Emergency Campaign For Ethiopia

Many in the adoptive community have heard this past week of an article that sent shock waves through our core.


Read it here.


I am stunned by the recent news from the Ethiopian government that they are decreasing adoptions by up to 90 percent, effective this week. Not only is this a scary time for our family, and the many other families waiting to bring their children home into a safe, permanent, loving family, but this decision will have severe and lasting impact on the children of Ethiopia. It is my understanding that the Ethiopian government receives approximately $2-3,000 per adoption. Where money is exchanged, the chance for corruption may occur.

I understand that the Ethiopian government feels compelled to make such a drastic change in their policy in order to implement ethical and legal adoptions and to prevent child trafficking. I would feel devastated to think that somewhere down the line my child was tricked into being placed for adoption. But, I feel that the individuals involved in the trafficking should be punished, not the entire population of children who need a permanent home. These children may end up institutionalized for up to 7 years. Not only will this decision impact children, but hotels, restaurant owners, tourist events, and the marketplace. A drastic cut from 4,000 adoptions worldwide a year to only 500.


Will you help? Here is how:

Click here to go to their website which I have cut and pasted below:

1) Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on!

2) Have you adopted from Ethiopia? Please send us up to 3 photos and 50 words or less with what you would like the Ministry to know about your child – we’ll compile the information and send a book to the Ministry of Woman’s, Children’s and Youth Affairs. Send your photos and stories to advocate@jointcouncil.org by Sunday, March 12, 2011 to be included. Please note that sending photos and stories gives Joint Council unrestricted right to use the information you provide.

3) Share…Please send this Call to Action to family members, other adoptive parents, and everyone you know! Post, forward and share your adoption stories via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Make sure you include us in your posts so we can all hear your stories! Here’s links to our pages: Facebook, Twitter and our blog.

4) Stay informed: Get up-to-date information regarding the situation in Ethiopia by signing up to receive information from us: click here to do so, make sure you choose “country and issues specific information” and “Ethiopia.” And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and our blog

5) Help ensure our advocacy can continue: Joint Council is a non-profit and receives no government funding. Please join us in ensuring more children live in safe, permanent and loving families. Donate today!


PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!!!
As you can imagine this is a huge blow. It is not 100% at this point so please pray with us for the children that could be affected. This is devastating news if this is to come about. We don't even know what this would mean for our adoption process.

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