Court established new rules for foundlings

Source: www.a-c.dk

Publication date: 5 November 2010

In early October was Tove Vase on travle in Ethiopia. One of the last days she was there, she was told that the court had decided that in future only be one hearing for foundlings. In our case it is virtually all children from orphanages Edgett.

Four families have therefore been told that they must appear at the first hearing that was scheduled for their child, and they avoid the waiting period of one month between the first and second hearing, which is common.
The Court has taken this decision because there were doubts regarding information on foundlings, where you know nothing about the background.

After treatment court is the child officially seekers child and most families choose to take the child to the hotel after the trial.

Waiting time from acceptance of the child and the court date
For children that was approved in mid-September, is the first court date scheduled for mid-November and the legal effect 2 a month later, ie a total of three months from acceptance to final court date.

We have just been given legal effect for two children that was approved in early October and the first court date is 24.12., The second court date in mid-January, ie 3 ½ months from acceptance of the child.

We can only hope that this waiting at the end of the matter in court, will not stay longer, but the court's decision to only hold one hearing for foundlings reflects how congested it is the quantity of adoptions.

Visiting our orphanages
All families must now visit their child, sometimes in our homes before the hearing in court.

During the visit she asked Toves Yeti and Daniel on the orphanage can be visited by families on weekends. They were generally distressed to receive a visit this weekend, but accepts that families with a court date Monday, can visit their child on Saturday morning.

Apart from the weekend, our families visit the orphanage every day during daylight hours (until at. 16.30), and you can stay as long as you want at the orphanage.However, one must bring their own food and drinks for himself when the orphanage only provides food for the children.

Tove enjoyed as always, his visit to AC International Child orphanage, where there is a peaceful atmosphere. The children seem to thrive and feel good and is clean throughout. The amount of laundry is always overwhelming, but washing the wives have good track of it. The staff seem to be comfortable with themselves and with the Almaz and nurse Yeshi. Compared to other orphanages that we see during our visit, there is something very special charitable and nice about this orphanage.

Visit MOWA and Region 14
In both jurisdictions, it turns out that there has been change since AC International Child was last in Ethiopia. Tove became aware that there is regular replacements of people in high positions.
At MOWA meet with Ms. Tove. Maheder Biwut who have only been at his post for 3 months and therefore have not much insight in the work of adoptions abroad.

Since May 2009, there have been a modified procedure in which all children who are left behind in Addis Ababa, should be returned to Region 14, who initially put them on Kebebe Tsehai and Kechene, the two orphanages run by the Addis Ababa City Administration . From these two orphanages, children are sent on to the private orphanages, working with international adoption, including the orphanage AC International Child cooperates.

Neither Kebebe Tsehai or Kechene has the facilities to take care of it dramatically increased the number of children currently placed in these homes and the children seem clearly neglected and dirty. On Kebebe Tsehai has Spanish and Italian organization built a fine and large new building which is not yet operational. It is possible that it will improve conditions for children.

Visiting the orphanage that we work with
On Edgett was there at the moment not many children, but home is located in a lovely building with a nice little garden and paved area in the garden, hosting tea ceremony. Yeti and Tove had a long talk with Sister Zenebe who acted much about the transfer of the children. We expect that more children will remain at Edgett, and would therefore also that Sister Zenebe takes care of the transfer, so it can be experienced as pleasant by both parents and children.

Edgett receive part children from Kebebe Tsehai and we have discussed that it would be beneficial for the children to remain on Edgett, instead of having to go through yet another move in their short lives. The children are now being placed on the proposal by Edgett, however, already moved to our homes so that the agreement will apply to new children.

Aster Kids in Care is a great fighter. She fights for the children and for justice. It will not always welcomed by the authorities that she therefore has a somewhat strained relationship with the moment. This means that Kids Care does not receive very many children from Region 14, and therefore they have not so many kids at home as before.
It is evident that the children at Kids Care is happy and doing well, and there is a good and loving contact between the children and Aster and other staff.

