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News “Come Join the Celebration!” FRUA, INC Washington State will be holding the 2010 Eastern Europe, Russia & Central Asia Heritage Camp on August 20–22, 2010 at Camp Lakeview in Graham, Washington. Spaces will fill up fast, the registration and deposit deadline is December 31, 2009. |
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Links to Sites Related to Bulgaria & Adoptions
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Welcome to FaCAB
Here is the new Newsletter to open or download
click here for the newletter in .doc (Word) format November, 2009
click here for the newsletter in .pdf (Adobe) format November, 2009
For information and registration form, go to registration
We embrace the Bulgarian people, culture, and language. We believe in incorporating this part of our children's history into our new, multi-cultural families. Bulgaria is a party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Convention).
“Come Join the Celebration!” One of our most important responsibilities that we have as parents is to nurture our children's self-esteem in a positive direction. There is evidence that trans-culturally adopted children have much brighter self-images if they feel a positive connection to their birth countries. To this end, FRUA, INC Washington State will be holding the 2010 Eastern Europe, Russia & Central Asia Heritage Camp on August 20–22, 2010 at Camp Lakeview in Graham, Washington. The entire family can join in on all of the fun that heritage camp has to offer from the various FRUA INC regions: cultural craft projects, music, dance, food, folktales. There will also be all kinds of other camp activities, parent groups, and a variety of scrumptious meals! This beautiful Camp Lakeview has a cozy lodge, cabins, a lake, playground, campfire pit, playfields, & much more. Registrants must be FRUA, INC members, you can join or renew online . Spaces will fill up fast, the registration and deposit deadline is December 31, 2009.
FaCAB is a group of parents (& waiting parents) who have informally sought out each other since 1995 to provide a parent-to-parent support network. Our goal is to share mutual information & assistance among those interested in international adoption from Bulgaria.
This is not in any way connected with any agency. We do not facilitate adoptions, advertise placements, nor collect any fees in any way. Our purpose is to maintain a support system and information sharing reposit for families from the time they begin exploring adoption options in Bulgaria, into the adoption process, and throughout their journey as a family.
We are so very happy that things are moving once again to find forever homes for the many children languishing in Bulgarian orphanages. We continue first of all to support all efforts to encourage safe and loving homes for Bulgarian children in their birth homes, and within Bulgaria if at all possible. But we steadfastly believe that all children need and deserve a family.
When it does not seem possible to find a family for a child within Bulgaria... then it may take a world (rather than a village) to raise that child.
Bulgarian Culture Camp 1995
Adoptions from Bulgaria have had their ups and downs over the almost 2 decades of international adoption. The Hague Convention, new governmental officials, new regulations, and negative publicity have repeatedly affected the process in varying degrees.
Adoptions from Bulgaria to the US and other countries have varied from year to year, often unexpectedly. The program can be moving along smoothly, and then hit a sudden snag, slowing down to a trickle. Statistics reflect the following pattern for international adoptions from Bulgarian to the USA and worldwide (Italy, Spain, France, USA, Germany, Greece, Canada, Sweden, Cyprus, Denmark):
1988 - (0 to the US)
1989 - (1 to the US)
1990 - (3 to the US)
1991 - (9 to the US)
1992 - (91 to the US)
1993 - (133 to the US)
1994 - (97 to the US)
1995 - (110 to the US)
1996 - (163 to the US)
1997 - (148 to the US)
1998 - (151 to the US)
1999 - (221 to the US)
2000 - 445 (214 to the US, 38 to Italy, 123 to Spain, 30 to Sweden, 13 to Switzerland, 22 to Denmark, 3 to UK, 2 to Ireland)
2001 - 681 (296 to the US, 151 to Italy, 172 to Spain, 23 to Sweden, 15 to Switzerland, 15 to Denmark, 3 to UK, 2 to Netherlands, 3 to Belgium, 1 to Ireland)
2002 - 728 (260 to the US, 219 to Italy, 181 to Spain, 21 to Sweden, 15 to Switzerland, 22 to Denmark, 6 to UK, 1 to Netherlands, 2 to Belgium, 1 to Ireland)
2003 - 728 (198 to the US, 265 to Italy, 202 to Spain, 17 to Sweden, 19 to Switzerland, 11 to Denmark, 11 to Canada, 4 to UK, 1 to Netherlands)
2004 - 365 (110 to the US, 113 to Italy, 57 to Spain, 7 to Sweden, 15 to Switzerland, 3 to Denmark, 10 to Canada, 48 to France, 1 to UK, 1 to Netherlands)
2005 - 108 (30 to the US, 37 to Italy, 21 to Spain, 3 to Sweden, 4 to Denmark, 10 to Canada, 1 to Netherlands, 2 to Finland)
2006 - 80 (28 to the US, 28 to Italy, 11 to Spain, 11 to Canada, 1 to UK, 1 to Netherlands)
2007 - 70 (20 to the US, 32 to Italy, 11 to Spain, 2 to Sweden, 5 to Canada)
2008 - 81 (5 to the US, 74 to Italy, 1 to Sweden, 1 to Denmark)
The US Embassy in Sofia states that "approximately 80% of the children adopted have had medical conditions." Unexpected developmental, emotional, and physical delays are common. Prospective adoptive parents should be well educated in post-institutional issues and have a good support system in place before their child is united with them.
