(Reposting from Summer 2009) It is with great pleasure that Tree of Life welcomed several members of the Bulgarian Minister of Justice to Portland!  As many of you are aware, Mrs. Ilonka Raichinova, has worked very hard to find families for the Bulgarian orphans: it is with her support that she had authorized this contingent of representatives to honor us with a visit.  Since taking over as the Minister of Justice, she has streamlined the matching process and removed many restrictions that made Bulgarian adoptions cumbersome and it is with this support that we have planned to receive these officials.   

This group made a rare trip to the United States and their visit in part consisted of continued talks on streamlining the adoption process in order to place more children into adoptive homes, as well as a social visit with many of the families that have adopted from Bulgaria through Tree of Life.  You can read more about her visit in our Summer 2009 Newsletter.