International adoption resumes for Nepalese children

By Gopal Sharma

KATHMANDU, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Three U.S. couples were on Thursday the first to take Nepalese children since the Himalayan nation ended an international adoption suspension, which took effect two years ago amid reports of widespread corruption.

The mountainous country imposed the adoption hold in 2007 amid criticism some children were being sold off, leaving the process in limbo for hundreds of foreign families.

A Maoist-led government last year allowed 63 foreign agencies to start work as "intermediaries" between potential adopting families and the Nepali authorities.

Potential parents can also approach Nepali authorities for adopting children through their respective embassies.

The three couples who were the first to adopt under the resumed process are each taking Nepali girls.

"We are very excited," said Kyla Blanchard-Romanach, a lawyer from Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, pressing her two-year-old adopted daughter to her chest.

"We are blessed," said her husband Carlos, 47, also a lawyer.

Blanchard-Romanach said the girl would join the six-year-old son the couple adopted from Korea.