"I Dream of America" is a Bulgarian film which tells the story of Bulgarian orphans adopted by families in the US. It was made jointly with Adoption Advocates International in Washington state.
PAL Bcam Sp, 48"
Director/producer: Lidiya Zlateva
Cinematographer: Yordan Georgiev
http://www.geocities.com/ioanna99/dream.html
ioanna99@yahoo.com
The Film Crew during the making of "I Dream of America": Lidia, Yordan, Tsvetan, and Diana.
Finally! A book for children adopted from Bulgaria.
JUST WAITING FOR MY FAMILY, by Terry Mandeville, is a full-color book illustrated by the author. It is an emotional and real adoption story for children. It describes life in a Bulgarian orphanage as a child waits for a real family and the beginning of an adoption journey. The author is a Psychiatric RN who has worked with children and families for several decades. She was united with her sons in Bulgaria. She has written this tale of adoption from the child’s point of view. This is the often requested story she used to tell her boys when they first came home with her. From these words they seemed to gain some measure of reassurance and peace during those stressful times, and learned that they were not, by any means, alone in their feelings.
now this book can be yours for only $11. Check can be sent to Terry Mandeville, 7933 NE 124th St., Kirkland, WA 98034
http://hometown.aol.com/facab/myhomepage/sale.html Contact terrymand@aol.com
(An Adoption Memory of a Little Bulgarian Boy)
by Lydia M. Kordalewski
Publication Date: September 23, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4343-8473-7(sc)
For Book Signings Contact R. Pola at:
MomRedLipstick@aol.com
Price: $12.95
The Mom with the Red Lipstick is an emotional and moving story told by a little adopted boy's memories of his earlier life in an Bulgarian orphanage on the way home to the United States with his new mom. His mom shares her emotions, struggles and unconditional love of a little boy who became her beautiful son on a wonderful spring day in Bulgaria. Her adoption is truly a blessing and she encourages other families to adopt. This deeply moving book is likely to be one of the most-read adoption stories of our time.
Now available at Author House 1-800-839-8640 or www.authorhouse.com
100% of the proceeds from this CD will go to support orphans in Bulgaria.
Courage to Shine 2006 compilation produced for release by One Heart Bulgaria
Executive Producer: Kelly King Anderson
Mastered by Gainer Brunson
Art Direction and Design by Kelly King Anderson
CD Layout by Justin King
Photo of Annabelle taken by Deborah Dushku Gardner
Special thanks to April Meservy, Deborah Dushku Gardner, Mindy Gledhill, Justin King, Andi Pitcher Davis, Matt Anderson and all of the artists who care deeply and generously donated their music to this project for the Bulgarian orphan children.
Songs Featured:
1. Mindy Gledhill “Child of Light” 4:18
2. Stephanie Smith “At Your Side” 4:07
3. Sam Payne “Rise Up and Shine” 4:03
4. April Meservy “Lullabye” 4:33
5. InsideOut “Dona Nobis Pachem” 2:42
6. Paul Engemann & 1621 voice children’s choir “It Just Takes Love” 5:04
7. Karyn Grant “Lullaby Our Children” 4:09
8. Brian Rhodes “We are The Ones” 5:24
9. April Meservy “Everything Speaks His Name” 4:15
10. Shane Jackman “Tender Mercies” 3:58
11. Early California “Standing” 2:53
12. Jennie Bangerter Larsen “Amazing Grace” 3:30
