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 The
Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) has an adoption law that created a
Central Adoption Authority (CAA). The CAA authorizes 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 may 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 family to adopt the child.
Referral information will be given and consents signed by the birth
mother. After all paperwork is completed (approximately 1-3
months) the adopting family will arrive in Majuro to adopt the
child, meet the birth family, go to court 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. If necessary,
the other parent may leave after 7-10 days. Total timeframe
is approximately one year for referral and travel after your dossier
is completed
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 a minimum
of 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. Singles are currently
not accepted into this program. Age and size of family are assessed
on a case-by-case basis. RMI adoption law prohibits homosexuals from
adopting their children; JOH is committed to respecting the adoption
laws of each country we work in.
For more information please contact Journeys' Pacific Island
Coordinator
Nancy Huskins. Email
Nancy@journeysoftheheart.net or phone (330) 334-3645
10 AM to 2 PM Eastern Time.
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