US Asst Secy arrives Nepal to discuss inter-country adoption

REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, Feb 16: United States Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Janice Jacobs arrived in Kathmandu on Wednesday for a two-day visit.

Jacob´s visit comes a day after the US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, who arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday, wrapped her visit to Nepal.

According to a press statement issued by US Embassy in Kathmandu, the visit will primarily focus on the issue of inter-country adoption from Nepal.

Countries: United States of America, Nepal

Parliament ratifies European Convention on Adoption of Children

Today at 11:29 | Interfax-Ukraine

The Verkhovna Rada has ratified the European Convention on the Adoption of Children.

A total of 288 of the 418 MPs registered in the hall voted for the ratification of the document on February 15.

The convention establishes the requirements for the adoption process and lists the people whose permission must be obtained in the adoption procedure.

Organizations: Council of Europe

Countries: Ukraine

Attorney, wife file amended complaint in botched international adoption case

2/15/2011 1:21 PM By Amelia Flood

An Edwardsville attorney and his wife have filed an amended complaint in a suit over a botched international adoption.

Madison County Associate Judge Clarence Harrison II is set to hear motions in the case at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 18.

The new complaint filed by attorney Patrick Stufflebeam and his wife, Stacey Stufflebeam, includes 22 counts over infliction of emotional distress, fraud and respondent superior liability claims.

Organizations: Lifelink international adoptions

Countries: United States of America

Heartbreak in Ethiopia/FLY AWAY CHILDREN

Heartbreak in Ethiopia By Mary Ann Jolley for Foreign Correspondent Posted 55 minutes ago Updated 32 minutes ago Gone: Munera Ahmed sits with a photo of her child. After her husband left she gave up two of her children, and when her family found out they took her remaining child away from her. (Foreign Correspondent) Sit for any time in the foyer of the Hilton Hotel in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, and you'll see a procession of Americans and Europeans wandering from their rooms across the marble floor to the restaurant or swimming pool with their precious new possessions - babies or infants they've just adopted. I'd never really thought a great deal about international adoption until I was confronted with the scene as I checked into the hotel in September last year. I'd arrived to film a story for ABC TV's Foreign Correspondent program about the drought-induced famine. The longer I stayed, the more I started to think about the adopted children - where they were from and how they must feel to suddenly find themselves alone with someone whose skin colour doesn't match theirs and whose language they don't speak. They're dressed in alien attire - a brand new Red Sox baseball cap and T-shirt with some cute and cheery foreign slogan plastered across the front - and in an environment like none they've ever seen, when just out on the street is the one they know so well, where their extended family and fellow countrymen reside. There was something incredibly disturbing about seeing international adoption en masse. All these children about to leave their country to begin a new life in a faraway place, disconnected from their heritage and culture. Out on the street where poverty and hardship prevail, my attitude softened. While I was filming at the produce market in Addis Ababa a little urchin appeared beside me. She had short hair and was wearing a torn, faded dress with sash tales hanging loosely from the waist at both sides, and shoes with no laces. Her toes exposed where the leather had worn through. She would have been about nine or 10, but she was already working; her job was to sweep up the rubbish in the markets. "Miss," she said, "Americana?" "No." I nodded with a smile as I rushed off to catch up with the crew. "Where are you from?" She was at my side again. "Australia," I replied, thinking in my ignorance that her next question would be, "Where's Australia?" But, no, she knew it was the land of the kangaroos and wanted to know if I could take her back so she could go to school. "I would love to," I said, impressed by her request. "But unfortunately I can't." I was hoping, I must admit, that would be enough to send her and her friends back to work, but she persisted. "Do you have any pens for me?" "Sorry, I don't," I replied, quite surprised she was asking for pens and not, as is usually the case, money. "What about paper? Do you have any paper for me for school?" I didn't have anything on me because I'd been told to leave my bag in the car to avoid pickpockets. I felt terrible that I couldn't help her. Here was this child desperate to write and learn, but instead of being at school she was dragging rotten fruit and vegetables from the mud and slush between the stalls. What obvious potential she had. Imagine what she could achieve if I could take her back to school in Australia. Perhaps adoption is the answer, I thought to myself. But that was an emotional reaction. It would be almost a year before I would have the chance to dwell seriously on the subject. In July I was on a plane heading back. Seedy underbelly Ethiopia is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, which requires international adoptions be used only as a last resort after all domestic adoption options have been exhausted. There is overwhelming evidence to prove it is far better for a child to remain with its family or, if that's not possible, with another family in his or her own country than to be shipped off overseas. But in Ethiopia today it seems it's not about what's best for the child, but rather meeting the demand of foreigners wanting a child. There are more than 70 private international adoption agencies operating in Ethiopia. None of them are Australian. In Australia, international adoptions are a Government affair and strict regulations help to keep the process transparent. Almost half the agencies in Ethiopia are unregistered, some doing whatever they can to find children to satisfy the foreign market. While there are more than 5 million legitimate orphans in Ethiopia, a large proportion of these will never be considered for international adoptions. Foreigners prefer younger children - babies to five-year-olds. Older children or those with health problems are more difficult to pitch. So while many children languish in underfunded and overcrowded orphanages, some international adoption agencies are out spruiking in villages asking families to relinquish their children for adoption. It's a phenomenon known as "harvesting" and it's shocking to see. A DVD sent to families wanting to adopt by an American adoption agency, Christian World Adoption, shows one of the agency's workers in full flight surrounded by families and children in a remote community in the south of the country, where the vast majority are evangelical Christians. "If you want your child to go to a Christian American family, you may stay. If you don't want your child to go to America, you should take your child away," she says. The DVD goes on for some hours with the woman introducing each child offered for adoption one at a time. They sit on a bench in between her and their parents or guardians. "Here are two brothers, but only one is available at the moment," she says for one family. For the next she tells how "it's very hard for a widow to care for her children in this culture". "Oh no, you mustn't pick your nose," she says to a child. She then points out a rash on another's face and reassures the viewer it isn't permanent and that it can be healed with treatment. All children are asked to sing the alphabet song made famous on Sesame Street. It reeks of a new colonialism. It's hard to believe it's happening in the 21st century. Parents are often unaware of what they're doing when they offer their children for adoption. They're led to believe they'll hear from their children regularly and their children will be well educated and eventually bring the family wealth. But in reality, the parents and families never hear from their children and receive little information about where their children have gone. We filmed a room full of grieving mothers who gave their children for adoption after agencies promised they'd be given regular updates. Some were even told the agency would help support their remaining children. Their stories are gut-wrenching. No one disputes there is a real need for international adoptions, but for the sake of the children and adoptive parents there needs to be some protection from unscrupulous agencies who purport to be driven by humanitarian interests, but in reality are stuffing their pockets with dirty cash. -Watch Foreign Correspondent on ABC1 at 8pm tonight. Read the full version of A Heartbreaking Assignment at www.abc.net.au/foreign.

