Blog Posts

Rumblings in Latvia

International adoption laws and legislation are constantly changing and evolving, sometimes leaving agencies, families, and children unaware of how things will end up. It never gets any easier to hear that proposed changes can negatively impact the overall welfare of the children. That unfortunately is the case we are seeing with Latvia currently. The political climate in Latvia has been very tense lately, since the Minister has been getting a significant amount of domestic pressure to prioritize keeping the children with Latvian families in Latvia. As ideal of a situation this is, it is sadly unrealistic, continues to build more barriers, and narrows their chances from finding their forever homes.

On December 8th, the U.S. Department of State issued a notice confirming that the Latvian government has proposed changes in regulations of hosting programs and international adoption (full notice can be found here). To summarize what is being proposed, they would like to limit the hosting program to only children living in orphanages who are 12 years old and up. For adoption, they are seeking to limit intercountry adoption to only children living in the orphanage or those living in foster care with serious medical conditions.

We’ll keep you updated on whether or not the Latvian government passes this legislation on our website blog and Facebook page. Even if these legislative changes go into effect, that does not change our agencies’ goal to help advocate for as many children as possible. If anything, this is a call to action to help be the voices for these children. If your family is ready to make a lifelong impact on one of these children’s lives, please consider hosting during our summer program or beginning your adoption process. Contact me today at katie@childrenofallnations.com for more information!

-Katie, Latvia Hosting Program Coordinator and Latvia Adoption Counselor

URGENT: Chaperone Host Family Needed!

***UPDATE*** A family has signed up to host Anda! We’re so excited for her to visit the US. Thank you to everyone for your support! If you would like to volunteer to be a backup host family, click here for more information!

Our Latvia Winter Hosting Program is well underway, and the children will be here in less than a month! Each group of kids is accompanied by a chaperone, who escorts and supports the children during the program.

We are looking for volunteers to serve as chaperone host families. It is completely free to be a chaperone host family, and you’ll even receive a small stipend for hosting! All you need is a spare bedroom and an open heart. You would be hosting a chaperone for four weeks (starting the 3rd week of December). It’s a great opportunity for you to meet the amazing caregivers and translators who are here to support the children throughout the program. It’s also a neat opportunity for the chaperones to visit America and learn our customs around the holidays.

Our chaperone from Latvia knows English, and she needs a host family in the New York area. She’s a teacher and loves making arts and crafts. Also, she enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and meeting new friends. If you live in New York or one of the adjacent states and would like to host her, please contact our Program Coordinator Katie today at katie@orphanhosting.com or 512-323-9595 ext. 3061!

It’s through your service that we are able to help the amazing children of the Orphan Hosting Programs! If you’re ready to become a chaperone host family, you can start your FREE application here!

Last Chance for Hope

We have re-opened matching for TWO days only! We just received files of two amazing sisters who are still waiting to find their host family. Being selected means they get to spend Christmas with a loving family instead of at the orphanage, wondering why they weren’t chosen. Ever since we learned about these girls, they’ve been tugging at our heartstrings, and we would love to see them spend the holidays full of hope and joy.

These sweet girls can be hosted together or separately. M is 11 years old and Mg is 13 years old. They have both been hosted before, but unfortunately these families were unable to re-host them for this upcoming program. They live in an orphanage with their brother and would love nothing more than to spend the holidays in a loving and caring home. Their brother is being hosted, so they are waiting to hear if they will be hosted too.

The orphanage director reached out to our representative specifically requesting to find these girls a winter host family. We have a $300 scholarship available for each girl, and if you host them together, you’ll receive a $700 scholarship! Will you host them and make their dreams come true?

Since hosting is coming to a close, families must be ready to complete all necessary documents and payments no later than the end of this week. Please contact our Program Director Katie at katie@orphanhosting.com or 512-323-9595 ext. 3061 immediately to begin your hosting journey!

The Children Left Behind

The deadline for winter hosting is in just TWO days, and many kids are still waiting to be chosen for winter hosting! Being selected is the difference between spending Christmas with a loving family and spending Christmas wondering why they were left behind.

Below are just a few of the wonderful kids who are still hoping that a family will say, “YES, we choose you!” To learn more about them, visit our photo listing today or contact our Program Coordinator Katie at katie@orphanhosting.com. Don’t miss your chance to change one orphan’s life forever!

Meet This Sweet Boy!

He’s honest and helpful! He enjoys playing with friends, sports, and rollerskating. He’s also learning English. Visiting America and going to an amusement park is something he dreams about. He wants to be hosted very much!

