Ethiopia Post Script

I wanted to register some observations about Ethiopia as a country.  Our trip to Africa was not our first foray into the developing world so we weren't shocked by some of the things that might be shocking to others: extreme poverty, pollution, and disease.  Ethiopia certainly has all those things.  Yet, the things that stood out to me were the quiet confidence, grace and warmth of the people and their striking beauty.  They are so hospitable with their "coffee ceremony" that welcomed us to every hotel, restaurant and even the care center where our children are.  The people have such lovely smiles.  The food is spicy and exotic.  The countryside is varied and beautiful.

When I go to Latin America, it strikes me how prominent women are in society: you see them in the home, at work, out and about.  It's clear how important they are in the culture. It's a place of women.  India, I think, is a place of young men.  There are few women or children in view but in every public place from upscale shops to ancient tombs there were young men.
In contrast, Ethiopia is a country of children.  In every situation, every place, there are children alone; begging, walking on the streets, working.  We saw children that looked the age of 6 or 7 herding cattle, driving carts pulled by donkeys.   It is so different from anything I've seen before and underscores the continued tragedy of this and many impoverished countries in Africa: there are just too many children alone.  In sub-Saharan Africa it's estimated there are 48 million, yes million orphans.  What we are doing can't change the enormity of that problem, but it changes it for our two kids.

We are so proud of Ethiopia.  Proud of it's history as the birthplace of humanity.  Proud of it's rich culture and heritage.  And especially proud that of all the countries in Africa that have an overwhelming number of orphans and children in need, it stands as one of the few that have a stable enough government, strong enough infrastructue, and deep enough committment to their children to allow for international adoption and for that, we are forever grateful.