Second Chance Children (My Story of Russian Adoption)

[shangita1988]

Are you also still trying to adopt Marcia ?

[Cnielsennn]

i'm only 18 but i know one day when, i'm ready to have kids, i'm gonna adopt. 

[Janehellokitty4ever]

I'm gnna adopt someday

[mihanich]

is that a kind of new american fashion to adopt exactly russian children?

[annagitana1]

@mihanich No, Americans adopt from everywhere, including the United States.

[mihanich]

@annagitana1

but why adopting from russia is exceptionally popular?

[annagitana1]

@mihanich Russia is not more popular than China or Korea. Americans adopt from countries where there are available children and where the government allows adoption by foreigners. People here are drawn to Russia in part because the children look similar to American children. But also, because the orphanages are so horrible there and they want to rescue a child from a hopeless future. We don't have orphanages here where kids rot because they are deemed undesirable.

[Easy940]

I was too adopted but in Hungaria This story reminds me some memories.. :)

[valyat93]

As an adoptee from Russia, this is the most touching story i have seen.

[GodoftheChimps]

Well if they wouldn't charge $30,000 a child, maybe more Americans would adopt.

[gunzcontrol]

adoption . about . com /od/adoptionrights/p/russianca­ses . htm

[CollectChildSupport]

We didn't adopt our child, she adopted us.

[vguiris]

It is a touching documentary and is heartbreaking. However, one must not think that adoption is the only 'second chance' for these children. After all, they leave their country of birth and all that they have ever known behind. Further, the older the children- the more difficult it can be for them to settle and adapt to the new way of life. You don't need to look far to see examples of where adoption has not given these children a ' second' chance, rather the opposite ( eg children commuting su

[JazyGirl26]

my cousin was adopted from Russia when she was 3 :)

[Vaktpluton]

i cry

[Vaktpluton]

i ..........

[mrkv39]

Read some horrible statistics about what happened to kids after orphanages in russia. only 2% end up with higher education, 40% end up with a drug addiction, 40% with a criminal record, 10% commit suicide.

[StormSpirit20]

@mrkv39 link?

[mrkv39]

@StormSpirit20 youtube doesnt allow you to post links but if you google "russian orphanage statistics" the second search item quotes a 2002 study

"About 15,000 children leave Russian orphanages each year, once they are 16 to 18 years old. Of these, 5,000 are unemployed, some 6,000 are homeless, around 3,000 resort to crime, approximately 1,500 commit suicide, and roughly half the girls are forced into prostitution. The CoMission for Children at Risk, 2002."

[boysie30]

That makes no senese at all. If it weren't for paying parents who badly want a child then there would be no home for the needing child. Kind of like supply and demand. I think most people who adopt want a child pretty badly.

[Charles2337]

='( This is so sad, I want to adopt a child but it's hard for a single guy.

[gryphon50c]

@Charles2337 that's because some single guys (not you) are creeps. So because of those perverts, a guy with honest intentions doesn't have a chance. It's unfortunate.

[reneemagray]

Joe can't you help us find a child. We adopted from China, and would be blessed to adopt from here a little girl.

any information we would appreciate. Thank you

[ondriawatson]

wow! This video was very touching. The plight of those children is heartbreaking but I am glad u were able to adopt Galya :) Where can I watch the other documentary that u mentioned? (a day on the life of the mentally/physically impaired children)

[26syntax]

Any possibility of a follow up video? I'm looking for testimonies of older children who were adopted internationally.

[hazellina07]

what if ure single but doing well, i dont think they let you adopt right ?i pity the older kids, id rather adopt the older ones.Just like when i adopted a cat, i took the older ones and not the babies.

[oOMaryFelixOo]

I hope I can adopt a child when I get older. I really really want to!

The song the woman is singing in minute 5:35 is Zhuravli, isn't it? It's such a sad and beautiful song.