.

Countries: Ethiopia, Australia

Organizations: Christian World Adoption

Korea still relies on international adoption

2011-02-13 18:43

Text

Despite a falling birth rate here, many Korean children are still finding their home abroad, a report found Sunday.

Of the total 2,439 children adopted in 2009, 1,125 were sent abroad, slightly down from 1,250 in 2008, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs said.

Adoptions have declined here along with the country’s falling birth rate.

Over the past 10 years, the number of domestic adoptions has decreased from 1,726 in 1999 to 1,314 in 2009, while that of international adoptions has almost halved from 2,409 in 1999.

However, the ratio of international adoption still remains high despite the government’s efforts to encourage domestic adoption.

Korea has sent more than 200,000 children abroad since the 1950-53 Korean War. In 2009, Korea was the fourth-largest “baby-exporting country” to the United States after China, Ethiopia and Rwanda, the U.S. State Department reported.

As reasons for hesitating to adopt a child, according to the institute, 32.1 percent of Koreans surveyed said that they are not sure whether they can love and raise the adopted child like their biological one, while 29.5 percent cited the nation’s family system based on blood ties.

Parents also pointed out financial difficulties (11.9 percent) and social prejudice toward adopted people (11.4 percent), the institute said.

Due to the still prevalent belief that a son carries on a family line, girls younger than three were most favored for adoption, while boys, older children and those with disabilities were less preferred.

Most parents who have adopted a child also said that a child’s health, gender and age were their priority to consider.

“International adoption indicates a decline in young population, with the nation’s birth rate falling. It is a dishonor in the international community, which reflects our society’s evasion of responsibility for baby birth and child care,” said Kim Yoo-kyoung, fellow researcher and author of the report.

“Children adopted abroad are more likely to experience identity crisis and a sense of loss. Due to various conflicts coming from the feelings, they could have difficulty adapting themselves to their adopted family, friends and community.”

Kim stressed that follow-up monitoring, which is currently conducted for six months after adoption, should be extended to cover the adolescent period of the child. She also suggested that government measures be made to help older or handicapped children find a family.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldm.com)

