By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 12/13/2009

Romania's unwanted children given a chance

In December 1989, the collapse of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's regime revealed the plight of thousands of malnourished orphans locked away in filthy, unheated institutions.

Romania's unwanted children given a chance

In December 1989, the collapse of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's regime revealed the plight of thousands of malnourished orphans locked away in filthy, unheated institutions.

From The Times

December 12, 2009

Dr Jane Aronson: Angelina Jolie's orphan doctor

Angelina Jolie credits one woman with saving her daughter Zahara’s life – Dr Jane Aronson. As adoption medicine’s leading light, she treats children suffering with everything from TB to depression, and is a campaigning voice for orphans around the world

(Christopher Lane)

21ST-CENTURY BABIES

Building a Baby, With Few Ground Rules

Fabrizio Costantini for The New York Times

Laschell and Paul Baker holding the twins she bore July 28 as a surrogate mother. She got a court order to retrieve them. More Photos >

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From The Times

December 12, 2009

Dr Jane Aronson: Angelina Jolie's orphan doctor

Angelina Jolie credits one woman with saving her daughter Zahara’s life – Dr Jane Aronson. As adoption medicine’s leading light, she treats children suffering with everything from TB to depression, and is a campaigning voice for orphans around the world

(Christopher Lane)

Couple's dream of family in limbo Sarah Crawford | 11th December 2009 Scott and Bronwyn McNamara have had their hopes of adopting two Ethiopian orphans dashed. BRETT WORTMAN BRONWYN and Scott McNamara have a simple dream of one day hoisting their adopted children on to their laps and reading to them The Very Hungry Caterpillar. But after a five-year wait, the Bokarina couple’s hopes of adopting two Ethiopian orphans appear to have been crushed after federal attorney-general Robert McClelland decided to suspend Australia’s adoption program with the African country. The McNamaras, who do not have any children, were devastated by the news. They have renovated their beachside home, adding a rumpus room and a pool, as well as buying toys, clothes and children’s books in anticipation of having a young family. The suspension could mean Mrs McNamara, 41, and her husband may never become parents as strict age restrictions apply for many countries that have adoption programs with Australia. “I feel the attorney-general has stolen five years of our lives with no regard,” she said. “For the past five years, our whole lives have been centred around our preparation to bring home two adopted children from Ethiopia. “It would be hard if we did have to start again. We would probably have to wait another five years which would make us too old, my husband would be nearly 50.” The Sunshine Coast has a strong connection to the Australian Ethiopian Intercountry Adoption Program. There are about 20 Coast couples who have adopted between one and three Ethiopian children from a small orphanage called Koala Centre. “This will impact upon them as well. Some of those families have one child and they are waiting to adopt a sibling but now they may never have that brother or sister,” Mrs McNamara said. Mr McClelland decided to suspend the program because the Ethiopian government asked Australia to provide community development assistance as part of the adoption program. Mr McClelland is concerned that may breach the Hague Convention, which does not allow for money to be exchanged as part of intercountry adoption agreements. The review of the program is expected to be completed by the end of the year and a decision on whether the program will be resumed will be made early next year. The McNamaras have called on Mr McClelland to let the program continue while the review is carried out.

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Cape Girardeau woman opens Guatemalan orphanage

Friday, December 11, 2009

By Alaina Busch ~ Southeast Missourian

Since she was teenager, Ana Morales knew she wanted to adopt children.

"In my heart I have wanted to adopt since I was 13," she said.

Major Co. judge to decide family’s sentence in adoption abuse

(BY ANN KELLEY)

Published: Dec 11, 2009

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FAIRVIEW — A Major County judge will decide the punishment for a family accused of abusing an adopted Liberian girl.

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CBS pays for trip in adoption story

By DAVID BAUDER (AP) – 2 hours ago

NEW YORK — CBS News helped pay for a Wisconsin family's trip to Samoa and an emotional meeting that was a key moment in Saturday's "48 Hours" special on an adoption scam involving children taken from their South Pacific homes under false pretenses.

While the network defended its involvement, the payment raises ethical questions about whether its financial commitment risked changing the outcome of a story it was reporting.

Glückliche Regenbogenkinder

Homosexuelle Familien

11.12.2009, 16:42

Von Ulrike Bretz

Kindern, die mit gleichgeschlechtlichen Eltern aufwachsen, geht es nicht besser oder schlechter als anderen. Bundesjustizministerin Brigitte Zypries fordert nun das volle Adoptionsrecht.

Avant leur arrivée à l’orphelinat du Toukoul, les enfants sont recueillis et soignés dans plusieurs centres d'accueil répartis sur l'ensemble du pays.

Ceci est une carte que j'ai piquée sur le site des Amis du Toukoul. Elle est susceptible d'évoluer au fil du temps. Il y a donc une vingtaine de ces centres. Tu es peut être passé par l'un d'eux, ou tu y es peut être encore...