These country updates bring you the most current and up-to-date information from our program coordinators. One way of keeping you informed of what is going on in the country.
July 2011
Adoptions in Bulgaria continue to move forward! Our first few registered families are eagerly waiting to be matched with their children. The Ministry of Justice remains dedicated in their commitment to matching waiting children with waiting families.
We are accepting applications from families considering adopting a child 7 years or older or a child with moderate to severe special needs. There is a significant backlog of families waiting to be matched with younger and healthier children, thus, we will maintain a focus on the adoption of older children and children with moderate to severe special needs.
If you have any questions about adopting from Bulgaria, please contact Allie Weldon.
June 2011
The Ministry of Justice continues to work diligently on matching children with waiting families. We are seeing more young, healthier children being matched which is encouraging for our registered families. In the most recent reports published by the MOJ, families with dossiers submitted in 2008 are now receiving their matches for younger children.
We are accepting applications from families considering adopting a child 7 years or older or a child with moderate to severe special needs. There is a significant backlog of families waiting to be matched with younger and healthier children, thus, we will maintain a focus on the adoption of older children and children with moderate to severe special needs.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
May 2011
At the end of April we received some very encouraging news from our attorneys in Bulgaria who attended a meeting of the Inter-Country Adoption Council (the matching committee) and the Deputy Minister of Justice. The number of families waiting for referrals was discussed and based on this information our attorneys are optimistic that by the end of this calendar year families with dossiers submitted through 2008 may be matched with children and the MOJ can then move on to families registered in 2009! The Deputy Minister said that more children are entering the registry of available children, including younger and healthier children.
There are several waiting children ready to be matched with loving forever families. For more information, please visit our waiting child page or contact our Waiting Child Coordinator, contact Angela Jackson.
We are accepting applications from families considering adopting a child 7 years or older or a child with moderate to severe special needs. There is a significant backlog of families waiting to be matched with younger and healthier children; thus, we will maintain a focus on the adoption of older children and children with moderate to severe special needs.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
April 2011
The Ministry of Justice continues to evaluate and make changes to improve the special needs program. Through our partner agency in Bulgaria we have many waiting children, including older children, children with Down syndrome, and children with varying special needs. International adoption is the only option for these little ones to have a chance to thrive in a loving, family environment. Please visit our waiting child page or contact our Waiting Child Coordinator, Angela Jackson for more information.
We are accepting applications from families considering adopting a child 7 years or older or a child with moderate to severe special needs. There is a significant backlog of families waiting to be matched with younger and healthier children, thus, we will maintain a focus on the adoption of older children and children with moderate to severe special needs so that families can complete their adoption more rapidly.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
March 2011
Our partner agency in Bulgaria continues to seek forever families for several waiting children with varying special needs including many children with Down syndrome. International adoption is the only option for these little ones to have a chance to thrive in a loving, family environment. Please visit our waiting child page or contact our Waiting Child Coordinator, Angela Jackson, for more information.
We continue to accept applications from families considering adopting a child 7 years or older or a child with moderate to severe special needs. In 2010, there was a substantial increase in the number of dossiers submitted which means the wait to be matched with a younger child continues to be longer and longer. Thus, we will maintain a focus on the adoption of older children and children with moderate to severe special needs.
If you have any questions about adopting from Bulgaria, please contact Allie Weldon.
February 2011
At the end of January the Ministry of Justice released information on the number of consents granted for adoptions in 2010, there were 266 consents for the adoption of 317 children! This is an excellent demonstration of the MOJ’s dedication towards international adoption and a significant improvement from past years.
Our partner agency in Bulgaria has several waiting children with varying special needs. Please visit our waiting child page or contact our Waiting Child Coordinator, Angela, for more information.
We continue to accept applications from families considering adopting a child 7 years or older or a child with moderate to severe special needs. In 2010, there was a significant increase in the number of dossiers submitted which means the wait to be matched with a younger child continues to grow longer. Thus, we will maintain a focus on the adoption of older children and children with moderate to severe special needs.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
January 2011
We have a family preparing to make their first trip to Bulgaria to meet the child with whom they have been matched. What a great start to the New Year!
Last month, as anticipated, the Bulgarian Central Authority, the Ministry of Justice, published a detailed report on the number of families waiting for referrals. Based on renewal applications that families completed this fall stating their intention to remain in the Bulgaria program the MOJ has shared the following information -
- From 2005-2009 there are approximately 400 active families
- In 2010 the Minister of Justice granted consents (approved the adoptions) for 238 children (as of December 15th), it is estimated that about 250 consents will be the final number for 2010. Please keep in mind that consents are granted after a family accepts a referral. It is estimated that there were approximately 100 additional referrals in 2010 and those matches were not accepted by the adoptive parents OR the family has not yet made a decision to proceed with the adoption.
In 2010 approximately 350 referrals were made which is an increase from previous years! There was also an increase in the number of children referred to families who were not published on the special needs registries. Based on this information we are projecting that many of our families may receive their matches this year!
