"Most of the
children living in this orphanage today have one or two living parents.
Two of the children even have their mother working on the staff of the
orphanage. Yet, this place is called an orphanage, the newsletters refer
to the children as orphans, letters written by the children refer to themselves as orphans. This place has
turned children in poverty into orphans. You'd think being poor was
hardship enough, without having a new identity - as an orphan". You can read the entire article here.
"There are large organisations doing much more harm - but because they are faith-based organisations (churches) it is hard to campaign against them. Most people are quite wary about criticising the actions of churches because it seems like attacking the whole church and by extension, attacking the religion itself. Most people are brought up to believe that churches deserve respect and that they are guided in their actions by a divine being". You can read the entire article here
3 comments:
I have just stumbled across your blog and I have to say I completely love every last bit of it and have spent days reading through!! I am a studying international development with a particular focus on East Africa as I am also learning Swahili and through my studies and personal interests was drawn into a world of American International adoption bloggers, which started some uncomfortable obsession, as the narrative and things discussed sat so wrongly from 'development' perspective and a human perspective !! I love what you stand for you are speaking a very important message and I am thrilled to have connected with your work and truly hope to learn a lot more about what you do and potentially be involved
someway in the future!! Anyway I started this wanting to say keep speaking up and I defiantly will be listening!!
Thanks for reading our blog and for your encouragement. Please do keep in touch -
Dear Rileys,
I love what you do. Have been thinking about it a long time. There is almost no one working for resettlement and family preservation in Ethiopia. Kids are adopted who shouldn't be, like in Uganda, the presence of adoption has serparated families who may be able to stay together with some support. I hate trafficking. I hate money being a reason families are undermined. I am overwhelmed with the desire to do something to change this, to work on getting kids back to families.
I don't know how to start or when to start or what it would take to do this in Ethiopia, but I want you to know I stand inspired by you and your work. And I hope I can walk the walk instead of talk the talk on ethics in adoption and family preservation.
Post a Comment