Maria Rinaldi and her husband Dino speak in glowing terms of the efficiency surrounding their adopt of a son in Singapore. Now six months old, Michele was born in Singapore of a foreign mother. Maria is South African and Dino is Italian; both hold Swiss citizenship. Navigating the demands of so many different governments was always going to be a challenge, but, guided by adoption agency Amman Baby Adoption Services, they welcomed their son into the household in December, and finalised the adoption in March. Maria spoke to Expat Living about the highs and lows of adopting.
EL: Adopting a baby is a very personal event. Why are you happy to talk about it publicly? MR: It has just been such a positive experience; I welcome the opportunity to tell people how easy and rewarding it is. My husband and I decided in 2005 to adopt. We checked out the rules in Singapore - they are outlined very comprehensively on the internet. Initially we thought we would adopt a Russian child, and went through all the paperwork and home study with SACAC, but things did not work out; it was quite traumatic. In November last year we decided that we would look for a local child, and contacted Amman after seeing an advertisement in Expat Living. We already had all our paperwork - passports, birth and marriage certificates, criminal record clearance and so on - so we could proceed very quickly.
EL: Is Singapore strict on who can adopt a child? MR: Every potential adoptive parent has to undergo a five-to-six-week home study course. This begins with interviews designed to assess whether you are really sure that adoption is for you, and that you are realistic about the commitment you are making. Both parents are interviewed, together and individually. An evaluator comes to your home to see where and how you live. Your criminal record (if any) is reviewed - both in Singapore and in other places you have lived; your financial position and health records are assessed. It's very funny when you compare it to what `equips' you to be a natural parent!
EL: What choices did you have to make? MR: We were really not all that fussy about the sex, nationality, or religion of the child we adopted. Lakshmi (from Amman) told us about Michele Alessandro shortly after he was born, when his birthmother finally made the decision to give him up. We met him when he was 10 days old. Having been born in Singapore, we were of course very lucky to be confident of his medical history, though he, like any other adoptive baby, had to undergo a very thorough health assessment.
EL: What nationality does Michele take? MR: He took the birth nationality of his mother, and will be adopted Swiss - my husband is registered in Singapore as Swiss. This is definitely an area you need to give attention to, and one that Amman is very careful about. No child can be without a nationality, so you must be sure that your country will be prepared to give him or her citizenship. The Swiss government accepts Singaporean law, but the UK and Australian governments recognise the law of the country in which the child is born, so there can be additional challenges if you adopt a child born outside Singapore. The adoption process is thoroughly streamlined in Singapore. Once we were with Amman-and being 100 percent comfortable with Lakshmi was a huge advantage - we really did not have to do much. The legal side was all covered by the lawyers; Lakshmi explained every step in great detail, and now, six months later, we are enjoying our beautiful chosen child.
Maria regularly visits the Mother & Child Centre at Tanglin Shopping Centre, and is happy to talk to prospective adopters about her experience. You can also talk to Lakshmi at Amman on 6557 2433.