Countries: South Korea

Humanitarian Aid Initiatives of 2010

Humanitarian Aid Initiatives of 2010
Last month, all charitable organizations (NGOs) in Ethiopia had to reregister with the Federal Government of Ethiopia to obtain authorization
to operate in the country. According to the government, each charity is
strictly advised to carry out the implementation of all its programs and
activities in line with the terms of the authorized objectives. During the reregistration process, Better Future Adoption Services became authorized to
implement the following objectives:
1. Promote the well being of orphaned and vulnerable children through
child-welfare and educational programs including but not limited
to quality child sponsorship and kindergarten.
2. Establishing a model maternal and child Health Hospital and
provide curative and preventative health care services by mobilizing
medical volunteers from U.S.A.
3. Provide financial and technical support for at least two
orphanages to build their organizational capacity so they can
provide the children in their orphanage with quality care
4. Establish and run two kindergarten-grade 12th schools in two selected
sites and give orphaned and poor children access to early childhood
development and quality education.
In line with these approved objectives, our humanitarian aid projects have
been structured to currently include the following programs:
Child-welfare and educational program
Through this program, BFAS Supports two partnering orphanages:
Bethzata Children’s Home Association and Yeingda Hitsanat Merja with
financial, in-kind and technical support to improve service quality and
encourage sustainability; These two orphanages give BFAS children for
adoption by our U.S. families: The support we provide them include and
not limited to:
? Financial contribution towards their overhead cost in the amount
$2,000 per month ($4,000 per month for the two orphanages)
? Sponsor 300 children for both orphanages ($20/child/month)
? In-kind support: clothing, shoes, toys, etc.
Crisis Intervention Center
This is a highly needed project and will be the first of its kind in Ethiopia.
This project will provide shelter and legal services for victims of violence
against women and children in Addis Ababa (victims of rape, battered
women and children/domestic abuse). The project will feature:
? A four story 10 unit apartment/condominium with self-sufficiency
programs on the 1
st
floor including a coffee shop, Supper Market, hair
shop, etc.
? Emergency call service (like 911 in the U.S.) where victims can call the
police immediately. We will work with the Federal Police
Commission in setting-up this kind of new system.
? Legal service (in collaboration with the court system)
K-12 education
Our plan is to start with kindergarten up to grade 6 and grow from there.
This will generate income towards sustainability of the program. Support
needed include and not limited to:
? Financial to cover rent or construction of one kindergarten – grade 6
facility, administrative cost, staff and teachers’ salary, furniture and
equipment, supplies (school supply, educational toys, play ground
facility, first aid kits, etc.)
? Vehicle (two minibuses for transportation of children).
? Volunteers interested in teaching
Healthcare Project
This Project will mobilize medical professionals from the USA to provide
Maternal and Child Health services at three locations in Oromia. Until we
develop the capacity to build a hospital, BFAS is partnering with the
Ministry Of Health and the

Organizations: Better Future Adoption Services, Bethezatha

Forum: Discussion on Mussie/Bethezatha/CHSFS

Registered: 12/13/05
Posts: 358

	10/02/09 at 08:52 AM	#1

Hi all, I haven't posted on here in quite awhile. We are one of the "oldie" families... my husband and I brought our son Ben (Bekalu) home from ET through CHSFS back in Feb. 2006 (he was five then... just turned nine!!!) The reason for my post is that my husband and I just (two weeks ago) adopted a baby boy, who was adopted from Ethiopia and then disrupted by his first adoptive family because of him having severe special needs that they were not made aware of or were prepared for. (The first adoptive family did not adopt through CHSFS or with AAI, who I work for). Our Noah Biruk is an absolute joy and we are having SO much fun having a baby again!! Anyway, on his initial referral paperwork, it states that he was born in Hadero Tunto and was first in an orphanage down south that is just abbreviated as BCHA. I believe this stands for Bethzatha Children's Home Association. I found reference to this orphanage in one post on the forum, and I was curious if anyone has any info about this place at all? Anyone know where it is exactly? Anyone have pictures? We would be grateful for any info you might have. Thanks!! __________________ Best, Erin Adoption Coordinator for HIV+ children for Adoption Advocates International Happy, blessed mom to 12! http://fullhousehandshearts.typepad.com

MLadopts
Registered: 11/13/07
Posts: 835

	10/02/09 at 10:31 AM	#2

Erin, congratulations on your new addition! How very exciting for you! Tunto is a village maybe some 30 km west/northwest of the town of Hadero (look for the maps that Jonathan and Tony, I think, have posted here... you'll sort of see Hadero on, IIRC, a pink road heading east-west... continue west to Tunto). It's on the road to Mudulla--a graded road, accessible from the Addis-Hossana road. Alas, it is a really food-insecure area. MSF had a feeding center in Tunto last summer and has some really hard to take images of the need there. This USAID report for the current season also singles out Hadero Tunto as one of the most troubled spots right now: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADO393.pdf Bethzatha is a former name of the orphanage in Hossana that CHSFS funds at least in part, and where, it seems, the overwhelming majority of CHSFS children are from. It is now called Mussie. When I was in Hossana, absolutely nobody knew of an orphanage called Bethzatha, though they were all familiar with CHSFS and understood Mussey to equal CHSFS. Bethzatha is, however, a common name and could also refer to a totally different orphanage. If it is, in fact, the CHSFS orphanage in Hossana, there are pictures of the exterior floating around blogs somewhere. In summer of 08, they stoppped allowing adoptive parents to enter the interior for reasons I find completely unconvincing, but CHSFS families still visit the exterior. If you go to Hossana, it wouldn't be hard to find. __________________ ML First-time parent Dossier accepted 11/9/07 Referral 10/7/08 Court approval 12/16/08 Birth certificate 12/29/08 Travel 1/22/09

