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CCAI Heritage Tour: Duke Family Story

by Lara Duke

From the time of Merryn’s adoption, our family planned on returning to China for a CCAI heritage trip. Throughout her childhood, we did our best to expose her to the Chinese language, culture, and history as she grew up, but we knew there would be no substitute for traveling to China and seeing it for herself. We originally planned on traveling in 2021, but COVID had other plans.    

My husband and I have discussed a future heritage trip since our daughter, Merryn, was a toddler. Growing up, she has always expressed interest and eagerly awaited traveling in 2021. SHE WAS SO EXCITED when I told her the heritage tours were back and we had also registered. Merryn poured over everything CCAI sent about the trip, and we created a countdown (in Chinese, of course) posted on the whiteboard in the game room!  

Leading up to the trip of a lifetime

Leading up to the trip, Merryn felt overcome with anticipation! There wasn’t a single activity she was most excited about, but she was thrilled to see China. Scott and I were concerned about the current political climate and the State Department’s travel guidance. Thankfully, Josh addressed those concerns during our group meeting, and we felt comfortable proceeding with trip arrangements.    

We knew we would not be able to visit the orphanage because of Covid protocols, but we were thankful to view the outside gate of the building. However, when we arrived, the guards only allowed our guide, Vivian, to walk up to the gate and take pictures. After some back-and-forth with the guard and some strong advocacy on Vivian’s part, the guard granted Vivian permission to escort our daughter to the gate and take pictures. Of course, I wish I could have been with Merryn, but I’m so glad Vivian was with her, and we will be forever grateful to her for giving our daughter this incredible opportunity.   

Home and relishing our memories

After the CCAI heritage tour, we were tired (it’s a bit of a whirlwind!) but amazed by our memories, the most significant being the birth city trip. It was exciting, intriguing, and emotional, providing additional information and context to our daughter’s story.  Merryn had a wonderful time; the trip met and exceeded our expectations. Our daughter especially liked traveling with other adoptees and experiencing China with them.  

We continue to be amazed by the richness, depth, and breadth of the history and culture of China. Struck by the unique character of each city we visited, we noticed that every city had a personality and an energy utterly different from the others, and we enjoyed them all! Merryn says she will never forget climbing the Great Wall and becoming a hero (at least according to our guide, Alice)!   

While waiting to begin our trip home at the Beijing airport, our family couldn’t decide on our favorite activity from the trip. We kept changing our minds every time we mentioned something. We still need to decide on one answer!  

If you’re on the fence about going on a CCAI heritage tour, I advise you to go for it! Not only is China a remarkable place to visit, but seeing your child connect with their culture more profoundly and meaningfully is priceless. 

CCAI’s The Park Adoption Community‘s Grand Tour brings you up close and personal with some of China’s most renowned world heritage sites. Visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, Giant Panda Reserve, and the Li River, while immersing in unique cultural experiences for an unforgettable panoramic view of China’s breathtaking past and present. To learn more, click here.

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GiGi Pleet

Adoption Program Specialist

GiGi Pleet joined CCAI in 2014 as our China Applications Specialist. She rejoined the team in 2022 after taking a few years off to spend time with her family.  GiGi and her husband have adopted three beautiful daughters from China who are the joy and purpose of their lives.  GiGi is passionate about adoption and furthering CCAI’s mission to find loving parents and permanent homes for as many children as possible and to continue reaching out to children left behind.  When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her girls in the beautiful mountains of Colorado or on an adventure to a new, faraway place.
 
Joined CCAI:  Originally 2014 – 2020, rejoined 2022
 
Bucket List Item:  To see all Seven Wonders of the World 

Contact Information

gigi@ccaifamily.org

(303) 850-9998 ext. 300

Emily Straut

The Park Administrative Assistant

Emily was adopted through CCAI in 2002!  Having always admired the ways that the organization continued to support families even after adoption, she began working at The Park last year because she wanted to be more involved in the adoption community and according to her, “It’s been a blast so far!”

Emily is majoring in environmental science at MSU Denver and hopes to help mitigate the causes and effects of climate change. In her free time, she like to practice guitar, play video games, watch movies, and spend time with her friends and family. 

Bucket List: Visit every province in China!

Contact Information

emily@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 170

CO Team Line 4

Ivy Buchanan

The Park Adoptee Program Coordinator

Ivy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Production Design for Film and Theater with a minor in Studio Art. She had the opportunity to study abroad in London, England and Florence, Italy. After graduating, while visiting an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal she had a moment of realization and knew she wanted to work in the adoption community. After some prior experience in post-adoption and nonprofit management, she came to The Park and is really enjoying focusing on and being involved with offering lifelong support for adoptees and the adoption community.

Ivy was adopted from Kazakhstan at 18-months old and is proud of her adoptee identity and her adoptive family. She is passionate about sharing the stories of the amazing people in the adoption community and helping adoptees celebrate their identities. Her lifelong best friend was adopted from China through CCAI. 

In her free time, she enjoys making art (she is working on a series of sculptural paintings of poached animal species), trying new food, catching up with friends, reading, and being with family. She loves to travel whenever possible.

Joined CCAI: 2023

Top Bucket List Items:

  • A trail ride through “Middle Earth” in New Zealand
  • Volunteering for a few weeks at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
  • Sleeping in a hammock on a beach

Contact Information

ivy@theparkcommunity.org

(303) 221-6688 ext. 205

CO Team Line 1

Colorado Expenses

ExpenseAmountPmt MethodPay ToDue
Application Fee$250Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIApplication submission
Child Abuse Record Search$35/FamilyCheckCO Dept of Human ServiceApplication submission
IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee$500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAI (Sent to IAAME)After App Approval
First Program Fee (Includes Home Study)$5,700Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIAfter App Approval
CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search$39.50 per personMoney OrderColorado Bureau of InvestigationAfter App Approval
USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting$775 plus $85/adultCheck/Money OrderUS Dept. of Homeland SecurityUpon I-800A submission
Dossier PreparationApprox. $450-$900Check/Money OrderSecretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s)As preparing Dossier
Second Program Fee$5,050Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIDossier Submission
CCCWA Fee$1,270Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIDossier Submission
Third Program Fee$5,500Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee$300Check/ACH WithdrawalCCCWA via CCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Court Validation Deposit$200CheckCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable)$450Check/ACH WithdrawalCCAIPrior to receiving child match acceptance letter
Visa to enter China$140 (plus courier fee)Check/Credit CardChinese Consulate via a courier/travel agencyApproximately one month before travel to China
US Domestic & International Airfare$1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket)Credit CardA travel agency/airline of your choice

Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure

In China Travel & AccommodationsApprox. $4,000-$4,400 for two adultsACH WithdrawalCCAI (wired to China)Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure
Adoption Registration and Notarization$800 – $1,000CashLocal government in ChinaIn China
Orphanage Donation(Voluntary)Cash or WireOrphanageIn China
Child’s Passport$100-$150CashLocal passport agencyIn China
Food$700 – $800 per coupleCash/Credit CardHotel(s), restaurant(s)In China
Child Physical & Photo$130-$150CashClinicIn Guangzhou, China
Child U.S. Entry Visa$325Cash or CheckU.S. ConsulateIn China
Court Validation Fee$167CheckCounty CourtAfter U.S. Return
Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate$37.75CheckColorado Vital Statistics OfficeAfter U.S. Return
Lutheran Family Services$250CheckLutheran Family Services via CCAIWhen Home Study is approved by CCAI