23rd June, 2014, the day which I left for work being a father of one and returned home a father of two. This was my standard reply whenever I was asked how it feels like to adopt a child.
That was one year ago and three days ago, on June 23, Alexander turned 1. I’m proud and overjoyed to call him my son in every sense of the word.
While his birthday, like any child’s, is a time to celebrate the joy of welcoming the newest member to the family and to acknowledge the blessings, love and help from friends and family, for us, it is also a overcoming of multiple hurdles we faced throughout the entire adoption process.
1. Facing your own Giants
We first had to overcome our personal bias as prospective adoptive parents. Initially, when the possibility of adoption was raised, we were not sure if we were able to love a child who is not biologically ours as our own. We were worried if family, friends (or neighbours) would gossip about the child. There were also valid concerns of health, biological parents’ background, genetics etc. Practically, there were hefty costs to be considered. Spiritually, there were also the question of faith – Does God approve of adoption? Are we being faithless if we adopt? Could it be God’s will that we remain childless? So many questions require us to face our giants of insecurity squarely in the face.
We spent many nights having long, open conversations with each other and eventually came to the conclusion together that with our backgrounds as educators and our shared experiences of child-losses, that we would be able to love any child that God brings into our home, as our own. Through the process, we addressed the prejudices by being brutally honest to ourselves. We were also non-judgmental, choosing to listen and respect our spouse’s opinions.
As part of these conversations, we also spoke to our immediate family members to get their blessings. We were taken by surprise that they were all very ready and supportive. By divine appointment, we also came to know two senior pastors in the church who had also adopted. We were very much enlightened by their life stories to know that adoption is actually well within God’s plan of salvation (Ephesians 1:5). In fact, there were many prominent personalities in the Bible who, through adoption, were able to go on to achieve great things for God (E.g. Ruth, Moses, Esther).
Looking back, even though these were important questions to address pre-adoption, we now hardly even remember that our son was adopted. Strangely, once we held him in our arms, he is ours. Our extended family embraced him fully too. This only proves that love transcends boundaries, even science and faith.
2. Money Money Money (Part 1) – The Business of Adoption
The actual legal and admin costs of adoption are actually quite nominal. For privately arranged adoptions (meaning you adopt the baby directly from biological parents whom you know), these costs can be in the region of S$10k (with legal costs about S$4K and hospitalization costs, depending on which hospital and antenatal packages the biological Mum has chosen, all thrown in). Typically being Asians, adoptive parents would also give a ‘Red Packet’ to the biological parents as a gesture of appreciation.
However, once an adoption agent steps into the picture, the costs inflate. Granted, the agent handles all the administrative and legal process for adoptive parents by being the ‘middle-men’, giving the both parties the ‘anonymity’ of a closed adoption and that ‘peace of mind’. I must admit too that without these agents, we might never be able to locate a baby to adopt. Still, the fees they command are staggering.
Four years ago, when we started inquiring about adopting a sibling for Dana, the price quoted by registered private adoption agencies was about S$25k for a Singaporean baby. In 2014, we were charged close to S$40K. This fees cover all legal and pre- and post-delivery hospitalization costs. It is an open secret that the price of the child is largely dependent on market forces, supply & demand, gender, race and nationality (Singapore babies cost more than foreign ones) etc.
Price of babies, sadly, are like commodities. It’s ironic that in Singapore, getting an abortion is far cheaper (and faster) than adoption.
During our interview with the welfare officer from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), we voiced our discomfort about how adoption of children is treated like a trade and asked him what the Ministry is doing to manage it. The officer told us that while the MSF is aware of the ‘modus operandī’ and they are ‘monitoring’ the prices and practices of the various adoption agencies, due to some Hague Adoption Convention treaty, there is not much that can be done. For now, contracts between adoptive parents and the biological parents are treated as such – business contracts, with the authorized agents acting as middle-men.
So, as it seems, sadly, there is not much the MSF can do at present to regulate the ‘business’ of adoption apart from conducting stringent checks that adopted children go to good homes.
3. Money Money Money (Part 2) – The Opportunists
Because of the high cost involved, we spent about four years trying to network with others so that we can adopt directly without using an agent (which is allowed). During that time, we were approached by couples privately – some out of need but most are those who wanted to take advantage of prospective adoptive parents to make a quick buck. We remember some of those.
