
• Malnutrition, rickets, anemia, premature birth,
  low birth weight
• Neurological diagnoses such as perinatal
  encephalopathy, pyramidal insufficiency,
  vegetative dystonia, spastic tetraparesis, etc
• Congenital Syphilis and other STD
• Stomach and skin parasites
• Hepatitis A, B, C and its antibodies
• Tuberculosis
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect
• HIV antibodies

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Planning makes a difference!

• Study professional medical literature (not just
  forums and blogs)
• Find good International Adoption Specialist
• Once you get the information on your referral,
  consult with your international adoption
  pediatrician and consider the information very
  carefully.
• If you like, CHI can arrange an independent
  medical evaluation by a Russian doctor in the
  region at the familys expense.
• Listen to yourself, talk to your spouse and get
  to know your capabilities for parenting a child
  with the medical issues mentioned above.

REMEMBER each adopted child needs additional
attention and special care!
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Knowing makes a difference!

• Russian children

• About Russia

• Travel to Russia

• Adoption process

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RUSSIAis your childs motherland!
Russia is a beautiful country, but it is so much
different from America!

• Read books about Russia while waiting during
  your travel try to relax and enjoy it despite of
  bad weather half a year, grey sky and gloomy
  people. Russia takes time to open up to
  strangers, but then youll be able to see its
  beauty.
• Remember it is already a part of your childs
  identity, accept it, embrace it, celebrate and
  enjoy!

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The map of Russia
Russia - the world's largest country - lies
across Europe and Asia and spans 11 time zones
through 89 regions.
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KALININGRAD
Russia is huge and divers. The CHI has its
ownrepresentatives from the Western point in
Kaliningrad city on the Baltic Sea to the Eastern
point in Vladivostok city, the port on the
Pacific Ocean. Our staff is well trained to
assist you with all legal steps and have years of
experience working with American adoptive
parents along with a great relationship with
Russian adoption authorities. Trust to CHI
Regional Representatives is a key to your
successful adoption experience
VLADIVOSTOK
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Are you going to Siberia? Kemerovo, Krasnoyarsk
and Tomsk are typical Siberian cities, mostly
industrial, soviet style and sometimes dirty, but
beautiful when covered with snow in winter or
blossoming with flowers in summer. Different
regions in Russia are like States in the USA with
their own regional laws and customs. Study CHI
Russian web-site www.childrenshope.ru for more
information about the regions, including
regional legislation.
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Many old cities and towns such as Smolensk,
Pskov, Tver, Nizhny Novgorod, Astrakhan are
located in Central Russia. All of them are
authentic and beautiful with great historic
attractions such as ancient Cathedrals,
monasteries, etc. However, small towns in rural
areas might look dusty and poor because of lack
of resources .
The nature here is magnificent, youll enjoy
great rivers, mountains and lands!
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MOSCOWis the capital of Russia with population
of 13 million inhabitants. Nowadays, it is modern
European city with busy traffic, fancy people,
luxury shops and restaurants, exhibitions and
theatres. At the same time, it is crowded
megapolis with unsafe industrial suburbs, plugged
with police, homeless and beggars. It is the
major transportation hub in Russia with 5
airports and 8 train-stations. Youll arrive to
Moscow first, and then youll go to the region of
your adoption.
While staying in the city visit the heart of the
country for every Russian beautiful Red Square.
It is a MUST SEE!
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Famous Moscow street Old Arbat is the best place
for Souvenir Shopping samovars, fur hats,
scarves, wooden spoons and of course Matreshka
dolls
After a long flight take a walk along Tverskaya
street, stop at any restaurant and try delicious
Russian food. Unfortunately, it might be
difficult to find American food in remote
regions, and we suggest you to stick with
something simple or try traditional Russian
pelmeni, pirogi and blini. Keep caution! As in
any big city, there are people who may take
advantage of you. Do not carry a lot of money on
you and keep your documents in a money-belt.
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Regardless of the region of your destination,
please, be prepared that winters are very cold in
Russia! The average temperature in January is
about 4-10F, but may occasionally drop to -20F
(below zero) and it feels freezing COLD! It is
snowing from November till April almost
everywhere and the average depth of snow is about
10-15 inches.
Grey sky is quite common, it is actually rarely
sunnyin central Russia. However, the average
temperature in summer is around 65-75F, and
sometimes it gets above 100F. Air-conditioning
is rare unlike heating, which is used for 9 out
of 12 months. Heavy spring and fall rains may
damage small roads in rural areas making the
travel challenging.
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In big cities Russians often dress trendy
(sometimes in a bizarre manner). You will see
women wearing high heels and dressy suits even
during winter with great fur coats and hats.
Youll need to dress up business casual for
adoption purposes (formal attire for court) and
dont forget to bring warm clothes for winter!
Clothing tips
Wear layers of clothes which can be easily taken
off if it gets warmer. Thermal underwear, wool
sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves and boots are
appropriate for winter. A snowsuit and a pair of
tights is a MUST for children of any age and sex
from November till April.
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Knowing makes a difference!