Sele Enat is functioning and intermediary currently the most children from regions outside Addis Ababa where they have projects for children and poor families. There are not many kids at home, but it was nice to experience the peaceful atmosphere and the calm that prevailed in the baby room. The big kids were in school, and there were only 2-3 of them at home. Since Tove's last visit to Ethiopia has succeeded Harness Enat to convey some of the big kids at home to the U.S. and Switzerland - children aged 6-10 years. We also have essentially received slightly older children (3-5 years) from Sele Enat to mediation.

Almaz Ashene is an organization that has many exciting projects for children and poor families. They are good at fund-raising and good to spend the money they receive. They have children from both Addis Ababa and from DebreBerhan and Ambo, where they have a number of projects. We especially received slightly older children from them for dissemination.

Cooperation with new orphanage in Awassa
Tove visit for the first time the new orphanage in Awassa, located approx. 300 km south of Addis Ababa in the Rift Valley. It was a thrilling ride down there through the Ethiopian countryside where the life much going on in the street. There was a swarm of people, carriages and donkey carts - all loaded to the brim with salable stuff: cans of drinking water, straw, firewood, etc. Also, we saw traditional farms: small round mud huts in an enclosure. And the bird life is exciting, particularly we saw flamingos sitting for the treetops!

The new orphanage is called Shalom Children's Hope Association and started 3 years ago by Israel with his two brothers and one American. American and the brothers have since pulled out and Israel is now running even orphanage on. In addition to the orphans at the orphanage - which is approx. 20 children - supports the organization children in poor families with sponsorship, so children can remain in the family and get an education.

Besides Israel, we meet the deputy director and social worker Abebe Abraham. It is Tove's experience that all employees at home are very dedicated and works best for their children. The home is not large, but it's fine albeit spartan furnishings and carers are good at taking care of children.
Tove attended example. that usually sit with a very small and weak baby in her arms while she gives the bottle. The slightly older children who can walk and climb, comes out in your living room or on the terrace outside on a blanket in which carers sit with them and have contact with them. Israel says that they pay washerwoman less than she could get elsewhere, but so far she still chose to stay with them. It says something about the good working atmosphere and unity among employees. In the past 6 months, the orphanage had a nurse employed full time, and it is reassuring. Only she could wish to have a little more paraphernalia (medication etc.) in its small "clinic" at home, what we will try to help her.

General
It will be interesting to see how the new collaboration with the institution of Awassa evolves. So far in 2010, we have received more children than we could expect and probably takes home about 60 children this year. With a waiting list of currently 103 families / single people, we will continue to conservatively assess the waiting time to be around. 2 years.

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Domstol fastlagt nye regler for hittebørn

I starten af oktober måned var Tove Vase på rejes i Etiopien. En af de sidste dage, hun var der, fik hun at vide, at domstolen havde besluttet at der fremover kun skal være ét retsmøde for hittebørn. For vort vedkommende gælder det stort set alle børn fra Edget børnehjem.

Fire familier har derfor fået at vide, at de skal møde til det første retsmøde, der var berammet for deres barn, og de undgår den ventetid på en måned mellem første og andet retsmøde, som er det almindelige.
Domstolen har taget denne beslutning, fordi der ikke kan rejses tvivl om oplysningerne om hittebørn, hvor man ikke ved noget om baggrunden.

Efter domstolsbehandlingen er barnet officielt ansøgernes barn og de fleste familier vælger at tage barnet med sig til hotellet efter retssagen.

Ventetid fra accept af barn og til retsdato
For børn, der blev godkendt midt i september, er første retsdato berammet til midten af november og retsdato nr. 2 en måned senere, dvs i alt 3 måneder fra accept til endelig retsdato.

Vi har netop fået retsdato for to børn, der blev godkendt i begyndelsen af oktober, og første retsdato er 24.12., anden retsdato midt i januar, dvs 3½ måned fra accept af barnet.

Vi kan kun håbe, at denne ventetid på afslutningen af sagen i domstolen, ikke vil blive længere, men domstolens beslutning om kun at afholde ét retsmøde for hittebørn afspejler, hvor belastet den er af mængden af adoptionssager.

