The number of adoptions is decreasing in Latvia – more than 1,000 children are waiting for their families / Article

Yesterday, 18:32

Authors:
Zemgale regional television

Wanted to give a family feeling

Jolanta, who lives in Tukuma district, has adopted nine children into her family; the first was a 13-year-old teenager in 2010. At that time, she still had little understanding of what it would be like.

“Actually, I knew very little about that matter. Something, but one boy chose me. He came and asked for me, and asked the chairman of the orphans’ court at the time that he wanted to live with me, and that’s how we started,” recalls Jolanta.

Now the guy is 27 years old and has moved on with his life. However, Jolanta wanted to continue giving the family feeling by welcoming eight more children into her home. There are many worries, but according to her own words, this is the most important work of her life.

“They are already coming each with a loss. They have lost their family because of the removal [no ģimenes] it’s also a big loss for the children,” Jolanta adds.

The children call Jolanta mom and say – if mom is good, then they will be good too.

The number of adoptions is decreasing

At the moment, 202 children in Tukuma region are provided with out-of-family care, but the orphan’s court says that the number of adoptions is growing.

“There are cases when a child of the other spouse is adopted, in rare cases a child in a foster family or under guardianship. Usually, families want to adopt one child, as young as possible without health problems, apparently there are few such legally free children,” admitted Antra Dzelme, chairperson of the Tukuma District Orphan’s Court.

The support center “Tilts” also confirmed that the adoption of children in families is decreasing. The reasons could be ignorance of what needs to be done, fear of problems, as well as the lack of national level campaigns.

“We don’t talk to these families, we don’t tell, because every day a person who could be a potential foster family doesn’t even think about the possibility, what it would even be, what it would require of me, what support is available,” said the support center. “Tilts” manager Kaspars Prusis.

The Ministry of Welfare’s adoption register includes information on 1,102 adoptable children. Currently, 1,324 children live in foster families, almost 3,500 children live with guardians, and 518 are in care institutions.

The number of adoptions is decreasing the fastest – 129 children were adopted in 2021, but only 77 last year.

The Ministry of Welfare does not currently plan to hold any national level campaigns, but the “Tilts” support center invites you to listen to yourself – maybe someone will feel the call to give a child the warmth of a family.