We continue to accept applications from families considering adopting a child 7 years or older or a child with moderate to severe special needs. In 2010, there was a significant increase in the number of dossiers submitted which means the wait to be matched with a younger child continues to grow longer. Thus, we will maintain a focus on the adoption of older children and children with moderate to severe special needs.
If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
December 2010
We are thrilled to share that one of our waiting families received a referral in early December! Later this month the MOJ plans to publish an official report about the number of families with dossiers submitted through 2009 and the age of the children they requested. We are anxiously waiting, along with the families, for this report as it should help with updating the estimated wait times for referrals.
Bulgarians have many traditions that they practice for the Christmas holiday. Christmas Eve is a time for family to enjoy a large vegetarian meal of about thirteen courses; though the number of courses varies it should be an odd number. There are walnuts on the table and each family member cracks one open to determine the fate of the New Year. If the walnut is good it will be a lucky year, if the walnut is empty that person can anticipate a “bad” year. In some villages at midnight on Christmas morning male carolers (koleduvane) walk from door to door singing carols and wishing wealth, health and happiness to the families.
Bulgaria is a great program for families considering adopting an older child or a child with moderate to severe special needs! We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe special needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
November 2010
We are anxiously waiting for an update from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) regarding the number of matches that were made in September. In the meantime, the MOJ issued a request in October that all families with dossiers registered before 2010 submit a form stating their intention to proceed with a Bulgarian adoption. In December the MOJ plans to publish official information on the number of registered prospective adoptive parents and information about the age of the children requested by these parents. This report will not include families with dossiers submitted in 2010 as it is presumed those families desire to proceed with their adoptions. This should help with updating the estimated waiting times for referrals.
If you are considering adopting an older child or a child with moderate to severe special needs, Bulgaria may be a great option for you! We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
October 2010
The Ministry of Justice is back at work reviewing dossiers and making referrals. In September several children were added to the waiting child list. If you are considering adopting an older child or a child with moderate to severe special needs, Bulgaria may be a great option for you! We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
September 2010
As expected August was a quiet month in Bulgaria as officials were on holiday. We look forward to what we hope will be a busy September! We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. There are many waiting children in Bulgaria and their adoptions are expedited. If you have any questions please contact Allie Weldon.
August 2010
We are anticipating that August will be a quiet month in Bulgaria as the Ministry staff will be on holiday from August 9th until September. Our attorneys have spoken with an official at the Ministry and they are hoping that the IAC (matching committee) will hold one meeting this month as there are many referral requests and matches in process. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
July 2010
In June we received the exciting news that the dossier of one of our families (hoping to adopt an older child) is being reviewed for a referral! It may take a few months before an appropriate match is identified, but CAS and the family are thrilled! The wait for a referral of a younger child is approximately 24 months from submission of dossier. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions please, contact Allie Weldon.
June 2010
After a period of the MOJ focusing on matching children with special needs, families are now receiving referrals of younger and healthier children; these families had their dossiers submitted in 2006. Families who submitted dossiers in 2008 and 2009 who are hoping to adopt older children (generally children at least 7 years and older) or children with special needs are also receiving referrals! We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions please contact Allie Weldon.
May 2010
The Intercountry Adoption Council remains dedicated in matching children with approved families. They have been meeting at least two to three times a month which is wonderful news as our first families to submit dossiers to Bulgaria have been waiting for about 18 months for a referral. We continue to receive referrals of older children and children with moderate to severe Special Needs from the Ministry of Justice. For more information on these waiting children please visit our waiting children page. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
April 2010
At the end of March, staff from the Ministry of Justice, the International Adoption Directorate, the International Adoption Council, representatives from Bulgarian accredited agencies and numerous officials from other Bulgarian organizations held a conference to discuss the current status of Bulgarian adoptions. There were two primary topics of discussion. The first was the procedure for entering children who are eligible for adoption into the national registry. In Bulgaria there are currently 7,000 children living in orphanages; about 4,500 of these children are eligible for adoption but have not yet been entered into the registry. It is anticipated that by the end of the summer or early fall most of these children will be entered into the national registry. The children must be on the national registry for a period of six months before being entered into the registry for international adoption.
The other topic of the conference was regarding the procedure of adoption for older children and children with special needs as the MOJ seeks to make this process easier. They hope to make more photos and possibly videos available for prospective adoptive parents to see. This topic will be discussed further at a later date after the various organizations have time to come up with a procedure. We continue to receive referrals of older children and children with moderate to severe Special Needs from the Ministry of Justice. For more information on these waiting children please visit our website, www.carolinaadoption.org. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions please contact Allie Weldon.
March 2010
The Ministry of Justice continues to meet on a regular basis to match older waiting children and children with special needs with forever families. We are hopeful that within the next few months the Ministry may begin matching younger children with waiting families. We continue to receive referrals of older children and children with moderate to severe Special Needs from the Ministry of Justice. For more information on these waiting children, please visit our Waiting Child Page. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
February 2010
We look forward to receiving news from our facilitators later this month after they attend the conference which the Ministry of Justice and the Association of the Organizations for Intercountry Adoptions (AOMO) will be holding (it was rescheduled from January). We continue to receive referrals of older children and children with moderate to severe Special Needs from the Ministry of Justice. For more information on these waiting children please visit our website, www.carolinaadoption.org. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
Are you looking for a new recipe to keep busy during the winter months? Why not try making a Bulgarian favorite, Banitsa?
