A basic steps post would be good.
I was approached by a grandmother in Sajoma, she has been taking care of her grand-daughter since she was 3 years old, since the mom married and abadoned the little girl. Her grand-daughter is now 16 and is prgnant. The girl is a little slow, when I spoke to her, I assessed that she has the intelligence of maybe a 10 or 11 year old. Anyway, someone took advantage of this girl and now she is pregnant. Her grandmother wanted me to take the baby. She told me I could name it and all. That she did not want money, she just could not raise another child as the 16 year old is not capable and she is very poor also.
I explained to her that at this time I travel alot and would not be able to have a baby right now (although my heart wanted to shout "YES!!"). I was mostly concerned regarding the mom's intelligence status and the fact that the chisme in Sajoma is speculating that it is the girl's uncle that impregnated her.
Anyway, what does on do when confronted with someone who wants to give them a baby...in the case that the person actually wants to take the child.
What would be the basic steps so that the person does not get burned because I also realize that this could be a very lucrative business for a poor family, especially if the person is an expat like myself.
By the way, I did tell the grandmother that I would try to help her with the baby. But that I could not take the baby, it would not be fair to the child.
SHALENA
The steps involved in adoption of non-orphan kids, where the biological parents and the person seeking to adopt are present and legally fit to commit to such process, are just as demanding and legally binding as any orphan's adoption.
There aren't basic steps to all adoptions in general, mainly b/c each adoption case will have completely different elements that make each process unique and individual from others.
Even the age, needs or developmental level of the child to be adopted (as selected via Conani), can change the dynamics of the adoption's process for all parts involved.
A lawyer is the only part that will be able to provide a clear map to such action, given the adopting parent's conditions and the child in the process.
When living parents are involved in adoptions, further DNA tests, medical evaluations, counseling and even a Police process can or will be added atop the already complex procedures.
Conani strongly discourages adoption of kids with living immediate family that can legally and safely provide the same care for the kids. That's not to say it works against such cases, but generally makes it as clear as possible to the biological parents or kin what the adoption process entails to parts, them and the child.
The adoption request process is simple and clear, what happens after the adoption request is accepted is out of the level of an individual's hands and requires a Lawyer to keep on the right path to success.
If I'm not mistaken, Conani will require that the request is prepared via a Lawyer that will represent the adopting family as well. (this I' not 100% sure but could ask)
I think that the basic steps for ANY adoption in the DR should be presented like this:
Steps:
#1 - Be physically present in the DR first and foremost.
#2 - Hire a competent Lawyer’s firm, with ample experience in the adoption field; make sure to hire a firm able to communicate in your native language, as clear and effective communication will be your only support for much of the adoption process.
#3 - Come to ask questions, the more the better; your lawyer must be able to clear any questions or doubts about the process, else find a better lawyer’s firm.
#4 - Adopting in the DR takes time, there aren’t any legal shortcuts to this. If told by any adoption agency in the DR that they offer services to that end: They’re not telling you the truth, therefore are not legally licensed to do any of the stuff they promise.
#5 - Before you start the adoption process, visit the DR and learn about the people and culture as much as you can. This will provide you with a better base to understand your new child’s needs as an individual.
#6 - Adopting is a very private and personal matter, you won’t find many parents that did such process in the DR, willing to share their own child’s case openly in a medium like the internet (for the kid’s privacy and theirs).
#7 - Read steps 1 and 2 and follow the rest to a successful adoption process!