[Falisia11]

i always wanted to adopt a child n give em beta life.. hopefully in the near future i will.. i dnt knw how the adoption rules work tho, some one explain to me steps need to be taken pls

[Kieronoldham]

I am so happy for little Galya, please make no mistake about that, but I am so upset for little Masha. I know you were prevented from adopting her, but as you have experienced the personal difficulties of the adoption process in getting Galya adopted but encountering too many obstacles to help Masha, I hope you can/have helped Masha in one way or another... I heard 2 thirds of children in Urkrainian orphanages become criminals/prostitutes if not adopted. Hope you help Masha and the other kids..

[2ormoremusic]

Wow!!! This video made me cry!!!!!! I def. feel called to orphan work somewhere!!!!!!!!!!! My heart aches for them!!!!!!! <3

[hipretty]

This is a beautiful piece... how is Galya doing now?

I notice she understands enough English to answer you, yet she is not saying yes or no!

[liamardo007]

You guys are amazing.

[Einstein12321]

She's so happy, she's positively glowing!

[LITTLEANGELSG]

When I look at these kids and compared to my own son, I feel my son is really lucky.

[khulan1443]

The thing is that I don't have courage to adopt just one child. I wouldn't have the nerve to pick out one from the other

[alielin]

@khulan1443 You usually don't get to "pick out" a child. Unless you are adopting a child (or sibling group) from a waiting list, you will most likely be referred a specific child by your agency.

[i3ome]

@alielin uummm ok thanks? I was totally going to adopt a child....(hope you can feel the sarcasm)

[Lucailey]

No one should be treated as a cast off. People with disabilities can do amazing things if they are given the chance. I would love to adopt some day and I would like to adopt more than once if I could. At least one time I would like to adopt an older child from about 3-7. Everyone deserves a chance at a good life. It is our right as humans.

[sexyboysf]

does anyone know how to help those angel? i'd love to help ,cuz i know what is to be along....please i want to help. god bless those angel and those how help them from the heart.

[LordWhoseLavin]

wonderful video. i was adopted in 1997 in shakhty , russia when i was 4.

[RussianRevolutionary]

@RussianRevolutionary

If anyone here knows how to get involved with the process of helping these sweet children find homes here in the U.S, please let me know.. Cindy

Thanks!

[w2a2l2k2e2r2]

my freind was adopted from russia her name is vera

[syklt]

@w2a2l2k2e2r2 Vera is faith in russian =)

[19K19D]

This video makes me happy...

[MarkH10]

...it tears me up

[Borat911]

Aaah see !, I always knew it !! American people are far from all bad !!! They love kids and family as much as anyone else. So many couples out there just wishing a child, to raise, love, share joy and share their life and legacy with. And so many children in need of all that to !!! Adoption is a great thing

[laurennoni]

This is so lovely! I'm so happy you have Galya with you now. I can't help but feel sorry for Masha, but let's hope she has found a home by now. Congratulations on your beautiful daughter!

[aussiechic911]

1:00 priceless :)

[EmotionAvenger]

I've thought about the idea of adopting a child when I get older, and this video has made me decide that I will. I can't imagine anything better than providing a better life for a child.

[itsnigora]

God bless people who adopt and give this children love and care they deserve!!!

[RolandDeschain1]

I can't imagine how heart-breaking it must be to go to one of those places and see all those sad, lonely little kids.

Thankfully we have people who adopt and bring love into their lives.

[speaker3600]

I was adopted from Russia when I was 4.

[gheldmann]

My aunt's adopting from Russia! I'm so proud of her!

[bobojazz27]

FYI, potential adoptive parents are given referral of children..It is completely untrue, that you can pick and choose the "cutest, most ealthy" child, as a matter of fact you cannot even see any oher children other than the one that was referred to you, upon your invitation to Russia! I adopted a little boy from Russia 1 1/2 years ago, please, please be informed before you post.

[animalcrazyirish]

Sad though how they pick and choose they should be given a kid and be glad they got one at all!

[boysie30]

They are not allowed to "pick" their kid. The orphanage sends them a profile of a child chosen for them dumb ass. Your not even right.