Bessrny

Registered: 02/12/07
Posts: 1,660

	10/02/09 at 11:31 AM	#3

EDIT: SEE "EDIT" AT END OF POST PLEASE. I could have sworn -- no, I am quite sure -- that the care center we visited in Hosanna (before going on to the CHSFS office/HQ in Hosanna, for the birth-family meetings) was called Bethzatha. Am I wrong? We weren't allowed pix, but there was a coffee tree in the small front yard, at the right; there were clotheslines strung in the yard; there were small unlighted rooms with cribs and babies in pairs in them; and, at the right immediately after coming in the front door, there was a larger unlighted and unfurnished room with babies and toddlers in various states of distress and grief and hunger crawling all around a mat of the floor with their care takers. This was June, 2008. Does anyone else remember being inside Bethzatha? I'm fairly convinced my memory of the name is correct because I know for sure that I spent a long time googling the name, and came up, eventually, with a hospital in Addis with the same name: Bethzatha. (And at the time of our trip I tried to figure out if there was a connection between the Addis Bethzatha hospital and the place I'd seen in Hosanna. And, in fact, I recall someone -- correctly or incorrectly -- told me that, yes, Bethzatha was an Ethiopian organization that partially funded the place we saw in Hosanna.) EDIT: yes, I just checked my notes from the trip, and the Hosanna orphanage/care center we visited in june, 2008, was DEFINITELY called Bathzantha. now, whether or not this is physically the same structure as what is now called "Mussie" in Hosanna, I have no idea.... __________________ Bess East Hampton, NY Referral: 3/5/08 NETTIE TESFANESH, baby girl, 8 months old Court date: MADE IT! April 22 Travel Date: May 29th Home: June 6th, 2008 OFFICIALLY WAITING AGAIN: APRIL 21, 2009

Bessrny

Registered: 02/12/07
Posts: 1,660

	10/02/09 at 11:43 AM	#4

PS: This was a VERY meaningful part of the journey for me, seeing the children in distress, as ours would have been when first coming into care. Very different from meeting the babies in Addis -- after they'd been fed for months, and been under doctors' care for months. I'm sorry to hear parents no longer get the opportunity. And I'm really sorry there has been no explanation of why. (Could it be for disease prevention? Could it be for legal reasons? If there's a good reason, we should be told that reason. Even if the reason is a seemingly "bad" one -- like, they don't want to upset Western parents, or they don't want us to see the conditions there -- i would very much like to hear that reason.) __________________ Bess East Hampton, NY Referral: 3/5/08 NETTIE TESFANESH, baby girl, 8 months old Court date: MADE IT! April 22 Travel Date: May 29th Home: June 6th, 2008 OFFICIALLY WAITING AGAIN: APRIL 21, 2009

melanie

Registered: 12/06/05
Posts: 2,388

	10/02/09 at 12:21 PM	#5

Yes, this is the orphanage that we visited one year ago. Sept of '08. We were one of the last groups allowed inside though no pics were allowed. I belive one of the reasons families were no longer allowed to go inside is that families were "reporting back" how many babies, children etc were in care at the present time. I fully admit I was one of those parents. How can you not??? I don't see what the fuss was all about. But what do I know???..... It is sooooooo sad to me that they don't allow families inside anymore. Perhaps there are other reasons. I hope so because seeing this place was very important to me. both of my children were cared for here. It is part of their story, part of their history...As their mama, I needed to see it... melanie __________________ Melanie wife to John Sam (7), Drew (5) and Owen (4--home 2-4-06). Referral on May 28th 2008 after waiting 8 months and 8 days for sweet Tesfanesh Faith-6.5 weeks old (now 18 months old) praying and wondering and thinking about blessing #5...... Court date-July 7th...made it!! travel sept 10th 2008... "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called"

MLadopts
Registered: 11/13/07
Posts: 835

	10/02/09 at 12:23 PM	#6

Bess, when I asked, we were given two reasons they stopped allowing visits like yours: (1) it is disruptive of the routine for the children; and (2) after some visits in summer 2008, when people were doing the "where are referrals" posts, some people posted that they had seen some children, x number of children, something like that in Bethzatha. So what? CHSFS says that people then called them saying, "I hear there are kids in Hossana, so does that mean referrals are along the way?". Again, I say, so what? Yet CHSFS thought the best response to these calls was NOT the very obvious and easy answer of, "No, not necessarily. Other people may adopt from that orphanage, or those children may or may not be of the age and health range that you are seeking; it's not a direct pipeline. Sorry, but we still don't have any more information on when the next batch will be." Rather, their response was to say "no more visits". To my mind there is absolutely nothing wrong with mentioning the numbers of children there, or the conditions. If some PAPs misuse that information and get their hopes up, that's their problem. As to the first rationale, that it is disruptive, that would hold more water. However, given the conditions you describe; and the fact that these are not classrooms where a lesson is being taught, or isolation wards; and that adults routinely see or look at children who are not legally theirs; that it's at most a small number of families for a few minutes each week; and that we didn't hear anything about it being disruptive until the incidents above; well, I just don't buy it. I think the real reason is to draw a veil over either the conditions there, or the process. Others could draw different conclusions. __________________ ML First-time parent Dossier accepted 11/9/07 Referral 10/7/08 Court approval 12/16/08 Birth certificate 12/29/08 Travel 1/22/09

