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Title: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: CharlieMopps on January 16, 2010, 06:31:06 PM Well I'm back...
Got me a baby! :awesome_for_real: (http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3732/mesay2010047small.jpg) Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: schild on January 16, 2010, 06:39:57 PM You stole a baby in Ethiopia?
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: waffel on January 16, 2010, 06:48:10 PM :-o
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: CharlieMopps on January 16, 2010, 06:56:49 PM You stole a baby in Ethiopia? I wish... no... cost me more than a years pay to adopt him. Not to mention the trip was not pleasant. Don't ever go to Ethiopia if you don't have to. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Baldrake on January 16, 2010, 06:58:52 PM Congrats, man, that's great news!
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Aez on January 16, 2010, 07:07:35 PM Gratz!
Are you sure you're not confusing Ethiopia and Mars? (http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/8953/81643474.jpg) (http://img407.imageshack.us/i/81643474.jpg/) Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Viin on January 16, 2010, 07:16:34 PM Awesome!
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: CharlieMopps on January 16, 2010, 07:42:53 PM lol, he's a real ham. He likes to make crazy faces.
We drove about 600km out into the middle of nowhere to meet his birth mother. I promised her that he'd never know hunger, never be cold at night, and he could chose whatever he wanted to be if he put in the effort... Doctor, lawyer, etc... She didn't really care. She said that her family were all farmers and she wanted to be sure that I would keep him in touch with the land. After I explained that there are several farmers in my family and that's where we go on weekends she got really excited, jumped up and started hugging me like crazy. She apparently had this idea that everyone in America lived in the big city. In any event, she was very happy. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Engels on January 16, 2010, 08:23:09 PM Good on you, Mr. Mopps. He looks adorable.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Lakov_Sanite on January 16, 2010, 08:35:07 PM How does an ethiopian baby cost a years salary? Grats and all...I just figured they'd be cheaper.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Strazos on January 16, 2010, 09:00:13 PM I'm wondering how you arrived at the decision to adopt and ETHIOPIAN child, as opposed to any other.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Selby on January 16, 2010, 09:00:37 PM How does an ethiopian baby cost a years salary? Adoption red tape costs a fortune, even in countries you wouldn't expect it to.Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Paelos on January 16, 2010, 09:59:20 PM Damn, Ethiopia. Bravo to you for setting foot in a country most (including myself) would never venture. Still, good reward, no?
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: BoatApe on January 16, 2010, 10:09:22 PM Awesome lookin' little guy - I swear he'll grow into that hairline.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Samwise on January 16, 2010, 10:32:58 PM Congrats on getting the prize at the end of the adoption gauntlet!
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: CharlieMopps on January 16, 2010, 10:38:37 PM It's really complicated but basically we're in our 30s and haven't been married that long so we didn't qualify for many programs. Only 3. One was closed, Russia is the most expensive international program there is. Also the kids come out with mental problems because they are so neglected. Ethiopia really takes care of their orphans. It's part of their culture. And the program is relatively cheap.
As far as how it could cost so much... In the states you are required to take classes, have a social worker visit your house several times (To inspect) you get licenses as a foster parent, etc... each of those things costs a couple hundred dollars. You have to file a bunch of paper work with the government and every time you do there's a fee of anywhere from $100 to $500. The plane tickets alone were $5000. The fee to Ethiopia was $12k Even now that we have him here we had to pay $500 to make him a resident and then have to pay for a social worker to visit every 2 weeks for 6 months, then we have to pay a fee to get his citizenship and pay to change his name and get a SSN. It adds up fast. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: CharlieMopps on January 16, 2010, 10:40:01 PM Awesome lookin' little guy - I swear he'll grow into that hairline. Lack of hair has to do with the nutrition there. He's already growing more in. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Abagadro on January 16, 2010, 10:47:12 PM Gratz. Cute kid. Sounds like you went through a lot of effort.
My kid cost about that much but that is because we had to have him custom made in a tube. It's worth the dough. :awesome_for_real: Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: schild on January 17, 2010, 02:46:16 AM How much of that money do his Ethiopian parents get?
I'm imagining little to none. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Venkman on January 17, 2010, 05:10:30 AM That's aweseome Mopps.
