We are the Silverman family, Lisa (mom) and my amazing 13 year old daughter Hirut- and we are in the process of adopting 2 little girls from Liberia, West Africa. If you&'re reading this, then you&'re likely thinking about helping us bring them home or at least willing to learn more about my family. For that, I am forever grateful. For those of you who know us, you know already that I adopted Hirut 12 years ago from Ethiopia and started the grandest and most rewarding adventure of my life as her mother. You may also know that I have deeply longed to add to my family through adoption for many years now since bringing Hirut home, and have prayed with all that I am to be shown a way to make this happen. I had almost given up all hope when I reconnected with the agency I used when adopting Hirut and they told me about 2 Liberian girls who needed a forever home, ages 1 and 8. I can tell you that these girls have already built nests of love in my heart, and the idea of being able to add to my family in this way can only be described as walking on holy ground. I have been humbled to the point of tears throughout our journey because it has shown me how a network of love can truly made it possible for children to join their forever families. Total costs for adoption in Liberia are roughly $33,000. That consists of: $14,000 for adoption agency fees and international fees $1,000 orphanage costs $2,100 for home study fees $2,000 for USCIS forms and fees, passport, visas, etc. $2,000 US attorney fees $14,000 for travel and in-country expenses (approximately 2-3 weeks in Liberia) On my end I am doing all that I can with my adoption coach to gather funds to bring my girls home through grants, loans, and employer adoption benefits. I am more than capable of supporting these girls once they arrive but gathering the finances to bring them here means asking for help - in the form of prayers and blessings as well as finances. All forms of your support are invaluable to me and so very appreciated. Namaste. Much much love and a large, warm embrace to you. We all belong to one another. "Adoption has the dimension of connection-not only to your own life, but beyond, widening the scope of what constitutes love, ties, and family. It is a larger embrace. By adopting, we stretch past our immediate circles and, by reaching out, find an unexpected sense of belonging with others." Isabella Rosselini