africamom
Registered: 04/16/09
Posts: 192

	10/02/09 at 01:12 PM	#7

I, like Bess, found this part of the trip to be very moving and important. I am sorry to hear that it has been discontinued, and disappointed to hear the supposed reasons. I'm attaching photos I took of this center. And, yes, I took photos inside, which I was not supposed to do, but my understanding was that the ban against indoor pictures was to prevent photos being taken of children--you'll notice there are no children in my photos. I'm even more inclined to post them, now that future travelers are unlikely to see inside... Attached Files: HosannaOrphanage1.jpg (298.23 KB, 133 views) HosannaOrphanage3.jpg (174.12 KB, 126 views) HosannaOrphanage4.jpg (188.98 KB, 124 views) HosannaOrphanage6.jpg (493.41 KB, 112 views) HosannaOrphanage7.jpg (404.86 KB, 105 views) HosannaOrphanage8.jpg (365.30 KB, 106 views)

supermomerin9

Registered: 12/13/05
Posts: 358

	10/02/09 at 01:20 PM	#8

Thanks so much everybody! I have found that Bethzatha is a very common name in Ethiopia (and many variations on spelling, etc.) although it seems likely that this is where our Noah Biruk was (he was in an orphanage down south... his paperwork says 7-8 hours from Addis... with the initials BCHA). He was there from Feb. until April 2009. He was not adopted through CHSFS though, so I wonder if other agencies are getting children from there as well? Anyway, I could not come up with any other orphanage with those initials or anything even similar, so I think it must be it. Thanks again... especially for the pictures. :) __________________ Best, Erin Adoption Coordinator for HIV+ children for Adoption Advocates International Happy, blessed mom to 12! http://fullhousehandshearts.typepad.com

Bessrny

Registered: 02/12/07
Posts: 1,660

	10/02/09 at 02:02 PM	#9

It's very interesting, hearing the stated reasons for the ban on parental visits. I actually, after I posted, thought about it some more -- and thought I could see a valid reason for not allowing groups of adoptive parents in. But this doesn't seem to be the reason given. Pondering this, I recall that some of the babies and toddlers we saw were, frankly, in states of shock and grief. Some of them -- when we entered, and tried to comfort them, or play with them, or gently re-assure them -- very appropriately responded with howls of fear and alarm. I mean, here they are. Some (all?) have just lost their family. Many are ill, some are malnourished. And these troupes of giant scary white people are tromping in.... Ya know? It occurs to me that if there were a US non-profit caring for traumatized babies and toddlers, they certainly wouldn't let troupes of strangers in, in big bunches. Of course, given the circumstances -- international adoption, and all the issues of transparency, etc -- there ARE other concerns to balance against such a concern as the one above. (Would the importance of transparency outweigh some of the fears of upsetting children further?) But... hmmm.... it doesn't sound like this is one of the explanations given by CHSFS, anyway. Unless.... this is the "disruption" they're talking about? Trying to ease traumatized kids into a scary new life -- horrible, really, without parents -- and the appearance of strangers, however friendly, is a "disruption"? Hmm. Ponder. __________________ Bess East Hampton, NY Referral: 3/5/08 NETTIE TESFANESH, baby girl, 8 months old Court date: MADE IT! April 22 Travel Date: May 29th Home: June 6th, 2008 OFFICIALLY WAITING AGAIN: APRIL 21, 2009

SusanJohnson
Registered: 12/14/05
Posts: 1,078

	10/02/09 at 02:18 PM	#10

Hi Erin, Indeed the Bethanza orphanage was housing children for various adoption agencies. I think that was one of the reasons CHSFS was upset about people saying 'there are 20 babies at the Bethanza orphange' because not all of the children were going to the CHSFS care center. I asked about the process when I was there and I was told that the child would go to whichever agency the birth family had approached. If birth family went to the CHSFS office to relinquish their child than that child would be transferred to the the care center for Children's home, but I was told there were other agency offices in the town of Mudulla. I was allowed to tour the orphanage - it was sad and meager, but I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to meet my sons nanny's. All I had to do was say my son's name and they were hugging me and saying how much they loved him!!! It is too bad they took that opportunity away from families. __________________ Susan and Chuck T(19), B(16), C(13), M 3 1/2(Et-home 12/06),S 2 1/2(Et-home 8/8/08), paperchasing for our 8 year old Ethiopian dauhter - other agency

cndmom
Registered: 06/15/08
Posts: 375

	10/02/09 at 02:29 PM	#11

"I asked about the process when I was there and I was told that the child would go to whichever agency the birth family had approached. If birth family went to the CHSFS office to relinquish their child than that child would be transferred to the the care center for Children's home, but I was told there were other agency offices in the town of Mudulla" Does this mean that it is now legal to relinquish a child directly to an adoption agency? Birth families no longer have to go through an orphanage? Terri

