After the tsunami disaster hit South Asia, people around the world looked for ways to help.
Many wondered if adoption was a solution because so many children lost their families. Two local adoption experts say bringing the children to the United States isn't a good option, but they have several other ideas.
Kurt Senske of Lutheran Social Services said his adoption agency got lots of calls.
"It's simply too early to make some decisions whether or not there are some children available for adoption," Senske said.
For one, family members could still be alive. Then there are cultural issues.
"It's best for children to stay within their own local community. They've already been traumatized by what's happened in their lives and in their families lives," Senske said.
Caroline Boudreaux agrees. She started a nonprofit, The Miracle Foundation, that builds orphanages in India. Boudreaux said an orphanage is the best way to help right now because it could be years before children are even up for adoption.
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Tsunami orphans
Lutheran Social Services and The Miracle Foundation are helping child tsunami victims in South Asia.
 
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In India, there's an extensive search for relatives, then parents’ rights have to be terminated, then there's a legal process for adoption. All this could add up to five years.
"They deserve to have an education and freedom and food as much as they deserve to have a mom. We can't give them that part, but we can give them everything else," Boudreaux said.
The Indian government has already donated land for a third Miracle Foundation orphanage in East India. With enough donations, the nonprofit will be able to take care of 1,000 Indian children orphaned in the tsunami.
Senske hopes people pass their compassion on, even if it's to children who weren't in the disaster.
"One of the benefits of the tsunami disaster is people started thinking, 'Yes, I can open my home up to a child in need.' The reality is, there are over 1,000 children here in Central Texas alone waiting to be adopted. Throughout the world, there are over a million children waiting to be adopted," he said.
It's compassion unlocked by tragedy that can overflow to children around the world, including right here at home.
