Please NOTE: Information listed on this page IS NOT intended to officially represent CCAA in any way. We had the privilege of visiting the offices in June 2000 and I asked some basic questions as well as snapped some photos with permission; however, details of my questions, or of the staff's answers, could have been lost in the translation, etc. Please do not take information listed here as official, it is just our family's experience.
The upper histogram represents the number of orphanages taking part in adoptions in the years listed.
In 1999, there were 276 Chinese orphanges working with CCAA to place children.
The lower represents the number of children adopted in the given years. In 1998, there were 6260 children adopted internationally from China.
Left - This poster offers statistics on the China adoptive families. The four yellow oblong shapes represent the ages of parents (I do not know the timeframe, through 98 or 99 I would guess):
Ages % of total
25-34: 8%
35-44: 75%
45-55: 15%
56: 2%
The family figures represent China adoptive couples whom have and do not have children. (It may also intend to distinguish between parents whom have experienced infertility and those who have not.)
Without children: 72.2%
With children: 27.8%
I had our guide specifically ask what time frame this stack of dossiers represented. I was told this is "two weeks" worth of dossiers. Once home, I noticed that some of these have "Notice of Coming to China for Adoption" letters so these may be on the way back out.
This is the Bridge of Love translation room where the contracted families' dossier information is translated into Chinese.
This is the CCAA review room where dossiers are looked over to ensure that all of the documents are in order, etc.
The MATCHING ROOM!!
There were approximately 8 people in this room and I noticed that some of the computer screens had 5 or 6 referral photos on each screen.
I specifically inquired as to how many dossiers were being held due to "problems" or which needed additional info. One of the staff pointed to this stack.
Through our guide, I extended our heartfelt gratitude for her care in matching us to our daughter (and then I said "thank you" to her in Mandarin). She was very humble and when I asked for a photo of her, she wanted everyone to join in!
CCAA information room where there are pictures of China adoptive families as well as posters with statistics about the China adoption program.
Bridge of Love Travel Department
(L-R) The lady in black is the manager of the department, next is our guide while in Beijing, Christine, and then me (in awe of where I was).
This is where they make all of the travel arrangements for the contracted families...touring plans, hotel rooms, plane, train, bus reservations.
On one of our outings with Christine, after taking a call on her cell phone, she said matter-of-factly..."that was the Maoming Welfare Institute director, she says your daughter is very beautiful, can walk on her own and is very loved." WHAT?? I could not believe she had just been talking to the orphanage director about our daughter!! What an amazing moment!
Log In and Travel Letter Room
CCAA Review Room
CCAA Review Room
CCAA Matching Room
CCAA Matching Room Staff
BLAS Travel Department
BLAS Translation Room
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Beijing, China - We visited both Bridge of Love Adoption Service (BLAS) and the CCAA offices which are in the same building. Bridge of Love contracts with adoption agencies to provide the translations, guide services, reservations, etc. and is affiliated with CCAA. Our agency, Dillon International, has contracted with BLAS to provide these services.
We found the BLAS guides and staff to be very helpful and friendly. They always took great care to make sure that we were comfortable and happily answered all of our questions.
Our trip was wonderful and we extend our sincere thanks to our guides, Christine (Beijing), Gillian (Maoming) and Sarah (Guangzhou). Thanks for taking such good care of us!!
This room is where dossiers are received, logged in and then forwarded to the next department. After a match is made, the folks in this room get everything back again and issue the all important "travel letter"!!
There were two desks and two workers in this room I believe (and this very large stack of dossiers).
This must be the point when those dates, notary stamps, certifications and consularizations become so important. (The room we all hope to come out of unscathed!)
I assume they look at the available children who meet the specifications of the particular family they are matching at that time.
My understanding is that they rotate orphanages when making referrals (they do not look at all children from all orphanages with every referral.)
I asked our guide if the person who matched us to Mao Xiao Chai was in the room. When she asked the question, the woman 4th from the right stood up!! (see below) I could not believe she remembered our daughter's name with all the children they match every day.
Right - So, here is the matching room staff on duty that day. (Don SR., Ashley (me) and Donnie.)
