Ethiopian Orphanage Closures

PEAR has been aware of rumors concerning impending revocation of orphanage licenses in Ethiopia since early spring of 2011. Beginning in July, we were made aware that the closures were imminent. We contacted the US department of State and the US Embassy in Addis Ababa for input and confirmation of the license revocations. On July 21, the US department of State publicly confirmed the license revocation of the Mussie Children’s Home in Hosanna in an Adoption Notice, which we published on our blog: http://pear-now.blogspot.com/2011/07/dos-adoption-notice-orphanage-closures.html

At this time, we are attempting to gather as much information to confirm further revocations and any affect they may have on the children and on prospective families. Rumors are plentiful and we understand the anxiety that many families are currently experiencing as well as the frustration of attempting to get accurate and complete information. We are interested in clearing up rumors, so we hope to provide prospective families, regardless of agency, with the following information:

1. What are the names of the orphanages that have had their licenses revoked?
2. Are the revocations temporary or permanent?
3. Where are the children?
4. What steps are ASPs taking to assess the condition of the children and ensure their safety and well being?
5. What affect, if any, will there be on referred children in the adoption process?
6. Are any orphanage directors or personnel in police custody?
7. Have any criminal charges been lodged against orphanage directors and/or personnel?
What reasons are being given for the revocations/closings?

We have attempted to contact the Ethiopian authorities but have had no success. We are in continuous contact with the US Department of State, Office of Children’s Issues and the US Embassy in Addis Ababa, neither has been unable to confirm any further information or answer any questions concerning the revocations. From the information provided by DOS and the US Embassy in Addis, we assume that the Ethiopian government is not being prompt in notifying our government concerning the closures and the whereabouts of the children. This is similar to the situation during the previous closures in 2010.

We are now in the process of providing a list of questions to APSs working in Ethiopia and will report any answers they provide to us. To date, we have confirmed the following revocations and information:

1.What are the names of the orphanages that have had their licenses revoked?

Mussie Children’s Care Center, Hosanna/Hosana (previously called Bethzaida, Beth Saida)(CHSFS, Bethany, Holt)
Enat Alem in Awassa (Adoption Associates)
Special Mission Development Association, Hadiya Zone (WACAP)

Between 8 and 48 orphanages have had or will soon have their licenses revoked.

2. Are the revocations temporary or permanent?

It may be possible for the orphanages to reapply or appeal the license revocation, but the process for this remains unclear.

3.Where are the children?

Children from Mussie have been transferred to Kingdom Vision International in Wolyita.

4. What steps are ASPs taking to assess the condition of the children and ensure their safety and well being?

Awaiting responses from ASPs.

5. What affect, if any, will there be on referred children in the adoption process?

Unsure at this point

6. Are any orphanage directors or personnel in police custody?

According to CHSFS, the director of the Mussie orphanage is being held by police but no charges have been filed, another employee was briefly retained and then released without charges.

7. Have any criminal charges been lodged against orphanage directors and/or personnel?

Unknown at this point

8. What reasons are being given for the revocations/closings?

The three orphanages above were cited for failing to provide local humanitarian services and merely serving as a gateway for children destined for intercountry adoption. Licenses can be revoked for the following reasons:

Providing no, or very little, humanitarian aid in addition to adoption services
Providing care only for children for international adoption – not offering even temporary child care to assist local birth families in need (as a community service)
Poorly documented or mishandled paperwork
Insufficient space for the number of children
Inadequate staffing
Lack of compliance with regional or federal regulations
Documented proof of substandard care of children
Other negative actions affecting the care of children

Responses will be updated as they come in from ASPs. Anyone with further information, please contact the US Department of State at AskCI@state.gov and PEAR at reform@pear-now.org.

Persons interested in additional information are encouraged to visit the following blogs:
REFORM Talk : http://reformtalk.blogspot.com/2011/07/ethiopia-orphanage-closures-and-us.html
Finding Fernanda: http://networkedblogs.com/kQZwO

Ethics, Transparency, Support
~ What All Adoptions Deserve.
http://www.pear-now.org/