Connecting Adoptive Parents and their Bulgarian Children
Project Background: Thousands of children are adopted internationally into the United States every year. Many of these children come from institutional care in orphanages and suffer from trauma and neglect, and unfortunately, these early experiences often have intense negative impacts on the transition and attachment of these children into their new families. This study specifically focused on adopted children from Bulgaria and the impact of adoptive parents’ initial experiences on attachment with their children.
Problem: How can we use design to aid in the transition and attachment of adopted children into their new families?
Process: Conducted focus group and survey of families who have adopted children from Bulgaria, as well as a detailed literature review of the current situation of waiting children in Bulgaria. Researched theoretical frameworks surrounding attachment, and analyzed the systemic processes governing international adoption.
Design Solution: The Bulgarian Love Patch is a third-party effort geared toward facilitating the sending of care packages from adoptive parents to their children. Parents can choose and purchase items via The Bulgarian Love Patch website. Care packages are fulfilled by local vendors in country, and delivered via charitable organizations to the child.
A care package is typically the first opportunity adoptive parents have to connect with their children. The goal is to provide items that can function as comfort objects to aid with parental attachment and child transition. All items are locally made in an effort to develop relationships with local vendors, and ultimately, are geared toward providing the children with a keepsake that they can take with them to their new life.
