MULTICULTURAL IRELAND - ADOPTION

Today we are focusing on Inter Country Adoption, it is estimated that there are over 400 Romanian children adopted in Ireland.  Sharon O'Driscoll a mother from Cork and chairperson of Inter Country Adoption Support Group will join us today with her children to chat about her story and Inter country adoption.

The O'Driscoll family have three children of their own, Craig (16), Jessica (12) and Elena (7) and two adopted children Nico(15) and Raluca (11) both from Romania.

In 1989 Sharon and her husband were moved by coverage on RTE News of the situation in Romanian and the babies in the numerous orphanages. They decided almost straight away that they would like to do something to help.  They applied and went through the procedure of being interviewed psychologists, presenting their birth certificates as well as other relevant information. From there they went from orphanage to orphanage until they were "offered to bundle of joy Nico".  Sharon and her husband found the process upsetting but just thought of the broader picture "that we were helping there children".

Nico arrived in Ireland in January 1991 when he was 7 weeks old from Sucea in North Romania. From day one Sharon encouraged Nico to keep in touch with his family in Romania, he writes once a year and sends Christmas cards.  He is aware of how different their life is and one day he hopes to visit Romania in person and meet his family. Nico regards himself as "Irish Romanian".  He recently went to watch Ireland V's Romania and brought both jerseys so he could wear the jersey of the winning team.

He loves Ireland especially Cork and he is passionate about the Cork Hurling team, there are 10 Romanian children in his year in school.  But he does not really pay much attention to the fact that they are from Romania - "they are just his friends".

Raluca arrived in Ireland in July 1994.  She had living in an orphanage in Navardor for three and half years.  Sharon recalls that she will never forget the horrific condition in the orphanages "there was no glass on the windows.there were lots of babies  ... with numerous babies per cot..."  Sharon says that Raluca was just delighted to be held and used to cry when she was out back in to her cot as "she just craved attention".  She took some time to fully integrate with the family but she did adjust and was able to speak a little English within 3 weeks.  The children embrace their culture however would only eat Romanian food "if they really had to."

For the last four years the O'Driscoll family has opened their home to two teenage Romania Orphans who live in a group home Alex & Dimitri.  They come to Ireland for Christmas and for a month during the summer.

Along with a birthday the family also celebrates the children's adoptive day 19th January for Nico and 2nd July for Raluca.

For Further Information:

The Inter-Counrty Adoption Society - Sharon O'Driscol                  

087 238 96 51