[Hallemom]

Hi:

I am a single adoptive parent looking into adopting from Ethiopia in the near future. There have been some posts recently that MOWA (Ministry of Womans Affairs) in the Ethiopia is discussing new regulations that might exclude singles from adopting from Ethiopia?

Does anyone have any further information about this or is this just a rumor

Hallemom

[JenC]

This was discussed a few days ago on another Ethio board, and they didn't think it would be closing. I know it's a rumor every year, but i thinkMOWA decided to not close it to singles. I'll PM you the link to the thread on the other board.

[ocracoke]

This has recently been discussed in the yahoo singles group as well. Causing quite a stir. This room was in existance when I started my adoption process in 2005 and I was warned to be prepared to change countries if it actually came to fruitition. It didn't. Last year as we prepared for the annual court closing the rumor reared it's ugle head again and caused a stir. It did not happen. This year it has started again. But I have to say that in some ways it feels different this time. This month 2 well known and reputable agencies in Ethiopia have announced to their clients that "Ethiopia" (not sure what that means) has told them that Ethiopia will be closing to singles and to stop taking single applicants. Both agencies have stopped taking single applicants -- but their websites do not yet reflect this. Both agencies told their current single applicants that they are hoping to get all their current clients through the process without them needing to switch countries. There are also a few agencies that haven't accepted singles for a while. In the past week I have talked with 4 separate agencies and asked them about the status of singles. Three of those agencies say they have heard nothing from Ethiopia about the change in single status. One of those agencies said they were going to be in touch with the JCICS about it and would get back to me with any news -- I have heard nothing yet. One said they were told by their agency rep that it is a possibility that singles will be excluded in the future. Another agency also announced to their clients that singles will be taken on a case by case basis and that singles must have a "strong" home study to be considered. So I don't know if the rumor is real or not. And I have a feeling we may not know until it actually happens.

Samantha