He loves Disney and enjoys biking, skating, and playing sports. He likes helping with younger kids. If something is wrong, he does really well with talking and hugging it out! He really hopes to visit Disneyland or a zoo.

Meet This Calm Boy!

He loves to draw, make arts and crafts, and play games. He gets along well with other kids and adults. He takes good care of himself and communicates well. He would fit in with any family!

Resources:

– Learn more about Orphan Hosting
– Visit the Orphan Hosting Photo Listing
– Contact an Orphan Hosting Specialist!

*Due to privacy regulations with the Latvian government, their full photo is not allowed to be posted publicly – please contact our team to learn more.

Meet This Dynamic Duo!

These siblings are so sweet and smart! They would love to spend time with a family this holiday season. The older sister enjoys making DIY handmade crafts and knitting. She’s very helpful with younger kids. The brother is active and loves sports. He likes to perform little shows and sometimes will even perform a musical!

Would you give them a Christmas they’ll never forget? Request their files or contact our Program Coordinator Katie today at katie@orphanhosting.com to learn more about them! The deadline to be matched for 2017 winter hosting is this Friday October 20th, so click here to apply today and be a part of something more!

Why host a Sibling Pair?

1. Double the Fun!

Why host one when you could have two? A sibling group will give you double the fun of hosting and create great memories for the children to share with each other when they return after hosting.

2. A little family for your family!

Sibling groups are often the hardest to get hosted, so you can help keep a little family together! They have often formed strong family bonds with each other and do well bonding with a host family as well. Consider bringing a little family into your family this winter!

3. Shared Past for a Shared Future

Sibling groups have often stuck by each other through thick and thin. They come with a shared past, but they can look forward to a shared future with your family. Make some memories with a sibling group this holiday season!

4. Plus, you’ll get a $100 discount on the hosting donation cost!

Resources:

– Learn more about Orphan Hosting
– Visit the Orphan Hosting Photo Listing
– Contact an Orphan Hosting Specialist!

*Due to privacy regulations with the Latvian government, their full photo is not allowed to be posted publicly – please contact our team to learn more.

Life in an Orphanage

“I have not always lived in an orphanage. Before I was an orphan, I was just a normal boy…
One day I woke up in a new place that was unfamiliar to me… new faces… new smells… new everything…
This was not my home, yet everyone kept telling me this was my home…
Every day I wake up feeling alone – wondering if I will always be surrounded by other kids who also feel alone…
Every night I go to bed knowing I went another day without a hug or having someone tuck me in at night…
Every day I am expected to help take care of the younger kids… what they don’t see is that I myself need taking care of…
Every Christmas I go another year without having a present under the tree with my name…
Every day I hold on to the fact that maybe it won’t always be this way…”

Sadly, many children have similar stories like this. They go years without spending one-on-one time with a parent or even a caregiver. Being institutionalized every day, they lose a little bit of hope that they will have a better future.

While many of us are eagerly anticipating and prepping for the winter holidays… many of these children dread it. It really brings into reality that it’s just another year they won’t be spending with a family.

This hosting program means so much more to these kids than simply “taking a vacation.” It boosts their confidence and their spirits. After, all it is the season of giving – why not give the gift of love? While not all of the kids in our hosting program live in orphanages, a good majority of them do. Your family has the opportunity to be that beacon of hope and love for them this winter program.

-Katie, Orphan Hosting Program Coordinator

Meet Our Featured Kids from Orphanages

These incredible kids are still waiting for host families this winter! The deadline to apply for Latvian Winter Hosting is October 20th, 2017. Time is running out, so don’t miss out on your chance to change an orphan’s life forever! To learn more about our available kids, request their files today!

Resources

– Learn more about Orphan Hosting
– Visit the Orphan Hosting Photo Listing
– Contact an Orphan Hosting Specialist!

*Due to privacy regulations with the Latvian government, their full photo is not allowed to be posted publicly – please contact our team to learn more.

Meet These Super Siblings!

These siblings are quite the pair! They dream of spending the holidays with a family, and neither have been to the US before. The lively little brother steals the show. He speaks English well, loves to make jokes, and enjoys watching animated movies (especially Cars!).

The sister speaks up when she gets the chance and is full of personality too! She knows some English, loves animals, and likes helping in the kitchen. Her favorite movie is Frozen, and she enjoys singing the theme song.

Would you give them a Christmas they’ll never forget? Check out our photo listing or contact our Program Coordinator Katie today at katie@orphanhosting.com to learn more about them! The deadline for winter hosting is approaching fast, so click here to apply today!

Why host a Sibling Pair?

1. Double the Fun!

Why host one when you could have two? A sibling group will give you double the fun of hosting and create great memories for the children to share with each other when they return after hosting.