Besøg på vort børnehjem
Alle familier skal nu besøge deres barn nogle gange på vort børnehjem inden retsmødet i domstolen.

Under Toves besøg spurgte hun Yeti og Daniel om børnehjemmet kan modtage besøg af familier i weekenderne. De var generelt kede af at modtage besøg i weekenden, men accepterer, at familier med retsdato en mandag, kan besøge deres barn lørdag formiddag.

Bortset fra weekenden kan vore familier besøge børnehjemmet hver dag i dagtimerne (indtil kl. 16.30), og man kan opholde sig så længe man ønsker på børnehjemmet. Man skal dog selv medbringe mad og drikke til sig selv, da børnehjemmet kun sørger for mad til børnene.

Tove nød som altid sit besøg på AC Børnehjælps børnehjem, hvor der hersker en fredfyldt atmosfære. Børnene ser ud til at trives og have det godt, og der er rent overalt. Mængden af vasketøj er altid overvældende, men vaskekonerne har god styr på det. De ansatte ser ud til at have det godt med hinanden og med Almaz og nurse Yeshi. I sammenligning med andre børnehjem, som vi ser under vores besøg, er der noget helt særligt velgørende og rart over dette børnehjem.

Besøg hos MOWA og Region 14
Hos begge myndigheder viser det sig, at der er sket udskiftning siden AC Børnehjælp sidst var i Etiopien. Tove blev bekendt med, at der jævnlige sker udskiftninger af personer i høje positioner.
Hos MOWA mødes Tove med Ms. Maheder Biwut, der kun har været på sin post i 3 måneder, og derfor endnu ikke har meget indsigt i arbejdet med adoption til udlandet.

Siden maj 2009 har der været en ændret procedure, hvorefter alle børn, der findes efterladt i Addis Ababa, skal afleveres til Region 14, der i første omgang anbringer dem på Kebebe Tsehai og Kechene, de to børnehjem, der drives af Addis Ababa City Administration. Fra disse to børnehjem, sendes børnene videre til private børnehjem, der arbejder med international adoption, herunder de børnehjem AC Børnehjælp samarbejder med.

Hverken Kebebe Tsehai eller Kechene har faciliteterne til at tage sig af det voldsomt forøgede antal børn, der nu anbringes på disse hjem, og børnene virker tydeligt forsømte og beskidte. På Kebebe Tsehai har en spansk og italiensk organisation bygget en fin og stor ny bygning, som dog endnu ikke er taget i brug. Det er muligt, at den vil forbedre forholdene for børnene.

Besøg på de børnehjem, vi samarbejder med
På Edget var der lige i øjeblikket ikke ret mange børn, men hjemmet har til huse i en dejlig bygning med en fin lille have og flisebelagt område i haven, hvor der afholdes kaffe-ceremoni. Yeti og Tove havde en lang snak med Sister Zenebe, som handlede meget om overdragelsen af børnene. Vi forventer, at flere børn vil forblive på Edget, og ønsker derfor også, at Sister Zenebe tager hånd om overdragelsen, så den kan opleves som rar af både forældre og børn.

Edget modtager en del børn fra Kebebe Tsehai, og vi har drøftet, at det vil være en fordel for børnene at kunne forblive på Edget i stedet for at skulle igennem endnu en flytning i deres korte liv. De børn, der netop nu er bragt i forslag fra Edget, er dog allerede overflyttet til vort børnehjem, så aftalen kommer til at gælde nye børn.

Aster på Kids Care er en rigtig fighter. Hun kæmper for børnene og for retfærdighed. Det bliver ikke altid modtaget positivt af myndighederne, som hun derfor har et lidt anstrengt forhold til for tiden. Det betyder, at Kids Care ikke modtager ret mange børn fra Region 14, og derfor har de ikke så mange børn på hjemmet som tidligere.
Det er dog tydeligt, at børnene på Kids Care er glade og har det godt, og der er en god og kærlig kontakt mellem børnene og Aster og de øvrige ansatte.