Friend of mine is in the early stages himself. Already looking at potentially a second job due to the costs. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Lakov_Sanite on January 17, 2010, 05:34:19 AM And people wonder why kids don't get adopted.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Baldrake on January 17, 2010, 06:49:55 AM How much of that money do his Ethiopian parents get? Not sure about the US, but in Canada it's illegal for the birth parents to be paid. Something to do with the idea that we shouldn't be able to purchase a human being. The ethics around this stuff get pretty hairy.I'm imagining little to none. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Hawkbit on January 17, 2010, 07:09:29 AM Congrats! What an awesome looking little guy. We wish you all the best.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: CharlieMopps on January 17, 2010, 08:27:36 AM How much of that money do his Ethiopian parents get? I'm imagining little to none. Yes, it's illegal to pay the birth parents anything. That would quickly lead to women getting pregnant with the intent to sell the babies... Which actually does happen in some parts of the world. The part of the money we pay to the adoption agency however, does get used in her area. They provide womens services like birth control, prenatal care, delivery services, and provided medicines until the children are a certain age (not sure what that is.) They operate the ONLY medical facility within several hundred kilometers of the are our son was born and have the only Dr in the entire region on staff. While the facility is generally for womens services everyone goes there for any type of thing we would go to an emergency room for. While we were at the facility some guys showed up with a man in his 20s that was injured. They had him laying on a donkey cart. I'm pretty sure he had already died on the ride in though. The agency we went through is non-profit and one of the largest in the world (Holt international) there are many other agency that are rather shady. We actually met a few couples that went through other agencies while we were there and I definitely didn't like what I was hearing from them. Things like not being allowed to see the facility your child was kept in should be a huge red flag. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Merusk on January 17, 2010, 11:42:56 AM Pretty sure if you do private adoption in the US you don't have to jump through any of the loopholes you previously mentioned, Charlie. A couple at my last place of employ did exactly that, as did a woman who I'm currently working with. One through a Catholic charity the other.. I'm not sure but it sounded like just a PA Agency. The entire process for both was only 9 months because they both found a birth mother who was newly pregnant. Of course, as I understand it, private adoption runs the risk of the parents wanting the kids back prior to the completion of all the legal stuff.
Still, grats, he's got a hell of a personality already I see. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Flatfoot on January 17, 2010, 12:54:22 PM I don't know you from Adam, but wanted to congratulate you nevertheless. He's quite handsome :)
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: schild on January 17, 2010, 01:18:08 PM Pretty sure if you do private adoption in the US you don't have to jump through any of the loopholes you previously mentioned, Charlie. A couple at my last place of employ did exactly that, as did a woman who I'm currently working with. One through a Catholic charity the other.. I'm not sure but it sounded like just a PA Agency. The entire process for both was only 9 months because they both found a birth mother who was newly pregnant. Of course, as I understand it, private adoption runs the risk of the parents wanting the kids back prior to the completion of all the legal stuff. This is roughly how my adoption apparently went, except through a Temple (since, you know, Jews) rather than a Catholic charity. My adoptive parents got me on day 1. Like a new video game. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: NiX on January 17, 2010, 01:26:27 PM And here I thought you were birthed by Awesome itself.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: schild on January 17, 2010, 01:28:43 PM And here I thought you were birthed by Awesome itself. I might've been, no way to tell, really.Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Lakov_Sanite on January 17, 2010, 03:14:59 PM I always like to imagine I was born of a jackal, makes being adopted interesting.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: K9 on January 17, 2010, 04:43:55 PM What was/is/will be his name?
If you're stuck for ideas, Agamemnon is a good strong name. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Ratman_tf on January 17, 2010, 04:55:38 PM What was/is/will be his name? If you're stuck for ideas, Agamemnon is a good strong name. (http://www.cybertronical.com/allsites/starwars/main/characters/jar_jar_binks/jar5.jpg) "Aggie? Aggie! Mesa so smilin to see you!" Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: CharlieMopps on January 17, 2010, 06:26:54 PM Pretty sure if you do private adoption in the US you don't have to jump through any of the loopholes you previously mentioned, Charlie. A couple at my last place of employ did exactly that, as did a woman who I'm currently working with. One through a Catholic charity the other.. I'm not sure but it sounded like just a PA Agency. The entire process for both was only 9 months because they both found a birth mother who was newly pregnant. Of course, as I understand it, private adoption runs the risk of the parents wanting the kids back prior to the completion of all the legal stuff. Still, grats, he's got a hell of a personality already I see. yea, but then you have to find a kid to adopt. It's very hard unless you have promiscuous niece. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Fraeg on January 17, 2010, 07:14:34 PM I doff my hat to you sir. That is wonderful that you guys adopted.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Righ on January 18, 2010, 09:22:12 AM There's an absurdly long list of worse things you could have got in Ethiopia, so congratulations. ;)
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Soln on January 18, 2010, 09:33:47 AM yes congratulations!
