Go here to see the Russian national news broadcast about us:
http://www.1tv.ru/news/other/162106.
I tried to post it as an active link but it wouldn't work.
This is airing 7 times today and tonight - nationwide. We're already getting emails and calls from all over Russia. Pray it leads to something!
I have been reading your blog for a few months and I know you are lonely so I am commenting. Sorry I haven't sooner. I think what you are doing is truly amazing and you are a remarkable woman, your amount of strength and sacrifice is rare in today's world. I am encouraged and heart broken every time I read your posts. Actually, I was going to stop reading them and stayed away for a time because they are so difficult, but I can't stop and so I will pray for you and continue to follow you on your journey. Thank you for sharing this incredible experience.
ReplyDeleteHere's the translation that Google Translate came up with. I know it's an awkward translation - kind of shows you the limits of online computer translation, but it can still sort of give you the flavor of what they said. Overall, I think it sounds pretty positive, and I pray that it will touch the right people who can truly help. Here's the translation of what was posted in Russian on the television station site:
ReplyDeleteFamily happiness Russian girls and mothers-American women prevent visa regulations and officials
Many people in Russia and America are trying to help two sisters who have lost each other for many years. At first they were betrayed by the biological parents, and then divided by state boundaries.
Adopted a younger girl and was taken to the U.S., the eldest - has remained in a Siberian orphanage. Foster mother-American in order to reunite the sisters are even ready to move to Russia. But the family happiness impede instruction and officials on both sides of the ocean.
They have not been in Russia for three years. Nastya, who flew from Boston to foster mom Carrie Cahill, in Kemerovo airport meets her sister, Anne. Both have been waiting for this moment all night never batted an eyelid.
When Carrie found out that her adopted daughter has an older sister, decided that it is necessary to adopt and Anya, and will transport to Boston, where she had her house on the ocean, but that was 18 and in Russia, an American can no longer be a foster mother Ana . In the United States adopt the same at any age. But Anna did not give a U.S. visa.
Anya Turovinina sister Nastya: "Although her sister, I own, they just do not let me go. And other people just fly in guests, or as students simply skip them. And I did not miss. I think this is just silly."
Carrie Cahill, stepmother Nasty: "You know, I'm ready to adopt, or adopt another child from Russia. But I understand that now it would be unfair to Ana. She's biological sister, Nastya and be with her."
Carrie hopes to solve a problem with a visa for Anna, she will help U.S. senators. On the Internet, they write letters to hundreds of concerned Americans to this story.
And Carrie, meanwhile goes to officials in Russia. The fact that Nastia expired Russian passport, and get a new one, it can not. The girl has not registered in our country. As Nastia dual citizenship - without a Russian passport it will not be released back to the States. At the same time Kerry will soon expire tourist visa, and she will be forced to leave Russia.
Carrie Cahill, stepmother Nasty: "The consulate in America told me that I can extend this visa. But it said that it can not be extended. This is of course absurd, but they say: only one way out. It is necessary to go to any other country, there to a new type of visa. But I do not have such money. To go somewhere, spend money on tickets, visa and enter back. "
When she planned a trip to Russia, immediately decided that necessarily come to Prokopyevsk, a children's home № 15, from 5 years ago took away a foster daughter - Nastya.
Her arrival for inmates - a small holiday. For all - Gifts from America: dolls and toys. Now she is seriously thinking about how to stay here to work. Decided: if Anna did not get to move to America, the only way for it - the move for some time in Russia.
Kerry Cahill, stepmother Nastya: "I am ready to come volunteer and engage in any business which relates to children. I am a teacher, my job in Boston, is associated with arts. I give performances for children. Here I am ready to work for free with their children."
Carrie says that she likes in Russia, and she could live here, despite all the bureaucratic complexity. He smiles: "Someday I will write a book about how an American tried to adopt her sisters from Russia."
You may have more luck being allowed to stay in Russia than in getting Anya to the US. Well, there are a lot of us who would love to come join you....
