Not to harp on and on about the down side of things, but getting PHOTOS uploaded to this blog – is a HUGE pain in my arse! I am talking – like… I try to send one about 30 times throughout the day, and it almost always (except twice so far!) times out and says “Internet Explorer cannot display the Webpage”. UGH!!! See? – It just did it again. Anyway… I will keep on trying, and when you see a super cute little boy on top of my “Adoption – the 1st step” post, you will know I have been successful!! Ha ha ha!! Sigh… one more time – just for the FUN of it…
;-D
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
This is for the Birds
Ah – it’s nap time around here again! Phew. Today our project is making Suet and Peanut Butter Bird Food Feeders! Seems birds are Meer’s favorite thing to go and look for around the house (yes – on his circuit!), so we are trying to increase the population. The handy thing is that there are SO MANY birds around, that we can almost ALWAYS see a bird sitting on a power line, or fence post.
Anyway – we went to the butcher this morning and got half kilo of beef suet, and then bird seed from the pet store… The jist of the recipe is to melt the suet, stir in a small jar of crunchy peanut butter, and then add a cup of bird seed, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, sunflower seeds, and oatmeal. It turns into a kinda gloopy mess, but doesn’t smell as bad as it sounds!
So you fill molds – we used a paper milk carton with a stick poking through both sides for a perch - and chill them until they are set. And then cut out little windows on both sides above the stick for the birds to access the suet inside. The leftovers I heaped onto a pie plate, and suspended on the hedge close to where the birds already hang out in the mornings. So far no takers, though… OH! Have two little chirpers sitting on the power lines above the pie plate… should be soon…
;-D
Anyway – we went to the butcher this morning and got half kilo of beef suet, and then bird seed from the pet store… The jist of the recipe is to melt the suet, stir in a small jar of crunchy peanut butter, and then add a cup of bird seed, whole wheat flour, cornmeal, sunflower seeds, and oatmeal. It turns into a kinda gloopy mess, but doesn’t smell as bad as it sounds!
So you fill molds – we used a paper milk carton with a stick poking through both sides for a perch - and chill them until they are set. And then cut out little windows on both sides above the stick for the birds to access the suet inside. The leftovers I heaped onto a pie plate, and suspended on the hedge close to where the birds already hang out in the mornings. So far no takers, though… OH! Have two little chirpers sitting on the power lines above the pie plate… should be soon…
;-D
Friday, August 17, 2007
Adoption - Some Inspiration
Well – deciding to do it is the hardest part. There is a lot of inspiration available – all you have to do is visit an orphanage once, and you will be touched so deeply you will suddenly find adoption in your heart.
Before we went, I had it in my head I would have to adopt an infant - the younger the better. But after visiting with the children, I knew it was in me to adopt a toddler! Who would have thunk it. After speaking with our pediatrician though, we have decided to maintain the birth order for Meer, and will be adopting a child younger than he is. Aparently it is easier for them to bond if the oldest stays the oldest, etc. Makes sense, really.
Anyway - the above picture was taken by my Mom, at an orphanage called New Life Home Trust. (You can check out their web page by clicking on the title of this post.) The home cares for up to 50 babies, all of which were HIV+ and abandoned at birth. When we were there they had 47 babies. The babies are taken in between 0 – 3 months old, and then moved on to other homes when they reach the age of 3. Some are adopted, but as one of the workers told us, only about 10 per year. This is a bit confusing when you compare it to the stats on the website (which says most children are adopted or fostered), so I think that means lots of children become fostered, but not actually adopted. I should also add that 70% of them are HIV negative by the age of about 4 months old.
The orphanage is run in a quite large house – three separate wings/stories for the different ages; 0-1, 1-2, and 2-3. The home is VERY clean, and they have a lot of volunteers from all over the world that come to play with the children, and help with feedings, etc. There is a doctor’s office within the home, where pediatricians come on a volunteer basis to provide healthcare for the children. There is also an isolation nursery where the very young stay when they first arrive. There were 9 newborns there when we visited. They are in isolation to protect them from germs while they fight off the HIV virus.
All in all it is a really good place. I highly recommend you to snoop around their website – they have some stories of the individual babies that are really touching.
Anyway – I hope you are inpired! ;-D
Before we went, I had it in my head I would have to adopt an infant - the younger the better. But after visiting with the children, I knew it was in me to adopt a toddler! Who would have thunk it. After speaking with our pediatrician though, we have decided to maintain the birth order for Meer, and will be adopting a child younger than he is. Aparently it is easier for them to bond if the oldest stays the oldest, etc. Makes sense, really.
