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Countries: South Africa

ARK Bulgaria - Small Group Homes for Children Leaving Institutional Care

December 2007, 07/12/2007

Dear Valued Stara Planina Properties Client,

Christmas is time to be with the family and enjoy the warmth of home but it is also time to remember the people in need.

ARK Bulgaria - Small Group Homes for Children Leaving Institutional Care

Some of you may have watched the recent BBC broadcast concerning Bulgarian orphanages. It was a very negative portrayal of the plight of the kids living in one of these institutions. Bulgaria has an extremely poor legacy from the communist times when all the homeless kids had to be hidden not to disturb the perception of the "ideal" society. Nowadays the Bulgarian society does not accept the situation with the kids in the state institutions and there are many positive examples however the knowledge and experience how to bring the kids back to the community had to be brought to Bulgaria from other European countries which have had more positive experience dealing with such problems.

ARK is a UK charity, committed to transforming the lives of these children by providing them with better care, wherever possible based in families. ARK Bulgaria is developing foster care and adoption services and wherever possible supporting parents to take their children back home. Laura Partker, Managing Director of ARK Bulgaria, explained more about one of their projects in the Bulgarian city of Stara Zagora.

"Throughout Bulgaria, several thousand children live in institutions - often called 'orphanages', although only 2% of the children in these homes have no parents. These children are often very isolated, going to school as well as living in the institutions with little chance to socialise with others. The care which they receive does not allow them to develop fully and the emotional, intellectual and physical developmental damage which the children experience is often irreversible.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to find family placements for all of the children. For those who have nowhere else to go, ARK is developing small-scale, high quality children's homes. In these 'Small Group Homes', 8 children will live with teams of dedicated, trained carers.

ARK is piloting this new approach for the first time in Bulgaria in Stara Zagora where 5 Small Group Homes are currently being finalised. Working with 'Stara Planina Properties', ARK has financed the refurbishment of two properties provided by the Municipality, built one home on Municipal land and purchased two apartments.

The first of the Small Group Homes opened in September 2007; the last one will open at the end of December. A total of 40 children will leave the institution Nadejda to live in these new homes - and to enjoy a quality of care and individual attention which will radically improve their long-term life chances.

After only a few weeks we have already seen dramatic differences in the behaviour of the children who moved into the new homes in September. Their physical appearance has also started to change: all of the children are putting on weight and one little girl who suffers from alopecia now has hair growing. The children are thriving, loving going to school in the community and enjoying having their own home and possessions - in many cases, for the first time in their lives."

Eva Ward, an expert involved in the creation of the model being applied in Stara Zagora, have assessed the needs of the kids for toys.

"It has been difficult to be able to buy enough for the five homes from our budget. Our children have never actually had any proper toys before and we are desperate to give them the opportunity of some good quality play materials. I took a plastic tea set and a simple road track and cars to each of the three established Small Group Homes recently and could not believe the excitement and pleasure the children got from them.

The children are aged between 3 and 7 but many have developmental delay and need the kind of toys normally enjoyed by younger children - this will also help us to work with development issues. These are some ideas -

Cuddly soft toys - we would like each child to have a good quality teddy or other animal soft toy to keep on their beds and to cuddle at bedtime. This would be their very own and they would keep it forever! There would need to be 8 different types to ensure that there are not two the same in each home - so no confusion or fights! The children have never had anything of their own before.

Baby dolls - we would like one for each Small Group Homes - again quite a big one so it is like a real baby. We do lots of 'playing families' with the children which is very much 'learning through play' as of course our children have no idea about families or caring for babies. There are quite nice ones that come in a set with baby bottles and various extras! A dolls pram or pushchair for the above baby!

Strong plastic trucks and cars - the children are quite heavy handed with toys due to their lack of experience and so toys need to be as robust as possible.

Lego or other building/construction toys - I know lego is very expensive but it is such good value for co-ordination and concentration. We will try to accumulate collections for each Small Group Homes over time.

Educational toys - I've seen sets of matching cards (classic pairs games) and numbers games etc here now. Anything in this category is always welcome.

If by any chance you are in the UK and wish to buy from there absolutely anything from the Early Learning Centre would be fantastic!"

