Most people probably don't realize how expensive a proposition we have undertaken. So for those wondering or considering international adoption here is a summary:
Adoption agency fees (including orphanage fees) : $14.5 K
Government paperwork fees orphan petitions, VISA's: $1500
Home study and followup: $1500
authentication related costs: $500
Air fare: $4-5 K
In country expenses: $1000
These are all approximate, but comes to around $23,000 - 6000 (grant) = $17,000 buckaroo's.
The biggest obstacle is that the bulk of these fees must be paid before we can travel to pick up our son. I don't know many people that have $20K saved up in their savings accounts!! Part of the reason we are also fund raising is that our child will need surgery and intensive therapy as soon as he arrives. I am going to take a leave of absence when he gets here, so that I can devote all the time that is necessary to him and for him. So, that is going to leave us without a second income for roughly six months next year. We have applied for additional grants, but I don't think there is a lot of grant $$ available to families right now with the state of our economy. I know we have been looked over at least once so far. So, we are humbly asking for assistance anywhere we can find it!!
By the way, we think we probably have a name for him ...... Daniel ....... what do ya think? We haven't had any involved discussions about this, but it is the name that has kind of been sticking around.
Going to sign off now to give some attention to my other littlies!! We are going to make fruit pizza. Sounds yummy!!
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.
Joanne
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