Anyway - the above picture was taken by my Mom, at an orphanage called New Life Home Trust. (You can check out their web page by clicking on the title of this post.) The home cares for up to 50 babies, all of which were HIV+ and abandoned at birth. When we were there they had 47 babies. The babies are taken in between 0 – 3 months old, and then moved on to other homes when they reach the age of 3. Some are adopted, but as one of the workers told us, only about 10 per year. This is a bit confusing when you compare it to the stats on the website (which says most children are adopted or fostered), so I think that means lots of children become fostered, but not actually adopted. I should also add that 70% of them are HIV negative by the age of about 4 months old.
The orphanage is run in a quite large house – three separate wings/stories for the different ages; 0-1, 1-2, and 2-3. The home is VERY clean, and they have a lot of volunteers from all over the world that come to play with the children, and help with feedings, etc. There is a doctor’s office within the home, where pediatricians come on a volunteer basis to provide healthcare for the children. There is also an isolation nursery where the very young stay when they first arrive. There were 9 newborns there when we visited. They are in isolation to protect them from germs while they fight off the HIV virus.
All in all it is a really good place. I highly recommend you to snoop around their website – they have some stories of the individual babies that are really touching.
Anyway – I hope you are inpired! ;-D
Adoption - the 1st Step
When you find adoption in your heart, the first thing to do is contact Little Angel’s Network. There is also a Christian based agency, and a government agency – we chose Little Angel’s, since I had heard them mentioned on the Internet quite a bit. There website is private (?), so I don’t recommend trying to contact them via email either – I never did hear back from them. So pick up the phone, and give them a call. The number to dial is: 254-20-386-6442 and technically, their website is: www.littleangels.or.ke IF you can get it to work for YOU! Who ever anwers the phone will be very helpful - a shocking and rare event here in Kenya!
So what you have to do then, is actually go in person to pick up the application forms. Basically you have to pre-apply, to apply! NOT joking. And they are these faded yellow tissue-paper forms from the 1950’s, I SWEAR! So like why they are kept in lock-down – Lord only knows!
Anyway – when you get there, you will be taken into a little room with a little table and a couple plastic lawn chairs. A very pleasant social worker will come in and ask you a few questions, and then basically READS the fine print to you, and explains what else you have to do, and what documentation you have to include in your application. All in all, it takes about 10 minutes, and was quite interesting and even... dare I say...enjoyable!
Following is a copy of information on the form...
So what you have to do then, is actually go in person to pick up the application forms. Basically you have to pre-apply, to apply! NOT joking. And they are these faded yellow tissue-paper forms from the 1950’s, I SWEAR! So like why they are kept in lock-down – Lord only knows!
Anyway – when you get there, you will be taken into a little room with a little table and a couple plastic lawn chairs. A very pleasant social worker will come in and ask you a few questions, and then basically READS the fine print to you, and explains what else you have to do, and what documentation you have to include in your application. All in all, it takes about 10 minutes, and was quite interesting and even... dare I say...enjoyable!
Following is a copy of information on the form...
Adoption - the Application Form
A - PRE-REQUISITES FOR ADOPTION
*Must be between the ages of 25 and 65
*Must be 21 years older than the child they wish to adopt
*Is a mother or father of child (??)
*In case of joint application the couple must have been married to one another for at least 3 years
*Single applicants (male or female) cannot adopt children of the opposite sex unless under special circumstances
*A sole foreign female applicant can only adopt under special circumstances
B - FORMAL APPLICATION
If you meet the requirements given by the law, e.g. age limit, you will be issued with the application forms. Your application is only considered formal when you hand in your duly completed application forms.
The following should be attached:
*2 full sized recent photos of the applicants (if you have children – 2 pictures of you and your spouse, and 2 pictures of you, your spouse, and your children)
*Copy of ID (Kenyan Citizen)
*Copy of Passport and Work Permit (Non-Kenyan Resident)
*Marriage certificate – in case of joint application, they must have been married for at least 3 years
*Medical Reports
*Proof of financial status – pay slip, bank statement, etc
C - JOINT INTERVIEW
The applicants will go through a joint interview at Little Angels Offices
D - INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS
Incase of joint applicants, each of them will go through an individual interview with the LANS social worker. This also includes any children in the home over the age of 14 years.
