In this issue:
- Letter from Merrily and Ted
- The power situation in Ethiopia
- Waiting children in Ghana
The critical power shortage in Ethiopia
Ethiopia, and Ghana to a lesser extent, are both experiencing power shortages. Latest reports from Ethiopia indicate that power is off for 18 hours per day, every other day in Addis and surrounding areas. This has been a huge setback to the economy with factories closing and, of course, our adoption work has slowed. The offices where paperwork such as birth certificates and passports are issued simply cannot function as usual. Let us hope the rains come soon to refill the dangerously low lakes behind the hydroelectric dams. Read more at this link.
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Mary and Joseph
wait for a family at Eban House
children. The children only began their education in the past year. Their future family will need to be fully aware of the challenges and rewards of older child adoption, and be willing to help Mary and Joseph meet their full potential in life.
Dear Friends,
Yesterday a two year old boy, Eyasu, was placed in our care in Ethiopia. He was born without arms. His father was so upset when he was born that he committed suicide. The mother kept him hidden from neighbors, afraid of their “hatred,” according to our social worker. Finally local welfare authorities became aware of him and asked if AAI could possibly help.
Temesgen, our new country representative in Ethiopia, wrote to ask if we could possibly intake such a child at Opportunity House (OH), AAI’s facility for children with special needs. I wrote right back to tell him that we would be happy to care for Eyasu at OH, and that finding an adoptive family for him should not be difficult. Our social worker reported that the mother was overwhelmed with gratitude when she left him. She had contemplated killing him as she knew he could not have a normal life in Ethiopia, but she could not bring herself to do it.
I recalled two children that we placed from Taiwan years ago, both were missing arms. So this morning I made some calls and learned that one of these children is now a junior in college, a leader in her dorm, majoring in accounting, and has traveled all over the world. The other is a sophomore in college and returns home each weekend to help care for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease. I spent a little time with both of these young people a couple of years ago and it is amazing, but you really don’t notice their disabilities. So I am confident of a bright future for Eyasu.
I am very grateful that we have Opportunity House where kids like Eyasu can receive extra care and stimulation to help them reach their true potential. The proceeds from AAI’s Quilt Raffle will benefit OH this year. There are no more ticket books available in the office for sale (yeah!) but if you would like to purchase tickets by mail, contact Susan Poisson-Dollar at susanpd@adoptionadvocates.org. We have also recently developed a sponsorship program so that individuals can sponsor a child there, which will be a big help with our expenses. Contact Brooke Cole at brooke@adoptionadvocates.org if you would like to sponsor an Opportunity House child.
The facility currently housing Opportunity House is too small. At this time there are two deaf children and a blind girl waiting to be admitted, but we simply have no space. The search continues for larger and more suitable quarters. A compound just across from Layla House with lots of outdoor play area was identified but the weekend before the planned move, the owner decided not to rent. Apparently he didn’t want his property occupied by “those children,” so strong is the stigma in Ethiopia. So the hunt continues and we hope for good news on that soon. Our dream is to eventually purchase a facility for Opportunity House so we will not have to depend on landlords.
This past month saw a move to a larger compound for Eban
House in Ghana. That program has grown steadily and there were 30 children packed into Eban House. A much larger compound was located and a very favorable rent negotiated, so moving occurred last week. This facility has much more outdoor space with trees. The classroom space is larger as is the bedroom space and we expect to be able to house up to 60 children there in the future. You can see more photos of the new Eban House here.
We feel fortunate to be in a position to help in these countries. There are many needs and we try to be alert and ready to move in the directions where need is the greatest. Please check our new blog here to read news and stories about AAI and its adoptive families. We are ever grateful to our friends and supporters for your gifts and assistance.
Merrily and Ted
Adoption Advocates International www.adoptionadvocates.org