[boysie30]

And second of all who wouldnt want a healthy child? Alot of people do not have the health insurance where they could even afford the healthcare for sicker children or children with disabilities. Think before you post. And again of course you cant choose your child they send you a referel for one. I know several people who have done it.

[animalcrazyirish]

Well the orphanage this person was working in rich yanks would just come in a pick a child, the cutest and the healthiest....so I am thinking before I post thank you

[boysie30]

Again there is nothing wrong with eanting a "healthy" child. Here in the United States we're not just handed free health care. We work and pay out the ass just for decent coverage. Most people don't have the health coverage to take on a child with a disability. If I was paying 5k in adoption fees I would want a healthy child too.

[boysie30]

oops I meant 50k!! I know its alot more than 5! Unfortunately.

[animalcrazyirish]

To be honest I really don't give a shit....

[Treemeadow]

Thats the response of someone who is defeated.

FYI, your story is a lie. Maybe in some other country, but not in Russia.

Even so, American's must get visas, from both countries, and referrals, they just don't "pick" a child.

[animalcrazyirish]

I can tell you it ain't, believe what you want darling

[Treemeadow]

Oh well, I'll just dis-regard my aunt and her adopted children then.

[animalcrazyirish]

you do that

[Treemeadow]

Thats not polite at all. I was trying to be helpful, you are bitter, but you shouldn't try and feel justified by your rudeness.

[animalcrazyirish]

You were being rude to me what do you expect...I just told you a story about an orphanage in Russia, a true story all orphanages aren't the same...get over it jeez

[animalcrazyirish]

This is to your other comment...then why did you start replying to me if your talking about something else?

[Treemeadow]

Because I recieved a message about a youtube comment reply, and the first thing that came up was your comment, and then the first comment of mine that appeared was the other one I made.

So I thought you were referring to that.

[animalcrazyirish]

oh for god's sake

[Treemeadow]

Wow. Grow up, will you. I made an honest mistake, you're just rude.

[animalcrazyirish]

It's you who is being rude, your just looking for arguments

[Treemeadow]

I was justifying myself, you responded the way I expect 13 year old girls to respond.

[animalcrazyirish]

You are being rude to me so I am going to be rude back.

[Treemeadow]

@boysie30

You're looking at adoption from the wrong angle. You're looking at it as though its a process to give paying parents the children they so want.

Thats wrong.

Its a process to give needing children homes.

[Jiggabel]

Beautiful story. Congratulations.

[8722974]

Congratulations on your adoption of this charming little girl. I too want to adopt a Russian or Ukrainian child one day. Right now, I am fortunate to have raised my Russian step-daguhter from age 8. She is a delight & a gift. there are so many children in desperate need of a loving family. I hope people are inspired by your example to step up & act.

[tallcoolone1]

Im a California Attorney looking to help with adoptions..our firm is going to do 2 adoptions for half-price, from the Ukraine,to get experience and build some relationships there..respond to my page if you would like us to represent you.

[sylvester88881111]

Hello. We would be interested in adopting from the Ukraine. Please contact me if you are still interested in helping people.  Thank you.

[tikitiki101]

Great documentary. I would too like to adopt a little girl(s) from Russia one day. That one little girl Masha as so adorable. It's such a shame that you weren't able to adopt her. Galya is cute too, though.

God Bless.

[wadehallen]

That sucks that crappin paper work got in the way of taking Masha home. She is a very beautiful little girl.

[Missvivicide]

I feel the same way as ErisFae... I too will be 19 soon, and I've had the idea to adopt a russian child since I was seventeen.

If only both U.S. and Russian governments would do more to provide financial support what with all those adoption fees, which can reach ridiculous figures. Maybe I have to do more research.

[nemoelvis]

This story is incredible!

[Kieronoldham]

This is so heart warming: so sweet to see Galyas sweet grin at 1:01. :)

[GypsyPianist]

True! However when you are very young, you are left with no choice but to pick up a language quicker for obvious reasons. Once you have mastered your 'mother tongue' there could be a tendency to be lazy when studying another language. At what age this tendency starts is really my question.

