Morocco Travel Ban Lifted
As of February 7, 2022, international flights have been allowed to enter Morocco. New travel rules include a negative PCR test no more than 48 hours old at the time of boarding and a full COVID-19 vaccination record. Upon entering Morocco, travelers will receive a rapid COVID test and randomly travelers may be selected for an additional PCR test.
Matches & Arrivals
During the travel ban period, there were no new referrals made, but one family completed their acceptance of a waiting children referral, and we are excited for that family to travel in March. With the lifting of the travel ban, we anticipate that we will receive referrals in the coming months.
Wait Times for Referral
With the two months of no referrals, the estimated waiting time for a referral has increased to 13-17 months for families open to either gender. Longer for families only open to the referral of a girl.
As a reminder, the wait for a referral begins after your dossier goes to Morocco.
What To Do While You Wait
Waiting for a referral is one of the hardest, if the not the most difficult, part of this adoption process. You may be feeling frustrated, sad, discouraged, and powerless. These are normal reactions to a long, ambiguous wait in which you feel like a match may never come, and it is hard to stay optimistic. See below for some suggestions for what to do while you wait.
- Take time to be with your loved ones.
Sometimes focusing on the ones around you takes the focus off your own wait and frustration. Surround yourself with people who make you smile and make new memories together. Pretty soon your family will be larger, but for now cherish those around you. - Set boundaries.
When you get together or have communication with friends and family, set boundaries and limits as to what (if anything) you want to discuss about the pending match and adoption. Those months of questions from others about your process can leave you feeling drained, sad, and not wanting to talk to anyone. Set clear rules before meeting up about what is “off limits.” It is okay to say, “Friend, let’s go out for coffee and make sure we talk about anything except my adoption process. - Join a support group or create one on your own (virtually or in person).
Meeting with other families who are going through a similar experience can be a great opportunity to talk through feelings, ask questions, and get perspective and support. - Read everything you can.
Gather resources about parenting and raising adopted children. Have you read a book about how adoption shows up in identify formation for teenagers who were adopted as babies? And if you are a first-time parent, pick up some childcare and development books, too. You can read or listen to an audio book as you do yard work or drive. - Keep a journal.
Journals are a great way to document your feelings and excitement throughout the adoption process. Written or video journals can also make great keepsakes for your child. If you are keeping a traditional journal, write down your thoughts, feelings, ideas, hopes and dreams in a way that can one day become a part of your child’s lifebook. If you would like to keep a video journal, you can use it as an opportunity to talk to your child, tell stories, and express how excited you are for him or her to come home. - Do home projects.
While you do NOT need to go out and buy a crib, this waiting period is a great time to tackle your to-do list…a home improvement project or an organization project that you’ve been putting off. What about changes to your pet’s routine that might happen once the child is home–start preparing your pet too. - Exercise.
You will soon be lifting, carrying, bending, and running more than you have in a while and you might be doing it all while holding a young child. Exercise can also help enhance your mood and energy levels, especially if you are feeling stressed, sad, or anxious. Exercise is really part of a greater self-care priority that you need to be making for yourself and, as applicable, your spouse. Your time for yourself and with each other will be limited and changed once a new child joins your family. Whether it is singing, meditating, praying, playing, laughing, reading, or working out, do what makes you happy and brings a bit of peace to your day. This will also help keep you in a positive mindset. - Focus on work.
As a hopeful parent, you may be considering leaving your full-time job to stay at home with your new child, but in the meantime, continue your daily routine and working as you normally would. Keeping busy with work can make wait fly by and can bring in some extra income before the child arrives. If you haven’t already, find out your company’s “adoption leave” policy and what about your company’s process to get the child on your insurance? The child will need to be medically insured before leaving Morocco for the U.S. - Reach out to New Beginnings Morocco Team
We are available to you if you would like to schedule a time for questions, concerns, or a reminder as to how the process works. Please reach out by email to schedule a time to talk.
Upcoming Online Webinar: Morocco Kafala Program Overview
If you did not attend a Morocco Kafala Program Overview webinar before becoming an NB client, please sign up for the live webinar being offered on March 17. It will be an opportunity to get a picture of the timing of the process, to ask questions, and to hear directly from the Morocco team. Register for the webinar here or use the button below.