<p>One in five kids in the “affluent” city of Hong Kong live in poverty, and a hundred children are added to waitlists for adoption each month, almost 4000 living apart from their families at any time. Social isolation is an issue that keeps getting worse, and it is one that impacts every aspect of society. Whether you wish to more know about adoption and fostering in Hong Kong or just wonder what part you yourself or your children can play in transforming our society for the better – healthier, more responsible, aware and mindful of our impact on one another and our human family as a whole – you’ve come to the right place.</p>
<p>We’ve talked to the fantastic Alia Eyres; a corporate lawyer turned CEO of Mother’s Choice 7 years ago, the oldest sister of 6 and a mother of 5, experienced foster parent and a volunteer herself. Mother’s Choice is a local charity that serves children without families and pregnant teenagers in Hong Kong, actively working on child crises prevention. They are equipping families and children with the knowledge to prevent crises, transcending taboos of sexuality education, redefining family values and awaking young members of society to both the positive and negative power of their experiences and relationships.</p>
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<p>Many consider adopting or fostering but don't know how to venture into the process or what exactly it entails. Here are the key guidelines!</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>ADOPTION:</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Requirements:</strong></span> Being at least 25, having stable relationships, good physical and mental health and a genuine commitment and desire to be a parent are key. You don't have to have a partner but the stability and duration (3 years minimum) of relationships is an important factor. You also need to be a resided of Hong Kong for a year prior and after adopting your new family member. The procedures are bilingual in English and Chinese, but the Hong Kong government gives preference to parents who come from the same cultural background as the child.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Application process:</strong></span> Background, financial stability, support of friends and family, health and criminal background are assessed, while prospective parents are welcomed into a community of adoptive parents past and present to further strengthen the community.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Fees:</strong></span> Mother's Choice is a non-profit that charges only the standard administrative fee of HKD3000; there is an equal government fee for filing the paperwork and a small police fee for the background check.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Duration</span></strong>: How long the adoption process lasts greatly depends on your flexibility as the characteristics of the kiddo, their age, family background, health, and mental needs are taken into consideration!</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FOSTERING:</span> </strong></p>
<p>Project Bridge is Mother's Choice's volunteer fostering program that connects families wanting to spare kiddos additional trauma from staying in institutions to children waiting for a forever home.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Requirements:</strong></span> Similar to those for adoption in as much as background checks, stability and commitment are concerned, while training is provided to prepare the family for separation from the child agter the foster period, without inhibiting attachment and warmth.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Fostering period</strong></span>: Varies, but families should count on at least 6 months to a year.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Please note: </strong></span>Project Bridge is also a great first step toward adoption, though prospective foster parents should note that <strong>Honk Kong doesn't offer a foster to adopt option</strong>, but fostering is an invaluable experience on your way to becoming an adoptive parent of another kiddo.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mother's Choice Youth Program</strong></span> is the heart of the organization, beating for those who are experiencing or are vulnerable to a crisis pregnancy. The organization is heavily focused on very young girls who are experiencing trauma, providing a safe, nurturing and non-judgemental place where they can be embraced, empowered and equipped with the knowledge and safe ground needed to turn their lives around.</p>
<p><strong>Volunteer: </strong>Mother's Choice is 80% volunteers who fill out all kinds of roles, from legal and administrate ones to being mentors, creators, and foster parents. Go to the Mother's Choice <a href="https://www.motherschoice.org/en/take-action/volunteer/" target="_blank">website </a>and find who they are in urgent need of, or join them at their next session! Volunteers need to be 18, but kids and young people can help as well – age disqualified no one! One way for those under 18 to get involved is through the Youth Leadership Council, where they do meaningful work by raising awareness, raising funds, and working on strategic challenges.</p>
<p><strong>Donate: </strong>Finally, those who don't have time to volunteer can always <a href="https://www.motherschoice.org/en/donate/" target="_blank">donate </a>so the organization can grow, teach us, and direct more and more of us towards transforming our society for the better!</p>
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