Sele Enat er velfungerende og formidler i øjeblikket flest børn fra regioner udenfor Addis Ababa, hvor de har projekter for børn og fattige familier. Der er ikke ret mange børn på hjemmet, men det var dejligt at opleve den fredelige atmosfære og den ro, der herskede på babystuen. De store børn var i skole, og der var kun 2-3 af dem hjemme. Siden Toves sidste besøg i Etiopien er det lykkedes Sele Enat at formidle en del af de store børn på hjemmet til USA og Schweiz – børn i alderen 6-10 år. Vi har også primært modtaget lidt ældre børn (3-5 år) fra Sele Enat til formidling.

Almaz Ashene er en organisation, der har mange spændende projekter for børn og fattige familier. De er gode til at fund-raise og gode til at bruge de penge, de modtager. De har børn fra både Addis Ababa og fra DebreBerhan og Ambo, hvor de har en del projekter. Vi har især modtaget lidt ældre børn fra dem til formidling.

Samarbejde med nyt børnehjem i Awassa
Tove besøget for første gang det nyt børnehjem i Awassa, som ligger ca. 300 km syd for Addis Ababa i Rift Valley. Det var en spændende køretur derned igennem det etiopiske landskab, hvor hvor livet meget foregår på gaden. Der var en vrimmel af mennesker, hestekærrer og æselkærrer – alle læsset til bristepunktet med salgbare ting: dunke med drikkevand, halm, brænde etc. Ligeledes så vi traditionelle bondegårde: små runde lerhytter i en indhegning. Og fuglelivet er spændende, bl.a. så vi flamingoer siddene i trætoppene!

Det nye børnehjem hedder Shalom Children’s Hope Association og er startet for 3 år siden af Israel sammen sine to brødre og en amerikaner. Amerikaneren og brødrene har siden trukket sig ud og Israel kører nu selv børnehjemmet videre. Udover de forældreløse børn på børnehjemmet – der er ca. 20 børn - støtter organisationen børn i fattige familier med sponsorships, så børnene kan blive i familien og få en uddannelse.

Udover Israel, møder vi vice-direktør Abebe og socialrådgiveren Abraham. Det er Toves oplevelse, at alle ansatte på hjemmet er meget dedikerede og arbejder for børnenes bedste. Hjemmet er ikke stort, men det er fint, om end spartansk indrettet, og plejerne er gode til at tage sig af børnene.
Tove overværede f.eks. at en plejer sidde med et meget lille og svagt barn i armene, medens hun giver det sutteflaske. De lidt ældre børn, der kan gå og kravle, kommer ud i dagligstuen eller på terrassen udenfor på et tæppe, hvor plejerne så sidder sammen med dem og har kontakt med dem. Israel fortæller at de betaler vaskekonen mindre end hun vil kunne få andre steder, men indtil videre har hun alligevel valgt at blive hos dem. Det siger noget om det gode arbejdsklima og sammenholdet blandt de ansatte. I de sidste 6 måneder har børnehjemmet haft en sygeplejerske ansat fuldtids, og det er betryggende. Blot kunne hun ønske at have lidt flere remedier (medicin etc.) i sin lille ”klinik” på hjemmet, hvad vi vil forsøge at hjælpe hende med.

Generelt
Det bliver spændende at se, hvordan det nye samarbejde med institutionen i Awassa udvikler sig. Indtil nu i 2010 har vi dog modtaget flere børn, end vi kunne forvente, og hjemtager formodentlig omkring 60 børn i år. Med en venteliste på p.t. 103 familier/enlige, vil vi fortsat konservativt vurdere ventetiden til at være ca. 2 år.

Countries: Ethiopia, Denmark

Organizations: AC International Child Support (AC Børnehjælp), Kechene Children's Home, Kids Care, Ethiopia, Sele Enat Mahiber, Ethiopia, Shalom Children’s Hope, Ethiopia, Kebebe Tsehaye, Almaz Children and Family Support Organization (ACFSO)