So below are two emails posted from our agency on the Yahoo Groups we belong to - the first was slightly discouraging, but then I"m like - they are doing so much with the right things and more orphanages are coming on board. So we'll be fine. But I was confused as I know families have been traveling to ET - so it was pleasant to then see the next email below - I was very happy to hear MORE good news on all the families traveling. I know many have waited a while - about a year - so that will work out wonderful.
Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we have been submitting our paperwork to the agency for review before we go to the Great Seal of MI - they verify our notaries I guess. Anyhow - and all the other paperwork we are doing and working on saving right now. Thanks for the prayers and support.
Love
Gail
Posted 1/5/11
Dear Families~
This post is mainly for those of you waiting for a referral, but has some information for all of you.
If you are waiting, you are well aware that we have had a real slow down of referral activity over the last few months. We really appreciate the patience that you have had and also ask for continued patience.
We are currently working with 4 orphanages (EnatAlem-Addis, EnatAlem-Awassa, EVADO (Awassa), and Engida (Addis).
We very recently discontinued working with Africa's Village Orphanage (in Addis), due to our concern with the orphanage's standards. There is absolutely no evidence of any unethical actions or behaviors practiced by the orphanage, however, we were having trouble obtaining clearance from the government office for additional referrals. The reason we have been given is because the orphanage is not up to the government's standards. Because of this, we are unable to continue working with them. Although this is unfortunate, there have been three beautiful children placed, through AAI, from this orphanage and we are thankful that they have forever families.
Engida is a small orphanage and, although, we are pleased with the care and love provided to the children there, we have only had two placements. The manager of this orphanage is in the process of working with another larger location about 560 km east of Addis. Alemu recently visited this location and was very impressed; he feels strongly that we would be able to have a good number of referrals through them. If all goes as planned we will begin working with this orphanage in the next 6-8 weeks.(maybe sooner)
We continue to work with both EnatAlem orphanages as well as EVADO. When I was in Ethiopia I met some of the children that we are expecting to be referred to our agency, however, I have not yet received paperwork on any of them. I am so hoping to very soon.
I'm sure that the lack of referrals is discouraging to you. Please know that we are always looking for other options, in regards to other orphanages, in order to serve our families the best way possible. I think you are all still within the range of wait time you were originally told, however, it's natural to have hope it will happen sooner.
Please continue to be patient and feel free to ask questions that you might have.
Posted 1/6/11
Dear Families~
After reading my post from yesterday and also getting a few responses from families, I feel that maybe my post yesterday was more negative that what I intended to be. I should have included the positive action that is going on right now. Please read below for some great news:
-We have two families that have been in Ethiopia on their first trip to meet their children. One family is adopting a 4(boy) & 6(girl) year old and the other one an infant boy. Both families should be heading to the airport to come home within a few hours.
-We also have two families in Ethiopia right now that were scheduled for the embassy appointments today. They should be set to bring their children home (2 1/2 year old boy and infant boy) in the next two days.
-We also had one family bring their infant boy home last week.
-In addition to this, we have 4 families waiting for clearance for travel from the embassy. We expect that they will bring their children home sometime within the next 2-4 weeks. (3 yr old girl, two infant girls, two 3 year old boys, and one 2 year old boy).
-Finally, we had a family return from their first trip just before Christmas. They are expecting to travel to bring their children (3 & 5 yrs) home sometime in the next month or so.
I hope you find all this encouraging. You too will be at this stage in a matter of time,
~Sally
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