Emergency Campaign For Ethiopia

We had discouraging news today. Maybe you have heard on international news? I copied the below information from our adoption organization.

"The Ethiopian Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) has announced a proposal to decrease the number of adoptions they will process and approve—even by as much as 90%. They are planning to accomplish this decrease by limiting the number of approved cases to only 5 per working day. This change is currently set to begin on March 10, 2011."

In other words, this could limit thousands of orphans from being connected to their forever family. Currently, there are about 4,000 adoptions from Ethiopia each year. Under the new proposal there could be as few as 500 adoptions each year.

It is estimated that $2,000-$3,000 per adoption is paid to the Ethiopian government. Anytime money is exchanged there is the option of corruption. This is apparently why MOWA is proposing to drastically limit the international adoptions.

The best question to ask ... What can we do?

1) Sign the petition to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi – and pass it on! Chris and I have done it and you can remain anonymous if you want.

Cut and paste this link:
http://betheanswerforchildren.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/emergency-campaign-for-ethiopia/

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 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 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!

Although this new is discouraging. I cling to a verse that was emphasized in our Bible study this morning. The truth in this verse rings louder and stronger than any petition.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7.

Prayerfully,
Erin