Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.  Proverbs 13:12

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Reason to Celebrate

Congratulations to my friends PAMELA (Kyrgyzstan) and AMY (Ethiopia) for their referrals of baby girls.  So many referrals the last few weeks----so excited for these children and families to be united!  
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6 comments:

Pamela said...

Thanks, Melissa! It's so awesome to be saying that we're mommies now. Can't believe that we got our referrals within one week of each other AND that our baby girls are only two weeks apart in age. Un-freaking-believable!

Big love!

Pamela

October 7, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Our journey said...

Thanks Melissa. This is just amazing! God is amazing! Amazing is my new favorite word!

October 7, 2008 at 11:56 PM
Jocelyn Zarr '86 said...

girl what is goin on lately??? thinking of you, we are off to jamaica on Wednesday- come take Matt out-- LOL! love jocelyn

October 12, 2008 at 9:01 PM
Shauna said...

Hi Melissa... I just wanted to introduce myself. I guess I am adding to the singles list to adopt from Ethiopia. Congratulations on your referral!! Unfortunately I am a ways off from that happening to me... but I can live vicariously through other people and you.
Anyway... just wanted to say hello and congratulations!
Take care.
Shauna

October 15, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Our journey said...

I tagged you!

October 16, 2008 at 6:02 PM
Leann said...

Looks like you got tagged again.

October 17, 2008 at 9:50 AM

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So...what's next?

Below is an overview of an Ethiopian adoption process from the time my agency receives adoptive parents' completed dossier and home study.

Agency Sends Dossier for Authentication and Translation Check!
Agency will forward adoptive parents’ dossier to the U.S. State Department and the Ethiopian Embassy for authentication. Once processed, the agency will forward the dossier to our staff in Ethiopia where it is translated
Referral Process Check!
Once the dossier is in Ethiopia, adoptive parents can wait six to eight months for a referral of a child. Once referred, the agency will send the adoptive parents referral photos, medical information and the child’s background information, including any known family history. Upon acceptance of referral, the agency's foreign staff will submit adoptive parents’ dossier, with the referred child’s documentation to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA).
Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) Reviews Documentation Check!
MOWA is the branch of the Ethiopian government that reviews all documentation submitted by the adoptive parents and on behalf of the referred child recommends the adoption to be finalized to the Federal Court of Addis Ababa.
Federal Court Date November 11, 2008 Check!
Once MOWA recommends the adoption to be finalized, a court appointment is scheduled. At this appointment, the judge can either finalize the adoption or ask for further documentation and set another court date. Once the adoption is finalized, the court decree, new birth certificate and passport are issued, and the adoptive parents can travel.
Travel December 6, 2008 - December 11, 2008
Adoptive parents should be ready to travel within two to four months after accepting a referral. One parent is required to travel and the in-country stay in Ethiopia is five to seven days. During this time, adoptive parents will complete the U.S. Embassy Immigration appointment for the adopted child, which is necessary to bring the child to the United States. The agency's in-country staff will accompany each family throughout their entire stay in Ethiopia.
Post-Adoption- Until the child turns 18 years old In Process
In Ethiopia, an adoption is finalized before entrance into the United States. Upon arrival, post-adoption reports are due at three, six, and 12 months on the anniversary of the U.S. Embassy appointment date. After the first year, family authored self reports are due every year until the child reaches 18 years of age.