Shocked, horrified and incredibly sad.
I hadn't checked in on my yahoo adoption group online in awhile and when I opened up the screen today I was horrified to read that the adoption agency we used to bring Moses home (Imagine adoption) has declared bankruptcy. They've obviously not gone bankrupt overnight but yet all that is there is a note on the website and absolutely no statement or letter to any families. They aren't answering their phone and the rumour is out that they will make a statement on Wednesday.
I am so angry but most of all I am so so sad for all the families affected by this (around 400+). Families with referrals for children don't know who or how they will be represented in the courts. Families still waiting for referrals now have to start from scratch. Families who have referrals and thankfully have passed court now have to anxiously pray that the Canadian government will issue the travel visa. And of course, everyone who had recently signed up or paid fees but were waiting for a referral will probably not be getting their money back.
I can't imagine being so close to getting the call that they have matched you with a child and now finding out that it's gone. Some people have waited over a year for a referral, and many of these families do not have the money to start over again with another agency. Many of these families have had miscarriage after miscarriage or have even switched out of the China program in the hopes that Ethiopia will be able to make them a family faster. My heart just breaks.
I do want to say that we don't have all the details yet. And I know that there are people at IA that are good people. Our caseworker was amazing and she truly cared for Moses and helped us through the process. But obviously there is something going on. It makes me even more angry that they are a Christian agency claiming to put the children first. Well, currently we have heard from families in Ethiopiea right now picking up their children that the staff their have only 3 days left of food to feed the babies and kids. The staff aren't being paid, but many of them are working anyways to care for all the children they have bonded with.
I don't know what else to say. When I get more information I will share it here. But I thought I would write something before it hits the media tomorrow morning.
Please pray for the families whose dreams of family have been shattered. Pray that their friends and family will be generous enough to give them the money they need to start another adoption, or for the families who have to travel to Ethiopia themselves to sort out the visa issue. Pray that they will not only get a travel visa but also have the financial means to be able to stay there until everything is complete. They may have to stay for several months and that is not easy as I'm sure you can imagine.
I am feeling even more lucky today as I realize this could've been us.
Why does international adoption have to be so hard? What is a news report like this going to do for the face of adoption in Ethiopia? What will it mean for the millions of orphans?
I am so angry but most of all I am so so sad for all the families affected by this (around 400+). Families with referrals for children don't know who or how they will be represented in the courts. Families still waiting for referrals now have to start from scratch. Families who have referrals and thankfully have passed court now have to anxiously pray that the Canadian government will issue the travel visa. And of course, everyone who had recently signed up or paid fees but were waiting for a referral will probably not be getting their money back.
I can't imagine being so close to getting the call that they have matched you with a child and now finding out that it's gone. Some people have waited over a year for a referral, and many of these families do not have the money to start over again with another agency. Many of these families have had miscarriage after miscarriage or have even switched out of the China program in the hopes that Ethiopia will be able to make them a family faster. My heart just breaks.
I do want to say that we don't have all the details yet. And I know that there are people at IA that are good people. Our caseworker was amazing and she truly cared for Moses and helped us through the process. But obviously there is something going on. It makes me even more angry that they are a Christian agency claiming to put the children first. Well, currently we have heard from families in Ethiopiea right now picking up their children that the staff their have only 3 days left of food to feed the babies and kids. The staff aren't being paid, but many of them are working anyways to care for all the children they have bonded with.
I don't know what else to say. When I get more information I will share it here. But I thought I would write something before it hits the media tomorrow morning.
Please pray for the families whose dreams of family have been shattered. Pray that their friends and family will be generous enough to give them the money they need to start another adoption, or for the families who have to travel to Ethiopia themselves to sort out the visa issue. Pray that they will not only get a travel visa but also have the financial means to be able to stay there until everything is complete. They may have to stay for several months and that is not easy as I'm sure you can imagine.
I am feeling even more lucky today as I realize this could've been us.
Why does international adoption have to be so hard? What is a news report like this going to do for the face of adoption in Ethiopia? What will it mean for the millions of orphans?
posted by emily at
7:26 PM
4 Comments:
Wow! What a horrible thing! Not only for the families in waiting, but all of the children there who may not have food in a few days. Keep us updated with any info you get.
Perhaps this is just me being optimistic, but I think it is too early to say whether us families stuck in the middle of this Imagine Adoption debacle will lose all our money & have to start over. While that may be the reality, it's discouraging to read it in print. I choose to continue hoping, for my family & for all the other affected families. Thank you for your thoughts, I wish for good news for everyone, and I am very glad that this has not impacted your adoption.
This just makes me ill. I count my blessings every day that I have Eden home safe and sound.
oh my! That breaks my heart. Is there a way to donate to help?
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