A HISTORY OF

BRIGHT DREAMS INTERNATIONAL:

     Bright Dreams International is a licensed, non-profit adoption agency established in May of 1996 to help Americans adopt children internationally. The Agency specializes in adoptions from China and Vietnam, but we support and encourage international adoption in general. We believe that international adoption provides an ideal pathway to cultural understanding between the citizens of the nations that allow international adoption. Since all our adoptions require that the parents travel to their child's country of origin to finalize the adoption, each adoption touches many people's lives. International adoptions also promote an open and loving environment for all adoptions. Bright Dreams International also has programs to provide assistance the welfare of children in several countries. Bright Dreams' families are welcome to initiate and participate in our philanthropic endeavors.

     I am the Executive Director of Bright Dreams International and the founder of the agency. I am an attorney with experience in family, immigration, contracts and international law. I have also traveled and lived in Asia for over 28 years. I am married to a Chinese businessman who was born in Malaysia. We have two children; a son, 21 and daughter, 15. Our family has strived to include and balance the cultural heritage of both America and Asia. The name of the agency was chosen in part, because our son's name in Chinese -Ming Hui- means bright and wise. The Chinese character for "bright" can also mean "tomorrow." It is also the dream of everyone who is involved with the agency to help bring families together.

      I became interested in international adoption while living and practicing law in Hong Kong from 1989 to 1995. During this time, it became general knowledge in Asia that there were many abandoned baby girls in China who were living in welfare institutions. I was so touched by this information that I decided to try to do something to help them. I thought many Americans would like to adopt these wonderful children. The success of international adoptions in the past few years has far exceeded my dreams for these children.

     In the early 1990's I started gathering information about adoption in general. I was able to meet with officials at the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Beijing who were extremely helpful. At that time they were aware of a growing interest by foreigners but also Chinese people who wished to adopt. They were preparing to set up a separate government entity to process all adoptions according to a new law promulgated in 1992. It was a very exciting experience for me both professionally and personally to know and share ideas with the Chinese officials who were working on such a humane endeavor. One of the important decisions was made to centralize the process in Beijing at a time when many new laws were created to decentralize the Chinese economy and government decision-making to prepare China to take its place in the modern world. It was decided that a centralized method was the best way to protect the welfare of these precious children. Sometimes this system seems cumbersome, but I always remind my clients that we are dealing with the welfare of children who are being legally transferred from one county to another. It is essential that as many precautions as necessary be taken to protect them.

     Since I was living in Hong Kong, I began by associating with an adoption agency in the United States and represented them to obtain official permission to submit adoption applications to China. That agency was one of the very first American agencies to be certified. I would walk the applications through the system and then meet the adoptive parents in China and would accompany them through the entire process.

     In addition, I was able to generate and oversee corporate donations of medicine to child welfare institutions such as orphanages, hospitals and government agencies in China. This was such a rewarding occupation that I decided to found Bright Dreams soon after our family was transferred back to the US. The headquarters is in Dallas, Texas but we are prepared to assist adoptive parents who live all over the United States. All our directors have some international connection as well as their professional expertise. Therefore their contribution to our mission is so much more informed and meaningful. We have various professionals who consult with us whenever we need them. For example, all medical reports are reviewed by both doctors who are trained in the US and doctors trained in China or Vietnam, as applicable. 

     Bright Dreams is a small agency with a commitment to provide honest, caring, efficient,affordable, informative and flexible service. If it is feasible, I travel with our adoptive parents.  This service enables adoptive parents to concentrate on their new child and lessens the difficult cultural adjustment necessary when traveling in a foreign environment. I love Asia with a passion and love to share my knowledge of the history and customs of the region. I speak survival Mandarin so can give some insight into the language as well as help with the many small questions that arise. However, all groups have experienced local guides and interpreters who speak fluent English and know the procedures required to complete an adoption. We are associated with another small agency, HFS, which has similar philosophies and superior guides, so our clients are assured the best service.

       Adopting through Bright Dreams International will not only provide you with a wonderful child, but also an appreciation and knowledge of the people, country and culture from which your child has come.

     If you wish further information about our adoption programs, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you would like to speak with one of our clients, we can arrange it. We are always pleased to talk at length about China, Vietnam and international adoption. Also please feel free to inquire about how to participate in our philanthropic programs. There are so many ways to become part of our "Bright Dream."

Warmest regards,

Sally Kayser Tan
Executive Director