SusanJohnson
Registered: 12/14/05
Posts: 1,078

	10/02/09 at 02:44 PM	#12

(I'm sorry for the confusion I am speaking about what happened in 2008!)I have no idea how the process actually works now. The impression that I got when I was there in 2008 was that when the children came into the orphanage they already knew which facility they would be transferring to. I think it is a new law that children cannot be relinquished directly to Adoption agencies. Isn't that why the children are now not being transferred as quickly to the Children's Home run facility? __________________ Susan and Chuck T(19), B(16), C(13), M 3 1/2(Et-home 12/06),S 2 1/2(Et-home 8/8/08), paperchasing for our 8 year old Ethiopian dauhter - other agency

cndmom
Registered: 06/15/08
Posts: 375

	10/02/09 at 02:53 PM	#13

I thought it was always the case that it was illegal to relinquish a child directly to an agency. My understanding of the new law was that children had to stay in the orphanage until they had passed court and then go to the children's home, not as soon as they were referred as it was before. From my understanding of that law, that is why children are taking longer to be transferred to the children's home. I thought that is why all our children's paperwork comes from an orphanage, because all relinquishments had to be to them. Aren't orphanages supposed to be responsible for investigating the cases to ensure that the paperwork is right? I thought that was the way it has always been, which is why I was surprised to hear the birth families were reliquishing directly to an agency. Terri

Kim
Registered: 12/06/05
Posts: 641

	10/02/09 at 03:03 PM	#14

Erin, congratulations! I peeked on your blog, and your son is so cute. Those little cheeks! __________________ Kim Charlottesville, Virginia Son, B., born in Lemu, Ethiopia 12-20-2003 Home 9-9-2006

Bessrny

Registered: 02/12/07
Posts: 1,660

	10/02/09 at 04:08 PM	#15

Erin: Bingo!! I found a business card, among my notes, from a fellow named Samuel Getahun, the general manager of Bethzatha Children's Home Association. I have his phone, email, mailing address. (I can only vaguely recall meeting him. Altho the address on the card is in Addis, I think we actually did meet him in Hosanna. I might be mistaken, but.... a youngish fellow, well-spoken, who showed us around.) . If you want the details, I can give them to you, if you PM me? PS: Clearly your BCHA is indeed the organization that was at that time running CHSFS's Bethzatha. (Aka, now "Mussie." And... under whose jurisdiction? CHSFS's directly? Confused.) __________________ Bess East Hampton, NY Referral: 3/5/08 NETTIE TESFANESH, baby girl, 8 months old Court date: MADE IT! April 22 Travel Date: May 29th Home: June 6th, 2008 OFFICIALLY WAITING AGAIN: APRIL 21, 2009

Organizations: Children's Home Society & Family Services, Minnesota (CHSFS), Mussie orphanage (Ethiopia), Bethezatha

Forum: Children's Home Society & Family Services Forums - Ethiopia - New Newsletter is out!!