Each home is fully equipped but there are items which would be good to have in addition to what has been provided by the foundation. These are kitchen robots (one costing about 80 levs), toasters (40 levs), kettles (35 levs) for each home and one camera for all the kids so that they have pictures of their birthdays, Christmas parties, first school days and other event arranged in their own albums.

The team of Stara Planina Properties' Sofia office were touched by the kids and bought winter jackets for all of them. We will also contribute to purchase some toys and other necessary items but the kids grow and always need support - new toys, clothes, shoes. So if any of you, our clients, wish to contribute we will be able to help with the logistics.

If you would like to learn more about ARK's work or are interested in supporting the programme, please do get in touch with Laura Parker, Managing Director of ARK Bulgaria - Laura@arkonline.org, tel: 00 359 (0) 2 983 3480 / mobile: 00 359 (0) 889 223 467.

Bulgarian Christmas Charity Launched for the Fifth Time

The fifth consecutive charity campaign Bulgarian Christmas was launched on 1st December. This is the most popular charity campaign in Bulgaria and more and more funds have been donated every other year.

Bulgarian Christmas raises funds for medical treatment of children and for purchase of medical equipment for children hospitals. Bulgarian Christmas 2007 aims at helping 37 children. The former four campaigns raised over 7 million levs. The sum was utilised for medical treatment of nearly 170 children. Almost 50 children wards received equipment worth nearly 6 million levs.

Main organisers of the initiative are Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov, Bulgarian National Television and other media.

Kostelich, Aamod and Girardelli To Visit Bansko for Opening of The Ski Season

The stars of the world alpine skiing Yanitsa Kostelich, Kjetil Andre Aamod and Marc Girardelli will be official guests of the opening of the ski season in the winter resort of Bansko on December 15th.

This summer the Bansko ski zones were upgrated and equipped with additional snow machines. There is a new lift with capacity of 2,000 passengers per hour as well as a draw lift for beginners. Other extras have also been added such as facilities for night skiing. The total length of the pistes is now 70 km and the snow guns - from 75 last winter are 160.

Monthly Travel Guide

Below is a link to the Jamadvice HRG Bulgaria Monthly Travel Guide. It provides useful information as well as some interesting facts from the travel industry.

Persons: Laura Parker

Organizations: Nadejda Home, Bulgaria, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, Absolute Return for Kids (ARK)

Countries: Bulgaria

eerste alleenstaande adoptie-ouder in Nederland

first single adoptive parent in the Netherlands

An interview with Hannemieke Stamperius

Astrid Werdmuller

In 1987, Hannemieke Stamperius adopted her daughter Vita in Brazil. In 1995 she defied the Dutch adoption law by initiating and winning a trial. With that, she officially became the first single adoptive parent in the Netherlands.

The work of Hannemieke Stamperius / Hannes Meinkema is characterized by the great knowledge and enthusiasm, the consistent thinking of things, the deep understanding and the breaking of taboos.

Countries: Netherlands

"Babyexporteure" Guatemala und Haiti

VON REDAKTION | 03. Dezember 2007, 17:10

Die Nachfrage nach Neugeborenen ist immens

Lateinamerikanische Adoptionsparadiese mit zweifelhaften Praktiken - Kinderhändler kaufen Schwangeren das Baby oft noch im Bauch ab

Letter Ina Hut to Neelie Kroes (European Commission)

https://www.asktheeu.org/en/request/1350/response/5959/attach/4/12%2013column%20Ina%20Hut%20WKblad%20november%20wereldkinderen06.2007.pdf

Persons: Ina Hut

Organizations: Support Letters for Roelie, Wereldkinderen aka NICWO, TIMELINE WHISTLEBLOWER ROELIE POST

crazy discussion on Romania

Topic: Adoption

| Back to Topic List | Add new post in this topic to write |

29.11.2007, 10:56 clock by Walter
Does anyone know about themselves from adopting a child from Romania?
Report this post | 267,611

29.11.2007, 18:57 clock by Stefana

Hello I know me a little bit of
what do you want to know??

Lg
Report this post | 268,133

Book Advertising

29.11.2007, 21:49 by Marita Clock
Adoptions from Romania abroad dzt. are still forbidden. But many clubs are working out that it is changed.
Report this post | 268,274

30.11.2007, 14:18 clock by Walter
Hi Stefana,

I am concerned about whether adoptions are generally durchfürbar or not and how complicated such procedures are ... the children's homes are still filled with street children, and I think, as one might do good.