• Russian children

• About Russia

• Travel to Russia

• Adoption process

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We call the adoption A Journey of Love because
we truly believe it is not just a journey to a
different country.We think that you are actually
traveling deep inside your heart to find love for
a child you are adopting, to find courage to
accept the unknown and make a commitment for the
rest of your life to bring hope, health and home
to an orphan.
A Journey of Love
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CHILDRENS HOPE INTERNATIONAL RUSSIA
PROGRAMstarted in 1996. Since 1996 we helped
more than 1,600 orphans have found their forever
families in the US. You will benefit a lot from
our decent experience. We will help you, guide
you and support you whatever happens during your
adoption.

• The following part is about traveling to Russia

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Childrens Hope local Russian teamWe have CHI
representatives in every region we work with
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In-country arrangements
The CHI will arrange your international and
in-country travel, organize transportation and
accommodation in Russia with the best convenience
to your adoption plan.
We provide you with a personal interpreter and
driver from the moment you step out of the plane
and for the entire time spent in Russia for
adoption purposes. The CHI Regional
Representative will arrange all official
meetings, translate your documents and collect
background investigation papers for your child.
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We suggest you stay one night in Moscow on the
way to the region. Youll be tired after the long
flight. A stop over will help you to adjust to
the local time and get ready for all important
steps you are just about to take in next few
days.
Moscow hotels
Moscow is one of the most expensive cities in the
world, and it offers high rates for the hotels.
Plan to spend about 250-300 per night. You might
think it is a lot, and we agree, but you will get
an excellent service. Many of our families told
us that these money were very well spent.
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You are welcome to visit the CHI Moscow office to
get acquainted with our team. We love when
parents are coming over! Free internet access,
long-distance calls, books to borrow, tea, coffee
and smiles are waiting for you here!
The CHI Moscow office
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Next day youll be flying or taking a train to
the region of your adoption. The CHI will
purchase tickets for you in advance, and youll
need to reimburse our travel agent for these
expenses. The CHI driver will take you to the
airport and help you to check-in.
Be prepared to travel from 1,5 to 8 hours from
Moscow depending on the region of your
destination.
Please, pack light especially if you are
traveling by plane. Russian domestic airlines
free baggage allowance is only 44 lbs per person
including carry-on.
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Most regional's hotels are soviet style buildings
with very simple but nice and clean rooms.
Prices usually include breakfast buffet and VAT.
All rooms equipped with Russian TV, long distance
phone, bathroom, mini-fridge and sometimes
internet. Rooms are often quite small to American
standards you can always ask for a bigger room,
but it will double the price.
The hotels we book for you are carefully selected
to fit best into your adoption activities, in
terms of location and convenience. There are not
many choices in general due to poor tourist
infrastructure in most of the regions. We rely on
your understanding and hope that you do not
expect anything luxurious.
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Travel expenses in Russia

• Hotel in Moscow 235-300 per night
• Hotel in a region - 120-230 per night
• Plane/train tickets - 180-750 per person round
  trip
• Food, souvenirs, sightseeing up to you
  (approximately 50 per day per person)
• Childs US visa fee - 380
• Parent medicals at the American Medical Clinic -
  750 per person (only for some regions)
• The CHI does not charge additional adoption fees
  in Russia. We suggest you to bring 3000-3500
  for each trip in cash, new unmarked 50 and 100
  bills.
• It is safe to pay by credit card in the US
  Embassy, and in the hotels in Moscow and regions.
  