There was a young Singaporean couple (husband was Chinese, wife was Indian) in their early 20s who decided to give up their two month old baby girl. They were genuine and wanted to start their lives afresh in a new country. They handed us their daughter for one day so that we could bring her for health checks at the hospital (they were very trusting!). That night, when they came to pick the baby, they had changed their minds and decided to keep the baby. We respected their decision and thought it was better for the baby to grow up with the biological family but the last we heard, they had gone their separate ways and undergoing divorce.
Then there was the Mother and Daughter duo from Sabah. The daughter contacted Angie via email and said they have a newborn child to give up for adoption due to their financial struggles. The couple had 3 older primary-school going kids and couldn’t make ends meet. They had wanted us to meet them at the Sabah airport with the payment for the baby in cash, which was in the region of 30k Malaysian Ringgit. We tried to explain that it would be impossible for me to bring such a big amount of cash across customs and offered to wire to their bank account, which may take a few days. We offered to pay a deposit in advance so they can bring the baby for a health check up. They agreed. So, we wired them S$500 in good faith to show our sincerity. However, after the check up, the biological Mother (and Grandmother) still insisted that they will not meet us or release the baby until the full amount was transferred into their bank. At that point, we decided that the risk was too high especially since it involves overseas transaction where we virtually have no form of protection. So, sadly, we had to turn it down.
The last one was clearly a scam: Angie was approached by a heavily pregnant Singaporean Chinese lady in her mid-20s offering to put her unborn child up for adoption. Since it was a privately arranged adoption, we were able to negotiate the price down to S$20k. She had furnished us scanned copies of the baby’s ultrasound scans and everything seemed fine except that she was reluctant to involve a lawyer (which is a necessary part of the legal process) and also reluctant for us to meet her husband. I sensed something fishy. We then suggested meeting her Mother (or at least one family member) to confirm that they were in the know that she was giving the unborn child up for adoption.
Every time the appointment to meet her family draws near, she would invariably cancel it. She then demanded that we pay the entire amount up front as the family was in a financial crisis but she was adamant not to to involve our lawyer to make the transaction legit. Finally, with a heavy heart, I persuaded Angie to let this chance go. Though her asking price was cheaper than an agent’s, it is still a large amount and the circumstances too shady. The negotiations, which took a few months, ended with her accusing us of not trusting in her.
Months later, we read on the news that two couples were suing a local Singaporean lady for promising them her unborn child and then after having gotten their monies and giving birth, she rescinded on the agreements and declared she was unable to pay them back due to financial difficulties. We knew it was the same lady who nearly scammed us.
All these missed opportunities were painful for us, especially for Angie who had to endure the emotional roller-coaster rides of having our hopes of having another child dashed time and again. But herein lies the reality – that there are people putting their children up for sale for financial gains. Whether legit or otherwise, the system seems to allow them to keep giving birth and keep selling their children, even locally. In the process, they take advantage of vulnerable couples like us who long to have kids via adoption.
Initially, being idealistic, we were hesitant to engage the services of adoption agents. Costs aside, we were not comfortable with how the whole adoption ‘business’ was carried out, particularly with Malaysian and Indonesian babies. Babies from these countries can be brought into Singapore for ‘viewing’ by their nannies as long as the child has a valid passport. One agent we contacted even said we can view a few babies at one go in his flat. Alternatively, some agents provide a photo-catalogue of these babies for adoptive couples to pick from. Given our repeated failed attempts to adopt privately, we finally sought the help of an agent at our friends’ recommendation, whom we feel treats babies far more respectfully than others.
4. Home Affairs – Setting Up, Getting Help
Alexander’s arrival to our home happened overnight, literally. We had asked the agent to help us source for a baby and for months, we have not heard anything. Then, one phone call on a Monday afternoon and that all changed. While we were prepared to have a baby join our hearts but the home was not quite set up yet. So though we were overjoyed, the romantic notion of having a new baby soon gave way to practical panic.
Since it was six years since we last had a baby, there was not a single diaper, no sterilizer, no pacifier, no bottles, no milk powder…yes, nothing! Fortunately, the agent gave us some diapers, a small can of milk powder and a milk bottle to last the night.