Ingredients:
- 2 Packets of Phyllo Dough
- 1 Cup of Bulgarian Kashakval Cheese (cheddar and mozzarella may be substituted)
- 2 Cups of Bulgarian Sirene Cheese (feta cheese may be substituted)
- 7 Eggs
- ½ Cup of Butter
- ½ Cup of Soda Water
- 1 Cup of Yogurt
Preparation:
Mix 6 eggs, grated butter, feta, mozzarella, cheddar cheese and yogurt. In a buttered pan lay a layer of phyllo dough, a layer of the cheese mixture and then alternate until finished. The top layer should be of phyllo dough. Slice the banista into pieces for serving. Beat the last egg with the soda water and pour over each piece of banista. Bake at 395 for 40 minutes or until golden.
This is a classic Bulgarian recipe commonly eaten for breakfast but may be served at any time of day. You may add spinach, onions, etc. for different flavors. Enjoy!
January 2010
Congratulations to our first family to complete an adoption in Bulgaria! They are now happily settling in after returning home at the end of December! We look forward to receiving news from our facilitators later this month after they attend the conference which the Ministry of Justice and the Association of the Organizations for Intercountry Adoptions (AOMO) will be holding.
Bulgarians have an old New Year’s Day tradition, survachka, during which children decorate sticks from a cornel tree with dried fruit, popcorn and colored thread. Once the sticks are decorated they go around and tap their friends and family with their stick while singing or reciting a song wishing each person a joyous, healthy and happy New Year. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
December 2009
In November court was successfully completed for our first family to adopt from Bulgaria, we anticipate that this family will travel to complete their adoption later this month. We look forward to what is anticipated to be a busy 2010 in Bulgaria as new staff has adjusted to their positions and new laws are in place. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
November 2009
October was an exciting month in Sofia as the new Intercountry Adoption Council held its first (and subsequent) meetings! The foreign organization that we work with, Happy Child is currently going through the process of reaccreditation. Over the past twelve months, more and more families have decided to pursue a Bulgarian adoption, thus the wait to be matched with a younger child is increasing. We are currently accepting applications from families hoping to adopt children 7 years and older and/or children with moderate to severe Special Needs. If you have any questions, please contact Allie Weldon.
September 2009
It is anticipated that matching sessions will resume this month with the new Ministry of Justice staff. The new Minister is Margarita Papova and the new Deputy Minister (responsible for adoptions) is Daniela Masheva. CAS will share with our families the results of the next matching session as soon as they are released. We are hopeful that adoptions will continue to be processed as successfully as they were under the former Ministry staff. Families who are hoping to adopt a child 5 years and older and/or a child with Special Needs will experience a significantly shorter wait. We are accepting additional families in this wonderful program; please contact Allie Weldon for additional information!
August 2009
We are thrilled to share that our first family has now traveled to Bulgaria! The family thought the orphanage was nice, warm, and cheery and the caregivers really care about the children there. The family was also very appreciative and impressed with our in-country facilitators’ assistance during their trip. Although adoption activity typically slows down during the summer months, the IAC and the MOJ continue to work to find the best match for the hundreds of Bulgarian children waiting for their forever families. Those families who are hoping to adopt a child 5 years and older and/or a child with Special Needs will experience a significantly shorter wait. We are accepting additional families in this wonderful program. Please contact Allie Weldon for additional information!
July 2009
We are thrilled to share that our first family will travel to complete their first trip to Bulgaria at the end of July! The Bulgarian Parliament elections were held on July 5th. Overall adoption activity has slowed down as a result of the elections. In June, the new Family Code was passed. One of the significant changes that relate to adoptions becomes effective October 1st; children may be eligible for international adoption at 6 months rather than 12 months provided there has not been any contact from the birth family. The changes to the Family Code demonstrate how the well-being of the children is always at the forefront! We have a handful of spots remaining in this wonderful program, please contact Allie, for additional information!
June 2009
Adoptions in Bulgaria have slowed down a bit as a result of the European Union elections. The Bulgarian Parliament elections are also being held this summer on July 5th. It is anticipated that adoption activity will resume soon. We are hopeful that the IAC will continue to meet on a regular basis to match waiting children with their forever families. Please contact Allie for more information about adopting from Bulgaria.
May 2009
Our Bulgaria adoption program is currently full as we wait for our first few families to complete their adoptions. However, we are accepting applications from families who are hoping to adopt older children (10 years and older) and/or children with special needs. We have been informed that the Minister of Justice has committed to matching children with families whose dossiers were submitted in 2005 by the end of June. This is great news as the number of dossiers that were submitted in 2006 and 2007, approximately 230, are far less than those submitted in 2005. We are hopeful that the IAC will continue to meet on a regular basis to match waiting children with their forever families. For more information about the Bulgaria adoption program, contact Allie Weldon.
To view past Bulgaria adoption program updates, please see our CAS Publications page and click on Monthly Country Updates.