Best regards,

Walter
Report this post | 268,920

30.11.2007, 14:39 clock by LustigerFuchs Registered users (see profile)
Why do adoptierst a home child from De?
It seems here there en masse, even some celebrity's grew up in foster homes.
Report this post | 268,957

30.11.2007, 14:45 clock from German in Adriatic German
@ Funny Fox
Why do not disappear after Ro? There seems there are masses of work for you!
Report this post | 268,968

30.11.2007, 15:26 clock by LustigerFuchs Registered users (see profile)
But no better paid.
Anyway, working only in Ro brings little revenue.
Perhaps I can tell you sometime when you tell why you turned to tax and what requirements you had for the tax audit. The way I was brought on ideas.
Report this post | 269,039

30.11.2007, 19:58 clock by Carpathian holidays Registered users (see profile)
to Walter,

you can have a child from Russia, from Bulgaria, but not to adopt from Romania. Romanian law bans adoptions abroad. Who else tells is wrong. - If you want to help, so help a child in their own country, Romania. There are many ....
Report this post | 269,379

30.11.2007, 20:22 clock by maxebaumann Registered users (see profile)
Carpathian holidays, to have this child, what do you want to help in the country, but then you build an electric fence. If the child is certainly nothing.
Report this post | 269,397

02.12.2007, 14:24 clock by Carpathian holidays Registered users (see profile)
Hello Walter,
you should not believe all the people are so giving of himself to write what is often ............... who have no idea.
I have been running since 1989, an organization of orphans in Romania. True, there was much lost, may have other children for pleasure through, but now it has become easier.
Turn it to a HO near you, you sure like to give information.
It depends mainly on whether you want to help or do something for yourself. Helpers usually get nothing back, except maybe to see moments where she happy faces.
If you still want to adopt a child, the first path leads to the youth in your district.
After the OK is the second way a 9-month preparatory course.
Then you can register with the authorities documents jungle to deal with. That costs money and nerves. Then you possibly get "your" child.
Much love, and do not be downed
Report this post | 270,852

02.12.2007, 14:37 clock by maxebaumann Registered users (see profile)
Carpathian holidays, I can not quite understand it. Since 89 When you're working in the sector, one can hardly be so naive. The problems with the targeted children, work is harder today than it was years ago. The barriers continue to fall forever.
Report this post | 270,858

02.12.2007, 17:17 clock by Stefana
to Walter.!
I do not know how the location is now ...
but it is always a long lasting affair.
naja .. I think it was enough e gsesaggt ..
Report this post | 271,085

02.12.2007, 17:19 clock by Stefana

PS: such matters are very complicated. but it's worth it.
yes, the homes are fully gstopft ..

Much luck
Report this post | 271,089

02.12.2007, 19:27 @ Clock by maxebaumann
maxe the best all want to be your stupid snout, it pisses me stay out with your stupid know-it, shut up you are senile and too stupid to bring something sensible about the series!
Report this post | 271,272

02.12.2007, 20:15 clock by maxebaumann Registered users (see profile)
Stefana, according to the new EU Directive, the homes are supposed to be drastically reduced. Where these children will end up, that's probably not so hard to guess. Allegedly converted into private families. but as I got my reasonable doubt. This one has so far attempted to treat with all kinds of it, but little resonance.
Report this post | 271,350

02.12.2007, 20:21 clock by Stefana

hey I'm in a
Children growing up in romania!
and I was happy.
made me what good has become.

Report this post | 271,365

02.12.2007, 20:40 @ Clock by Stefana
That is not to maxe his view, the old blockhead knows everything better and he has again be stupid legitimate doubt.
Report this post | 271,393

02.12.2007, 21:50 clock by maxebaumann Registered users (see profile)
Stefana, I think you have that lucky. Assist in the home which we handle almost all of the boys with a vocational training course in life. Happiness does not have but so many of them.

