When we decided to adopt from DR Congo a few months ago we were totally clueless when it came to agencies that had programs in that country. We just knew that was the country God placed on our hearts. The rest is just details, right? About 6 months ago we started researching agencies and country programs in Africa so we knew of several agencies with programs in other countries in Africa we were looking at, but none were DRC. Once we decided on DRC there may have been one or two agencies we had vaguely heard of, but apparently there are about 18 with programs in DRC. Who knew?! Yup. We were totally clueless, and we almost fell into a possible bad trap with a particular agency...until we did our own research. It was difficult for us to find agency reviews and get connected with the DRC adopt community, because we did not know any one who had was currently adopting from that country. I'm sure we're not the only one. ;-)
Based on what I currently know about DR Congo adoptions (which isn't much. newbie, here, folks.), here are my personal recommendations. I am not making this post all about the agency we are working with, I actually don't even mention them by name (but I do highly recommend them, so feel free to ask me!). I simply hope this information will help families interested in DR Congo adoption become connected with the DRC adoption community more quickly.
It is because of these groups and resources below that we made a well informed decision regarding the agency we chose, and we were able to connect with about 8 other families who live within an hour of us who are also adopting from DR Congo (and there are more, I just haven't met them yet!). Seriously, how awesome is that? Adoption mama answered prayer, God is amazing how he orchestrated this!
Do Your Own Research!
I strongly urge anyone NOT to choose to work with an agency only based on an the agency website, or email and phone call communication with their employees. That is totally one sided, and it's not at all enough information needed to make an educated decision. What really matters are families experiences with the agency. Right? Although their website may indicate a specific list of fees, time frame, or in country procedures, the actual list of fees and time frame could be quite a bit different.
Choosing an agency is a huge decision. You are putting your full trust with this group of people you've probably never met, to complete what you hope be an ethical adoption. You are putting your trust in their in-country staff and in their procedures to provide you with information accurately, honestly, and timely about your referral(s) and children. You are trusting what information they give and what they tell you about your childs situation. Among many things, ask where these agencies get their referrals. You are also trusting them with a huge chuck of change you'll be sending their way, be sure it's very clear exactly what these funds go towards! A vague answer is not good enough, in my opinion. Choosing an agency is a huge decision, and should not be done naively. You don't want to be one of those families who invested thousands of dollars with an agency and then have to walk away with nothing, and no adoption to work with a different agency due to various personal reasons and major concerns with an agencies practices. :-( Sad, but true. Several people I've connected with shared stories like that. Do your own research and pray for God to give you wisdom and discernment as you choose an agency!
Agency Reviews
Read agency reviews on sites like these below. This was one recommendation from a friend who adopted from Ethiopia. There will be positive and negative reviews. Pay attention to recurring negative experiences, comments, and concerns other things that may be 'red flags' to you. Look for things that don't match up with what you read on an agencies website or what they told you on the phone/email. Learn about the agencies past adoptions, learn all that you can. Ask questions. Pray for discernment. No agency is perfect, and none can guarantee a smooth sail for your adoption journey, but thankfully some strive in every way to ensure they conduct ethical adoptions. Also, be sure to consider agencies that have frequent in-country appearance. Adoption is also not the only thing needed in the DRC, so consider agencies that do more than conduct adoptions but also have on-going projects to improve the community and make a lasting impact in-country. Also, your involvement with an agency doesn't have to end after you bring your Congolese child(ren) home, ask how you can stay involved: help encourage new DRC adopt families, if you may have opportunities to travel back to DRC with the agency, and so on. Overall, figure out what is important to you regarding an agency, and ask questions to their past/present clients and to the employees! :-)
Not every agency has reviews on these sites, so for those reviews you may be better off asking on the Google Group or Facebook pages mentioned below. You can request for an agency to be added to either of these sites if you want to write a review about your personal experience with a particular agency.
My Adoption Agencies - www.myadoptionagencies.com
Adoption Agency Ratings - www.adoptionagencyratings.com
Adoptions from the DRC to the US...