• All payments are in Russian Rubles only. At
  present the exchange rate is 1 dollar per 24
  rubles (with a tendency to decrease).

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Time frames

• Each region in Russia has its own requirements
  for international adoption. Depending on what
  region you are adopting from, youll need to
  stay in Russia from 4 to 7 days during your first
  trip.
• For the second trip, the stay will be about 21
  days (subject to court decision depending on
  whether the 10-days waiting period enforced or
  waived).
• You may choose not to stay in the region
  during this 10-days waiting period, and go
  back to the US instead and come again for a
  short third trip to pick up your child and get
  official documents (5-7 days).

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Knowing makes a difference!

• Russian children

• About Russia

• Travel to Russia

• Adoption process

33
The very first official step you have to do in
the region is visit the Ministry of Education
ADOPTION PROCESS
Officials at the MOE will select a child for you
from the regional database of all orphans
available for international adoption. They will
try to select a child closely matching your
requirements. At the MOE, you will be given the
referral, which is a brief information about the
child, his/her full name, age, orphan status,
medical diagnoses and orphanages location.
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Orphanages
Usually, there are several orphanages in a
region. They are located in 1-3 hours drive from
the regions capital city. Orphanages
conditions vary from very poor to very good, but
all of them kept clean and they provide best
possible care to the children. Unfortunately,
even the best orphanage can not provide enough
love and care for a child, and substitute for
caring and loving parents. Most orphans are
suffering from institutionalization and have
developmental delays and medical problems.
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You will meet the director of the orphanage to
talk about you childs biological family history,
medical diagnoses, behavior, etc. Your
interpreter will translate all your questions and
director/orphanages doctor will try to answer at
their best knowledge.
At the orphanage
Write down all the information, ask for copies of
your childs vaccination, growth chats, etc. to
send it to your international adoption specialist
back in the US. Ask as many questions as you
can, always be polite and respectful.
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The first meeting with your child

• Try to stay calm and dont cry not to scare your
  child.
• Do not expect a child to jump into your laps and
  smile right away. You are a stranger to him/her.
• Slow down, let him be with his/her caregiver for
  a first few minutes, then take a toy and attract
  childs attention.

If your child is crying, it is actually a good
sign which shows that the child recognizes
strangers and feels attached to the caregivers.
Toys, rattles, and cookies could help you to
break the ice. Have it with you every day you
visit the orphanage.
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During your first trip, you will visit your child
at the orphanage every day to spend together as
much time as possible, but in compliance with the
schedule of the orphanage. We suggest 1-2 hours
per day/visit in order not to overstimulate the
child.Ask the staff if you can feed your child,
change the diapers, and play outside.
REMEMBER! During your communication with the
child, youll be observed by the social worker
who will later express his/her opinion to the
judge during the court hearing. Try to be at your
best and show affection to your child.
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Youll have few days to think about adoption,
consult with your doctor, family and your
partner. When you are ready to make the
commitment to adopt the child referred to you, we
will take you to a Notary Office to sign an
Adoption Petition to the Region Court.
Youll need to specify a new name you are giving
to your child in this Adoption Petition.
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Second referral

• Not always the first match is right. If , for
  medical reasons, you decide not to adopt your
  first referred child youll need to talk to the
  CHI Regional Representative ASAP. Youll have to
  go to the Ministry of Education to request the
  second referral. If possible, youll be given the
  second chance.
• Well do our best to ensure that a family does
  not leave the region without a child matched.
  Well do everything possible for you, but
  remember, we depend on the MOE decisions. It
  might take few more days to find another child
  for you and you would need to extend your stay in
  the region.
• We know how difficult it is to decline the
  referral, say NO to the child and yourself, and
  explain your decision to the officials. We
  understand that you are making a life-changing
  decision! Be sure, the CHI Regional
  representative will support you in any situation
  with no questions.