Children's Home Society & Family Services Forums - Ethiopia - New Newsletter is out!! Author Comment keithandshel Registered: 05/25/08 Posts: 932 01/07/09 at 07:21 PM There's a new newsletter out. It was emailed about an hour ago. According to the newsletter there are 88 children referred right now to 82 families. WOW!:eek: That is way more than I thought, but given that only about 1/3 of the waiters on on "The List" it does add up. Currently, there are 29-30 families on the list with referrals either waiting for court or to pick up their kids. There are 362 families waiting for referral. Anyway, look for the email. I know this was a topic of interest a few days ago. Keith jennicolucci Registered: 02/13/08 Posts: 105 01/07/09 at 07:45 PM Does that mean that those referrals were given out in just Dec./Jan? So, is that about 40 referrals a month? Shannoncl Registered: 07/06/08 Posts: 392 01/07/09 at 08:12 PM am i reading right that they placed only 280 something children in 2008? isn't that down from the last two years? I wonder if this is in effort to relieve pressure on system?? tralo Registered: 08/22/07 Posts: 100 01/07/09 at 08:27 PM Yes, I am also confused about the 88 referrals. Is that part of the 2008 count, or just 2009? Ok, I'll have to e-mail my specialist and get to the bottom of this! JB Registered: 01/09/08 Posts: 766 01/07/09 at 08:31 PM I believe the 88 referrals includes us with 08 referrals. It would be absolutely CRAZY if 88 kids were referred in the past 7 days. OZMom Registered: 12/07/06 Posts: 423 01/07/09 at 08:55 PM When do they stop sending this to a family? We just passed our one-year mark and this is the first one I haven't received... bummer!!!! (maybe I am impatient?) Angie red4raggle Registered: 04/21/08 Posts: 240 01/07/09 at 09:05 PM We're only in our fifth month of waiting, and we didn't get it either...I guess I'll email our specialist. LAllierFamily Registered: 03/31/08 Posts: 276 01/07/09 at 09:08 PM I'm wondering about the Mussie Orphanage in Addis. It says CHS-ET will not operate a foster care center in Addis anymore, but financially and logistically support Mussie. My question is... are they referring to the care centers that CHSET operates when they mention the foster care center, or is this some separate extension CHS that I didn't know about. Just curious what the implications would be if the care centers stopped operating like they do, wondering when (if at all) kids would come into CHS care before we travel), thinking of all the employees at CHS-ET care center that could be affected, I guess... just mulling it all over. Any input? Can someone enlighten me? Thanks. :) sebastianseven Registered: 05/03/07 Posts: 1,163 01/07/09 at 10:31 PM Sara, I was also surprised to see that CHS would no longer be operating their Care Center. It did say that their foster care staff would be integrated into the orphanage. But it is an orphanage, as it says that not all children will be matched for adoption. Does anyone know when this happened? Or if it has happened yet? Gabrielsmom Registered: 06/02/06 Posts: 826 01/07/09 at 10:41 PM I'm really confused by all this new care center v old care center - foster care vs orphanage stuff. I thought Mussie was going to be like a feeder orphanage to the CHSFS care center? And that one benefit of the Ethiopia program was that our children were cared for by CHS Ethiopia staff who were therefore more accountable to CHSFS. Is there anyone out there with a really firm grasp on this who'd mind summarizing? And what happens if a child comes from Hosanna vs coming from Addis Ababa? Will they always go through Mussie? parents2b Registered: 09/30/06 Posts: 795 01/07/09 at 11:19 PM I swear that Mussie is the name of the Care Center. I didn't get the newsletter, but that is very very strange that CHS-ET would no longer be running it. Who would??!? MLadopts Registered: 11/13/07 Posts: 811 01/07/09 at 11:48 PM That newsletter was written so very carefully that it didn't inspire a lot of confidence. Personally, I think these changes are just on paper and that "Mussie" and "CHSFS" and the now-defunct "Bethzatha" are just shell corporations/NGO for the same outfits. Obviously CHSFS has put a lot of effort recently into compartmentalizing different componenets of their identity, like really making distinctions between Minnesota and "CHSFS Ethiopia"--as opposed to "our staff in Ethiopia." My deep concerns are that I wanted a vertically integrated adoption agency, with accountability--accountability from Minnesota--and I think all these layers of corporate identities are a way of shielding that. I visited the Addis "Mussie" -- the building showed in the picture -- not even 3 weeks ago, and nobody even hinted that it was anything other than the CHSFS foster care center. (As I wrote in a previous post, the old care center no longer exists--everyone had moved to the new one, aka Mussie, in late November or early December). All the staff indicated just that the care center had moved. So I really can't see how this is much of a change on the ground. And despite waht they say, I don't have any reason to think they care for any kids other than those in the international adoption pipeline. I also was looking for Bethzatha orphanage in Hossana and nobody knew of an organization of that name. They all knew CHSFS, but not that. I stood right in front of the "Mussey" orphanage down there--and only today learned that is the name change for what was Bethzatha--same outfit--and I was standing in the place my daughter lived. pierniki Registered: 07/18/07 Posts: 767 01/08/09 at 12:01 AM Should I still be getting a newsletter even though Mihret's been home since summer?? MLadopts Registered: 11/13/07 Posts: 811 01/08/09 at 12:12 AM mary, i should think so--adoption doesn't end with placement, and a lot of the newsletter focuses on post-placement. write them and ask to be on the list. Ali Registered: 01/01/06 Posts: 2,021 01/08/09 at 12:16 AM I don't think a lack of accountability to CHSFS is going to be a problem. This is one of those times when I marvel at the complexity of adoptions across the lines of two sovereign nations. nogreaterjoy Registered: 07/04/08 Posts: 634 01/08/09 at 01:02 AM I didnt get the newsletter either, and our son has only been home for 4 weeks! hmmmm....... keithandshel Registered: 05/25/08 Posts: 932 01/08/09 at 01:04 AM The 88 children that are referred refers to children that have been referred, but have not yet been picked up. If you will recall, this includes every referral since court re-opened. Cindy and Roger (nogreaterjoy) are the only ones I know of that have picked up their child since courts re-opened. I think there have been some more, but all of those referrals came either right before or during court closure. The group that is traveling next week received referrals the first week in OCTOBER. So the 88 children that they are referring to includes every child referred in the past 3 months. Hope that helps clarify. Keith keithandshel Registered: 05/25/08 Posts: 932 01/08/09 at 01:06 AM P.S. The newsletter is distributed on behalf of the ET Team, but it actually comes from Kristina. If you want to get it and you don't, I'd advise either talking to your specialist or directly to Kristina Berg. Keith agildenzoph Registered: 03/22/07 Posts: 465 01/08/09 at 01:50 AM I have gotten every newsletter until this one - my girl has been home for 8 months and I love reading them. Hopefully, they are still sending this out to the rest of us! keithandshel Registered: 05/25/08 Posts: 932 01/08/09 at 01:54 AM Check your junk mail. I find stuff in my junk mail folder all the time that gets filtered when it is sent to a distribution list. Keith DaniWestRN Registered: 12/08/05 Posts: 3,659 01/08/09 at 02:06 AM I didn't get this one either and I usually do. ML thanks for you comments. I find all of this very interesting! I also do not understand why CHSFS can not be more forthcoming with how things actually work like some other agencies. keithandshel Registered: 05/25/08 Posts: 932 01/08/09 at 02:31 AM Does everyone know that you can get these updates on CHSFS's website? The new one is not there yet, but all the others are. To access them follow these steps... 1. Login to CHSFS's website using the login you received when you applied. 2. Click on International Adoption 3. Click on Country Specific Forms & Updates 4. Click on Ethiopia Monthly Updates They are all there. Keith nogreaterjoy Registered: 07/04/08 Posts: 634 01/08/09 at 08:41 AM I have no idea if this helps any of you - but, when my husband traveled on Dec. 4th - there were 2 othe families that traveled then to. And, he said there were, at that time, 72 children - and all but one of them had been "matched" with their new families. Since that time, I dont know how many families have traveled, but certainly not enough to bring home 72 children. Just wanted to share what I knew. Gabrielsmom Registered: 06/02/06 Posts: 826 01/08/09 at 08:45 AM ML - thanks for your explanation. I know what you mean about accountability but the only assumption I can make is that having a more compartmentalized pipeline must be what the Ethiopian government is looking for to avoid the possibility of corruption down the line. However, if they're different organizations in name only (and who's to say at this point?), I wonder how it really helps? Ali Registered: 01/01/06 Posts: 2,021 01/08/09 at 09:33 AM Rachel, my assumption is the same as yours -- that in fact, it shouldn't look like a pipeline. So much has changed since the program began -- CHSFS and the others who were in country firsts did so much to enable the development of the necessary infrastructure for international adoption. (I also think the timing is interesting re: the new ngo law, perhaps responding to the same government climate but probably coincidental). Eastiopian Registered: 10/16/08 Posts: 144 01/08/09 at 10:20 AM I would like to get a better explanation of these changes from CHSFS ET. I am going to start by emailing my case worker. I want to know 1) what impact this has on the children first and foremost, then 2) what impact this has on the trained caregivers & who all will be now caring for the children (their training and ratios), 3) the impact this has on accountability and oversight, 4) the advantages and disadvantages this has on CHSFS as a company in Ethiopia. 5) what impact this has on adoptive families via communication, record keeping, life-books, updates, etc. Anything else I can add to my email to my social worker? heather7734 Registered: 02/12/07 Posts: 445 01/08/09 at 03:11 PM I don't have an answer to the question except that WHFC recently had the same thing happen. WHFC is reporting that adoption agencies are no longer allowed to house children who aren't referred. I believe WHFC kids move into their guest house/care center after they pass court. This move is most likely related to the same new law. CHSFS would be able to clarify this better.

