BACKGROUND

The number of children being adopted from Ethiopia by American families has more than doubled in the last four years. With this increased number the need for an association that represents families both in the states as well as within Ethiopia has become necessary. For almost all adoptive families their source of information as well as their bridge to their child’s birth country remains to be their placing agency. This proves to be unsatisfactory as well as an unrealistic expectation. Agencies’ main responsibility is placement and is usually unable to meet the various needs of adoptive families such as tracing birth families, linking adoptive families to cultural and other resources adoptive families find necessary as their children grow up. Most adoptive families want to somehow remain connected to their child’s birth country. This may be difficult to accomplish as an individual but can be accomplished through setting up a society that gives back to Ethiopia in various ways.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

3 Priceless Reasons for Tracing a Birth parent or family

1.       Help a child understand why his mother chose to abandon him
Even though most children who are abandoned are adopted while they are still babies, the fact that they were abandoned creates many questions as they grow up. It is not unusual to attribute something negative about themselves and claim that is why their birth mother abandoned them.   In most cases, a mother in Ethiopia chooses to abandon a baby because of lack of knowledge that she can relinquish her child or because she was unable to. Finding a birth mother will help answer these questions to an adopted child.
2.       Family history
Once a child grows up he starts to realize he has a birth family far away. Ancestral history is something children love to hear about and cherish. Fining birth families and learning about his extended family, grandparents, and culture and family traditions helps an adopted child with his or her self esteem.  Knowing your adopted family will not only enrich him but the adoptive family as a whole.
3.       Medical History
Family medical history is important in knowing and preventing some medical problems.  Finding a birth family will help answer some questions about any medical problems an adopted child may be predisposed to.
If would you like EthioStork to help you trace a birth family? Contact us at info@ethiostork.org
Other Services Provided by EthioStork:
1.       Ethiopian Culture and Adoption Webinar
Recommended for families currently in the process of adoption or considering adoption these web seminars provide resources to equip you in the adoption of your Ethiopian child.  We give web seminars covering
*Ethiopian Culture and History,
*Ethiopian Adoption laws and current issues.
*What to expect, how to tell if anything in your adoption is of concern or outside the normal time
*Equipping yourself to ensure your agency is doing its due diligence.
 Sign up for the next web seminar seminars@ethiostork.org
2.       International Document Consultation
So you just received your referral! This is  one of the most exciting milestones in your adoption process. It also means in the midst of all the excitement you have to review and understand all the social and medical documents in the referral packet.  It is recommended that you send your referred child’s medical information to an International pediatrician to make sure you know all there is to know about your child’s medical condition. Have you ever considered having your child's official social profile reviewed by a professional? You should! This helps you avoid any delays or heartaches at the final stages of your adoption. You want your new child home with no unnecessary delays.
Have an international adoption document specialist review  your child’s social document to ensure everything is in order for court and embassy.  This will help you be your own advocate and hold your agency accountable to do all things necessary to complete or correct any errors. Most importantly, it will help you determine if you are adopting a true orphan who needs a loving home.
 
3.       Over the phone translation services
The first few months your adopted child is home will be stressful as your child transitions into his or her new life. The language barrier can add additional stress and confusion as you try to communicate with each other.  While it is true that an adopted child will soon be able to tell you in  English what she wants, it may be necessary to have someone translate for you. The older your child is, the more important it is to know what she is trying to tell you about her past or something important that she can’t articulate in English just yet.   We will personally work with you to set up time that works for you to help you and your child communicate better. This is not simply translation but also help you and your older child foster a healthy relationship. 
4.       Birthparent/history Tracing
We have highly specialized staff in Ethiopia who can help trace your Child’s birth history.  As adopted children grow they start to ask about their birth parents. We help families trace parents and history of their adopted child who was abandoned or relinquished with little known family history. Contact us at info@ethiostork.org
5.       Travel and In country Accommodations
We work with reputable travel guides, transportation providers and guesthouses that cater to adoptive families.  Our staff know everything from where you need to go to complete your adoption, the best place to shop to the best clinic to go to incase you or your child gets sick.  Contact us and arrange your travel to Ethiopia through us. travel@ethiostork.org
 
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