Olsson Family Fund – In Memory of Marra Frehiwot

22. May, 2013UncategorizedNo comments

West Sands Adoptions has opened a fund for the Olsson family, who tragically lost their daughter a few days ago. All donations will be applied to their adoption account, and distributed to the family to help cover any additional costs they may have at this time. If you would like to donate to this family you can mail your payment to our office, or pay via the following link. Please memo Olsson Family Fund:
http://www.westsandsadoption.org/ws/donate/

I have to write this. It’s not something I can choose not to do. It has to be written.
I am compelled to tell you about an amazing little girl. This little girl- this incredible, phenomenal spitfire of a girl was perfect. She was beauty. She was joy. She was sunshine.
She is Marra. Marra Frehiwot (or Marra Freh) as we all lovingly called her.
There really are no words…no witty quips or pretty adjectives that can ever come close to conveying all that which is and always will be Marra. But her mommy asked me to try. Her mommy, who in the midst of her soul shattering grief wants simply for us to celebrate her daughter asked me to help all of you “see” Marra as we all did. And so…. I have to write.
To know Marra was to know pure,blissful,joyous love. She was so tiny and yet had the presence of a
Giant. When Marra walked (ran was more like it) into the room-you knew it. Her laughter was the kind that comes from the soul- the kind that comes from those who know they are completely and unconditionally loved. And she was. And is. And forever will be. You couldn’t help but love her. There’s just something about that little girl…. Something about Marra.
Perhaps it was her smile. To be smiled at by Marra was like standing in the most brilliant sunrise you’ve ever seen. You could (and did) drown in those smiles. And if , by chance you didn’t-well there would be no saving you from those giant round eyes of hers.
There really is just something about that little girl. Something about our Marra. The little girl with the enormous personality. The precious little girl who we have to say good bye to. The little girl who was called home by Our Heavenly Father just days ago. The beautiful little girl that touched and forever affected so many lives-including my own.
I have been so blessed to have been included in Marra’s life by her incredible parents. And they are incredible. How could they not be? God wouldn’t have chosen parents for Marra unless they were amazing people. Strong in their faith. Strong in their love for each other. And strong in their complete and total love and devotion to their children. Amy Olsson and Sten J. Olsson are all of those things and more. They are the kind of parents I have always wanted and hoped to be.
I wish it were possible for me to express through words the pain I feel for this incredible family. Pain at the loss of their precious Marra Freh. Pain for the road they will now travel. Pain for the journey of grief they will now have to endure. And pain-excruciating pain at the hurtful and judge mental things inconsiderate people have said.
Amy asked me to address that issue. And I said I would. But I’m changing my mind. I won’t tarnish or dim the light that is Marra by wasting time on insignificant and ugly babble. Marra wouldn’t want it. Instead I will pray. I will pray for those who choose to judge without knowing that Sten adored his daughter as he does each of his children. I will pray for their lack of compassion toward a grieving father who has been shattered by the death of his baby. I will beg that Our Father will shield them from ever being touched by the loss of their own child because then-and only then could they ever begin to fathom what Marra’s daddy is feeling. And I will ask you all to pray it with me.
Now-I have a favor to ask. It isn’t my favor. It’s the favor asked of me by my dear friend,Amy…..my sister in Christ and fellow broken momma. Won’t you help me share Marra? Please share this on your wall, in your groups, in conversation. Tell everyone you know. Tell them that there was a phenomenal little girl who came clear across the world with parents who moved mountains just for the chance to love her. Tell them about her giggles , how she loved her family, adored her doggy, was learning all about and loving God and teaching us all what joy looks like. Tell them there’s just something about Marra.
And ask them to tell her story.

Donations Needed for Transition Home

8. May, 2013UncategorizedNo comments

West Sands Ethiopia Program May Update!

3. May, 2013UncategorizedNo comments

US Embassy in Ethiopia will be closed: Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

24. April, 2013UncategorizedNo comments

Dear Families,

Please see the message from the US Embassy in Addis regarding the holiday closure. A list of the Embassy’s holidays can be found at: http://ethiopia.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

Dear Colleagues,

We were just informed that U.S. Embassy will be closed on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in observance of International Labor Day and will reopen for normal business on Thursday, May 2, 2013.

In addition, the Mission will close again on Friday, May 3, 2013, in observance of Ethiopian Good Friday and will reopen for normal business on Monday, May 6, 2013.

All agency’s whose intake falls on May 1st or May 3rd should submit their cases on Thursday, May 2nd.

We apologize for the late notice.

Sincerely

Adoption Unit

U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa

Orphan Status Verification – Private Investigators

5. April, 2013UncategorizedNo comments

Dear Ethiopia Adoptive Families,

In light of recent discussions on Facebook as to whether or not families should retain a private investigator in Ethiopia to perform an Orphan Investigation of their child’s life history. We feel it is important for us to provide you with additional information on this topic, and hope to support you the best way possible through your adoption journey. Many families are being contacted by third party agency’s offering Orphan Status Verification Services with a promise that their case will be processed quicker at the Embassy stage.

We already provide this service for you. Isn’t that why you chose West Sands Adoptions as your placing agency? West Sands Adoptions has a full time Social Worker/ Investigator who verifies every child’d life history before the referral is given. Our Ethiopian team has done an amazing job representing WSA to be sure that the children we refer meet the Orphan Definition under Ethiopian and U.S. Immigration Law.

West Sands Adoptions wants our adoptive families to know that we will support your decision to retain an investigator if you feel necessary. However, we feel it is important for you to know that in almost all cases, this service is unnecessary. We also want parents to be aware that the reason many of these Agency’s are pushing families to retain their services at the beginning of the process is because it is rarely needed in the end. Of course, the U.S. Embassy is willing to receive any information that can be gathered, but that does not indicate that your case will be processed quicker. Some families have decided to retain an investigator and feel that it may have helped their case process more quickly, but in most cases we do not agree. We have yet to see a case where a private investigator has found more information than originally provided, rather their report has served as additional support to the information already provided.

During the course of your child’s adoption process if for any reason we become concerned, or feel that additional support is needed, we will advise adoptive families to retain immigration specific legal council. We will never leave you during the process, and will assist you until your child comes home. Be cautious of other adoptive families advise, and remember every child’s case is unique. We hope you find this information helpful, and encourage you to contact our office if you have any questions or concerns.

Additionally, please read the following post from the U.S. State Department regarding Ethiostork: CLICK HERE to visit the State Department’s Site.

Ethiopia

December 11, 2012

Notice: Status of EthioStork International Social Service Consultants

The Ethiopian Ministry of Women, Children, and Youth Affairs requested the Department of State provide clarification to U.S. families on the licensing of the organization, EthioStork International Social Service Consultants. The Ministry informed the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa that the organization EthioStork is not licensed to facilitate intercountry adoption by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Charities and Societies Agency. The organization is licensed to provide consultancy services by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and social affairs counseling services by the Addis Ababa City Administration Trade and Industrial Development Bureau.

For additional information on agencies licensed in Ethiopia to provide services related to intercountry adoption, please refer to the List of Adoption Agencies Registered in Ethiopia on the website of Embassy of Ethiopia in Washington, D.C..

Previous posts Next posts