Family Stories
Martha Lynn, Bill and Anna Riley - Andrews, SC
Mike, Debbie, Nicholas and Daniel - Bonne Terre, MO
Kathy & Richard
Fred, Jen and Skyler; Desoto, MO
Matt, Jerry and Nikolas, Barnhart, MO
Joan, Charles, Megan and Charles III; Tipp City, OH
My husband and I completed the adoption of our daughter in November 2000 with the help of Small World Adoption Foundation. We began the adoption process in March of that year; after researching many agencies, particularly those local to us (we live in SC, SWAF is in Missouri), we signed a contract with Small World. We were assigned a caseworker who led us through the process with clarity, skill, and compassion. Our phone calls were returned promptly, our questions answered concisely, and we were kept abreast of the details of our adoption as much as was possible. Once we made the decision to adopt from Ukraine, SWAF sent a list of people who had previously adopted from Ukraine for us to contact. The agency has an excellent parent support network; speaking with others who had been before us certainly relieved some of our anxieties. In the days before leaving for Ukraine, we felt many emotions; however, we did not have to worry about the details of our trip, as SWAF was so well-organized. Our paperwork was all in order before we left home, and all we had to do was follow the directions given to us by our caseworker.
Upon our arrival in Kiev, Ukraine, we were taken under the wing of SWAF's staff. The translators, facilitators, and host families were wonderful! We were very well cared for, and each member of the international staff was knowledgeable, intelligent, and efficient. Our experience in Ukraine was exceptional. Our adoption went smoothly, and we were home with our wonderful daughter in just over two weeks. In the embassies in Kiev and Warsaw, we met many adoptive parents who were adopting independently or with another agency. None had the smooth experience we did, and several used the organization of our paperwork as a guide for their own.
The summer after our adoption, our family attended the annual SWAF summer reunion picnic. What a statement that makes! Over one thousand people, all members of families made complete by Small World Adoption Foundation! Everyone has a story to tell, and everyone wants to listen. The parent support network continues even after the adoption is completed; connections are made, bonds are formed, and we are all proud to be part of the larger family that SWAF has created. Small World Adoption Foundation has changed our lives in so many ways, and for all of them, we are thankful.
Martha Lynn, Bill and Anna Riley
Andrews, SC
The staff at SWAF was terrific in helping us get all of our paperwork in order prior to our travels to Europe. They were very supportive and cooperative in processing documents in a timely manner. It is very important for clients to return completed documents ASAP, so that the people at SWAF can complete their processing, and move the client along to the next step. In our case, our first adoption began in June 2000, and we traveled to Ukraine in February, 2001. Our second adoption began in January, 2002 and we travelled in July, 2002.
On our trips to Ukraine to get Nicholas (Feb. 2001) and to Belarus to get Daniel (July 2002), we were treated very well by the people we encountered in the host countries. We always had plenty of good food to eat, we were able to rest at the end of the day, we had privacy, and we felt safe. Conditions in Ukraine and Belarus are pretty "basic", but we lacked for nothing. Our travel experiences were made better because of our attitude-we decided before we left for Europe that we we going to have a good trip (and both times, we did). It is necessary to focus on what is important-you are coming home with a child. A little inconvenience, or adjusting to what is "normal" in the host country, is nothing. We always knew that our interpreter/coordinator in Europe was frequently in touch with the SWAF caseworker in St. Louis, constantly monitoring our progress. We never felt alone.
Followup by the SWAF after returning home from Europe was also good, and steps were taken to ensure that each of our children was adjusting to his new life. We would recommend SWAF to anyone who is serious about adopting a child from Ukraine, Belarus, or Russia. Just as in life, your adoption experience will be what you make of it. In our case, the experiences were great!
We would be willing to answer any questions which prospective adoptive parents, or anyone, may have, regarding adopting through Small World.
Mike, Debbie, Nicholas, and Daniel
Bonne Terre, MO
SMALL WORLD ADOPTION FOUNDATION a.k.a., WOW (Wonderful Outstanding Work)
Our experience with Small World Adoption Foundation was an experience we will never forget and with that being said, the strongest recommendation we would give for any prospective adopting parents is that we would choose SWAF again without hesitation! Our hopes and dreams were consistently exceeded from our very first meeting with Brenda to working closely with our Case Manager, to meetings with Dr.'s Yelena and Slava, to arriving home from Russia with our precious children! While SWAF was doing their job for us, we were given specific instruction, guidance and support on the paperwork we had to complete for them. And from the moment Sherry contacted us for our trip to Russia, we were ready to go! Even the travel agent, Judy, did a wonderful job accomplishing an almost impossible task when we had to get airline tickets on short notice over a holiday weekend!
Upon arriving in St. Petersburg, Russia, our assigned Interpreter, Yelena, and Driver, Slava, met us as we got off the airplane and outwardly shared in our excitement with us. Our assigned Facilitator, Luda, professionally coordinated all of our official meetings and orphanage visits with our children while our assigned Cook, Anna, outdid herself with her hospitality and excellent meals, (even midnight snacks when we couldn't sleep from all our excitement)! This Russian Team, appointed by SWAF, was not only our 'lifeline' while in Russia, but became some of our never forgotten friends, the kind of friends you hold in your heart forever! And last, but not least, we can't say enough about all the dedicated caretakers in the Russian Orphanages, under the guidance and direction of SWAF's Facilitator, who clearly prepare the children that the greatest gift they could receive would be to have a Mama and a Papa ... but how do you explain to a 3-year old^ that the greatest gift we could have received was THEM and that Small World Adoption Foundation made it happen for us ... WOW!
