Black and White - an adoption storytelling event

We wanted to share this email we received from Dannean Krige

Good evening,

I wanted to send some information along to you regarding an Adoption Storytelling event that is coming from Cape Town to Johannesburg in July. Thola and Vanda are mother and daughter and they share their story, together, in a relaxed setting. I am personally very excited to attend and wanted to share this with anyone who may be interested.

Trans racial families no longer different says Durban North mom

From http://northglennews.co.za (Posted 2017/05/14)

Today is the special day. We hope you enjoyed our Mother’s Day series. Here is the final installment about Lariaan Claassens, who told us she doesn’t want her daughters to feel different just because of their skin colour.



Lariaan Claassens with her three daughters, Amarise (10), Grace (5) and Shani (9)

LARIAAN Claassens is not only the principal of a local school but also the mother to three girls all aged ten and under. She said she was by no means ‘special’.

“Other people might think I’m special but I just count myself as blessed to be allowed to be a mother to my daughters,” said Claassens.

The Durban North resident’s three young daughters are all adopted. For her, adoption was always on the cards.”Ever since I was child I knew I wanted to adopt. I thought I’d have both biological as well as adopted children,” she said. However early in their marriage, while Lariaan and her husband Anton, were working overseas, they learned that natural conception would be challenging for them.
“When that happened in South Korea, I didn’t want to try fertility treatments while also struggling with a language barrier. That’s when adoption became the first choice for us and we came back for our first child,” said Claassens.
Seven years ago, Claassens joined a support group for trans-racial families called Durban Rainbow Families. The 37-year-old said her motivation was to ensure that her girls never felt ‘out-of-place or isolated’. “The group is meant for families who have adopted trans racially to learn from one another, share their experiences and find support for the issues they face.


“A while ago, one of my daughters was told that she was weird because she didn’t look like us, and I was able to ask her how many other people she knew who are like her. So because of all the other families we know, my daughter realised she wasn’t different at all,” said Claassens.
For Claassens, seeing the world through the eyes of her daughters as they grow up, is what makes motherhood special.

For the original article go here: http://northglennews.co.za/108719/trans-racial-families-no-longer-different-says-durban-north-mom/

This Christmas - give the gift of a Baby Box

Let's Adopt! A start-up questionnaire

Where does one start when considering adoption?

Complete our start-up questionnaire in full & summit.

We will be in contact with all the relevant information.

ADOPTION QUICK FACTS

ADOPTION QUICK FACTS

The purpose of adoption is to find a family for a vulnerable child in need of permanency. A child is only becoming available for adoption once the legal assessment has been completed

Profile of children currently in the Abba Specialist Adoptions-system in need of adoption:

• Predominately black South African children
• Because we need to first finalize the legal assessment, children ready for matching is mostly between 6 and 18 months old – we also have a few children between the age of 3 and 6 years awaiting matching
• Health status vary from healthy to minor and severe special needs
• We have experienced that more boys become available for adoption

Need/legal requirements for adoptive parents:

*  People believing that children belong in families and that you can be a good parent! There’s no perfect profile!

*  You can discuss your preferences and wishes and we will give you realistic feedback and insight

*  Black same race and inter-race applicants

*  You need to be a SA-citizen or have permanent SA-residency over the age of 18 and without any criminal/sexual record

*  It is important that prospective adoptive parents are healthy and have a normal life expectancy

*  If applicants are married, the relationship should be stable

*  Single applicants must demonstrate that they have a good support system

*  Be willing to complete the legally required screening process and internal preparation course

How do I start the process?

1.      Read through these quick facts, complete the Let’s adopt!-questionnaire, return it to    Abba Adoptions via e-mail or fax, and one of our social workers will contact you.

2.     Orientation session, where all the details of the process will be discussed and questions  answered.

3.     If you decide to continue with the process, complete all application forms received at  orientation session in full & return to Abba Adoptions.

How long does the adoption process takes?

·         The screening process will take around 6 months after which you will be invited for a    preparation group to equip and prepare you to deal with the adoption journey.

·        After preparation and home visit, you will be placed on the waiting list until there is a  suitable match

·        The court finalization and registration of the adoption could take up to 2 years – at least  the child will already be in your care so the bonding process can start.

What does an adoption cost?

·        The charge of a reasonable fee is mandated by the Act and in absence of full subsidy  from government, an unfortunate reality.  These regulations prescribe the allowed hourly  rate for professional services rendered as part of your process, i.e. therapeutic    sessions, court attendance, administration and after care

·        An income based sliding scale is applied to national adoption applicants where  applicable.  This will be discussed in your orientation session.

·        Actual costs for your legally required medical assessments, travel costs of the social  worker in provinces where we do not receive subsidy will be discussed.   

·        We want to assure you that we will take your financial position into consideration and  not deny a child a family due to your ability to make a contribution towards the service

Abba Specialist Adoptions service points and contact details:

Gauteng and Mpumalanga:	Frieda Tanton – frieda@abbaadoptions.co.za Margaret Nhlanhla – margaret@abbaadoptions.co.za Leonie Greyling – leonie@abbaadoptions.co.za
Western Cape:	Blanche Engelbrecht:  blanche@abbaadoptionwc.co.za Albie Jackson – albie@abbaadoptionwc.co.za
North West:	Heidi Laubsher – heidi@abbaadoptions.co.za Sonto Twala – sonto@abbaadoptions.co.za
Limpopo:	Santie Oberholzer – santie@abbaadoptions.co.za Motshedisi Semenya – Motshedisi@abbaadoptions.co.za
Eastern Cape:	Denise Douglas Henry – ddh@absamail.co.za
Northern Cape	Marianna van der Westhuizen– bophelo.kby@mweb.co.za

We are looking forward to welcome you in our program!