Carmians welcome child from China: Emma, born about 15 1/2 months ago in China and abandoned by her birth parents, is now a member of the Roedder family, joining older sisters Haley, 7, and Peyton, 6. A resident of a threadbare Chinese orphanage for the first nine months of her life, the little girl is now walking (if not talking much), playing and getting to know her adoptive family and adoptive country.
4 comments:
I read this story a few days ago and found myself wondering about some of the facts about the trip and the process, as related by Mr. Roedder. For example, he pegged the cost of the whole process at $30,000. That seems a bit much, and I don't know if they flew first class or what. Maybe their agency's fees are unusually high.
He also says China rejects prospecive parents because of their religion, income or weight. I know there is a minimum income requirement, but I've never heard of anyone being turned down because of their religion (or lack thereof) or for their weight. I do know that certain Korean agencies have a weight requirement, but I've never heard such a thing about China.
Mr. Roedder also said his daughter's orphanage had no power or indoor plumbing, had a dirt floor and that the chidren slept four or five to a crib. These are by far the worst conditions of any orphanage I've ever heard that Americans have been allowed to visit. I'm very surprised that any adoptive parents were allowed to see such a place.
He also says the "exportation of female infants is big business in China and brings in lots of money". First of all, I find it offensive that he would refer to any adopted child as an "export". Secondly, assuming every adoptive family leaves about US$ 5000 in China in fees, orphange donation, etc., and assuming there are 10,000 children adopted from China each year, that amounts to only US$ 50,000,000, a drop in the bucket considering China's booming economy.
I'm glad that baby Emma has found a good home where she can get the love and medical attention she needs. However, I would question Mr. Roedder on some of the "facts" about his trip.
Recently, some familes were rejected for being Seventh Day Adventists.
Yes, and I suppose a Falun Gong adherent would be turned down as well. So, yeah, I guess they do factor that in in certain cases.
Mr. Roedder's adoption agency states on it's website (http://www.ftia.org/china/costs.asp) that the costs are about $15,400 for a married couple to both travel and adopt one child from China. I've never heard of $30k for China....Russia, yes.
And I really don't believe he saw an orphanage like that. China's orphanages have improved much over the last 10 years, but even if it was that bad they wouldn't let parents in to see it.
I think he was embellishing his story. Possibly to gain "acceptance" from the community if the adoption seems more like a humanitarian act.
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