Here, we want to once again thank the few friends who ‘sprang into action’ like a well-oiled Kampung, offering us essentials we needed for Alexander. Within 24 hours, our home was set back in time to once whence a baby was home (even the car was not ‘spared’ and was equipped with a baby seat within a few days!). We cannot thank these friends enough. You ladies know who you are and we will always remember your kind deeds.
5. The Necessary Evils – The Admin and Legal Processes
Following Alexander’s arrival, we began the long drawn administrative and legal process in addition to the demands of caring for a newborn.
For adoptive parents, the challenges were compounded by the fact that we couldn’t enjoy the much-needed maternity and paternity leave right away from the moment we welcomed the baby home, despite the fact that ours was a newborn who needed the same level of care as any newborns. Employers needed to ensure that the Adoption Order is granted in principle first before granting adoption leave.
In the first few months of Alexander’s arrival, we struggled with work as well as with the caring of our newborn in addition to caring for our lively six year old daughter. Fortunately, after getting the in-principle adoption approval from the court, Angie’s employer was able to grant her partial adoption leave. I was finally eligible to apply for my paternity leave (from Civil Service) after the entire process was completed and by then Alexander was already ten months old.
Adoption leave for adoptive Mothers was far shorter than that for biological Mothers – four weeks of adoption leave compared to four months paid maternity leave. While we understand that the biological Mothers need to recuperate, we had hoped that adoptive Mothers can also be given more time to bond with their adopted babies.
To make matters worse, the MSF Welfare Officer who interviewed us (there were a series of interviews adoptive parents had to undergo) sat on our documents (yes, adoptive parents have to submit a whole range of Home Study Report documentation to prove to the state that you are worthy to be parents). When Alexander turned six months old, we wrote in to ask for an update and MSF notified us that our documents had not been submitted to the Family Court! We were appalled. For adoptive parents, the quick completion of the adoption process is very important, not only does it legalize the adoption, it also meant that we could purchase health and hospitalization insurance policies for our baby! So, in those few long months, every blood test, every immunization, every pediatrician visit, we could not get any subsidies whatsoever from any hospitals or polyclinics as he was not yet legally our child.
We raised our displeasure to MSF and the matter was expedited promptly with an apology from the management. Finally, at ten months, Alexander received his new birth certificate, shares our family name and the adoption process was legally completed. He is now forever ours! We heaved a huge sigh of relief. What joy and what a journey!
After-thoughts on Adoption:
How does it feel to adopt a child?
To tell the truth, we can’t even remember that Alexander is adopted. When he’s your child, he’s your child. We sometimes were reminded about the arduous adoption process which we went through. Other than that, there’s only love. If I knew that adoption feels so natural, I would have done so long ago and spared Angie the pain of IVF treatments and anguish of multiple child-losses.
Apart from the usual adjustments of having a newborn in the house, there are no other adjustment issues whatsoever. Everything is natural and perfect. Perhaps but one thing: the insensitive relative or nosey ‘friend’ who may poke and ask about ‘the price’ or ‘the background’ of the baby (i.e. Where is your baby from? How much? etc.) Ya, we all know some of these folks, don’t we? The good news is there is a separate group of people whom you will want to mix with – fellow adoptive families who have gone down the same path and can identify with the struggles and victories. They form an important support group not just for yourselves but for your kids. Touch Community Services run a group called Touch Adoptive Families Network.
Genetics? Apart from health background (which can be checked via the agent or the biological parents), others like habits, behaviours and values which the child will grow to have, are largely dependent on his upbringing and has nothing to do with his genetic background. So, don’t worry, go on and be the best parents you can be. Will it be easy? Nope. Worth it? Absolutely.
It is our hope that this whole ‘adoption’ industry will be regulated so that babies and children given up for adoption will be treated less like ‘commodities’. It would also be a breakthrough if the administrative red tape can be simplified so that more prospective adoptive parents who were once deterred by the high costs and long, intrusive process of adoption can welcome a child of their own into their hearts and homes. For now, we’re just thankful to have Alexander complete our family. We take this sacred responsibility seriously, knowing full-well that he is God’s charge to us.
Disclaimer: Every adoptive family’s journey is unique to their own. We are sharing our personal experiences of adopting our son. Some families may have a smoother ride. Just so happens that our journey to parenthood was way more bumpy but prayerfully, we aspire to use it for a higher purpose.