[geoffds]

Actually, the inability to study another language has little to do with laziness and everything to do with biology. The brains of children have the ability to naturally pick of languages. After a certain age that part of the brain loses its ability to learn languages naturally. As though the brain has a window that closes permanently. Foreign languages can still be learned, of course, but a different part of the brain is used to master it.

[julija111]

I am 22.I am single mother.My son is nearly 2.Since the very young age i have been volunteering in orphanage places.And i am planing to adopt couple kids.Sooner or later i will do it.God bless those kids.

[HillaryandAmanda]

Oh wow...this is such a great video. May God bless each and every one of their little hearts.

[ErisFae]

I've always loved the idea of adoption. I'm far too young to be a parent to one of these children yet (I'll be 19 soon), but I know someday I'll bring my own little home from a Russian orphanage.

[GypsyPianist]

At this age, do they have English lessons or do they just pick it up like they did Russian?

[Kieronoldham]

The younger you are, apparently the quicker it is you subconsciously and consciously pick up another language.

[GodsWordIsTruth]

that is so beautiful God Bless each and every one of those kids i pray the paper work eases up and its easier for good families to adopt these gems who need love! God Bless u!

[actor2070]

Yeah it is sad that adults have kids without thinking if they can afford them or thinking at all! Poor people should not have kids. I hope the kids find nice foster homes.

[geoffds]

Great job! I lived in Ukraine for three years teaching English in Peace Corps, so this really hit home. What are some barriers that make it more difficult to adopt some Russian children versus others? For example, what circumstances made it impossible to adopt Masha but easier to adopt Galya?

[yulyantiy]

Masha was from Ukraine as I understood and Galya from Russia..different laws..

[Palmleaf2468]

Thank you for a lovely film. We are a married couple. We live in the UK and would love to adopt a child from an orphanage. Would you give us some contacts/tips...? Where to begin? Best to contact an orphanage directly or go through UK/US agency?

[RealityRunsRampant]

call adoption agencies and adoption lawyers in your town/region, to begin the process.

[hellokittydimaggio]

that was really good.

[samer820]

so sad.. if I have ability I would adopt all these little cutie.

[Countrygirlsrox]

This is so sad!!

I mean, what have all those other kids do to have to go through all this???

[Chaia17]

thank you for this enlightening documentary. it tugs at my heart

[Kbabykgirlk]

its so sed!I hope that my friend got adopted but since im in America and she is in Russia, i cant ask her(!

[XrussianbitchX]

aww that is so sad :(

i was adopted from Russia and thank god.because i would be in an orphanage if i hadnt been lucky enough to get some parents to take me back to england to have a decent life

[sprinklefriend]

i was helping my sister & brother-in-law pick a home daycare place for my nephew and there was a little girl there - probably about 6? - who'd just arrived from russia a few weeks prior. she was REALLY loud - REALLY REALLY loud - and the person taking care of her said it's because at the russian orphanages, to be heard, they have to scream. otherwise their voice is drowned out. i'm glad that kid has a chance at a normal life now.

[EvilxOwl]

What beautiful children .. ~*Huggs*~ and lots

of ~* Kisses*~ to you all........

[7ukraine]

sshe is such a sweathurt!!!

[doesnthurt2try]

this is awful here or anywhere..dam.

[Amber720]

i was adopted from russia to at age 3 im 14 now . just wondering u were 6 when you got adopted how old are you now?

[galya123]

Galya is now 11 and enjoying life with her family.

[sims2greenday]

yeah adoptian is though i was supposed to get aliitle sister from china and so far we have waited for 3-4 years now!! now we have decided to go with domestic adoptian, how long does it take to adopt from russia?

[galya123]

We went through the summer program that brought older children to the U.S.for four weeks. Then you could adopt them after they returned to Russia. I don't know what the policies are now for Russia but it took us about 6 months to adopt an older child, but it has been over four years now that we have had our daughter so I do not know what the new policies are.

[rita901101]

@sims2greenday I think you can go to china n adopt a child

[yaelis32]

Impossible to adopt, it's the country that must help these children but Russia doesn't care....like Romania, Brasil, etc.