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the faces of the children receiving their gifts I cried! So precious!
ReplyDeleteOf course I had no clue what they were saying, but it was sure fun to see you and Nastia and Anya moving and talking. : )
And sound of the Russian speeaking was a delight to the ear--what a melodic language! I never thought so until now. It sounds as romantic as Italian.
I saw the news clip!! How I wish I could understand more than every 10th word...that was some VERY fast Russian speaking!!
ReplyDeleteHope there is peace under your ceiling tonight. Or this morning..since it's night here now....
Keri,
ReplyDeleteI am hoping and praying by now Anya has returned to the apartment. Anything else I have to say that I had thought about posting earlier seems meaningless if you dont know where she is, and what state she is in. So I will pray... And when she returns and you and N are waiting she will trust you just a little bit more. And believe just a little bit more that she matters here in this life.
Stephanie
Desperate to know how you are. Sending love!
ReplyDeleteJim from FRUA did a manual translation of the text that accompanied the news article, and said he tried to post it here with no success, but that you're free to use it.
ReplyDeleteFamily Happiness of Russian Girls and American Mother is Hindered by Visas, Regulations and Officials
Many people in Russia and America are trying to help two biological sisters who were separated from one another many years ago. Initially, they were cast away by their biological parents; later they were separated by national borders.
The younger girl was adopted and taken to the USA, while the older girl remained in a Siberian orphanage. For the sake of reuniting the sisters, the American adoptive mother is even prepared to move to Russia. But regulations and officials on both sides of the ocean are getting in the way of the family's happiness.
They haven't been to Russia for three years. Nastia, who flew from Boston with her adoptive mom Keri Cahill, met her sister Anya at the Kemerovo airport. Both had waited for this moment so long that neither slept a wink all night.
When Keri learned that her adopted daughter has an older sister, she decided to adopt Anya and bring her to Boston, where she has a house at the seashore. But Anya turned 18, and in Russia she could no longer become Anya's adoptive mother. In the United States, Anya could be adopted at any age, but she was not given an American visa.
Anya Turovinina, Nastia's sister, explained: "Even though I am her birth sister, they won't let me go there. Other people just fly in as visitors, or as students, and then simply fail to leave. And me, they don't let in. I think it's just silly."
Keri Cahill, Nastia's adoptive mother, offered: "You know, I am ready to adopt another child from Russia. But I believe now that it would be unfair to Anya. She is Nastia's biological sister and needs to be with her."
Keri hopes to solve Anya's visa problem with the help of American senators. On the Internet, hundreds of concerned Americans are writing letters to them.
And Keri, meanwhile, is approaching the Russian officials. The issue is that Nastia has an expired Russian passport and cannot receive a new one, as the girl has not been registered in our country. Because Nastia has dual citizenship, without a Russian passport she will not be released to return to the United States. At the same time, Keri's tourist visa will soon expire, and she will be forced to leave Russia.
Keri Cahill, Nastia's adoptive mother, explained: "The consulate in America told me that I can extend this visa. But here, they tell me it cannot be extended. It's absurd, of course, but they say there is only one way out: I must go to some other country, and obtain a new type of visa there. But I just don't have the funds to go somewhere else, spend money on tickets and a visa, and then come back."
When Keri planned her trip to Russia, she quickly decided that it was necessary to come to Prokopievsk, to Children's Home No. 15, where her adopted daughter Nastia came from five years ago.
Her arrival was a small celebration for the children. Everyone received gifts from America-- dolls and toys. Now, she is seriously thinking about how to stay here to work. She decided that if Anya did not receive permission to come to America, the only other way was for her to move to Russia for a while.
Keri Cahill, Nastia's adoptive mother, said: "I am ready to come and volunteer, to work in any position related to children. I am a teacher. My work in Boston is in the arts; I produce children's performances. I am prepared to work here for free with the children."
Keri says that she likes being in Russia, and she could live here, despite all of the bureaucratic complexity. She smiles, "Someday, I will write a book about how one American woman tried to adopt a sister from Russia."