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Organizations: Bethezatha, Children's Home Society & Family Services, Minnesota (CHSFS), Mussie orphanage (Ethiopia)

Countries: Ethiopia

LETTER OF THE DAY: Jamaica's agonising adoption process

LETTER OF THE DAY: Jamaica's agonising adoption process

Published: Saturday | February 12, 2011 8 Comments

THE EDITOR, Sir:

It is a crying shame to see that our children who have been neglected by their biological parents are also being neglected by the Government of this country. Families who are willing to give these children a proper home, love and a place in society are being frustrated by our uncaring leaders and the inefficient processes that they oversee.

I have been in the process of adopting a child since August 2009 and, to date, the process is yet to be completed notwithstanding the following:

All documents were submitted August 2009.

I have completed the required interview.

The mandatory home visit was completed by an officer of the Child Development Agency (CDA) in August 2010.

I have been told that all that remains to be done is for the committee/board to meet, review the case and sign off, and then it goes to the courts for ratification, Alas! Why is the process so slow? This is simply slackness and shame on the part of the minister of health and the Government, by extension.

There are many families who have the desire to adopt but have become so frustrated that many more of our children will be left to many ills like what took place at Armadale or the repeated incidents of children running away from children homes and ending up on Portmore's 'Back Road' in so-called massage parlours, or in gangs, partly because of the heartlessness of those who lead.

The best gift you can give, Mr Minister, is the chance of a better life to an abandoned child. Put the committee in place to review the cases that are now ready for closure. Or better yet, review the whole adoption process and save the life of a child.

I am, etc.,

FRUSTRATED

PROSPECTIVE

ADOPTIVE MOM

Countries: Jamaica

Adoption Moratorium Lifted

Adoption Notice

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues

Adoption Moratorium Lifted

February 10, 2011

Kenya and the United States are party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (“Hague”). As such, all adoptions between Kenya and the United States initiated after April 1, 2008, must meet the requirements of the Hague Convention and its U.S. and Kenya law counterparts. The Government of Kenya is still in the process of amending its laws to mirror the procedural requirements of the Convention. In late 2010, Kenya adopted a new constitution and the government is currently drafting hundreds of pieces of legislation required to implement the provisions of the new constitution. Due to this legislative back-log, legislation that will bring Kenya into full compliance with the Hague Convention may not be enacted for quite some time.
new

Until it is, Kenya’s Department of Children’s Services is willing to make administrative adjustments that will allow it to follow the procedural framework required by the Hague Convention. International adoptions that meet Hague Convention requirements can now be processed in Kenya. However, until Kenya’s international adoption laws are finalized, serious delays, expense, uncertainly, and difficulties could still arise with the Hague adoption process. The Department of State therefore advises American citizens to proceed with caution when deciding whether or not to adopt from Kenya.

Countries: Kenya, United States of America