ADOPTIONS

The laws of each country differ and will dictate the process to follow in terms of adopting a child. In South Africa, “SA Cares For Life” runs numerous social development projects and is closely linked to “Abba Adoptions” for the statutory services that are needed to serve the best interest of children in our care. The Abba Adoption team consists of 15 registered social workers. The website address for AFM Abba Adoptions is http://www.abbaadoptions.co.za.

Abba Adoptions has a unique and specialized adoption program that includes national adoptions, international adoptions, statutory services to children that can benefit from permanent family placements and birthparent care. Their practice is based on a biblical foundation, sound adoption theory and many years of experience.

The principles on which Abba Adoptions is run regarding the children are as follows :

a) Adoption is seen as a child welfare service. The primary purpose of adoption is to provide a child with a family and a home to call his/her own. Adoption is not to provide a child for a family. Any measure taken for the protection of a child must be guided by the best interests of the child and for upholding the rights of the child.

b) Every child has a right to grow up in a family. Adoption is a personalized life plan for a child and must be determined on the basis of a study of his / her psychological, social, spiritual, medical, ethnical, cultural and legal status. The priority for a child is to be cared for by his /her biological parent/s.

c) The child has a right to his / her ethnical and cultural identity. AFM Abba Adoptions will be responsible for making available the parent’s information about the particular ethnical and cultural identity of the child.

d) The child has the right to his / her life story. As far as possible, a Life Book describing the background and other relevant information on the child shall be prepared and accompany him / her on placement.

e) There will be no direct financial support of the biological parent/s, which could influence their decision to give up their child for adoption.

f) AFM Abba Adoptions will keep copies of all written information about the child for an unlimited period of time.

g) The adoptive parents must keep AFM Abba Adoptions informed about the adoption progress and the adjustment of the child in the family, for at least two years after adoption.

h) AFM Abba Adoptions will be subject to supervision by the AFM Welfare Council and the Children’s Court as to its composition, operation and financial situation.

THE ADOPTION PROCESS

1. Applications

AFM Abba Adoptions considers received applications. We will

personally give you feedback about the road ahead.

2. Orientation

Should you proceed with an adoption through Abba Adoptions, you

will be invited to an orientation meeting usually held on a Friday. You

will then receive all relevant documentation.

3. Screening

When we receive your forms, Abba Adoptions opens a file and calls

you in for an appointment. The screening process consists of 5-8

interviews and a home visit. Your relatives may be included in some

of the interviews. A criminal check, financial check and psychological

assessment may be necessary. According to relevant childcare

legislation, a complete psycho-social screening is compulsory. After

the screening, a psycho-social report is written by a social worker and

presented at the National Co-ordinators Meeting where a decision is

taken to invite the applicant to a preparation group.

4. Preparation

Preparation for the group meeting is essential. There are generally

other couples in the group as well. The group meeting is compulsory

and both parties need to attend every day.

5. Matching

After the preparation week, the couple may be matched with a baby.

The duration between the preparation group meeting and the matching

with a baby is not something that can be determined upfront. The

matching is based on your specific adoption wishes, the mother’s

wishes and the child’s best interest.

6. After-Care

There is a two-year after care program at Abba Adoptions. Letters and

photos from every family who have adopted are expected. Follow up

meetings continue during the 2 years.

7. Professional fees

A professional adoption fee is charged by Abba Adoptions.

8. Other matters of general interest

Many babies are available but not from all race groups. On average,

Abba Adoptions receives 10 White babies and 2 Asian babies per year.

Same sex applicants, atheists or couples not belonging to or not

actively involved in a Christian church will be referred to other adoption

agencies by Abba Adoptions.

The minimum age should be 25 and the maximum age is generally 38

years when you enter the process.

The length of one’s marriage when you enter the process should be at

least 5 years.

Preference is given to childless couples and couples with no children

from their previous marriage, if it is a second marriage. A doctor’s

certificate is required for infertility patients.

INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS

Abba Adoptions aims to find forever families for children. The fact that national adoption takes precedence over international adoption must be emphasized. There are unfortunately insufficient adoptive parents in South Africa that come to the fore and hence necessitate international adoptions.

Abba Adoptions will only facilitate an international adoption through one of the existing contract partners. Applications directly from prospective adopters that are not South African citizens will not be accepted.

AFM Abba has specialized working agreements with the following accredited organizations of specific convention countries and who are members of

EuroDopt :

a) Wereldkinderen - The Netherlands

b) AdoptionCentre - Sweden

c) FIAC - Belgium

d) DanAdopt - Denmark

e) Evangelischer - Germany

f) Interpedia - Finland

g) Children of the World - Norway

CONTACT DETAILS OF AFM ABBA ADOPTIONS

1. Physical address 818 Park Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

2. Postal address PO Box 2011, Newlands, 0049