Iraqi adoption
Richard Engel’s story about Baghdad’s Alwiya Orphanage generated an incredible number of e-mail responses from people hoping to send help or even adopt one of the many children orphaned by the Iraq war.
For the time being, the U.S. State Department does not permit the adoption of Iraqi children. Click here for complete information on the U.S. State Department’s policy regarding "Intercountry adoption with Iraq."
We are still researching the most safe and secure way for readers to send money or supplies to orphans in Iraq. More information on that to come.
Here is an excerpt from the State Department web posting on "Intercountry adoption with Iraq" from April 2003:
"The Department of State has received many inquiries from American citizens concerned about the plight of the children of Iraq and wondering about the possibility of adoption. At this time, it is not possible to adopt Iraqi children, for several reasons.
In general, adoptions are private civil legal matters governed by the laws of the nation where the child resides. The process involves complex foreign and U.S. legal requirements. There is no adoption under Iraqi law, only guardianship, which the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (formerly the INS) and the Board of Immigration Appeals have deemed insufficient for the purposes of immigration under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Iraqi law has not permitted foreigners to obtain legal guardianship of Iraqi children. The Department of State does not know at this time whether Iraqi nationals living abroad may obtain legal guardianship of Iraqi orphans.
Moreover, in a crisis situation, such as the Iraqi people are experiencing at the present time, it can be extremely difficult to determine whether children whose parents are missing are truly orphans. It is not uncommon in a hostile situation for parents to send their children out of the area, or to become separated during an evacuation. Even when children are indeed orphaned or abandoned by their parents, they are often taken in by other relatives. Staying with relatives in extended family units is generally a better solution than uprooting the child completely.
The Department of State has issued a Travel Warning against to travel to Iraq at this time. There are still ways in which U.S. citizens can help the children of Iraq. Many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) say that what is needed most at this time are financial contributions. Individuals who wish to assist can do the most good by making a financial contribution to an established NGO that will be well placed to respond to Iraq’s most urgent needs."
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The 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion, Mosul Iraq, is looking for HA supplies for Iraqi children. We cannot accept cash only: School supplies (preferably individual gallon baggies with paper pencil, etc) childrens cloths (light weight, conservative) sandals, childrens toys (beenie baby, sunglasses, no battery operated or powered toys)
Send to:
HA Supplies
403 CA BN
APO, AE 09334
mike mishoe (Sent Jun 5, 2006 7:01:08 AM)
NBC NEWS and Robert Engel, Please assist a wonderful family in their efforts to adopt Marwa(13), Alliya(10) and Sora(6) who are living in the Alwiya orphange in IRAQ. We will help/assist/offer our home for these sisters who have lost their parents. We do not wish to change their culture, beliefs or heritage, just provide for however long as necessary a loving home to grow up in together. I am a Virginia County Administrator, my wife is a stay at home mom, daughters include a veterinarian, high school math teacher and a son who is a professional photographer. We live 45 minutes from the University of Virginia which has a significant Islamic population to assist in any transition. Politics aside, help me help these young ladies find a loving, caring and happy home. Please call me at 540-255-4445 or my email address. With Warmest Regards, Dick Magnifico
Richard and Diane Magnifico, Staunton, Virginia (Sent Jun 6, 2006 3:41:58 PM)
The piece written on the orphaned girls in Iraq, was well done and such a positive as most info is about guns death killing and on and on.
As the human aspect of this story touched my heart, and I am sure others.
I would like to help in a motherly way by sending a gift a blanket a journal.
the three sisters featured sisters was very touching.
The eldest sister displays qualities of love and compassion of which she was taught, most likely from her own mother. this young girl will make a fine doctor, couldnt someone sponsor her.
Is there a safe place for the orphanage to be relocated.
Thanx Mr. Engels
Most Sincerly, C.S.Fickle
Olympia
Washington
C.S. Fickle,Olympia Wa. (Sent Jun 6, 2006 10:13:58 PM)
This is unreal! We are spending Billions (with a "B") of dollars per MONTH in Iraq and these poor kids have to beg for assistance? Why? We are the primary reason they are in this awfull place. Direct some of that cash (how about the Billions that we can't find)toward these kids. Let's do something right for a change!
R.L. M, Winston Salem, NC (Sent Jun 7, 2006 1:54:37 PM)
I would like to know if there is a way to send direct assistance to the Alwiya Orphanage? Is there a way we can write to the children, send letters through an interpreter? I have an eleven year old daughter that would love to be a pen pal.
George Blomberg, Seattle, Washington (Sent Jun 7, 2006 2:46:30 PM)
Richard's story touched me deeply. I served in Iraq in 2005. I felt the kisses and hands of Iraqi children as they touched me outside my armored Humvee. I saw them wave and jump up and down every time we flew over their homes in the Black Hawk helicopters. I saw them play on the trashy streets pockmarked with bullet holes and swimming in sewage...and they still smiled and laughed as children always find a way to do. That there are so many thousands of innocent souls deposited in orphanages with so little hope breaks my heart. Help us to reach out to them in a meaningful way. I'm learning Arabic so I can go back and help personally.
Lisa Bachiller, Sandy, UTAH (Sent Sep 25, 2006 11:02:07 PM)
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