A Fathers’ Day video which contained some truths of adoption which touched my heart, from a pair of adoptive siblings in America.
This is so beautifully written. AJ is so lucky to join a wonderful family. Oh yes, “those” kind of people with their straightforward questions! Aiyoh
Thanks for your affirmation Adora. It is our desire to share so that more constructive support and help can be given to couples considering adoption.
Hi Angie
Can you recommend your adoption agency to us?
Hi Kathy, David just emailed you.
Hi Angie,
It’s a beautiful story that brings hope.
Can you recommend your adoption agency to us?
Thanks for your sharing. This blog is very informative given we had just returned from attending the initial compulsory talk to start the adoption process. Can you please recommend your adoption agency to us?
Dear Ya Hui
good morning. Thanks for dropping by our blog. Congrats on starting the adoption process. Very soon, you will be welcoming your own child into your hearts and home. I’ve emailed you our adoption agent’s contact. Wishing you all the very best!
Hi Angie,
I just chanced upon this blog. It is very well written. We just received a favorable HSR and are looking for a suitable adoption agency. Can you please share the contact?
Thanks!
Hi Megan, we will be writing to you. All the best!
Hi,
We found this blog to be very useful and informative. Thank you so much for sharing this invaluable information with us. Could you also share the contact of your adoption agency?
Dear Angie,
Thank you sharing your life and journey. We are also in the midst of doing our HSR and are looking for credible agent.
Would you be able to share your agent contacts with us?
Dear Jas
thanks for visiting our blog. I’ve replied you via email. Wishing you all the best!
Hi Angie , we also adopted son , this coming friday we will collect his birth certificate , i just wondering how about Singapore Citizenship ? Did u apply for him ? How long is the process ?
Hi firstly a big congratulations from us! We are so happy for you! For us, he was already born a Singaporean so we did not have to go through the citizenship change but we heard that it is not as long as waiting for the birth cert provided you have the necessary documents on hand. For that you’d need an experience lawyer or adoption agent to advice you. Do let us know if you need one of these, would be glad to provide you some reference. Congrats again!
Hi, we are a young family like yourself looking to adopt a young one into the family. Could you please share your adoption agency contact?
Hi…we are so happy to hear that you are considering adoption. David has emailed you with the contact. All the best! Hope to hear some good news soon!
Thank you for sharing. There is so much secrecy surrounding adoptions and the adoption process, probably because it involves so much waiting and heartbreak and uncertainty!
But it’s wonderful when the matches do happen! Reading about how Buddy joined your family is so wonderful to me, just how things happen in their own time.
Thanks for your affirmation Debs G. Indeed the adoption process,surprisingly, is still quite hush-hush and filled with lots of ups and downs.But through it all we are thankful that God is good and merciful.
Thank you for sharing your journey so honestly and earnestly. AJ is very blessed to grow up in your home and I truly wish your family all the happiness and love.
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
Thank you Ai Sakura. Appreciate your kind words and well-wishes. It is our hope that through our sharing, more couples can discover the joys of parenting through adoption and, most importantly, precious lives can have a chance to find good homes and flourish.
I’m a Sporean living and working in Hong Kong. I’ve been reading your blog for a while now. We adopted 2 boys in Hong Kong. Both from the same birth mother. I’m horrified to know that you both had to fork our 40k to adopt your beautiful son. Adoption laws in HK are very strict and regulated. We paid less than 10% of what both of you paid in Hong Kong dollars. I agree that adoption needs to be regulated because it is clear that adoption agents and birth mothers are making money from these transactions.
And like you, we have heard unkind words about my boys. But every day I tell my boys that God has chosen them for us and not we chose them. They are the most precious gifts. Adoption is beautiful and the world would be a better place if everyone can see the beauty of adopting a child.
Thanks Faith for your kind words and support. Indeed life is precious and should not be treated like commodity. We do hope that things here would change for the better. We agree that as much as these young lives are destined for us…we are also, like the adopted parents in the Bible, chosen by God as parents for these special little lives. It’s an awesome charge that needs support, prayer and wisdom.