E - HOME VISIT
Upon return of the forms and completion of the interview sessions an appointment is fixed for the home visit. The aim of the visit is to:
· Determine applicants physical location (where the child will be living)
· Assess the suitability of the applicants to adopt/foster a child – living conditions are also assessed
· Conduct an in depth interview with the applicants in the privacy of their home.
Note: In case of a joint application, both applicants MUST be present during the home visit.
F - COUNSELING
Visit recommended counsellors for manditory counselling session.
G - MEDICAL CHECK-UP
This must be done by a doctor recommended by the Society and the report forwarded to Little Angels confidentially.
Note: The adoption regulation requires that an HIV test is carried out as part of the examination.
H - CASE COMMITTEE DECISION
The LANS Case Committee will then go through your applicationand Home Study Report. The committee will either: Approve, Defer, or REJECT your application. In the event that your application is Deferred or Rejected - reasons for the same will be given in writing.
I - IDENTIFICATION OF THE CHILD
Once approved as a fit parent, the applicants will be assisted in identifying a suitable child(ren).
J - GENDER
Please indicate preference of age and sex of child to simplify the identification process.
K - BONDING PERIOD
After identifying a child, the applicants will be required to make at least 6 visits to the relevant home over a 1 to 2 week period.
Reasons for the visits:
· To bond with the baby before taking him/her home.
· Medical check-ups: during the 2 weeks, it is optional for the applicants to seek a second opinion on the child from an independent doctor. This should be arranged with the Matron/Nursing Manager of the relevant home.
· Preparation to receive the baby at home e.g. buying clothes, bedding, etc.
L - FOSTER PERIOD
After 2 weeks bonding process, the child is discharged to the prospective parents who then begin the fostering process. This period shall last 3 months.
M - FOLLOW-UP ASSESSMENTS
During the 3 month foster period, the social worker will conduct follow-ups to assess the progress of the child in the new family.The follow-up schedule is as follows:
· 1st Follow-Up – one month after discharge of the baby. Done from the LANS office.
· 2nd Follow-Up – Two months after the discharge of the baby. Also conducted at the LANS office.
· 3rd Follow-Up – Three months after discharge of the baby. It MUST be conducted at the applicants home – to observe the adjustment of the child in the home environment. Then a Final Report is complied.
Note: The relevant home will also conduct their independent follow-ups on agreed intervals e.g. two weekly, monthly, etc. Please consult the home on this.
N - LEGAL PROCESS
The legal process should commence immediately after the 3 month foster period. For this process you will need:
i. A Lawyer – to represent you in court. The lawyer’s fees vary depending on the lawyer you choose.
ii. Guardian ad Litem – to protect the best interest of the child during the adoption proceedings. Preferably a social worker, though a friend can also act as thus. The guardian ad litem must do a report and file it in court.
iii. Declaration from a Registered Adoption Society – for this purpose, the society’s social worker will make a visit to your home.
iv. Report from the Children’s Department (Ministry of Home Affairs) – a Children’s Officer will conduct a Home Study and file a report in court.
Note: The legal process varies in time depending on the court schedule, the advocate you engage, and sometimes how fast the above mentioned reports are done and filed in court. On average it takes from 4 to 6 months.
You should not make any arrangements to travel outside of the country with the child until the adoption/guardianship order has been granted by the court. LANS does not support such travel, and it is against the law.
Custody; It must be clearly understood that the child is in the legal custody of the relevant home until the Guardian ad Litem is appointed. The applicant therefore has no legal claim over the child until the High Court of Kenya has granted the Adoption/Guardian order.
If you do not comply with the above procedures, the child may be withdrawn from you and returned to the relevant home.
*Must be between the ages of 25 and 65
*Must be 21 years older than the child they wish to adopt
*Is a mother or father of child (??)
*In case of joint application the couple must have been married to one another for at least 3 years
*Single applicants (male or female) cannot adopt children of the opposite sex unless under special circumstances
*A sole foreign female applicant can only adopt under special circumstances
B - FORMAL APPLICATION
If you meet the requirements given by the law, e.g. age limit, you will be issued with the application forms. Your application is only considered formal when you hand in your duly completed application forms.
