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CNN Live At Daybreak

Outside Adoption Not a Priority for Afghan Interim Government

Aired February 05, 2002 - 06:40   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: But let's begin in Afghanistan and its capital city of Kabul. As we mentioned, war has created countless orphans. But dealing with parent-less children isn't a high priority of the new government.

And as CNN's Lisa Rose Weaver reports, being an orphan in Afghanistan isn't necessarily a bad thing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LISA ROSE WEAVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): An institutional existence for Afghanistan's orphans is an accepted way of life. War has deprived many of both their parents; others have lost one, while the other can no longer afford to raise them. In Afghanistan, economic hardship brought on by decades of conflict means the definition for orphan is broad. The bottom line for these children: this is a better place than home.

Living here is the foreseeable future for all these kids, including the young ones. For a nation dealing with so many basic problems, adoption policy is not a priority.

MOHAMMAD MUHIN MARASTYAL, DEPUTY MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: You know that we are just over two months now involved in the government, and we haven't talked about that at this stage. At this stage we are trying to solve the problem inside Afghanistan.

WEAVER (on camera): The government here is already considering what it would take for international adoption to begin. But it's nothing that's right around the corner. And, in fact, there are some factors working against international adoption.

(voice-over): Orphanage officials admit to a cultural bias against outside adoption, in part, because during the Soviet occupation of the 80's, Afghan babies were taken to Russia and never returned. And they say material support from the international community is best used for the majority of children here in Afghanistan, not spent on getting a few kids out.

In the meantime, the benefits of being here are strong; basic school and vocational training, the hope for economic independence. A goal out of reach for most young Afghans. "I'm happy to be here," says Soloha. "I can study, learn some skills, and we can do something with our lives." "At first," this boy says, he could "remember his father after he died in fighting a few years back." Now his focus has shifted to his studies.

This is family for children in a society that can't provide that anymore. For these kids, the institution isn't the barrier to a future, it may well be the key.

Lisa Rose Weaver, CNN, Kabul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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