This past week we received word that Noemi was filed with the Ethiopian courts and has been assigned to Group M. This means that there is a group of approx 12 children from our agency that will all be heard in court on the same day, and Noemi is part of that group. We still don’t have a date for that group, but we know that Group L has a court date of June 8th. So…it could be sooner than we had first thought! Wooooo Hooooo!
It would not be uncommon if Noemi did not pass court the first time around. Many families watch multiple courts dates go by before their child passes. Ms. Pragmatist in me is hoping and praying for the best (It WILL happen, no?) and yet trying to emotionally prepare for a bumpy ride. I don't really know how to "prepare oneself" for such utter disappoint. I had a conversation with another mother this week who is on her 9th court date, so my heart is aware. But Donovan and I both feel positive, and we are focusing on that and moving forward with the assumption that she will pass the first time around.
The Ministries of Women’s Affairs (MOWA) processes adoptions in Ethiopia and is under a lot of stress to hear adoption cases as quickly as possible. That being said, they are becoming increasingly careful to rule out any type of corruption. For this reason, they are not going to “pass” a child whose paperwork is not 100% in place at the time of the hearing. This is a good thing.
The director of AAI had this to say earlier this week in reaction to many families not passing multiple times:
Some cases passed court today, seven cases passed this week. Unfortunately they were not necessarily the cases that had waited the longest. Some MOWA letters were not written (MOWA needs to write a cover letter for each child’s file, and this is often the single element that is missing). Some folks are angry. It makes me angry too, but I can't fault MOWA for wanting to be sure every thing is absolutely correct. MOWA is not the enemy, their agenda is to assess each situation and be sure that everything is done correctly and completely. The director of MOWA has been in prison twice in the past six months, while "irregularities" were checked. She is responsible to be sure that documents are reviewed and complete before signing off. She is asking more questions and asking for more detail than ever before. We believe that this will continue and that adoption from Ethiopia will be ever more complex. I don't know the details but two different times MOWA letters were not ready and we were told it was because the director was in prison. I believe she is an honest person doing her best to act in a legal way but it seems to be that they arrested first and ivestigated later. Both cases it was only for a few days. We have seen this happen with orphanage directors as well. This is why we keep saying how important it is that everything be done correctly and that is what we strive to do.
I continue to have absolute confidence in Temesgen (The AAI attorney, our POA) to move the cases forward and assist in getting whatever documentation is needed. Do remember that we are guests in Ethiopia, adopting their children according to their rules and processes. I do understand the pain of disappointment for those who though that finally their wait would be over. It will happen.
With that…we pray, hoot and holla for a speedy and smooth court hearing for Group M!