The following should be attached:
*2 full sized recent photos of the applicants (if you have children – 2 pictures of you and your spouse, and 2 pictures of you, your spouse, and your children)
*Copy of ID (Kenyan Citizen)
*Copy of Passport and Work Permit (Non-Kenyan Resident)
*Marriage certificate – in case of joint application, they must have been married for at least 3 years
*Medical Reports
*Proof of financial status – pay slip, bank statement, etc
C - JOINT INTERVIEW
The applicants will go through a joint interview at Little Angels Offices
D - INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS
Incase of joint applicants, each of them will go through an individual interview with the LANS social worker. This also includes any children in the home over the age of 14 years.
E - HOME VISIT
Upon return of the forms and completion of the interview sessions an appointment is fixed for the home visit. The aim of the visit is to:
· Determine applicants physical location (where the child will be living)
· Assess the suitability of the applicants to adopt/foster a child – living conditions are also assessed
· Conduct an in depth interview with the applicants in the privacy of their home.
Note: In case of a joint application, both applicants MUST be present during the home visit.
F - COUNSELING
Visit recommended counsellors for manditory counselling session.
G - MEDICAL CHECK-UP
This must be done by a doctor recommended by the Society and the report forwarded to Little Angels confidentially.
Note: The adoption regulation requires that an HIV test is carried out as part of the examination.
H - CASE COMMITTEE DECISION
The LANS Case Committee will then go through your applicationand Home Study Report. The committee will either: Approve, Defer, or REJECT your application. In the event that your application is Deferred or Rejected - reasons for the same will be given in writing.
I - IDENTIFICATION OF THE CHILD
Once approved as a fit parent, the applicants will be assisted in identifying a suitable child(ren).
J - GENDER
Please indicate preference of age and sex of child to simplify the identification process.
K - BONDING PERIOD
After identifying a child, the applicants will be required to make at least 6 visits to the relevant home over a 1 to 2 week period.
Reasons for the visits:
· To bond with the baby before taking him/her home.
· Medical check-ups: during the 2 weeks, it is optional for the applicants to seek a second opinion on the child from an independent doctor. This should be arranged with the Matron/Nursing Manager of the relevant home.
· Preparation to receive the baby at home e.g. buying clothes, bedding, etc.
L - FOSTER PERIOD
After 2 weeks bonding process, the child is discharged to the prospective parents who then begin the fostering process. This period shall last 3 months.
M - FOLLOW-UP ASSESSMENTS
During the 3 month foster period, the social worker will conduct follow-ups to assess the progress of the child in the new family.The follow-up schedule is as follows:
· 1st Follow-Up – one month after discharge of the baby. Done from the LANS office.
· 2nd Follow-Up – Two months after the discharge of the baby. Also conducted at the LANS office.
· 3rd Follow-Up – Three months after discharge of the baby. It MUST be conducted at the applicants home – to observe the adjustment of the child in the home environment. Then a Final Report is complied.
Note: The relevant home will also conduct their independent follow-ups on agreed intervals e.g. two weekly, monthly, etc. Please consult the home on this.
N - LEGAL PROCESS
The legal process should commence immediately after the 3 month foster period. For this process you will need:
i. A Lawyer – to represent you in court. The lawyer’s fees vary depending on the lawyer you choose.
ii. Guardian ad Litem – to protect the best interest of the child during the adoption proceedings. Preferably a social worker, though a friend can also act as thus. The guardian ad litem must do a report and file it in court.
iii. Declaration from a Registered Adoption Society – for this purpose, the society’s social worker will make a visit to your home.
iv. Report from the Children’s Department (Ministry of Home Affairs) – a Children’s Officer will conduct a Home Study and file a report in court.
Note: The legal process varies in time depending on the court schedule, the advocate you engage, and sometimes how fast the above mentioned reports are done and filed in court. On average it takes from 4 to 6 months.
You should not make any arrangements to travel outside of the country with the child until the adoption/guardianship order has been granted by the court. LANS does not support such travel, and it is against the law.
Custody; It must be clearly understood that the child is in the legal custody of the relevant home until the Guardian ad Litem is appointed. The applicant therefore has no legal claim over the child until the High Court of Kenya has granted the Adoption/Guardian order.
If you do not comply with the above procedures, the child may be withdrawn from you and returned to the relevant home.
Picture from New Life Home
This is a picture taken at New Life Home Trust. I am trying to load other ones, but the internet connection is not fast enough to be friendly just now - I will keep trying! Until then, these are some kids playing out on the grass with some volunteers...
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Link to Tracey's Blog
Hey, Y'all!!