You have put our journey with our adopted son, also named Alexander, into words that describe every emotion & every issue that have crossed our path over these 4 years. Some of which are still going on… Like “how much ahh!?”. We are still a bit luckier to have a week’s lead up time to Alex’s arrival. It was a beautiful read that has brought me close to tears at several points because you have helped me put into words, some emotions that I cannot. Thank You!
Like you said, after all the dust has settled, we forget that Alex is adopted. We will very soon, hopefully be the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl. We cannot wait & pray that nothing will stand in our way. Your words will always help me with clarity of mind for the future. Thank You again. Maybe you could write a piece on thoughts about disclosure 🙂 I’d love to read that one too!
Shez
Inspiring! Thanks!
Thank you for the very heartfelt sharing. If may I ask, which agency would you recommend?
Hi Li Theng
thanks for dropping by our blog. We are not in any prerogative to share our adoption agent’s details openly on this platform but I can email you in private.
Hi there, your story touched me greatly. Can you please share your agency with me as well?
It’s been a difficult journey for me and my Wife, but after reading your story, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Hi Daniel, we are happy our sharing has encouraged you. I’ve emailed you with the details. All the best!
Hi…I’ve sent you an email. All the best!
Hi Angie,
Read your blog, very Inspiring.
Pls kindly email me in private about your adoption agency. Shall put my faith in God, the gift of life and faith.
Thank you for the assistance.
Hi Angie.. Chanced upon your blog while doing a research on adoption. My husband and I are looking into adoption recently and still finding more information on the process. Will really appreciate if you could share the details of the adoption agency you went to. Thank you very much!!
Hi Adele
thanks for dropping by our blog and for touching base with us. I’ll drop you a mail in private as we are not privy to sharing any agency names outright. Every couple’s needs and expectations are different so we prefer to share from our experiences in private.
Thank you for sharing your story. My husband and I are also starting out on our journey of adoption, and we anticipate a long road ahead.
We would appreciate it if you could share the name of the agency through private email.
Thank you.
Hi Angie, thanks for sharing the story of your adoption process – many ups and downs indeed. Glad that things turned out well finally!
Could you kindly email me the name of the agency? Many thanks and hope to hear from you soon!
Hi Queenie
good day. Thanks for dropping by our blog. I’ve emailed you. All the best!
Hi Angie,
I chanced upon your blog while googling for adoption related information. I’ll be picking up my HSR next week.
Would love for you to share the adoption agency which you chose to work with?
Hi Angie, thanks for the candid sharing. my husband and I are looking into embarking on a similar journey. Could you kindly share with us the agency you used through private email ? Thanks !
Hi Claire
Thanks for dropping by our blog. Have emailed you the information. Wishing you the best as you embark on this adoption journey. It’s gonna be so worth it!
Hi David and Angie
Thank you so much for sharing your story.
Me and my husband are too looking to adopt a child and would appreciate it if you could share the contact of the adoption agency that you worked with.
Thanks so much!
Hi Steph
thanks for dropping by our blog. Have emailed you the agency we used. Everyone’s needs and experiences are different. We are not affiliated to any adoption agency. Hope you’ll be able to welcome a child into your home soon too!
Hi David & Angie!
I’m very touched and encouraged by your sharing of your adoption journey:)…
Thank you for posting such reflective sharing to be a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness!
I’m a fellow adoptive parent. God found our girl and brought her home into our arms 4years ago. The journey of parenthood has indeed been different…
I’m writing to you whether you can share with me which adoption agency you went to. Because the agency i used previously has retired. I’ve friends who are going to adopt and i m considering with my hubby to adopt a 2nd one.
Thank you so much 🙂
Hi David and Angie,
Currently, my husband and I are just beginning our journey of adopting a child. The numerous processes and procedures involved are quite overwhelming for us. However, after reading your story, we were encouraged and determined to press on.
Can you share the details of your adoption agency in private? Thanks in advance!
Hi Claudia, sure. Will be emailing you.
Hi Angie,
Thank you for sharing such encouraging stories which gives hope. Could you share your adoption agency contact as well. Appreciate that. Thank You.
Hi Belinda, we will be writing to your email. Please check.
Hi,
It’s great to see someone sharing their adoption journey.. As i’m doing research on the journey with my hubby and would greatly appreciated you could share us the adoption agency.
Thanks in advance..
Hi Angie,
my husband an me just started the adoption journey. It would be very helpful if you could share the details of your adoption agency in private?
