Russia (MNN) — Christian adoption agencies around the world are breathing a bit easier as the Russian government has finalized adoption reform there. Currently there are more than 750,000 orphans in that nation, but only 175,000 of them are available for adoption. As Christians view caring for orphans a top priority, this could re-open doors for international adoptions.
Buckner Orphan Care International’s Amy Norton says they have been an accredited agency working in Russia. She says the structure is now in place. “They’ve been trying to decide who was going to oversee adoptions in Russia, whether it would be the ministry of labor and social welfare or the ministry of science and education.” They’ve settled on the ministry of science and education.
Norton says that doesn’t mean adoptions are back on the fast track. “That’s gotten the ball rolling to them appointing someone who will actually be overseeing the adoption committee and they’re forming that committee now. Things are starting to move a little bit faster. But, the hope is that these accreditations will start happening for these agencies who were waiting to be reaccredited.”
While Buckner is waiting, they’re also playing a key role in helping child care in Russia. Norton will be traveling to Russian soon for their annual conference for care-givers. “We have about 350 people attend to basically talk about programs for caring for orphan children. We want to address the needs of these orphan children, such as HIV right now and the juvenile justice system.”
Since Buckner is a Christian organization, their testimony can have an impact. “The key people in the Russian government are at this conference. And, to ever have imagined that a Christian social service ministry would be able to bring those sort of people together to talk about orphans issues, it’s just amazing. It opens so many doors for us to get into regions as well as orphanages that we would never have had the opportunity to take the Gospel in(to previously).”
If you’d like to find out about Buckner Orphan Care International, click on the highlighted link above for contact information.