If you clic on the title of this post, you will scoot off to my friend Tracey's blog. She lives in Vancouver, and is in the process of adopting a daughter from Kenya. She is TOATLLY prepared, and ready to come over here - HOW exciting! Looks like we will both be selecting our daughters in December... ish! Gotta work in the formula for "African Time"!! Anyway, we are both super excited! Feel free to check out her blog - it is really great.
Well... now I am off to dream land... more in the morning... zzzzzzzzz....
If you clic on the title of this post, you will scoot off to my friend Tracey's blog. She lives in Vancouver, and is in the process of adopting a daughter from Kenya. She is TOATLLY prepared, and ready to come over here - HOW exciting! Looks like we will both be selecting our daughters in December... ish! Gotta work in the formula for "African Time"!! Anyway, we are both super excited! Feel free to check out her blog - it is really great.
Well... now I am off to dream land... more in the morning... zzzzzzzzz....
Dawn of the Triple C Circuit...
Wow. So Meer’s new thing is driving in his Cozy Coupe Convertible – up the driveway – down the driveway-over the ramp - onto the lawn-over to the dogs - back to the staff quarters - around the laundry lines – back around to the swing- over the curb-past the cars – back up the driveway – over the ramp… onto the lawn…. Over to the dogs… and I am talking ALL DAY LONG! Luckily the car had a metal handle, so Meer just sits inside and gets pushed the whole way – he LOVES it!! Terribly serious. Anyway… it’s EXHAUSTING!
He’s sleeping now. No big plans for the afternoon… Bela is bringing dinner over, so I don’t have to cook! How lucky is that??? I know. I know.
So I called Little Angel’s Network this morning to find out when the LANS Committee is meeting – not before next Wednesday, basically. Possibly the Wednesday after that. So it will still be awhile before we get word. No biggie – since we have 4 months from the date of the letter to select our daughter, and we want to do that IDEALLY in January.
Apparently the elections have been moved to December 28th, so people can vote when they are back at their villages. I dunno! That is the logic, though. So if we aren’t here for the elections, we aren’t here for Christmas either… and that sucks! Christmas is such a fun time for children… oh well – time will tell! No point worrying about it yet.
Well – that is all that is new… not much of anything other than a firm counter-clockwise circuit around the house!! Ha ha ha!!
Hope all of you are well…
;-D
He’s sleeping now. No big plans for the afternoon… Bela is bringing dinner over, so I don’t have to cook! How lucky is that??? I know. I know.
So I called Little Angel’s Network this morning to find out when the LANS Committee is meeting – not before next Wednesday, basically. Possibly the Wednesday after that. So it will still be awhile before we get word. No biggie – since we have 4 months from the date of the letter to select our daughter, and we want to do that IDEALLY in January.
Apparently the elections have been moved to December 28th, so people can vote when they are back at their villages. I dunno! That is the logic, though. So if we aren’t here for the elections, we aren’t here for Christmas either… and that sucks! Christmas is such a fun time for children… oh well – time will tell! No point worrying about it yet.
Well – that is all that is new… not much of anything other than a firm counter-clockwise circuit around the house!! Ha ha ha!!
Hope all of you are well…
;-D
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Counseling 101
Good morning everyone!!
So our counselor’s meeting yesterday was quite interesting… for a start, each time I called to get directions to the place, I got a different answer. So I had James (our driver/personal assistant/friend) call. So we go to the place he was told… it’s on the “first floor”, meaning the second floor (buildings start with a “ground floor” here). Had to climb up this little tiny staircase – narrower than what you have in your own house, let me tell you! And there was no parking outside, so Meer couldn’t stay and “drive” with Uncle Jimmy (his favorite pastime!). So there we were – I’m huffing up the stairs first – having to side step people coming down all the time, with a toddler in my arms and on uneven slippery tile stairs…. Uneven slippery DIRTY tile stairs! Ha ha ha!! Kush is behind us - yelling (- oh. I mean "talking"!) on his mobile ohone the whole way! Anyway – we get up there, and find that is the MAIN OFFICE. The counseling offices are ACROSS THE ROAD on the THIRD FLOOR of a different building. Sigh.
And yes – by this time we are already 10 minutes late!
So we cross the road – still no parking, so Kush grabs Meer and off we go – marching up another four flights of stairs. Luckily these stairs were a normal width, and had those open bricks on the one main wall – so there was fresh air, and it was almost pleasant!