Many thanks in advance!
Hi Tina,
I’ve emailed you. All the best!
Can you share with me your adoption agency contact?
Hi, please check your email.
Hi can i jave the adoption agency name and telephone number?
Hi Shannan, I’ll be emailing you. Blessings.
Hi, can you share your adoption agency contact in private please? I was in touch with two agencies but was not comfortable with the way they “managed” the babies in their care. Thank you in advance.
Hi, I’ll be writing to you. Thanks for dropping by.
Hi, can you share the details of your adoption agency in private? Thanks so much!
Hi I’ll be writing to you. Thanks for dropping by.
Shalom, can email details of your adoption agency ?
Many thanks.
Hi Polly
thanks for leaving a comment. I’ve emailed you. God bless!
Hi Angie,
Beautiful blog–Could you also email me the name of the adoption agency? Thank you very much!
Regards,
Dipti
Have emailed you Dipti. All the best!
Hi, could you also share the name of the adoption agency with me? Thank you in advance.
Dear Ida
thanks for leaving a comment. I’ve emailed you. All the best.
Hi, could you kindly share the name of the adoption agency with us?
Many thanks in advanced!
Hi, I’ll be emailing you. All the best!
Hi , thx for sharing ur story . Do u know where i can have chat group for adoptive parents so we can share our story or maybe meet up ?
Hi apologies for the late reply. As adoption is a very private matter there aren’t many publicly. You may wish to try some facebook sites or when you go for the adoption talks, you can link up with fellow parents who wish to adopt for support. Alternatively, you can share with us your concerns.
Hi I would like to thank u for sharing this testimony of God’s goodness, my husband and I are looking to adopt after 4 painful losses. We are just starting the process.
Can u share with me your agency?
Hi Eunice, we are glad our blog has helped. I will write personally to you. God bless.
Hi, thank you for sharing your journey. Can i please ask if you had already obtained a Home Study Report before Alexander came into your life? I am asking on behalf of my sister who is childless and praying for a baby.
Thank you and God bless
Katherine
Hi Katherine, apologies for the late note. Although it is not mandatory at this stage to get a Home Study Report (HSR) done for adopting a local child, we went thru the arduous process nevertheless as the HSR is needed for overseas adoption – including from M’sia. Since the chances of adopting a local Singapore child is very slim, we were ready with our HSR should we ever need to use it. The HSR process is quite arduous so more time is needed to prepare it, hence preparing early and have it ready would be wise. Hope that helps. It is our prayer that your sister will soon be able to welcome a child to her heart and her home.
Hi, thanks for sharing your adoption journey on the blog.We have tried for 7years so far what we get is only disappointment. Finally my husband and I decide to adopt a child. We are still in the process to look for more details on the adoption journey.
Can you share with me the adoption agency you went to. Will they guide you along and give you a breakdown pricing on all the charges. I read some blog some agency won’t tell you how much is the actual amt, end up you have to keep paying them when they ask for it.
Hi Sherry, apologies for the late reply – somehow my previous response to you was not recorded. I’ll be writing to you privately on this. Thanks
Hi..can share with me your adoption agency
Hi, i do not have the sum to pay to agency but i am able to bring up the child providing what is necessary. Is there no other way out to adopt but to go through agency? I am unable to conceive and have been wanted to adopt a baby.
Hi Stella
good morning. It is indeed a huge financial commitment to adopt through agencies. We went through this hurdle too. Some people who are luckier adopted through personal contacts (relatives, neighbours etc.). You can have a look at the FAQ on MSF’s website: https://www.msf.gov.sg/Adoption/Pages/How-to-find-a-child-for-adoption.aspx
Hi Angie. My Wife and I are both Singaporean. We have been married for more than 15 years and are looking forward to adoption so that we can be blessed with the joy of being parents. We have been praying about it and know it is the right time. Can you share with us the adoption agency details via my email? Thanks for sharing your private journeys.
Hi Luke. Sorry for the late reply as we were trying to cope with many work contingencies related to the pandemic. I’ve written you a personal email. Do check your inbox / SPAM and see. All the best!
Hi Angie,
I’ve been through numerous IVFs and a failed pregnancy.
We’ve discussed and have intentions to adopt.
We’re heartened to read about your journey.
