This past weekend, PEAR was forwarded a letter from the US Embassy in Addis to US Adoption Service Providers. We understand that some, but not all agencies have informed their clients of the letter and new USE scrutiny of cases involving the Gelgela Orphanage. We believe it is important for adopting and adoptive families to have this information so we …
Category: Ethiopia
PEAR launches Adoptive Parent Survey on Ethiopia Adoptions
Over the past two years, PEAR has received numerous comments and complaints concerning adoptions from Ethiopia. PEAR has launched a survey for US citizens who are adopting from or have adopted from Ethiopia. The survey requires you to give PEAR your contact information which will not be published. The survey can be accessed at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22ACQ3YKFXA PEAR intends to report results …
UDATE: Ethiopia – Australian Government Set to Reopen Program
Australian Government, Attorney-General’s Office Future of the Ethiopia–Australian Intercountry Adoption Program The Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, has decided to lift the suspension of the Ethiopia–Australia intercountry adoption program. The program will recommence accepting new referrals of children in need of intercountry adoption and matching these children with prospective adoptive parents as at 6 April 2010. The Ethiopia–Australia program …
Adoption Notice U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEBureau of Consular AffairsOffice of Children’s Issues Change in Processing Timeline for Adoption Cases March 5, 2010 The Department of State shares families’ concerns about recent media reports alleging direct recruitment of children from birth parents by adoption service providers or their employees. In response to these reports, the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa has …
Announcing Ethica’s Ethiopia Transparency Survey
In the interest of advancing transparency in adoptions in Ethiopia, Ethica has invited all U.S. agencies with Ethiopia international adoption programs to provide information about their Ethiopia program by taking part in a brief survey. Agency responses will be posted and participating Adoption Service Providers will be acknowledged on Ethica’s website. All agencies known by Ethica to have licensed Ethiopia …
MEDIA: Ethiopia Adoption in Spotlight Again
Last night CBS ran a story on an adoption from Ethiopia through CWA entitled: Child: US Adoption Agency Bought Me – CBS News Investigates Serious Questions about the Legitimacy of Some Ethiopian AdoptionsThe video can be seen here:http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/15/cbsnews_investigates/main6210911.shtml CWA’s statement concerning CBS February 15 broadcast can be read here:http://www.cwa.org/cbsnews-response.htm PEAR understands that CBS is formulating a rebuttal to the CWA …
Voice of a Prospective Adoptive Parent: Ethiopia Adoption
On the same day, PEAR issued a cautionary statement about Ethiopia adoptions, a prospective adoptive parent shared her heart-breaking situation. The following is linked with the author’s permission:http://urbanfunnyfarm.blogspot.com/ The specifics of the referral process and investigation can be found at this post: http://urbanfunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2009/12/our-adoption-status.html PEAR continues to recommend that prospective adoptive parents conduct extensive due diligence prior to signing a contract …
2009 Ethiopia Adoption Program Suspensions and Investigations
Due to the following timeline of events in 2009, we urge caution on beginning an Ethiopian adoption. Furthermore, we recommend that prospective adoptive parents work with agencies that have programs in other countries as a contingency plan should Ethiopia slow down considerably or shut down. It is important to mention that many agencies who currently are working in Ethiopia are …
Australia continues suspension of Ethiopia adoptions until early 2010
December 28, 2009“The Australian Government has suspended all child adoptions from Ethiopia over fears that it could be breaking human rights laws against child trafficking”http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/28/2781307.htm More information can be found at the Australian Government Attorney-General Department’s website: http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/IntercountryAdoption_WhatsNew_WhatNew#visit“Ethiopia-Australia Program–Possible delegation visit to Ethiopia–18 December 2009 As the Department’s review of the Ethiopia program has progressed, it has become apparent that …
Where is the JCICS Ethiopia Report?
According to information posted on the JCICS website, a team undertook a fact-finding mission to Ethiopia from October 2-October 9, 2009. This mission was partly in response to allegations made by an investigative television show in Australia called “Fly Away Children” about improprieties, trafficking, and “harvesting” of non-orphans from Ethiopia to the US. http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2009/s2686908.htm . One JCICS member agency, Christian …