2. A little family for your family!

Sibling groups are often the hardest to get hosted, so you can help keep a little family together! They have often formed strong family bonds with each other and do well bonding with a host family as well. Consider bringing a little family into your family this winter!

3. Shared Past for a Shared Future

Sibling groups have often stuck by each other through thick and thin. They come with a shared past, but they can look forward to a shared future with your family. Make some memories with a sibling group this holiday season!

4. Plus, you’ll get a $100 discount on the hosting donation cost!

Resources:

– Learn more about Orphan Hosting
– Visit the Orphan Hosting Photo Listing
– Contact an Orphan Hosting Specialist!

*Due to privacy regulations with the Latvian government, their full photo is not allowed to be posted publicly – please contact our team to learn more.

Meet This Amazing Girl!

Meet our featured child, 12-year-old N! She’s an amazing girl who loves music, plays the violin, and wishes to learn piano next. She even wants to become a singer when she gets older! She enjoys talking and making new friends, especially with girls her own age.

Would she be a great fit for your family? Check out our photo listing or contact our Program Coordinator Katie today at katie@orphanhosting.com to learn more about her! The deadline for winter hosting is approaching fast, so click here to apply today!

What is Orphan Hosting?

Orphan hosting means something different to everyone. For host families, it’s the chance to be a part of a child in need’s life. For children, it’s a chance to experience the love of a family. Every holiday season, families in America decorate Christmas trees, build snowmen, and open presents… but this is all just a dream to these kids. You can make this dream a reality!

Resources:

– Learn more about Orphan Hosting
– Visit the Orphan Hosting Photo Listing
– Contact an Orphan Hosting Specialist!

*Due to privacy regulations with the Latvian government, their full photo is not allowed to be posted publicly – please contact our team to learn more.

Quick Fundraising Ideas

Are you considering hosting an orphan but are concerned about the program fees? Not to worry, there are numerous ways to fundraise those costs, which makes hosting an affordable option! Hosting a child is a rewarding life-changing experience that is worth the effort.

Fundraising doesn’t have to be lengthy or difficult. In fact, here is a list of 10 quick and easy fundraising ideas that can be completed in a day!

1. Bake sale

Baking goods like cookies or brownies and selling them for a profit is a great way to earn money! You can sell them around your neighborhood, workplaces, churches, and schools.

2. Spaghetti dinner

Ask a local venue (like a community center or church) to donate the space and host a spaghetti dinner there. Rally your friends and family to cook and serve the guests, or you can even convince a caterer or restaurant to donate food to your cause. Then, charge a price per ticket and use the event as a fundraiser and opportunity to share about your goal of hosting.

3. Raffle

Sell raffle tickets for a product or service (ideally something that doesn’t cost you anything or is inexpensive to purchase). If the raffle tickets are relatively cheap, you can earn more money! You can raffle off items at other fundraising events like a spaghetti dinner or trivia night.

4. Garage sale

Assemble items around your house that are no longer needed and sell them at a garage sale. You can also ask your friends and family or local businesses to donate other goods for your garage sale. Advertise it through social media, posting flyers in the neighborhood, and Craigslist.

5. Car wash

Car washes are a tried and tested way to fundraise! Find a suitable location for a car wash, ask friends and family to volunteer, collect supplies, and create some attention-getting signs. You can charge a specific price for a car wash or advertise it as free and ask for donations to the cause.

6. Bingo night

Host a bingo night at a local church, school, or community center and charge a fee for unlimited games or a fee per game played. Consider selling refreshments and raffle tickets or hosting a silent auction as well!

7. Trivia night

Trivia night is a fun and low-cost way to fundraise! Plan a trivia game competition with interesting categories and charge for tickets. You can also sell food, drinks, or raffle tickets and host a silent auction during the event.

8. Chili cook-off

A chili cook-off is a fun event for anyone who enjoys competition and eating chili! You can host a casual gathering in your backyard or a larger scale event at another venue. Ask your friends and family to contribute their own chili recipes as well. Then, charge guests to sample flavors and vote on the best chili!

9. Bowling fundraiser

Do you enjoy bowling? Try organizing a bowling fundraiser! First, find a bowling venue that will rent out the venue or a few lanes for an afternoon or evening. You can ask if they’ll rent it to you for free for the cause. Then, invite guests and charge for entry fees and refreshments. Or, you can host a Bowl-a-Thon, where people donate an amount for every pin they knock over.

10. Partner with a local business

Ask a local business or restaurant if they can donate a percentage of one day’s sales for any customers who are shopping or dining to support your cause. This can help you earn money for little effort!

Click here for more fundraising ideas!