Hi everyone,
The one thing that I learned early on in our trip was that in Ukraine what is said on Monday means nothing on Tuesday. At least as far as government officials are concerned. We were still glowing from a successful trip to Kiev until Wednesday afternoon when Vitaly received a call from the orphanage director saying we had a big problem. The city inspector had called her to tell her that relatives in the district that the kids came from may not sign consent forms to allow the adoption. To add to the misery the one relative we needed a signature from was out of the country until July 13th. Well anybody that knows me can imagine my reaction after many promises at every gov’t level of no problems from the day we left Kiev 2 weeks earlier. Vitaly made an appointment to see the inspector in our city, and told me I couldn’t go. (I’m sure that decision has kept me out of the salt mine) All this after we had been told there would be no problems if the “paperwork” was sufficient, and we had supplied the paperwork. (This type of paperwork is common in Ukraine) Vitaly met her after regular business hours away from the office. You can only imagine how Corrine and I felt. If this fell through we were looking at a minimum 2 weeks before another appointment with the SDA in Kiev before we could travel to meet news kids if any were available. Not to mention the heartbreak of leaving these 2 behind because of a relative who hadn’t even seen/contacted these kids since they came into care. This was the worst day we’ve had in Ukraine and second only to running out of beer on a hot day! Vitaly returned from his meeting to tell us that although the paperwork had been sufficient the inspector in the other district wanted to meet us.
5:45AM Vitaly woke us with his usual wakey wakey. We had coffee and cleaned up to go meet the inspector for 8:00 without an appointment. Vitaly said if we just show up they will have to deal with us. It was the right move. We went into the inspector’s office only to find out that he would have to get permission from his boss so we waited for her to arrive. When she did she listened to our story and then left to consult a lawyer. Upon her return she told us that we could get permission to continue the adoption with out the consent if approved by the town counsel, with the mayor’s final approval and signature. We were the first family to have this type of problem, and nobody wanted to take responsibility alone. She then set up a meeting for the next morning at 9:00 AM with the counsel walked us out mentioning that she was involved with some Ukrainian/Canadian women’s group and would do everything she could to help. We left feeling a little more optimistic but knew we still had a big obstacle to overcome.
6:15AM Vitaly woke us with his usual wakey wakey. We went through the same ritual as the day before make in the 25 km journey in record time. (I keep telling Corrine to look out the side windows only. It cuts down on the screaming) we met with counsel (9 people only because of holidays) at 9:00 as set (I’m still amazed) They asked us a number of questions about ourselves, our jobs, our home, etc. I told them that Corrine had a bad wine habit but was slowly getting better, they replied that it was ok most Ukrainians drink too much also. They seemed satisfied with our answers then the Mayor said “I wish you well” in English and left the room. From there the rest of counsel started to smile and wish us well, thanking us for giving the children a good home, and a couple more questions then it was over. An hour later we walked out of the town hall with the required documents signed and ready to go. The inspectors boss (the lady) even gave us a book about the history of the district in Ukrainian to help the kids remember where they came from. I asked her to write a small note, and to date and sign it. She very happily did.
The rest of the day and weekend will consist of visiting the kids and cleaning underwear. This has pushed us back a few days but could have been much worse. When we dropped off the documents with our inspector she told Vitaly this was the most difficult adoption she’s seen this year.
I’m sure by now you have moved from the edge of your seat to a comfy position further back. Just to keep you on the edge (Why should we be the only ones stressed out?) We still have to receive one more document from the trouble district, but have been assured by the mayor it will be available Monday. (Remember the first sentence of this post), and we still haven’t received the doctors report that was supposed to arrive Wednesday.
Have a nice day!
