Every week, we receive a newsletter regarding Ethiopian adoption from our agency. This adoption will be different from Nate's, in that we will have to make 2 short trips to Africa, appear before a judge in Ethiopia, and different paperwork requirements must be met. Below is the latest newsletter on what we would expect from our first trip to Ethiopia:
ETHIOPIA UPDATE 8-6-10
Dear Families,
Hope you’re looking forward to a great weekend.
1ST TRIP (OF 2 TRIPS)
Our first group of families to travel for the 1st trip of the new 2 trip process has returned to the US after visiting their children and giving their consent to the judge to adopt the child that they were referred. I think the greatest words that the families heard during their entire trip was when the judge said “He’s (she’s) yours”.
After arriving at court in the morning with a Children’s Hope representative with them, the 7 families found themselves in a full room with other families nervously waiting to present themselves before the judge. The families were called one by one (as a couple) into the judges chambers to answer a series of questions and give their consent to the adoption. Families reported that the judge was so pleasant and seemed genuinely excited and happy for them and glad to hear their stories. This made the families feel more at ease. The entire hearing for each family took on average about 5 minutes. Some of the questions that the judge asked were about the children (if any) that the couple may have already at home – their ages, gender, etc., how were their children at home prepared for the adoption; why the couple wanted to adopt, why from Ethiopia, questions asked about addressing the race and cultural identity of the child; if the couple had actually meet the child that they were referred and the couples consent to adopt the child - then “He’s (she’s) yours”. The adoption was approved at that point. There is still a lot of paperwork that has to be done now in order for the children to come home (adoption decree, passport, birth certificate, visa medical, TB testing – for children 2yrs and over), but the judges’ approval made the adoption final. Families were also reminded that the adoption can not be overturned in Ethiopia once it has been approved by the judge.
Both parents are asked to appear in court for the first trip. However there will be exceptions made for families who have a valid reason as to why the other parent can not attend. This reason has to be documented in a letter to the court along with a Power of Attorney from the non travelling spouse.
Regarding the families leaving their children behind in Ethiopia until they return for the 2nd trip to bring the child home, one family mentioned that it gives them an opportunity to prepare their home and family for the new child now. They know his personality, what size clothes to purchase and just what he will need when he comes home. They called it a blessing to know what to expect and how to parent him. They also mentioned that the care that the children receive for the staff at the HOH (House of Hope) is excellent and therefore they had no reservations leaving their child as they know that he is in very good hands.
The time in country is only 3-4 days for the first trip. These families were able to visit their children more than one time on this trip. All of the families who could, stayed at the HOH guest house and they bonded so well together that they are looking forward to going back together as a group for the second time. Keep in mind that it is very likely that the group that you travel with on the 1st trip will be the same group that you will travel with on the 2nd trip, but not always. For example, if a family’s passport, fingerprints or CIS approval are close to expiring and they have to get documents renewed after returning from the 1st trip, depending on the timing of receiving those documents back, it could push someone off schedule as far as traveling with their original group for the 2nd trip. Therefore, please always stay mindful of when your CIS approval and fingerprints expire - even your passport, if you have had it for a while, and have them renewed so that there are no delays later. On average we expect a 5-6 week wait between court approval and travel.
Two more families will be traveling home this weekend with their new children. Congratulations!
ETHIOPIA STATS FROM JULY
__8_children home to _8_ families
__4_ girls _4 boys
__0_ sibling groups __0_ set of twins
__1_ single completed this month. After transferring from the Vietnam program after its closure and waiting 14 months for a referral in the Ethiopia program.
As of today
_ 44_ dossier families on the waiting list for a referral
_ 22_ families with a referral waiting to travel
103 families in the Home Study/dossier prep stage
