Could anyone tell me if its true that Jamaican children cannot be adopted and taken abroad?

I read this on a website somewhere and I think this is a real shame.

Also does anyone know what happens to the children in the orphanage that I believe is somewhere near Black River? do they eventually get adopted into a family?

I am in Canada, interested in adopting a Jamaican child. Any info or help is greatly appreciated.

I know that children can be adopted from Jamaica. You should contact the Consulate General's office in Canada as well as Canadian Immigration to see what are the guidelines if you plan on bringing the child to Canada. Example, in the US you have until the child is 16 to adopt and have them enter the US. Good luck, hope all goes well.

Thanks Alice - I will look into the Canadian authorities but likely will need to research the Jamaican ones as well.

Would still like to hear from someone about the orphanage in the B.River area.....

We too have been wondering about this topic...we have been looking to adopt as well. We spend time every year in Jamaica and have done so for the past 30 years. It makes sense to me to adopt from an area that we have access to and would potentially allow the child to have a strong connection to where they came from. We also have wondered about the Black River Orphanage..we live in the US and have had difficulty finding any information about adoption in Jamaica.

Dear Childless in Canada - you should call St. Theresa's in Black River........I have helped at that orphanage many times in the past years. Sister Lucy is a wonderful wonderful lady - and she is in charge of the Orphanage. Sister Lucy could tell you of the possibilities to adopt from there. There are usually 21 or 22 children - ranging from babies to high school. The orphanage is run by the Catholic Church HQ in Mandeville. I do have some of these numbers if you are interested. They have an apt there for helpers to come an volunteer for a week or for as long as they can........As I said - Sister Lucy is fabulous! Contact Info:The contact information is Our Lady of Hope Children’s Home, P.O. Box 15, Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. The contact telephone number is (876) 965-9339 and e-mail is adyofhope@cwjamaica.com. The home is in St. Theresa's Church yard.

Auntie Jeanne, THANK YOU so much for this information, I do believe this is the place I was referring to. I will definitely contact Sister Lucy and if I may, tell her that you referred me to her.

Again, thanks so much for your help!

Childless in Canada

Hello again - was just back on and looked to see if you replied and noticed I left the "L" off of the web address - it is www.ladyofhope@cwjamaica.com
Hope you get some good news!
auntie jeanne

Jeanne, if I just say Auntie Jeanne referred me do they know who that is?

There is also a Yahoo group on adopting from Jamaica to which anyone can subscribe--http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jamaicaadoption. I have found it quite helpful to hear first-hand about the adoption process.