Sincerely,
Kathy & Richard
I can't imagine what my life would be like if I had never found Small World Adoption Foundation. Little Skyler, our son, wouldn 't be here on my lap helping me type this. Once my husband and I began the adoption process with Small World, everything just fell into place in our lives and it was all perfect! It took some effort on everyone's part, but Small World staff made you feel at ease and gave you the confidence that it would all be okay.
I am such a worrier and I was extremely nervous about our trip to Belarus. I bombarded the staff at Small World with several questions, some that were very silly, but they always had an answer or explanation for me. I visited their office several times and brought friends and family on many occasions and they welcomed us each time, making us feel right at home. Our trip went smoothly, especially all the paper work and court. We felt totally prepared and the translators took great care of us. We had no worries after all! My husband and I were more than pleased with our adoption experience through Small World, we were thrilled!. Looking back to our first paper work session when Brenda asked my husband if he was going to be okay because of the overwhelmed expression on his face, I can't recall a moment that wasn 'tfull of excitement. Especially the moment when we saw our son for the first time. Now we are overwhelmed with joy and love for our child. Thank you for letting us become part of the Small World family. I hope it continues to grow like ours has!
Fred, Jen, & Skyler
Desoto, MO
There was never really any doubt that adoption would be an acceptable way to start our family. The biggest question we had was who would help us through it? Our search for an agency began in June of 2001. Call after call, email after email, we received nothing but positive, encouraging, even exciting referrals about Small World Adoption Foundation of Missouri, Inc. It became perfectly clear that SWAF was for us.
Our first paperwork seminar was August 20, 2001. That was our first person-to-person encounter with the SWAF staff and, particularly with Sherry, our assigned adoption coordinator (case manager). We were immediately impressed with the attention to detail and organization that SWAF presented. The paperwork we received was arranged and explained so carefully that we left the seminar with the confidence that we could handle whatever lay ahead. But, we also felt sure that SWAF would be there to help us every step of the way. And, they were!
By November of 2001, we made the decision to adopt from Belarus. On January 15, 2002, we received an official offering from the Belarussian government to adopt our new son, Nikolas. On January 28, 2002, Sherry called to inform us of our assigned court date in Belarus.. .February 19! Like clockwork - that's how SWAF made the adoption process feel to us. Not one glitch.
Small World expertly arranged our travel plans and tickets. Our trip began February 15, and we returned home on February 23, 2002. Every day in between was meticulously planned to accomplish our mission - the adoption of Nikolas. While this could have been an overwhelming experience, the foreign SWAF staff, particularly Vladimir and Alex, made it quite an enjoyable trip.
Our new family, which now includes a beautiful little boy, is very grateful to SWAF. Their experience, patience, guidance, encouragement, and support clearly made the difference in our adoption process. And, we look forward to working with thep again soon to help us find Nikolas a brother or sister!
Matt, Jerri, and Nikolas
Barnhart, MO
We have found two precious pearls through the inspiration of friends and with the help of Small World Adoption Foundation. When one looks back at the process and any anguish both seem insignificant in comparison. The Russian people see their children as treasures and expect them to be treated the same by anyone else. We found the Russian officials and facilitators all were interested in seeing children placed with those who will love them. If you have love to spare and room in your soul, there is no greater deedvou can do.
SWAF is not just an adoption agency, you will find they will facilitate both here and in the country of the child's origin. You will be assisted in the child's country. Every professional step is thought out for the client to fulfill a dream of children. There is always uncertainty and risk in pursuit of any precious treasure. The reward is far greater than the costs. One of the SWAF founders, Slava has a saying that fits well, "Everything happens for a reason, and everything will turn out all right." With these few words, we encourage anyone thinking of adopting with SWAF's assistance to do so without reservation .
Joan, Charles, Meaghan and Charles III
Tipp City, OH
Making a Difference
Hi, my name is Galine M. and for my 10th Adoption Day I wanted to do something special besides just celebrating so I decided to give back to the orphanage that took such good care of me. What I did was tell my girl scout troop to help get the news around that I was collecting socks, binkies, and gloves for my 10th adoption Day. The result was plenty of the materials I asked for. I learned that I can give back a lot with using a little of time. If I could go back in time I would definitely do the same thing!
Galina M.
From Pyatigorsk, Russia 1998
Ascension Luther Church Donation Drive
Another SWAF family has blessed us with donations from their recent donation drive for the orphans. Joanne and Rob along with their children Jake and Natalie from Russia and their church, Ascension Lutheran Church gathered donations for the orphans. This amazing family and their church have been helping the orphans for the past 12 years. Some of the items donated are 148 pair of children/infant socks; 119 pair of boys/girls underwear; 74 boys/girls undershirts; 12 handmade knitted sweaters; 52 sleepers/onsies; 15 hats/gloves and 20 boxes of liquid Motrin/Tylenol and Chewables. The staff members at Ascension Lutheran Church donated $105.00 instead of purchasing Christmas gifts for each other. It is through the generosity and kindess of these families that the orphans will have warm clothing and clean clothing and medicine for when they are feeling under the weather.
Sam Harrison's Continued Support
SWAF would like to thank Sam Harrison, adopted from Russia for his continued support to the orphans. Sam has had garage sales, sold donuts and donated his own allowance for the orphans. Sam is a young boy who knows the meaning of giving.
Florida Knitters
SWAF would like to thank the Florida Knitters who over many years have knitted thousands of mittens, sweaters, hats and socks for the oprhans. Many, many orphans have benefitted from their generosity. We are not only blessed for our Florida Knitters but the group has expaned to several other countries throughout the world. Thank you for keeping our orphans warm.
Alex R.
SWAF would like to Thank Alex R., adopted from Russia in 1997 for his cash donation to the orphans. Alex donates annually to the orphans and has also donated his time at SWAF events.