Kindness

Democratic Republic of Congo - OWAS Orphanage

 

The OWAS Orphanage opened in 2010 and is registered by the Department of Social Affairs and by the Department of Social Security, Humanitarian Action, and National Solidarity. The orphanage cares for approximately 36 children, with plans to increase capacity to up to 50 children as need arises.

Madame Teetee is the DRC Coordinator who is responsible for working with attorneys to process adoption cases and assist with the orphanage. She also works part time in the Office of Vital Statistics. Her experience within the local government helps her navigate the many governmental offices involved in the adoption process. She works extremely hard for the program. Her motivation and tireless work are driven out of the need to save these children in a country where the mortality rate of children under age 5 is 20%.  Her goal is to unite these oprhans with loving parents from around the world, saving them from poverty, sickness, or death.

Terri Punturi is the OWAS Program Director for DR Congo adoptions.  Terri has extensive experience in international adoption, and has adopted 8 children from Brazil, Haiti, Kazakhstan, and the US. For more information on adoption, please contact terri@oneworldadoptions.org

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Orphanage

 

How is the orphanage funded?
The Orphanage is managed through agency and private donations. We are a 501(c)(3) so donations are tax deductible. We also accept items such as clothing, shoes, vitamins, diapers, medical supplies, etc. Contact us if you wish to donate any of these items. We also work with several other orphanages so items like these are always needed and appreciated!

 

What ages are the children you place?
We place infants, toddlers, and children up to 15 years of age. Sibling groups are often available.

 

What are the criteria for children accepted for care and/or placement?
We accept children for care and/or placement of all ages. We are not equipped at this time to accept children with certain special needs. Children may be accepted into care based solely on need; however children accepted into the adoption program must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for orphan status. In these cases, both parents may be deceased, the child may have one surviving parent, or the child may have been abandoned. Abandonment cases are much more difficult to process than the other types of cases.

 

How often can I expect updates about my child?
Clients will receive updates on the children on a monthly basis. Typically, an update will include a picture of your child and a brief update on your adoption process. The orphanage will soon have the ability to send more detailed updates that will include developmental information, health/illnesses, and any other important information that the staff can share with you about your child.

 

How many children are in the orphanage? How many caretakers are there? 
Our orphanage accommodates between 25 and 30 children and the caretaker to child ratio is typically 1:5. The number of children at the orphanage can change on a daily basis due to a number of different factors including new children being brought to the orphanage, families placing their children at the orphanage for a brief period of time, or children who are seeking shelter whose status is not yet determined.

 

How often do the children eat and what do they eat?
The children get regular meals each day, and their diet consists of fruits, fish and other meats, rice, and beans.

 

What safety precautions are in place to protect the children?
The orphanage has 24 hour a day security.

 

Has anyone been to visit the orphanage? Has agency staff met the caregivers?
Yes. We have staff travelling this month to visit the new orphanage, and additional trips are planned for later this year. The orphanage director is a very sweet woman who has a genuine love for children. The children are well cared for and receive medical treatment as needed.

 

How many adoptions have you completed in DRC?
We have completed approximately 25 adoptions since the program began in 2009.

 

Do you have a list of references?
We have a long list of references for our agency and will also give you names of families who have adopted through our DRC program. We can only give you contact information for families who have agreed for us to release their information to prospective adoptive parents. Many families do not wish to be inundated with phone calls and emails after their adoption as it can be very time consuming given a program of this size. Our references get 3-4 calls a week. We update our list frequently and will provide you with more recent references as they become available.

 

Will we have support while we are travelling?
Absolutely. You can rely on our very hardworking Congolese staff while you are in DRC. Additionally, our US staff is available to you 24 hours a day for emergencies and throughout your travel to assist you when possible.

 

Will I be expected to send money support for the care of the child I am adopting?
Yes. Monthly orphan support is due on the first of each month and is payable to the agency. Upon request, we will mail you a detailed statement of all money paid to the agency towards your adoption and your child’s care.

 

How long does the process take?
The adoption process in DRC can move quickly relative to other adoption programs, however it can also be unpredictable at times. The wait time for a referral can vary for a variety of reasons. The most recent families to complete our program completed their adoptions in around 9 months. As this program grows in popularity, timeframes are likely to change.

 

Do you have a support group for adoptive families so that we can communicate with others about the process, travel, and share photos?
Yes, we have an online group for OWAS families adopting through our DRC program. Let us know if you would like to join.