So we get to the top, and an askari (guard) opens this grill gate thing for us. Kush asks him if the security is ok, and the guy smiles and says (in Swahilli), “Yes it is not bad.” To which we all laugh – because why would they have a security gate at the top of a staircase if the security was GOOD??? (***Tracey – this is the part of town where the orphanages are… kinda yucky as in no green trees, and lots of litter and dirty concrete)
Anyway – we go inside and are waiting to meet “Violet” – she is the head of the counseling department, apparently. We are a good 15 minutes late by now, and Kush has a meeting scheduled in 45 minutes. I had lied and told him it would take an hour – our social worker said it was less than 30 minutes, so I figured I was safe with doubling it.
Turns out we had to wait about 10 minutes for Violet to show up, and by this time Kush had a slight lather to him- looking at his watch constantly and a bit of tension showing up in the face… ya know what I mean?? Well – for those who know him – it worth a quick chuckle!!
So we go into this room with this middle aged African Lady… we sit down. Kush takes Meer and feeds him some puffed wheat. Violet hands me this three page form to fill out – which I do immediately. As I am doing it she explains to us that the meeting will take between one and one and a half HOURS, and that we can talk about anything, blah, blah, blah. I am not looking, but I can FEEL Kush clench up!! So I mention (as I am fillign out a form at the speed of light!!) that Kush has a meeting, and we were told the session would only last 30 minutes – so if we could do the short version – I would appreciate it. Violet agreed, and commented that she had seen Kush look at his watch about 20 times since entering the room! So I was relieved, but then we sat in silence while I worked at the form! I was like… uh….
Eventually I broke the ice myself, and said, “Hey Hun – do you have any questions about adoption? – I do. What are we supposed to tell the child about her birthmother if her birthmother had thrown her away in a pit latrine? Are we supposed to tell the truth? Or lie? Like when the child asks and is a late teenager or early adult? Do we tell the truth?” So THAT got things going! By this point in time I was following Meer around the room as he investigated everything, and Violet asked me what I would want to know if I was the one that adopted and asking. I had to admit I would rather hear the truth – as an ADULT, that is. Anyway…
We were outta there in about 35 minutes – including the time it took Violet to write us a receipt (so I could put it in Our Future Child’s scrapbook!!!!) All in all it was lovely! We have to go back with our daughter and Meer – so she can see how we are bonding, etc. Got to admit – she was a truly lovely person! Even Kush really liked her! So top snaps to that.
Well – Meer is outside driving around in his Tiny Tikes car with Uncle Jimmy… I had best get out there before Kush has to go to work! Meer freaks when they leave, so I like to have something exciting in the works for the departure – as a distraction.
MUCH loving…
So our counselor’s meeting yesterday was quite interesting… for a start, each time I called to get directions to the place, I got a different answer. So I had James (our driver/personal assistant/friend) call. So we go to the place he was told… it’s on the “first floor”, meaning the second floor (buildings start with a “ground floor” here). Had to climb up this little tiny staircase – narrower than what you have in your own house, let me tell you! And there was no parking outside, so Meer couldn’t stay and “drive” with Uncle Jimmy (his favorite pastime!). So there we were – I’m huffing up the stairs first – having to side step people coming down all the time, with a toddler in my arms and on uneven slippery tile stairs…. Uneven slippery DIRTY tile stairs! Ha ha ha!! Kush is behind us - yelling (- oh. I mean "talking"!) on his mobile ohone the whole way! Anyway – we get up there, and find that is the MAIN OFFICE. The counseling offices are ACROSS THE ROAD on the THIRD FLOOR of a different building. Sigh.
And yes – by this time we are already 10 minutes late!
So we cross the road – still no parking, so Kush grabs Meer and off we go – marching up another four flights of stairs. Luckily these stairs were a normal width, and had those open bricks on the one main wall – so there was fresh air, and it was almost pleasant!
So we get to the top, and an askari (guard) opens this grill gate thing for us. Kush asks him if the security is ok, and the guy smiles and says (in Swahilli), “Yes it is not bad.” To which we all laugh – because why would they have a security gate at the top of a staircase if the security was GOOD??? (***Tracey – this is the part of town where the orphanages are… kinda yucky as in no green trees, and lots of litter and dirty concrete)
Anyway – we go inside and are waiting to meet “Violet” – she is the head of the counseling department, apparently. We are a good 15 minutes late by now, and Kush has a meeting scheduled in 45 minutes. I had lied and told him it would take an hour – our social worker said it was less than 30 minutes, so I figured I was safe with doubling it.
