When Tricia Parrish invited a monk from Nepal to speak to a community organization about his orphanage, she had no plans of adopting one of the children. But she took one look at little Dolker and felt an immediate connection. The monk agreed to adoption request by Tricia and her husband, Philip Kaake, and Dolker flew to the United States to begin her new life.

But as Lucinda Ryan reported in an April 25 article in the Contra Costa Times, governmental red tape has intruded upon the family's hopes for a "happily ever after" ending to their international adoption experience:

The family needed to finalize the adoption earlier this year. The four of them packed their bags and went to Nepal, anticipating they would all return to the U.S. But Nepal's new government hasn't yet completed developing its adoption laws. Dolker had to be left behind.

"It's heart-breaking," Philip Kaake said.

Though the family hopes the attorneys and connections they have in Nepal will soon bring good news about the adoption and they can fly back to bring Dolker home, they have no knowledge of when that may happen.

In addition to enduring the emotional challenge of having to leave their adopted daughter in Nepal, the family is also dealing with a considerable financial burden. Ryan's April 25 article indicated that the Kaake and Parrish have already spent $21,000 in travel and adoption-related fees, and they estimate that getting their adopted daughter back will cost at least $15,000.

Labels: international, adoption_laws, Nepal

Posted By: Aspen/CRC