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Marshall Island
Child Adoption
The
Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI)
has an adoption law that created a Central Adoption Authority
(CAA).
The CAA
licenses adoption agencies, works with birth parents and their
extended families, and matches all adopting parents with available
children.
JOH applauds this effort by the RMI to take control
of their own adoption processes and children. The new adoption law
calls for stricter penalties (jail and fines) for persons or
agencies engaged in adoptions of Marshallese children on Hawaiian or
other US states’ soil. While unethical and illegal adoptions
continue, it is clear that the RMI's wishes and laws regarding
adoption of her children need to be respected and obeyed.
The new process, which is meant to eliminate any
coercion, fraud or profiteering, is straight forward. An expectant
mother or mother approaches the CAA and goes through a series of
interviews and steps designed to help the CAA assess and determine
what outcome is in the best interest of the child. Adoption within
the child’s extended family or with another Marshallese family are
the first choices.
If it is determined that international adoption is in
the best interest of a specific child, the CAA
staff will choose a JOH family to adopt the child.
Referral information will be given, consents signed
by the birth mother, and a 30-day wait begins. After all paperwork
is completed (approximately 3-4 months) the adopting family will
arrive in Majuro to adopt the child, meet the birth family, and
apply for the child’s orphan visa with the US Embassy.
Both adopting parents must travel. One parent and
the adopted child do need to stay in Majuro for approximately 4-6
weeks until the visa is received.
The Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) Program is
unique in the world of international adoption. It combines elements
of an international adoption with travel to another country and
aspects of a domestic adoption where a relationship with the birth
mother and her extended family is developed and maintained.
Adopted children benefit from knowing that a birth
mother loves and cares about them and by keeping connections to
their origins. Journeys of the Heart requires the adopting parents
to sign an agreement to send pictures and a letter to the birth
mother at least twice a year. This openness between the two families
is an incredible gift for the child and one that many
internationally adopted children will never receive. This program is
for families who can sincerely embrace the idea of an open adoption
with their child's birth family. The birth mother and her family
generally welcome any contact including visits, phone calls or the
required letters.
Adoptions occur from the islands because of poverty,
high birth rate, and small land mass. Adoptions through kinship
systems have occurred for centuries. JOH has had an international
adoption program there since 1998. Infants and older children may
become available although most children referred will be infants.
It is important to the Marshallese people and to JOH
that the adopting family embraces and celebrates the culture of the
child. There are several growing Marshallese communities throughout
the US who have been welcoming to the adopted children and their
families. Adopting parents living elsewhere will have to work harder
to help the child achieve and maintain an ethnic identity.
The health issues of Marshallese children are similar
to other international programs. Hepatitis B and sexually
transmitted diseases are in the general population. HIV is usually
tested for, but occasionally test kits are not available. A medical
report is received and birth records are often available. One photo
is usually available.
The Marshall Islands were used as a nuclear test site
by the United States after World War II. Because of this testing the
islands have a higher than average incidence of specific cancers for
the people who were alive at the time of the testing. Any family
interested in this program should do their own research on this
issue.
Married couples can apply to adopt in this program.
Single women applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Age and size of family are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
For more information please contact Journeys' Pacific Island
Coordinator
Nancy Huskins
nancy@journeysoftheheart.net
Call Nancy (330) 334-3645
Mon-Thu. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. EST
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