BIG Program Update!
posted on 01/02/2008
So, our new Program Director has officially been on the job ONE day and has already drafted a letter to all of us with some much needed information. This is what we have all been asking for! Communication!! Much of the new info is different from what we have been told over the past few months but we just have to let all of that go and start fresh with the new information. This is not going to be easy but is necessary for us to move forward and all be on the same page. So far, Duni is scoring a big fat A+!! Thanks Duni!
Dear Ethiopia Families,
I have spoken to some of you in the past week but I would like to introduce myself officially and also let you know how honored I am to serve you as Program Director.
I understand I am coming into this position at a very critical time and that you expect much from me. I would like to apologize on behalf of all of us at America World if at times you felt like we were unavailable to you or you were left with a lot of unanswered questions.
I would also like to take the New Year as an opportunity for me to ask you for a clean start. I also humbly ask you for a renewed trust in us as your agent and advocate to facilitate your adoption and bring your children home. Ultimately that is why we are here, to find children homes and we would never deliberately slow the adoption process. Below is a response to some of the questions and concerns that have been repeatedly raised. As I am just coming into this position I cannot speak for what happened in the past. My responses are based on what we will be doing under my leadership. Please have patience with me as I transition into this role, recreate and change our program culture and train new staff. But I promise you that I will do everything in my power to work for Ethiopian orphans and place them with families that are so eager to shower them with love, parents like you.
1. Are you holding other families cases while the current families with referrals have finalized? No. While it is true that we didn’t have enough staff in country at one point, this is no longer the case. We have sufficient staff and resources to multi task. The person responsible for referrals is no longer the person who is responsible for court dates or travel. Therefore there is no reason for any process to be halted. 2. Why must we travel in groups? Are you keeping families from going for the sake of sending us in groups? Traveling in groups have many benefits. One is that it will be cheaper both for you and us. We can get group discount rates on everything, plane tickets, tour bus, hotel rooms etc. It also means we can hire a couple of tour guides for an entire group and save money that way. The other advantage goes far beyond the adoption process. By traveling in groups you cultivate relationships with people that are going through the same things, you get to make lifetime friends and create memories. And this is priceless. Now are we holding people just so they can go together? Well if it means that one family has to wait for a week to travel then yes. We don’t feel we are doing anyone disservice by holding them for one week. But we would not hold anyone for longer than that. Please rest assured that we want families to complete the process as fast as possible. 3. We know the transitional home isn’t that big. Is that going to determine referrals? No. We have made arrangements with the current orphanage we are working with to keep children and care for them. We would still give referrals even if the transitional home is not available. 4. Now that America World has a lot of families in the Ethiopia program, is it going to take longer to get referrals?
The time frame we gave you at application stage is the one you should go by. We do not anticipate it being longer than that. Can it be shorter? Absolutely. Please consider the time frame we gave you on the overview packet when you first signed on. Do not go by the wait time for the first set of families. Please also bear in mind that wait time can start to be longer for all Ethiopia families in all agencies. But at this time we are not changing the wait time. Also note that families requesting girls or very young sibling groups may wait 3-5 months longer.
5. What is the 90 day wait rule and how does that affect us?
Children that were abandoned must stay in the orphanage for 90 days before they can be adopted. This time allows any family member to claim them. Children whose parents have relinquished their rights do not have to wait for 90 days. We will not be accepting referrals of children from orphanages before the 90 day wait is over. This will not affect you as children that are referred to you will be past the 90 days wait and court dates needn’t be postponed for such reasons.
6. Are you going to work with more orphanages?
Yes. I plan to visit Ethiopia very soon to finalize agreements with other orphanages. Please be assured that we want to place as many orphans possible in Christian homes and will do everything to make that a reality.
7. When is the next set of referrals coming?
I wish I had a definite date. But I don’t. And if I did the families that are getting the referrals will be the ones hearing about it first and not through a general e-mail. But I will say, soon. And I will also say referrals will continue to come in steadily. There are always set backs in international adoption but we will do everything we can on our end to keep referrals steady. I hope this answers some of your questions. Now I ask that you be patient with me as I work on changing some things and making it better for you and for those that will come after you. Please understand that if there is any news I will be sure to contact you. Otherwise please don’t send 3 or 4 emails at a time. I understand your sense of urgency. I am a mother and know that parents want their children in their arms as soon as possible. But also know that I wouldn’t be able to get any work done because I will be busy drafting e-mails to address each and everyone of you. I am sure you will all agree that I rather spend my time reviewing your files, speaking to country representatives, requesting referrals, and arranging court dates and not corresponding all day.
I also want to thank you for keeping us accountable. Please pray for us and also for me as I come into this position. I am excited about 2008 and what the Lord is going to do in the Ethiopia program. Happy New Year! Attached please find our Ethiopia Newsletter.
Grace and Peace,
Duni ZenayeAfrica Program Director