Report this post | 271,458

02.12.2007, 21:59 clock by ICh
For me, incomprehensible how someone adopting a little gypsy can. Know of 2 cases of adoption of a Romanian child to Germany, and both times walked beside ists who are petty criminals become. Against the genes we can do nothing! Even when good will does not help. Ok man is lucky, perhaps, that the child has somewhere either German or Russian genes, but that I would not bet! Romanian-country adoption is a roulette game with a lot of rivets! That is why the CIA and other Western intelligence agencies have stopped the adoption of the Romanians abroad. In order to curb the harmful influence! Everything, of course, totally secret, but I have my info channels! Otherwise, it would not be so hot secret service!
Report this post | 271,464

02.12.2007, 22:09 clock by NicolaeCeausescu Registered users (see profile)
If the intelligence agencies say something stupid, it remains nevertheless a stupidity.
Report this post | 271,476

02.12.2007, 22:10 clock by Patric Registered users (see profile)
Well if that deal even with children? ... The intelligence agencies.
Report this post | 271,477

02.12.2007, 23:12 clock by ICh
The intelligence agencies take care to imagine many more things than the ordinary citizen can! That ought ANY Romanian Securitate from our own experience to know! They are with you but even still everywhere! That is also a base in Romania, why it still is so shit. Some Securitate people have the most property seized under the nail .. but are still nochmehr (unproductive) worked!

You think those are the only lazy Gypsy .. But it is really something else!
Report this post | 271,529

03.12.2007, 18:34 clock by Stefana
I @

hey .. I dare to say that
you with your meaningful
all (or fastalle) children adopted from Romania
turn to crime lies completely wrong!.

a child is not automatically a criminal just because it comes from Romania.!
against the gene you can not do anything that stimbt.
But many do with the education of the adoptive parents!!

Children are children! whether German or
Romanian origin!

Report this post | 272,261

12.04.2008, 23:52 clock by Nadja
Sorry, of course, meant CARPATHIANS HOLIDAY ...
Report this post | 399,270

13.04.2008, 08:28 clock of I
Most children, however, come only after a few years in the home. Until then be characterized as strong as it hardly makes what. Later, sit down by the early life experiences, even in the subconscious. Therefore, the probation will ever get, because of severe childhood, etc. And with the genes, it is so that the Romanians living since 100en of years mostly by criminals. Thus, these genes have been enforced. It's like the dog breed, it just gives aggressive breeds (Rottweiler, etc), and brave, because you can do something but the basic trend is there.

Even the children's homes in Romania are not bad, but on the contrary usually much much better than a Romanian child-rearing at home. Because all involved there, particularly abroad, with high expectations. What happens when the Romanians at home not interested. Whether Dad nailed her daughter, whether or not the children go to school .. not really interested with this.

So siehts out.

http://www.rumaenien-forum.de/thema.php?id=32989

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Countries: Russia, Romania, Germany, Bulgaria

Adoption : Le Maroc change !

28 novembre 2007 - Commentaires? - En discuter sur les forums? -

La crèche de Tanger est l’unique lieu de la ville où sont recueillis les bébés abandonnés. Sur le bureau de sa présidente, s’accumulent une centaine de dossiers : les demandes d’adoption qui attendent d’être satisfaites. Ceux auxquels la vie n’a pas donné la chance d’enfanter n’hésitent plus aujourd’hui à venir frapper à la porte de la crèche. Que l’on cesse donc de répéter que rien ne change au Maroc.

A force de les vivre au quotidien, on ne prend plus la mesure des changements intervenus dans notre société au cours des dernières décennies. Pourtant, en matière d’évolution des mentalités, ils sont parfois impressionnants. L’exemple suivant en offre une bonne illustration. A Tanger, quand vous pénétrez dans l’enceinte de l’hôpital Kortobi, l’ancien hôpital français, vous trouvez tout de suite sur votre droite une maisonnette ouverte sur un jardinet coquet. Sur son fronton se lit l’inscription « Crèche de Tanger ». C’est là que sont recueillis les nourrissons abandonnés à la naissance.

