By Robin R. Plasterer, Staff Writer
Post and Mail
Columbia City, Indiana
March 14, 2003

If you've wanted to adopt a child from another country, now is the time to do it.

Hand in Hand International Adoptions is hosting a special orientation meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, at the Peabody Public Library in Columbia City, Indiana.

"We have received two generous donations for use by Whitley County residents who wish to adopt through Hand in Hand and need financial assistance in order to do so," said Vickie Truelove, administrative director.

"Such persons would be able to receive a grant of $5,000 at no interest, to be used for adoption expenses, with the understanding they would pay it back to the Hand in Hand Adoption Assistance Fund over a five-year period after the adoption has been completed," Truelove said.

Truelove knows first-hand how important it is to adopt children from third-world countries. She has adopted four.

"It's so important. There are so many children who need homes," Truelove said.

The meeting is a free orientation session about international adoption. Families from this area who have already adopted will be at the meeting to share their own experiences.

Chris and Kathy Harmeyer of Columbia City were blessed to adopt two children through Hand in Hand.

"Hand in Hand took care of all the paperwork. There is a lot of legal paperwork that comes with any adoption, let alone international. They took care of all of it," Kathy Harmeyer said.

"We both really felt totally comfortable with them. Because of them we have two beautiful boys, John, 6, and Jesse, 4," she said.

The Harmeyers adopted John when he was 13 months old from the Philippines. They adopted Jesse when he was 2-1/2.

"Hand and Hand went the extra mile when we asked them. Days before we were to leave for the Philippines there was a volcano that erupted near his orphanage and he had to be evacuated. They made the call to see if he was alright," Harmeyer said.

Today the family is happy and comfortable with each other. "It's awesome. It feels like we've just always been a family," Harmeyer said.

Even though it seems the cost of international adoptions is enormous, for the Harmeyers it was just like having a natural birth.

"Hand in Hand doesn't require the money up front. You can pay it in stages," Harmeyer said.

Plus the federal government has an adoption tax credit of $10,000 for anyone who adopts a child. Families can take advantage of that and it really helps.

International adoptions can cost several thousands of dollars.

Scott and Deb Davis have four children including an adopted one from the Philippines.

The Davis's adopted Connor, now three, at 18 months. He came from the same orphanage as John Harmeyer.

"Hand in Hand helped walk us through the adoption process from beginning to end. They were extremely helpful. They answered all of our questions and gave classes to prepare us for what we were going to go through," said Deb Davis.

"We met three times prior to getting our child. They told us what to expect about the cultural differences, etc. They were excellent and I would highly recommend them," Davis said.

How is Connor doing today?

"He is wonderful. He fits into our family like the biological children do," Davis concluded.

Hand in Hand is a licensed, not-for-profit adoption agency with a local office in Albion, Indiana.

Hand in Hand has operated for 28 years and currently places children from six countries including China, Guatemala, Haiti, Philippines, Russia and Ukraine.

Thousands of children are waiting for their own "forever families".