DNA IV – Susan Branco

In our final installment of interviews on DNA testing and international adoptees, IAMAdoptee had the wonderful opportunity to connect with Dr. Susan Branco, LPC.  In all of our interviews, the adoption identity is privileged. And yet, IAMAdoptee believes it is essential to hear from those of us who have worked professionally within our community for […]

DNA III – Katie Mantele

DNA databases have been a part of the post-adoption landscape for quite a while for adoptees from China.  As more and more Chinese adoptees become legal adults, we are hearing from them as they navigate their biological and cultural identity as adoptees.  While it is so easy for us to be siloed into our respective […]

DNA II – 325KAMRA

Continuing our conversation on DNA testing as a resource to connect with birth relatives, IAMAdoptee recently spoke with Katherine Kim and Jayme Hansen, co-founder and CFO, respectively, of 325KAMRA (325kamra.org). The mission of this organization is to DNA-test birth searching families in Korea and collect medical and family history data from them; to distribute DNA […]

DNA I – Robyn Joy Park

IAMAdoptee recently connected with Robyn Joy Park, Korean adoptee (the whole of who she is will be evident in our interview!) Robyn just returned from running a marathon in South Korea.  The marathon was part of her personal journey but also to advocate for and raise funds for 325KAMRA (325KAMRA.org).  She raised $3780 to support […]

Kassaye Berhanu-MacDonald

#IAMonemillion is an ongoing project to find creative ways to get to know the nearly one million international adopees worldwide.  Every story is unique.  What better way to express our individuality among such a large community than by sharing them one at a time? We had a chance to connect with Kassaye, adopted from Ethiopia […]

Families with Children from China

The largest organization in the US for adoptees from China has historically been FCC (Families with Children from China) with chapters in almost every state.   While Taiwanese adoptees would be considered the pioneer group, many of whom are in middle age now, the first wave of adoptees mostly from mainland China are now emerging adulthood.  […]