Possible Problem

We have been receiving word the main agency in Ethiopia that oversees adoptions is about to dramatically reduce their caseload. At this time America World is unsure how this will affect the timeline of those of us already matched with kids. We ask for your prayers with regards to this issue...for our hearts to be at peace and rest in God's perfect timeline; for our boys to be well cared for and loved in Ethiopia. At this time we are still planning on flying to Ethiopia at the end of this month, but we are unsure when we will be able to return to Ethiopia in order to bring the boys home.

Here is what we learned today:

Government of Ethiopia Plans Major Slow-Down in Adoption Processing

March 9, 2011

Citing the need to work on quality and focus on more important strategic issues, the Government of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs (MOWCYA)  will reduce to a maximum of five the number of adoption cases it processes per day, effective March 10, 2011.  Under Ethiopian adoption procedures, MOWCYA approves every match between prospective adoptive parents and an Ethiopian child before that case can be forwarded for a court hearing.  The U.S. Embassy is working with Ethiopian government officials and adoption agencies to learn more about this change in procedures.  We will continue to share information as it becomes available.

Given MOWCYA's current caseload, the U.S. Embassy anticipates that this change could result in an overall decline in case processing of some 90 percent.  If this change is implemented as proposed, we expect, that parents who have begun the process of adopting from Ethiopia but have not yet been matched with a child could experience significant delays.  It is not clear if this change in procedures would have any significant impact on cases in which MOWCYA has already approved matches. 

Prospective adoptive parents should remain in close contact with their adoption service provider to obtain updates on individual cases