We would like to know more about the adoption agency and have already signed up for the pre-adoption briefing.
Hi. We will be writing to you. Hope to shed some light on the situation for you.
Hi Angie, read your inspiring story. What is the name of the agency? Thanks.
Hi Christopher
thanks for leaving a comment. Have you completed your HSR?
Hi David and Angie,
I was encouraged by your journey and be reminded of how adoption on the side of eternity is a reflection of the true adoption of us into God’s family. Thank you!
My wife and I are also considering adoption and are in the process of the HSR application; and similar to your concerns, we would hope for a more responsible agent to help us in this process. We would also like to know more about the agency you contacted. 🙂
Hi Samuel
thanks for leaving the comment. I am heartened that our journey can be an encouragement to other couples. I’ve sent you the contact via email. God bless you and may your HSR application be smooth-sailing.
Thank you for sharing your journey. I was really encouraged by the both of you. My wife and I are currently going through the home study report process in hopes to eventually adopt a baby too. Would you be able to pass the contact of the agent please? =)
Hi David & Angie,
Thanks so much for sharing your story. Hubs and I are picking ourselves up from multiple trials and tribulations of failed fertility treatments, miscarriages and the loss of our unborn son, to finally embark on the adoption journey, and I am so glad I found you and your blog. We have already attended the PAB and are in the process of starting the HSR. Would be grateful if you could share your adoption/ placement agency.
Dear Rachel
thanks for sharing your own journey with us. I’ve dropped you a message via your yahoo mail. 🙂
Hi David and Angie,
Understand that you’ve been asked this many times, but hope that you can share the contact of the adoption agency with us. Many thanks in advance!
Best regards,
Eric and Irene
Hi Eric
thanks for dropping by. I’ve sent you an email. All the best!
Hi David and Angie,
came across your blog. my wife and i have tried all methods to conceive naturally but to no success.
we want to adopt a baby and wonder if you could be kind enough to share privately your agent?
regards
Kel
Hi Kelvin,
thanks for leaving a contact. Have replied you. All the best!
Hi David and Angie!
My husband and I would like to start our adoption journey. So blessed to find your blog and thank you for making us feel less alone in this process. Could you share your agent contact with us? I believe it is a private agent?
Thanks so much!
Dear Wendy
good morning. Thanks for leaving a comment on our blog. I’ve replied your query. Wishing you and your husband a smooth adoption process. God bless!
Dear David and Angie, thank you for your beautiful story about adoption. It’s really touched our heart as my husband and I also in the process of adoption. We also share the same concern about the agency. Can we have your agency contact?
Thank you so much
Hi Beatrik
thanks for the kind comment. I’ve replied you via email. All the best!
Hi Angie,
Thank you for sharing your story of adoption. we are also looking for a legit and trustworthy adoption agency right now..
It would be greatly appreciated if you share us the name of your adoption agency too!
Hi David and Angie,
Thank you for sharing on your adoption journey. My hubby and I are in the process of getting the HSR application completed. Would you be able to share your agency contact ? Thank you. May God bless both of you and your beautiful children 😊
Hi David and Angie,
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful and inspiring story. My husband and I have a son already but we would love to adopt a sibling for him. There is a minefield of information out there and so I was wondering if you would be able to share the details of your agent, as many before me have requested? Thank you so much in advance.
Kind regards,
Ali
Hi Ali. Sorry for the late reply as we were trying to cope with many work contingencies related to the pandemic. I’ve written you a personal email. Do check your inbox / SPAM and see. All the best!
Hi, thank you for sharing your story. Would you be able to share with me your agency contact. Thank you in advance and God bless!
Hi Victoria. Sorry for the late reply as we were trying to cope with many work contingencies related to the pandemic. I’ve written you a personal email. Do check your inbox / SPAM and see. All the best!
Can you please share the name of your adoption agency – we are starting our journey and would love the connection – thanks.
Hi Jazz. Sorry for the late reply as we were trying to cope with many work contingencies related to the pandemic. I’ve written you a personal email. Do check your inbox / SPAM and see. All the best!
Dear David and Angie,
My husband and i embarked on our journey to adoption in Feb. We were inspired by your journey. Thank you for sharing.
We have just received our HSR and are at a lost on the next step i.e child placement.