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Nebu on January 18, 2010, 09:37:11 AM Raising someone else's child takes an enormous amount of compassion and dedication. You've given this child a world of opportunity that they may have never had. What a wonderful gift.
Congratulations to you on the new addition to the family. He's a cutie. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Mosesandstick on January 18, 2010, 10:22:32 AM Nice one. Grats!
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Cyrrex on January 18, 2010, 10:31:57 AM I am inexplicably glad to hear that things worked out for you. I think I said it before in the other post you had on this topic, but I think you've done one of the greatest things a person can do for another human being. If it weren't for the Interweb being in the way, I'd give you a great big non-sensual manhug right now.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Engels on January 18, 2010, 10:49:34 AM Feel free to post more pics of the tyke as time goes by. I am immediately cheered up when I revisit the initial photo.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Baldrake on January 18, 2010, 01:54:20 PM Raising someone else's child takes an enormous amount of compassion and dedication. This is absolutely true. Daycare workers, nannies and foster parents deserve our complete respect.This doesn't apply to Charlie M., though, since the boy isn't "someone else's child" any more. He's Charlie's son now. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: CharlieMopps on January 18, 2010, 03:46:03 PM Raising someone else's child takes an enormous amount of compassion and dedication. This is absolutely true. Daycare workers, nannies and foster parents deserve our complete respect.This doesn't apply to Charlie M., though, since the boy isn't "someone else's child" any more. He's Charlie's son now. Yes he is! :awesome_for_real: Also, really we're the ones that lucked out. He's healthy, cute and very well behaved. Someone would have snapped him up in a second. While we were there there were familys adopting children with very serious health conditions... Those people are as hardcore as any infantry man running into a hail of bullets as far as I'm concerned. Although, when I gave them the devil horns in recognition they didn't seem to appreciate it. In any event, here's another picture: (http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/909/mesay2010005small.jpg) Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: NowhereMan on January 18, 2010, 03:55:55 PM Hah, ok the second pic really got me. He's adorable. I salute you sir.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Azaroth on January 18, 2010, 07:36:02 PM Congrats, dude. He's friggin' adorable.
Enjoy. :thumbs_up: Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Furiously on January 18, 2010, 11:56:35 PM You did an amazingly brave thing. I'd have been terrified of getting a child with HIV.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Jherad on January 19, 2010, 05:18:36 AM Awww, congratulations! Very cute kid :)
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: ghost on January 19, 2010, 06:12:41 AM It's pretty sad that so many of these governments put up monetary roadblocks to adoption. They have needy children that people want to adopt, yet they try to make money off of the process. That makes me angry.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Nebu on January 19, 2010, 06:33:46 AM It's pretty sad that so many of these governments put up monetary roadblocks to adoption. They have needy children that people want to adopt, yet they try to make money off of the process. That makes me angry. Keep in mind that a natural birth can cost as much as $15k. More with severe complications. In Vitro is even higher. I'd say that the money on adoption is well spent. First, the money can be/is used for background checks to ensure that the parents are capable of providing a good home. Second, the cost acts as a barrier to limit the amount of trafficking. Keep the pictures coming. He's a very photogenic little guy! Edit: Standard apologies for my gift of stating the obvious. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: WayAbvPar on January 19, 2010, 12:09:00 PM You did an amazingly brave thing. I'd have been terrified of getting a child with HIV. I don't think he is planning to have sex with the kid, sicko :oh_i_see: Grats! Very cute kid. Around 2 years old? Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Azazel on January 19, 2010, 12:14:02 PM Congratulations!
erm, I'm sure he meant it in terms of adopting a healthy child with a good chance ot living up through adulthood. Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: WayAbvPar on January 20, 2010, 08:36:36 AM I dunno, this is Furiously we are talking about. Furi is right in the name! :why_so_serious:
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Signe on January 20, 2010, 09:26:43 AM Furiously is a great guy! She taught me how to dance!
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Furiously on January 20, 2010, 11:17:51 AM And love Signe. And love.
Title: Re: Remember how I said I was going to Ethiopia? Post by: Jimbo on January 20, 2010, 03:41:45 PM Gratz on the kido!
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