Retrouvés pour beaucoup dans la rue, ces enfants rendent compte de la permanence de l’intolérance sociale envers la mère célibataire, intolérance qui pousse cette dernière à commettre l’irréparable à l’égard de l’enfant auquel elle donne le jour. Une cinquantaine de petits locataires, pour l’essentiel âgés de quelques mois, séjournent dans cette institution. Tous ont déjà une famille adoptive qui attend d’achever les formalités juridiques de la kafala pour venir les chercher. Choyés et dorlotés par un personnel dévoué, ils reprennent vie après avoir connu le rejet, leur premier cri à peine lancé. Loin de l’orphelinat froid et sans âme, la crèche de Tanger assure à ces bébés le cocon de chaleur dont ils ont été privés à la naissance, jugés coupables avant que d’être.

Retour maintenant vingt ans en arrière. Haj Hayat, directeur d’une institution bancaire, est réveillé en sursaut au milieu de la nuit par le gardien de nuit. Celui-ci l’appelle en catastrophe car la fille d’une des femmes de ménage employées par la banque menace d’accoucher sur le perron de celle-ci. Au commencement des douleurs, les deux femmes se sont rendues dans un premier temps à l’hôpital. Mais elles y ont trouvé porte close, l’honorable lieu n’ayant pas de place pour les pécheresses. En désespoir de cause, la mère a donc ramené la fille sur son lieu de travail. Devant l’urgence de la situation, Haj Hayat et sa femme se rendent sur place, prennent les malheureuses et les ramènent à l’hôpital où cette fois-ci, intervention d’un notable oblige, on est bien obligé de les recevoir.

Pendant que son épouse assiste à l’accouchement, Haj Hayat tue le temps en se promenant dans les couloirs. C’est alors que des pleurs en provenance d’une pièce fermée arrêtent ses pas. Interpellé, il s’enquiert de ce qu’il y a derrière la porte. Quand, sur sa demande, celle-ci lui est entrouverte, il est tout d’abord saisi par l’insupportable odeur qui emplit l’atmosphère. Puis il aperçoit, jetés comme des objets mis au rebut, des nouveaux-nés, sales et affamés, qui braillent avec toute la force de leur petit être. Ce sont là des bébés dont personne ne veut ni ne se soucie. Profondément choqué par ce spectacle, Haj Hayat décide de tout mettre en œuvre pour arracher ces infortunés nourrissons à ce mouroir.

Plusieurs contacts sont pris, notamment avec l’autorité religieuse de la région susceptible s’opposer à l’initiative. De cette grande âme, il s’entend dire que les oulad zna n’ont droit à rien en islam. Que donc, leur destin ne peut être, sinon la mort, que le rejet et l’exclusion. Mais notre homme, pieux croyant au fait du texte coranique et des hadiths, rappelle à son interlocuteur les propos du Prophète plaçant le kafil (celui qui assume la kafala d’un enfant) à sa droite au paradis. Neutralisée par cet argument, la personnalité en question n’a d’autre choix que de laisser faire. C’est ainsi que la crèche de Tanger, après moult péripéties, voit le jour. Vingt ans plus tard, pour ces enfants qui, hier, mouraient dans un coin sombre de l’hôpital, quand ce n’était pas dans une poubelle, la demande excède l’offre. La crèche de Tanger reste l’unique lieu de la ville où sont recueillis les bébés abandonnés. Mais sur le bureau de Khadija Bouebaidi, son énergique présidente, transitaire de son état, s’accumulent une centaine de dossiers : les demandes d’adoption qui attendent d’être satisfaites. Ceux auxquels la vie n’a pas donné la chance d’enfanter n’hésitent plus aujourd’hui à venir frapper à la porte de la crèche, prêts à faire leurs ces petits êtres à qui, jusque-là, la société ne réservait que rejet et mépris.

Que l’on cesse donc de répéter que les choses ne changent pas autour de nous. Quand, dans un domaine aussi sensible que celui-ci, des évolutions de ce style sont enregistrées, preuve est donnée que rien n’est jamais définitivement figé. Certes, sur ce plan comme sur tant d’autres, on n’en est encore qu’au tout début du chemin. Mais dès lors que quelqu’un ose le premier pas, l’ostracisme se fissure et la société, doucement, s’éduque à penser et à se comporter différemment. Mais pour ce faire, il est besoin de grands cœurs capables de se lever au milieu de la nuit pour secourir un être dans l’adversité puis, ensuite, de s’engager dans des batailles dont l’objectif n’est autre que de rappeler chacun à son devoir d’humain.

