Taiwan Independent adoption.. WHERE TO START!

Well, the saga in Taiwan with conventional adoption through mainstream orphanages (St. Lucy's, Chung Yi, and Cathwell) via State side Agencies is not stifled but has slowed down a bit to a crawl. With China's announcement about a year or so ago saying that regulations would change in their adoption system, was all but a happy announcement for a many of the already waiting families. The announcement brought tougher regimen to the State side agency and also tougher and Higher standards for our American families to try to meet.
Meanwhile, Rewind a month before China's new found stance. The main stream orphanages in Taiwan and the State side agencies were enjoying fairly short waiting family lists and helping families come together with ease. Almost as if Taiwan was the best Kept Secret in the adoption world. Now, we fast forward to right after the announcement by China. Where Taiwan's waiting family list in almost EVERY agency exploded, quadrupling their waiting family numbers, at least. The families leaving China's wait lists because of dejection or inability to meet the new requirements flocked to Taiwan's agencies looking for a hand up. As the months went by and the news coming from the Taiwan "been there done that" veterans spread like wild fire, the once serene and fairly small adoption community was no more and the short wait that once was is now to the Two year mark and climbing. Taiwan seems to now have become the NEW CHINA for a lot of families seeking to adopt. With the new saga and costs for Taiwan going up in most agencies, I started to research an avenue that I once turned my nose up at because of fear and lack of information. Now being wise to how the rising waiting family lists would more than likely look in about 6 months from the onset of the "adoption saga" I started considering this little thing called "Independent adoption" that I once thought was dead. Well, a little CPR and I and Independent adoption were fast friends. As I searched I found that there are several side streets to this avenue that were waiting to be tapped and explored. Wowed by my new found knowledge I started this site.
Recently I have found more company in the independent world than of recent days. What once use to be almost a silent adoption society waiting in the balances of life, is now a roaring community where more and more are flocking to. The new comers are all attracted by a shorter wait time, courted by a lot lower cost than agency, and intrigued by having more control over their adoption. Although Independent makes a definite impression on its onlookers it also gives way to a new brand of fears and a wider reality of how the system works. It does take more work on YOUR part. It does take more responsibility on the part of the adoptive parent, BUT this is not said to deter you. This is said to represent a very real and possible avenue for an independent adoption. The risks in Independent however in someways are very much comparable to agency adoption.
Independent adoption is actually a really old dog compared to the fresh new agency adoption. Matter of fact back in the day, Independent was used by even the beloved and well known St. Lucy Center (up until about 5-7 years ago when SLC decided to use agencies only to place their children). Independent adoption in Taiwan is not much unlike our domestic adoption in the states. The rules are easier to identify however.
Taiwan Independent adoption can be navigated in many ways, with the most ways being roads for born again believers or Christians. Here are some of the ways that Born again Believers can go about finding a child in Taiwan:
1) You can contact one of a few orphanages or organizations that are NOT mainstream orphanages in Taiwan
Meaning "non agency contracted".
a.) Christian Mountain Children's home
b.) Christian Salvation services (CSS)
c.) Home of God's love
d.) Morning Light Ministries
The next two are AIDS homes that sometimes have a child around 12 months of age or so that can be placed for adoption. If you contact these organizations be aware that the children are tested for AIDS for months and given a syrum. This does not guarantee that the children will remain AIDS free but you are welcome to research or contact these organizations for more information on their practices and testing schedules. IF YOU DO contact them and find a child, I strongly suggest you use your own Lawyer (a list is available in the USCIS website) and allow them to do your adoption no matter what is offered. It is just simpler in the long run and better for everyone involved. Also, we have seen families call or email one day and be told "No we have no children" and then get an email the very same day that they have located a child in one of their shelters. So call back or email at least once a week if you are serious to find a child. We have also seen families get replies back asking them if they are prepared to take AIDS baby. Please ask the organization to elaborate and discuss further as Chinese does not always translate verbatim. So please do not be afraid to ask questions.
e.) Garden of Mercy
f.) Harmony Home
If you are religious at all, you can contact a church or several churches in your sect or general belief structure and ask for help. You may want to contact a lawyer and line them up for when you find a child and then move onto the next step of contacting a church in your sect over in
Taiwan. This particular resource may also come in handy for finding a temporary foster family for your child or children to stay with while going through the courts. You may also contact specific church related hospitals in Taiwan and ask if they have knowledge of a child being abandoned or needing a family. You will find those links here: Church and Religious hospital info
If you are not religious or find no help in these places you can also look on your own or make Mandrain speaking connections and ask them to call the hospitals and the women's clinics in Taiwan. Or you may email them yourself or have your connection email for you. And ask your lawyer in Taiwan to keep their eyes and ears open for you. A lot of doing your own Independent adoption is nothing more than research and not being afraid to ask and jump in.

Look for our next post to continue this one : "The things You MUST know"