Ethiopian Orphanages

After being a part of the international adoption world for 2 years now, we have learned that it seems like there is always something going on. The latest news is the closing of many orphanages in Ethiopia. One orphanage closing has definitely been confirmed and there is talk of at least 20 more closings. See the most recent notice from the State Department here

As of right now, largely due to our commitment to be with an ethical agency, our agency is not working with any orphanages in danger of closing. However, our agency does not manage these orphanages directly. Therefore, we are not completely immune to operational problems and concerns that may arise within an individual orphanage. What happens to the children when an orphanage closes? When an orphanage closes, the care of the children must be transferred to another orphanage. This would most likely slow down the adoption process because the orphanage that the children get transferred to may be partnered with a different adoption agency than the one we are working with.

What is going on right now with orphanages closing is a prime reason why it is important to know the mission, goals and values of an adoption agency. The orphanages that are closing right now are being closed by the Ethiopian government because they have failed to provide local humanitarian aid. As you may remember from previous posts, our agency provides a lot of humanitarian aid and has built at least one hospital and school in Ethiopia. The orphanages that are closing were simply serving as a gateway to adopt Ethiopian children out of their birth country. They were not providing help to the people of Ethiopia.

Our agency's main goal is to provide humanitarian aid to the children of Ethiopia and to only use adoption as a last resort. So, I know I might sound like a broken record but most of the events surrounding Ethiopian adoption have pointed to the consequences of unethical agencies. I am not saying it is easy to wait this long for our child, but God has certainly given us peace in knowing that we are trying to do the right thing for the children of Ethiopia.

Secret Thoughts...

Of an Adoptive Mother.



Just finished a great book for adoptive parents. Very easy to read (only took me about a day) but full of so much information. The author does not hold back on her thoughts and emotions throughout the adoption process. If you are an adoptive parent, or a prospective adoptive parent like me, I can almost guarantee that you have had at least one of these thoughts portrayed in the book. This book was assurance that those secret thoughts are normal and okay. Highly recommend.

Live and Become

Hubby and I watched an awesome movie titled "Live and Become"!!! The movie is based on a true story and begins when Ethiopian Jews have fled to Sudanese refugee camps. In 1984, "Operation Moses" begins to transport the Ethiopian Jews from the Sudan to Israel.

There is a Christian Ethiopian woman who wants a better life for her 9 year old son. She tells her son to pretend to be Jewish so that he can go to Israel and have a better life. The boy is sent to Israel with an Ethiopian Jewish woman whose son recently died. Once in Israel, the adoptive mother dies. The movie brings up thought provoking issues of race, religion, discrimination, adoption, and transracial/transcultural relationships.

Hopefully, the little I have revealed has peaked enough interest that you might rent this movie to watch. Hubby and I highly recommend it. Especially if you are interested in Christian, Ethiopian or Jewish culture.