Six million.

Dear Friends,

As you know, we have a huge heart for adoption, and especially adoption from Ethiopia.  Recently there have been rumors that Ethiopian adoptions would be greatly reduced.  Estimates vary on the number of orphans in Ethiopia, but I have seen some as high as six million.  Six million.  These children need homes and loving families.  Decreasing the number of adoptions will take away that option for many.  The following is taken from a blog I read of a family who recently returned home from Ethiopia with their son.....she gives more information and ways that you can help......

 {please read... and do all you can}

Visiting Hannah's Hope (the transition home where Tucker lived until we could bring him home) each day while we were in Ethiopia was something we always looked forward to. Walking into the courtyard found us surrounded by children of all ages... orphans. They were desperate for you to play with them, touch them, hold them... someone to care and to pay attention to them. One day I found myself surrounded by a bunch of little girls all with arms up to be held. I know I couldn't pick them all up so I walked over to the side and sat down on the ground. They all tumbled into my lap aching for my arms to wrap them up. I did my best to hold each of them and smile and talk to them. They needed me in the moment, but what they truly need for a lifetime is a forever mommy. Not just someone to snuggle them for a few minutes before they go eat lunch, but someone to snuggle them all day every day. They need a family and a home.

Right now that possibility is in jeopardy. There have been rumors floating around for a few weeks, but an email sent out from our agency confirmed our fears...

"Over the last two weeks there have been many rumors, and then an official announcement, stating that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has a plan to decrease the numbers of adoptions that are approved.  This proposal states that they have plans of only approving 5 adoptions a day—decreasing the number of approved adoptions by up to 90%.

Really, there is no way to put into words the negative impact this would have on Ethiopian children, if it is to become a reality.  Of course we all wish that these children would remain in their birth family, but, under the current system there are not enough resources for these families to allow this to happen. The Joint Council on International Children’s Services (JCICS) is asking all of us to step into our roles as advocates and to participate in this cause.  Below is a post from JCICS outlining what you can do...

Joint Council: Emergency Campaign for Ethiopian Children

What You Can Do:

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 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!

Please help! Please sign the petition and spread the word. Do something! Lives and hearts are a stake.

Me again....here's another quote I just read from BeTheAnswer -
"The Ministry’s plan which calls for the processing of only five adoption cases per work day, will result not only in systemic and lasting damage to a large sector of social services, but will have an immediate impact on the lives and futures of children.  Moving from over 4,000 adoptions per year to less than 500 will result in thousands of children languishing in under-regulated and poorly resourced institutions for years.  For those children who are currently institutionalized and legally available for adoption, the Ministry’s plan will increase their time languishing in institutions for up to 7-years."
Pray for these precious children and for the many families waiting to bring home their Ethiopian child!!