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Leslie's story of her year working in a Romanian orphanage provides insight into the plight of institutionalized children.

Continue reading Inside a Romanian Orphanage

This is a wonderful portrait of how many children are treated in orphanages in other countries. This is why these children have so many problems when they are brought to our country. They have never been loved, cuddle, snuggled, and rocked. They don't know how to play with toys like other children. This just goes to show how important it is for us to keep showing the plight of these children all over the world and for us to help the ones that we can. One person cannot save the whole world, but we can save the whole world of one person.

This is probably the best personal description of children in these orphanages I have seen. The labeling of children based on what we consider in the states a very minor medical condition. And the lack of basic child development.

It also makes a very important point, we all change the world, but we can make a difference.

Hello-My husband and I have looked into adopting from Romania but I am confused as to what the current regulations are. We are under the assumption that as of now, you cannot adopt a Romanian child if you are not a relative or a Romanian citizen. Does anyone know if this is indeed true? Thanks so much.

I am just heartbroken. There are so many children that want and need love and it is so difficult to adopt a child. You always hear, you don't make enought money, you have to be married, you need this, you need that. Well, I may not be married and my not be a millionare, but I have an extreme about of love and hope and faith and a future to give to a child. I sit and watch the news programs on TV about the orphanages, how can these countries and agencies say that someone can't adoot because of their annual income or marriage status, don't they understand that getting out of the orphanages is what they are fighting for, to be able to get these children into a loving home, but they need to understand that you don't need a married couple or a million dollars for these children to have happy, healthy lives. Just give the children a chance to have that. PLEASE, sit back and re-think all of the limits that you put on being able to adopt a child. Be it in the USA or in another country, just give these children a chance, don't make them suffer and then die and these young ages in these orphanages. Give them a chance to see that there is someone out there that loves them, that can give them a home and that they can have something to smile about. I am 34 years old and I am a CNA, I live in a 2 bedroom apartment and I would love to be able to bring one of those children home and raise them and for them to be able to know what love is, but I know what the respnse would already be, We are very sorry, but you are not married and your income is to low. BULL HONKY!!! I have love to give a child. GIVE THEM A CHANCE. PLEASE.

My younger son from Romania has never spoken of what the orphanage was like. He says he doesn't remember. I think his memories are jumbled with dreams and he's not sure what's real. My older Romanian son described the orphanage and his life there to a SW who was helping us adopting after his first adoption failed. It was pretty disturbing.

Single parents can adopt American children and children from many other countries. I am far from wealthy and actual, fall at the poverty line for income. It does not take money to adopt older children in the US.

Romania is closed to adoptions for the most part.

I know that this is an old post, but could someone please help me get in contact with Leslie McCarthy, or anyone else who may know how to volunteer in a Romanian orphanage?

I'm a college student who will be graduating this summer, and would love to work with young infants and toddlers in such places. I know that this is the most crucial time for providing a secure base, in terms of attachment, and for fending off the devastating effects of RAD. I'm a psychology student, but my focus has been child development. I spent last summer working with an Autistic child using the Applied Behavior Approach (ABA), and would love to just be there for children who have little else in the world.

Thanks,

Jessamyn