Turns out we had to wait about 10 minutes for Violet to show up, and by this time Kush had a slight lather to him- looking at his watch constantly and a bit of tension showing up in the face… ya know what I mean?? Well – for those who know him – it worth a quick chuckle!!
So we go into this room with this middle aged African Lady… we sit down. Kush takes Meer and feeds him some puffed wheat. Violet hands me this three page form to fill out – which I do immediately. As I am doing it she explains to us that the meeting will take between one and one and a half HOURS, and that we can talk about anything, blah, blah, blah. I am not looking, but I can FEEL Kush clench up!! So I mention (as I am fillign out a form at the speed of light!!) that Kush has a meeting, and we were told the session would only last 30 minutes – so if we could do the short version – I would appreciate it. Violet agreed, and commented that she had seen Kush look at his watch about 20 times since entering the room! So I was relieved, but then we sat in silence while I worked at the form! I was like… uh….
Eventually I broke the ice myself, and said, “Hey Hun – do you have any questions about adoption? – I do. What are we supposed to tell the child about her birthmother if her birthmother had thrown her away in a pit latrine? Are we supposed to tell the truth? Or lie? Like when the child asks and is a late teenager or early adult? Do we tell the truth?” So THAT got things going! By this point in time I was following Meer around the room as he investigated everything, and Violet asked me what I would want to know if I was the one that adopted and asking. I had to admit I would rather hear the truth – as an ADULT, that is. Anyway…
We were outta there in about 35 minutes – including the time it took Violet to write us a receipt (so I could put it in Our Future Child’s scrapbook!!!!) All in all it was lovely! We have to go back with our daughter and Meer – so she can see how we are bonding, etc. Got to admit – she was a truly lovely person! Even Kush really liked her! So top snaps to that.
Well – Meer is outside driving around in his Tiny Tikes car with Uncle Jimmy… I had best get out there before Kush has to go to work! Meer freaks when they leave, so I like to have something exciting in the works for the departure – as a distraction.
MUCH loving…
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
We're BACK!!!
I know. I know. It's "AUGUST"!!! I can hear you all yelling at me already! Point is - I am BACK!
Luckily I was surfing around and met this chic from Vancouver (same as me!), and she sent me the link to her blog, and then I got to thinkin: "Oh YAH!! I used to have one of those!!" So here I am! All thanks to my gal-pal Tracey.
Anyway - a BIG shout out to everyone! Gretchen - How the heck are ya?? How is XS?? I am thinking of hooking up Tracey at Bid Apartments - how cool is that?? (Gretchen stayed there when she was here for the summer doing a law class thingy a few years back)
So - the BIG news is that Kush and I are in the process of adopting a daughter! We haven't met her yet, though. Just in the planning stages. We have a counselling appointment this afternoon, and then our case goes to the board for approval. Kush has some business to do out of the country,so as soon as we get back (Christmas time?), we will be in a position to select a child (or be selected by the child!!), and will have her living with us within the first week! COOL, huh?? We are super excited.
Anyway - that's the news!!
Also have internet back at the house now, so will do my BEST to post a few times a week - while our super-great son is napping!
MUCH love to all of you... xoxoxoxoxox!!!
Luckily I was surfing around and met this chic from Vancouver (same as me!), and she sent me the link to her blog, and then I got to thinkin: "Oh YAH!! I used to have one of those!!" So here I am! All thanks to my gal-pal Tracey.
Anyway - a BIG shout out to everyone! Gretchen - How the heck are ya?? How is XS?? I am thinking of hooking up Tracey at Bid Apartments - how cool is that?? (Gretchen stayed there when she was here for the summer doing a law class thingy a few years back)
So - the BIG news is that Kush and I are in the process of adopting a daughter! We haven't met her yet, though. Just in the planning stages. We have a counselling appointment this afternoon, and then our case goes to the board for approval. Kush has some business to do out of the country,so as soon as we get back (Christmas time?), we will be in a position to select a child (or be selected by the child!!), and will have her living with us within the first week! COOL, huh?? We are super excited.
Anyway - that's the news!!
Also have internet back at the house now, so will do my BEST to post a few times a week - while our super-great son is napping!
MUCH love to all of you... xoxoxoxoxox!!!
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