TTFN
R&C
The one thing that I learned early on in our trip was that in Ukraine what is said on Monday means nothing on Tuesday. At least as far as government officials are concerned. We were still glowing from a successful trip to Kiev until Wednesday afternoon when Vitaly received a call from the orphanage director saying we had a big problem. The city inspector had called her to tell her that relatives in the district that the kids came from may not sign consent forms to allow the adoption. To add to the misery the one relative we needed a signature from was out of the country until July 13th. Well anybody that knows me can imagine my reaction after many promises at every gov’t level of no problems from the day we left Kiev 2 weeks earlier. Vitaly made an appointment to see the inspector in our city, and told me I couldn’t go. (I’m sure that decision has kept me out of the salt mine) All this after we had been told there would be no problems if the “paperwork” was sufficient, and we had supplied the paperwork. (This type of paperwork is common in Ukraine) Vitaly met her after regular business hours away from the office. You can only imagine how Corrine and I felt. If this fell through we were looking at a minimum 2 weeks before another appointment with the SDA in Kiev before we could travel to meet news kids if any were available. Not to mention the heartbreak of leaving these 2 behind because of a relative who hadn’t even seen/contacted these kids since they came into care. This was the worst day we’ve had in Ukraine and second only to running out of beer on a hot day! Vitaly returned from his meeting to tell us that although the paperwork had been sufficient the inspector in the other district wanted to meet us.
5:45AM Vitaly woke us with his usual wakey wakey. We had coffee and cleaned up to go meet the inspector for 8:00 without an appointment. Vitaly said if we just show up they will have to deal with us. It was the right move. We went into the inspector’s office only to find out that he would have to get permission from his boss so we waited for her to arrive. When she did she listened to our story and then left to consult a lawyer. Upon her return she told us that we could get permission to continue the adoption with out the consent if approved by the town counsel, with the mayor’s final approval and signature. We were the first family to have this type of problem, and nobody wanted to take responsibility alone. She then set up a meeting for the next morning at 9:00 AM with the counsel walked us out mentioning that she was involved with some Ukrainian/Canadian women’s group and would do everything she could to help. We left feeling a little more optimistic but knew we still had a big obstacle to overcome.
6:15AM Vitaly woke us with his usual wakey wakey. We went through the same ritual as the day before make in the 25 km journey in record time. (I keep telling Corrine to look out the side windows only. It cuts down on the screaming) we met with counsel (9 people only because of holidays) at 9:00 as set (I’m still amazed) They asked us a number of questions about ourselves, our jobs, our home, etc. I told them that Corrine had a bad wine habit but was slowly getting better, they replied that it was ok most Ukrainians drink too much also. They seemed satisfied with our answers then the Mayor said “I wish you well” in English and left the room. From there the rest of counsel started to smile and wish us well, thanking us for giving the children a good home, and a couple more questions then it was over. An hour later we walked out of the town hall with the required documents signed and ready to go. The inspectors boss (the lady) even gave us a book about the history of the district in Ukrainian to help the kids remember where they came from. I asked her to write a small note, and to date and sign it. She very happily did.
The rest of the day and weekend will consist of visiting the kids and cleaning underwear. This has pushed us back a few days but could have been much worse. When we dropped off the documents with our inspector she told Vitaly this was the most difficult adoption she’s seen this year.
I’m sure by now you have moved from the edge of your seat to a comfy position further back. Just to keep you on the edge (Why should we be the only ones stressed out?) We still have to receive one more document from the trouble district, but have been assured by the mayor it will be available Monday. (Remember the first sentence of this post), and we still haven’t received the doctors report that was supposed to arrive Wednesday.
Have a nice day!
TTFN
R&C
3 comments:
OK….my goal for this post is to keep it G rated. I can not express my disgust in what is happening to you. You know what happened to us. This just makes me sick! What are these people thinking? If you love this kids so much…why are you not raising them/ If they are out of the country, they must have some $$$$. This is BS. One thing that came to my mind is that maybe the family members are looking for a couple hundred dollars for you??? I am just guessing. Don’t they know what a wonderful like you are going to be able to give these children. All the opportunities they would have her with the two of you as there parents. Any child would be greatly blessed to have two wonderful people like you as there parents. Ok I am crying again.
The first time was when you posted “From there the rest of counsel started to smile and wish us well, thanking us for giving the children a good home”. I am glad to hear that someone knows how lucky these children would be to have you as parents. Brad & I don’t like to think that Nadia and Stasik are lucky to have us as parents, but we are lucky to have them. But lets face it…..they hit the jackpot coming here. Don’t you worry, when you get home with your children, and you will, they will feel the same way.
Hi Guys,
Wow! We are keeping our fingers crossed that you will get the final paperwork processed soon. It's good to see you are keeping your sense of humor. Take Care.
Tannis & Benji
You write very well.
Post a Comment