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Leaving your child at the orphanage
Depending on the region, youll need to spend 5-7
days in Russia during your first trip. Youll
have to go back to the US and wait for 2-6 months
before your second trip. During this time, the
judge will be examining the case and social
workers together with the CHI will be collecting
documents proving official abandonment of your
child or relinquishment documents from the birth
parents. We understand how difficult this
waiting may be for you. We will do everything
possible to prepare all the documents for the
court hearing as soon as possible. However, the
bureaucracy process takes time, just like in the
US, and stays beyond our control.
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Second trip

• Both parents must be present at the Court
  Hearing.
• The judge will set the court hearing date
  according to her/his schedule. The CHI will
  inform you about the date when it is announced
  and usually 1-2 weeks before the hearing.
• You will need to update some of your documents
  before the second trip - keep in touch with your
  adoption consultant.
• Pack for your trip in advance, get everything
  ready before the call youll be in a hurry.

42
The Court Hearing
Some regions require that you see your child
before the hearing. Thus, you might need to
arrive few days in advance.
Before the hearing we will tell you what
questions are typically asked at the court. Your
interpreter will help you during the hearing. The
hearing may last from one hour up to full day.
The court decree becomes official ten days after
the court hearing, subject to the judges
decision.
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10 days waiting period

• Ten days waiting period for the decree to get
  into force is mandatory for all civil cases in
  Russia. However, it can be waived by the judge
  under certain circumstances, i.e. serious childs
  health problems.
• If 10 days waiting is waived, youll spent 4-7
  days in the region during your second trip. In
  most cases/regions adoptive parents have to obey
  this 10 days waiting period. The child stays in
  the orphanage before the decree comes into force.
  
• OR

You may choose to go back to the US and come back
to Russia for the third time on the 11th day to
pick up the child and collect all the documents.
Collecting documents in the region usually takes
2-4 days.
3rd TRIP
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Based on the Court Decree you will need to obtain
the following documents
Documents

• The Adoption Certificate
• The Birth Certificate with childs new name and
  your names as parents

Having these documents youll apply for the
International Passport for your child which is
necessary for flying to the US. CHI
coordinator, interpreter and driver will help you
to comply with all these procedures.
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Dont forget to thank caregivers and nurses as
well as the director of the orphanage they took
care for your child while he/she was waiting for
you. Giving small presents is appropriate but not
necessarily.
Picking up your child from the orphanage is very
exciting for you but might be scary for your
child! Bring toys, food, warm clothes,
underwear, tights and snowsuit (for winter).
Dress your child warm!
No donation to the orphanage is required as it is
already included into your final fee to the
agency . Though it would be nice to buy something
for children, depending on the orphanages needs
(toys, diapers, wipes, shampoo, etc., within
100-150).
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The process of adoption is finalized in Moscow.
Regardless of the region of the adoption, all
parents must visit the US Embassy in Moscow for
an interview in order to receive Immigration Visa
for their adopted children.
The US Embassy
Pre-Visa medical examination of the adopted child
is required by the US Law with no exceptions and
can be performed in Moscow one day before the
interview. The CHI Moscow office will provide
qualified help, translation and transportation
during these days in Moscow.
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• On the day of your departure to the US, our
  interpreter and driver will take you to the
  airport. They will help you to check in and make
  sure you successfully pass the border control,
  and then wish you all the best in your new life.

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• ! ! ! EXPECT UNEXPECTED ! ! !
• All information in this presentation, including
  timelines and procedures, is for your information
  only.
• Currently, Russia is revising the guidelines for
  foster and adoption care which may cause changes
  in the adoption process and timing. The more
  flexible you are in your expectations, the less
  stressful the process will be for you.
• Please, understand that you are getting the most
  precious gift from Russia its child. This is a
  big privilege. People here do expect you to
  respect all regulations and requirements, even if
  some of them seems odd. Please, show your
  respect to this country on behalf of all adoptive
  parents who already found their children here or
  just waiting for this chance.

changes
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We hope that your adoption will be smooth and
pleasant. Just stay motivated, dont be afraid
of difficulties and focus on the child your are
adopting. The moment you hug your baby all
months of dreaming, waiting, worrying and
traveling will turn into your adoption story, as
touching and moving, as this one, presented by
one of our families
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Children all over Russia are waiting for you!