Okay so have you all seen the latest on the changes? This is good news, right?

 

http://adoptian.blogspot.com/2011/03/good-news-out-of-ethiopia.html

 

“We have heard from our staff in Ethiopia this morning, and we understand that MoWA has agreed to process 20 cases a day rather than the 5 cases we had heard recently.

Please know that we are still waiting for the official MoWA announcement on this to confirm it 100%.  There are still many question unanswered and we are watching and waiting to see what develops.  We will keep you posted!!”

 

 

 

This is from another agency’s blog, but I hope that my agency confirms the news soon. It’s still a reduction in the number of cases – about half of the previous volume – but far less drastic than the 5 cases/day figure that was originally reported. On the State Department conference call last week, their best guess was that – at 5 cases/day – it would take about a year to clear the current backlog. So at 20 cases/day, that would be, what, 4 months? I can’t do math in my head, so just go with it.

 

20 seems like a reasonable number, doesn’t it? Enough of a reduction so that MOWA can investigate cases thoroughly, but not so drastic that everything grinds to a halt. Honestly, if MOWA wants to slow its roll, I’m all for it. I’ve been saying for a while that the program’s too big, that’s it’s grown too fast, that there are too many agencies and too many red flags. If this leads to a more ethical program that serves children who genuinely needs homes, I applaud MOWA for taking this step.

 

But as far as my personal situation goes, this is devastating. I’m kind of a mess right now, you guys. My daughter’s sitting in an orphanage and I just want to go get her. Right. Now. Sure, it’s a nice orphanage – the agency-run transition home – and she’s being well cared for. But it’s still an orphanage.

 

Prior to the changes being announced, I was anxious to travel…but also excited. Now I’m just anxious. Even if MOWA agrees to 20 cases/day, even if my agency is able to move families through quickly, I am always going to be waiting for the other shoe to drop until I have T home with me. Some other process change, another slow down, yet another ridiculous Friday afternoon email that shatters my world.

 

I think I’ll feel a little better once I have a new time frame to latch onto. The uncertainty (up to a year? really?) is really getting to me. And I know I’m not alone. Whether you’re waiting for referral, waiting for court, or waiting for embassy – we’re all anxious and worried right now. Hugs to everybody. I’m thinking of you.