La vie éco - Hinde Taarji

Countries: Morocco

Organizations: Le Creche de Tangier

Radical house sparrow

European Commissioner Neelie Kroes has had a bit of it with the Netherlands: "It is impossible to explain abroad that we have an animal party or an action group that wants to set up a pedophile party."

An anthracite-gray pencil skirt, a silver-gray jacket, high pumps and a bag full of papers in each hand. There, European Commissioner Neelie Kroes (66) comes up, click clack click clack, half past six in the morning at Zaventem airport near Brussels. The VIP room is not open that early, it will just like the other passengers board the plane from TAP Portugal to Lisbon via gate 43. She has to address a conference there, then have lunch and meet with the Portuguese competition authority. But there is a problem. “I have to get back as soon as possible this afternoon,” she says. "My house in Wassenaar has been broken into."

She talks to Jean-Philippe Monod de Froideville, her personal adviser, a young man in a dashing pinstripe suit. He was already waiting for her and he immediately takes today's schedule, Friday, November 9. "That lunch ..." he says. “Shall we make a cup of coffee with the chairman? The meeting can go to next week, and then um, let's have a look, there is a flight from KLM to Schiphol at a quarter to twelve. Who try? ”

"The police called last night," says Neelie Kroes. “Everything has been turned upside down. There is a lot of road. ”

"I will arrange it as soon as we arrive," says Jean-Philippe.

Countries: Netherlands

Organizations: European Commission

Romania's Lost Children (Blog Emma Griffith)

November 23, 2007

Romania's Lost Children

Watch the program: Part 1 | Part 2

The little baby boy lay awake in his cot. He was bound in swaddling, as is the tradition in these parts, and I was aching to pick him up. The doctor told me his name: Emanuel Bizgan. He was five months old, the son of a homeless woman, and had been abandoned at the hospital.

Emanuel is one of a new generation of orphans in Romania. These days babies abandoned at hospitals are likely to stay there until their second birthday. New laws banning the institutionalization of children under two have backfired for them. Only when they turn two will they be legally allowed to go to a children's home. Not that that would be much better.

The doctor in charge, Dr. Monica Nicoara, has become a babysitter for dozens of newborns and toddlers. There's nothing medically wrong with the children – they've simply had the misfortune of being given up by their parents.

"They have no affiliation, no stability; 'that’s my mummy, I go to my mummy, I am safe with my mummy. I have many mummies – anyone is okay, but which is mine?,'" she tells me. "It is not a personal relationship here."

We filmed Dr. Nicoara and her charges at the Baia Mare hospital in northern Romania. Some of the older babies who could sit up were rocking – child welfare experts say that's a sign that they’re suffering from a lack of stimulation. I noticed something else odd about the ward – the babies weren’t crying. There were a dozen little ones there and they were all quiet. They'd given up on crying. That above all was hard to learn – the best way babies can communicate their needs and these ones had given up. They had learned that crying didn't get them what they wanted. How could it – when their were 23 of them to care for and just 3 nurses on the ward?

The babies didn't cry but by the end of this shoot I think our entire crew was holding back tears. We knew that this was going to be an emotional story to tell. By the time we finished filming, we'd all had a cuddle of Emanuel and some of his friends in the ward. We really wanted to take them home (wryly joking that they'd fit in our backpacks). But even if we were serious, it would have been impossible: International adoption has been banned in Romania.

The story became personal for me later that same day. I received an e-mail from a dear friend in Australia who was desperately trying to get pregnant and having all sorts of problems. She really wanted a child and it was painful to think that here I was meeting so many unwanted children. It brought home the tragedy of this story and the importance of telling it. Romania has made great strides in its child welfare system since the horrors of the Communist regime – but there are still too many babies here who may never know a mother's love.

-- From Emma Griffiths, Moscow Correspondent, ABC Australia

Countries: Romania

Persons: Monica Nicoara, MD

These Angels Aren't Telling the Whole Story

inter-country adoption

18 Nov 2008

These Angels Aren't Telling the Whole Story

By Ian Robinson

Picture appears on the "Orphan Angels" website, courtesy of the Sunday Telegraph

Tags:

Persons: Deborra-Lee Furness