I've been asked why I chose to adopt from Ethiopia.
To be honest, I had no intention of adopting internationally in the beginning. When I first spoke to my future SW, I expressed a desire to adopt locally, if not in Calgary then at least within Alberta. She informed me that I certainly could do that, but I was looking at a long wait - as long as 10 years, maybe, for a healthy infant girl! And the fact that I want to adopt a black child, well, there just aren't many black children available for adoption here. And being a single adoptive mom - well, there are less birth moms willing to pass their children over to single parents than there are those looking for a more traditional, two parent family to care for their babies. Fair enough. So let's just say, my chances were slim to nil.
OK then, how about Ontario where there is a larger black community? Well, I was very surprised to learn I can not adopt outside of my province of residence! Harrumph!!
OK....then how about the US? Well, I could but the states will likely ratify the Hague Convention in 2007. The Hague Convention is a framework that sets standards for adoptions between signatory countries - while one of its purposes is to protect the children's best interests, countries under the convention also strive to adopt children within their country of birth, thereby making it more difficult to legally & ethically adopt internationally. Each of the Canadian provinces has already ratified the convention. And again, as a single woman, it might be harder to find a birth mother to choose me. So my SW warned that if the convention is passed while I am in the process of adopting from the states, I run the risk of having my adoption stopped, maybe permanently or at least for a long time.
After much thought about it, I decided this is not a risk I was willing to take - not when there are alternatives. Which brings me to Ethiopia. Actually, my SW said my best options are Haiti and Ethiopia; however Haiti has had some issues whereas Ethiopia has a good, strong (and safe) adoption program at this time.
I did a load of research on both countries and weighed the pros and cons of my options and I decided to work with Ethiopia. I know that Ethiopian orphans are well cared for while in care and they are relatively happy and healthy children. This is extremely important to me and knowing that Ethiopia does care about its children helped to assure me that the adoption process would be above board. Once I made the decision, I knew it was the right one.
If a black, Alberta baby were presented to me to adopt tomorrow, well, honestly, I might say 'yes!,' because ultimately I want to adopt two children. But no matter what, I KNOW I have a daughter in Ethiopia.
Whether or not she is born yet, my daughter is coming to me from under the African skies.