[MagikalRose]

How come you didnt go back for Masha??? She made me fall in love with her by just saying that too :) Im on my adoption journey (just starting) and because Im young I didnt know if I could a adopt a child older than 5...but you have inspired me by showing your story. Thank you

[girlmtnbiker]

Very toucking video! I am in the process of adopting from Kyrgyzstan. You are right, the children have nothing, they were so thrilled to just get a lollipop. I would love to adopt more than one child, but financially am unable. While many people can afford to care for the child and provide thru their growing years, the whole process is so expensive. Most people do not have $25,000 to 35,000 dollars to adopt a child! By the way, I am adopting a 12 year old girl!

[galya123]

Thanks for all the comments..I know it's so expensive,I would like to adopt more but can't afford it. It is a wonderful thing for a 12 year old girl to get a home. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[eatmejesus]

Not to make light of these children's dire situation. This video is very important.

This problem is world wide. How long will it be until we have a war on the root cause poverty?

[boudoiramani]

Okay

I have room for three to four children in my home in Australia. I cannot adopt any child of whatever age from my home in Australia due to there being no agreement between our country and Russia.

What can we do?

[MagikalRose]

Im also in Australia where domestic adoption is non-existent and International adoption is so difficult that its almost impossible! We get allocated such a small number of children by other countries that we are allowed to adopt...but I just dont get it!! In our country children can have a wonderful life...probably better than America (our healthcare system and schools r better for starters) I hope other countries see this soon!!!

[EvilxOwl]

Hi , Im also from Australia.. its sad that we are unable to adopt here..we could give a child so much .. a better life.. lots of love and a good home.Have you tried to adopt from overseas ?

[Treemeadow]

I have the same sad problem, but I changed my focus.

We have many children here who are desperate for a permanent home. We don't have adoption from foster care, but we do have "permanent guardianship" which can lead to adoption.

Its foster parents who get full custody until the child turns 18 (and they usually end up adopting).

Thats what I'm going to do.

[mati2580]

great video, wish you good luck

[zulme]

OMG, what happened to Masha? I adopted my daughter from Vladimir.. I am sure it was so hard for you to not be able to adopt Masha..Galya is great!

[galya123]

Sad to say, there was nothing I could do to get Masha into our family. Vladimer was great!I went through someone else to meet galya but now Vladimir is working for the people I went through. It's a closed loop. Galya is a wonderful addtion to the family.

[russianpartychick]

I was adopted from Russia when I was six and a half.

My mom took of right after I was born. I was moved around from orphanage to orphanage. when im financaily able to adopt i'm going to do the same thing my parents did for me and adopt from Russia to save a chid like they saved me.

[mati2580]

What you said was amazing, I wish you all the best.

Best regards

[russianpartychick]

Thank you.

[sweetmeow4]

I got adopted from russia

[BroadwayStAr1nce]

you can adopt a healthy one from russia?? When i was adopted they had to put down things wrong with me to get me out of the country...did you adopt in russia? awesome video

[calirosascalirosas]

Wonderful Video, I hope that you and your family can add a second adddition to your family with Masha. I hope that paperwork will clear up and that Masha comes home to you. God BLess, I will send you my blessings!

[borktown1]

many families have homes, but the cost is prohibitive. We tried but from Canada the cost was upwards of $5000. My husband and I are both professionals with 2 of our own children and wanted to adopt a 3rd but it is just not in our budget to do so. This is the ONLY thing that prevents us.

[kellouuu]

is beautiful  !!!

[Adopttlc]

This is an excellent video; it shows the reality that many children face. We adopted an older child from Russia 10 years ago. It has been a life-changing and wonderful experience. Adoption of older children is a beautiful way to build a family. Great film!

[galya123]

Thanks,I think it's important that the older kids don't get forgotten.

[debmomof5]

I have been to Russia also...to adopt older kids. This video is all true and needs to be seen by all! We can't forget the kids that are still waiting for someone to come get them.