In 2011 there were 133 adoptions from the
DRC to the US,
a 324% increase from the previous year (41 adoptions in 2010)!
And from 2011 (133 adoptions) to 2012 (240 adoptions) there was a 180% increase.
I praise the Lord that each of these numbers represents a precious life, a former orphan.
DR Congo Adoptions to the US by Year
Get connected in the DRC Adoption Community
...And ask questions!
You can also ask for agency reviews and personal experiences with agencies you are considering on these groups below. It is wise for adopt families to keep personal experiences within a private email or message, but just ask publicly on these groups and people will be glad to share with you their positive and/or negative experiences in a private message!! They were a huge help to us. I contacted 12 families of a particular agency we were considering and I heard all about their experiences, all but one were all very negative. :-( I urge you to connect with as many families as you can of agencies you are seriously considering before you make this decision. Here are some helpful groups:
"DRC Adopt" - Google Group
Search "DRC Adopt" at the above Google Groups link to find this group and request to be added. You can start a new discussion and ask for agency reviews or specifally ask about a couple agencies you have in mind. People can respond publicly to you, or in a private email. This is a great resource when seeking more info about an agency!
a Facebook Group (request to join)
When you are approved to this page, be sure to look at the Files tab and view the document "List of Agencies" to contact people willing to share their experiences with an agency. This group is a wealth of information and is a great place to share DRC adoption news, DRC adopt questions, how to fill out a form, how long a process takes, tips for hair care, and so on.
The Files tab also offers travel trips, list of DRC adoption blog, DRC adoption coming home videos, and so on. The hourglass search tool at the top right (in all Facebook groups) is also a valuable tool if searching for information on something specific. This group is also a great way to connect with people who may live near you! Just ask on the group who lives in your region...and you'll be bound to meet some other families! We've connected with about 8 other families in our part of the state since I asked. So awesome. :-)
Warning: This is a semi-public group with 600+ members, so be cautious of what you post. Many adoption agencies have employees on this group whether we know it or not. If you are seeking agency recommendations, it's best to ask members to send you a private message than to share their personal experience publicly. With this many group members, unfortunately, you just don't know what everyone's intentions and motives are on the group.
"Congo Adopt" Yahoo Group
a Facebook Group (open to join)
MORE Facebook Groups and Pages
Many agencies have their own private Facebook groups where only their current and past clients will be added. This is a great way to connect more with families using that agency, ask specific questions, share pictures of your referrals, share your adoption blogs and fundraisers, and learn more about your agency. These groups also have file sections where members will share more about country travel, where members are in their adopt process, their blogs, pictures of their country visits, and so on. It's a great way to meed friends. Seriously, a wealth of information!
Many agencies also have a public Facebook pages that anyone can "like" and follow. I love that the agency we are using posts pictures of waiting chilren on their Facebook page for the public to see and share! It's a great way to share that child's precious face and could help find them a family sooner than if only the agencies members could view (and not share) the waiting childrens pictures.
"DRC Prayer Group"
a Facebook group
Search this group name in Facebook to ask to join. It is a great place to share prayer requests and pray for others in their DR Congo adoption process.
a Facebook page to "like" and follow
Search this page name on Facebook to "like" ad follow. This is a great place to share your DRC adoption fundraisers and find other Congo t-shirts to add to your growing collection. :-)
DR Congo Adoption Blogs
Find as many DR Congo adoption blogs as you can. Check out their timelines, process, and email them any questions and ask their experience with their agency! I've posted a TON of DRC adoption blogs on my Pinterest orphan care and adoption board. It's so nice to "see" an adoption journey, and adoption blog stalking is a great way to do so, ha! :-)
I hope this information is helpful to anyone considering international adoption in DR Congo. Once I was finally plugged in with the Congo Adoption Families Facebook page and our agencies private page, I felt that I had a wealth of information available at my fingertips. It was extremely encouraging and helpful especially in that beginning stage! I've met some wonderful new friends who I am so blessed to be walking this journey with as part of our heart lives and aches in Congo.