Possible to share on your considerations when selecting adoption agencies?
Thanks in advance
Kind regards
Peng
Hi Peng, thanks for writing in. We’ve replied you via email. All the best.
Hi David and Angie,
Thanks for your beautiful and inspiring sharing. I am in the same boat as Peng. We just received our HSR and am at a loss about the next step. We called one agency this week and the experience wasn’t pleasant- they were very on and shared many profiles but when we followed up- they ghosted on us with no callback.
Would you be able to share more on your agency experience?
Thanks so much and God bless!
Dear Eunice
sorry for the late reply. Have emailed you. God speed His favor and provision in your adoption journey.
Hi there,
I didnt realise that you still reply until i scrolled through the comments section 🙂
Can you share with me the name of the agency please? Thank you so much!
Dear Hannah
sorry for the late reply. Have emailed you.
Dear David & Angie,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story, and for replying to so many people! Would you mind sharing your adoption agency details with me? We are considering adopting a child as we have been struggling to have a second one naturally and the journey has been very tough.
Hi Jo
have emailed you. All the best and may your heart’s desire be fulfilled soon!
Hi Angie and David,
Thank you for sharing your personal experience of adopting a child. Very insightful..!
we are also looking into an adoption in Singapore, and seeking for a creditable local private agency.
Will you kindly share the contact of your adoption agency, please?
Hi Myungah
thanks for dropping by the blog. Have emailed you.
Hi your description of an agency who treats the babies far more respectfully strikes a chord. Will you be so kind to let me know? My husband and I have just started to explore. Thank you and God bless.
Hi David and Angie,
Chanced upon your blog post while searching online on adoption. Thank you so much for openly sharing your experience with the adoption process in Singapore. It is so hard to find people talking and sharing about this.
My husband and I have finally gotten our HSR and are looking for an adoption agency that as you have put it so well “treat babies far more respectfully”. We have heard of some agencies that makes us feel like this whole baby adoption thing is some kind of money making business rather than genuinely helping babies find a forever home.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could privately share with us the adoption agency that you had engaged. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you and God bless!
Hi Denise, we’ve replied you via Email. God Bless!
Hello, my wife and i just started our own journey in providing our happy family for a child in need. Would like to ask you regarding your agent details.
And how to ensure the child is put for adoption legally or ethically if he/she is from overseas?
Probly can share with us the costs involved with your agent? We are quite worried about not knowing where huge sums of money goes to which may contribute to buying/selling of babies if we engaged agents for adoption. Can share more about this? And also your views on disclosure?
Tqtq!
Hi, it’s nice to hear you’re taking your first steps towards adoption. Your fear and apprehension are understandable. I’ve written to your email. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Angie and David
Thank you for sharing your roller coaster of an adoption journey! We’ve just embarked on our journey and am now looking for a trustworthy and honest agent. Would you be so kind to share your agent’s contact?
Thank you
Hi, thanks for dropping by. We will email you.
Hi David
Thanks for your reply. I’m not sure if I missed your email but I couldn’t seem to find it. Would you mind emailing me the contact again?
Many thanks
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your adoption journey and I really applaud your never give up attitude 🙂
My husband and I have also decided to adopt, I would appreciate if you could share your adoption agency with us in private.
Much appreciated. Thanks.
Hi David and Angie,
We are currently doing our HSR, after years of IVF failures. Hoping that you could share your adoption agency contact privately please, as there isn’t much information available online. Your post has been the most helpful, thank you!
Hi Juliana
Thanks for leaving us the message. We are heartened you found our sharing helpful. I’ve sent you an email. God bless.
Hello,
I chanced upon your vlog. We are blessed with a 5 year old thru IVF, we had 2 failed transfers are now considering adoption. Please share your adoption agency and how did you involve your daughter to the whole process?
All the best.
Hello Sara,
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey with us. We worked with Alice Adoption Agency, though I believe Alice may have retired as she’s now a Grandma!
As for involving our daughter, we made sure to have open, age-appropriate conversations from the start, using storybooks about families and adoption to help her understand. We also let her be part of small moments, like welcoming her baby brother, helping us prepare and set up his room, which made her feel included and excited. We also involved her in planning the full month party and his birthdays.
Wishing you all the best on your journey, and feel free to reach out anytime.
Warmly,
Angie