Report from Scott

[TriMax]

I received this from Scott This morning 08/03/2011:

Ethiopia is going great. Got to visit with our daughter for the last 3 days. She is very little and very beautiful. Even though she is 3-1/2 months old, she wears newborn clothes. We met her birth-mother the first day and she couldn’t have been older than 15 years old. She seemed very embarrassed and detached and uncomfortable holding "M" (not supposed to give a name until the adoption is final). But we are glad we got to meet her and take pictures for the future. And the manager of the orphanage interviewed her extensively and will translate for us.

We are going to eat out classic Ethiopian food tonight and shopping tomorrow. But have to wait until Friday for court. This place is very different and very poor. We went to a nearby orphanage and bought two goats on the way over – that’s enough to feed everybody for two days. That orphanage is not as well off as the orphanage where our little girl is staying. Her’s is very nice and well staffed. I feel pretty good leaving her there until we can bring her home in 2 months.

Feel free to update the group. I’ll let people know more detail when I return.

 

[Engloid]

I think it's great that he was able to DIRECTLY give something to these people. I always hate to hear about how much donated money never gets to the people that need it and there are so many times I wish I could just give directly to where it is needed and know, beyond any doubt, that they get what I give. Wonder if there's any way we could send him money so he can go buy them a couple more goats or something... or if nothing else, maybe he can buy them knowing that we will reimburse him when he returns.

 

[Runner]

Hey, guys. Finally got to get online and take a look. Thanks for posting Eddie.

Yes, it did feel good to buy 1/2 a goat (my share, anyway -- others pitched in to buy the rest) for those guys. Each one cost 1400 birr (about $70) -- and that was a double mark-up price (our driver said we got "white people price"). We let the goats go inside their fenced area at the orphanage and they started grazing immediately on the grass and plants. The director said they would fatten them up for 15 days before turning them into meals. I tentively named them "Lunch" and "Dinner", but I do not think the names stuck. We had also collected donations from various people and were able to bring over two large boxes full of diapers and formula and other stuff for that orphanage (the rest for our little girl's orphanage). We'll be able to bring some more on our second trip. Both orphanages depend heavily on the donations that adoptive parents bring in their 4 checked bags. As for goats, that would be hard because our group isn't headed over there. But any donations of formula (especially soy formula) and diapers and the like would be great. And I am coming back with a list of medications that are needed and would accept any help in buying those -- I get the feeling some of those might be expensive. Anybody interested can PM me or email me (or call me next week -- I won't answer here at $3.50 a minute ).

 

[Runner]

P.S. Will post pictures of Lunch and Dinner once I get back to the states.

 

[EvilMel]

I'm super glad to hear about all this Scott...TOTALLY stoked for you guys!! How are the boys doing with the grandparents?

 

[Runner]

The boys have been getting along fine -- up until my Skype call today when our youngest said they were "mostly getting along". I think he's just getting bored with not going a lot of places like they do with us and being stuck inside because it is so hot out.

Court went okay, but I will probably be bringing our little girl home later rather than sooner. I will know more next week.

 

[cee]

Hit me up Scott when you return. I'd gladly donate to your "fund", esp. knowing no administrative fees will be withdrawn from the contribution. If you see any Ethiopian Euphorbia species while over there I'm an avid collector of those east African succulents LOL.

Dave

 

[Runner]

Thanks, Dave. Not sure when my next trip will be because of political issues in the southern region where my little girl came from. Was expecting about 6 week but could be 3 months or a little more now. We'll see how it goes.

I'll be checking with a local doctor or two to see what I can get my hands on and the costs. Any donations you would care to make would be appreciated and would go 100% towards whatever I have to buy. If it isn't medicine, then it will be soy formula and diapers and shoes and the like that I plan to buy. Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the offers and will get back in touch with you.

As for plants, I didn't see too many of those in the city and those that are have survived deserve to not have me pick them.

 

[kershak]

well done bro the world need more people like you

 

[Runner]

well done bro the world need more people like you

Thank you, but I am already over there to pick up my little girl and I have four free suitcases that can carry 50 pounds of stuff each, so I might as well make use of them.

 

[cee]

Yes, it is a pretty rough environment for anything that has to squeak out an existence out-of-doors. I'm sure it's not much better with shelter.

Dave

Thanks, Dave. Not sure when my next trip will be because of political issues in the southern region where my little girl came from. Was expecting about 6 week but could be 3 months or a little more now. We'll see how it goes.

I'll be checking with a local doctor or two to see what I can get my hands on and the costs. Any donations you would care to make would be appreciated and would go 100% towards whatever I have to buy. If it isn't medicine, then it will be soy formula and diapers and shoes and the like that I plan to buy. Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the offers and will get back in touch with you.

As for plants, I didn't see too many of those in the city and those that are have survived deserve to not have me pick them.

 

[Runner]

As promised, here are pics of Lunch and Dinner getting a good start on their weight-gain plan. Probably the greenest grass they've seen in a while.

 

[Knox_Legend]

I have eaten goat a number of times and it is actually quite good.

 

[Runner]

After a long wait and scare by the Southern regional government (where my daughter is originally from) threatening to end adoptions from the area and take our daughter (and 100's of others) back to overcrowded orphanages in a famine-stricken area of the world, we have been promised the last piece of paper will be signed by the end of next week. This means we might be traveling to pick her up around Christmas. We hope. Still some American embassy red tape to cut through.

If anybody who mentioned helping with donations to the ophanges over there would still seriously like to help, contact me on my cell phone at 865 8 5 1 three eight one one (call or text). We are trying to assemble as many diapers and soy formula as we can carry. And trying to figure out how to get our hands on some prescription meds like basic antibiotics. And if I can, I'll go back to our daughter's original orphanage with a goat in tow.

 

[EvilMel]

I could buy some diapers/formula for you guys to take with you Scott. Let me know when it's getting close to you leaving. That or I'll just give them to Jake to take to AM.

By when do you need donations?

 

[Engloid]

how much is a goat?

 

[Runner]

My timeline to leave is 4 to 8 weeks, so anytime before the 4 week mark to be safe. I can get a recent list of stuff they are requesting if you'd like to see it. Formula should be soy if you buy that. I talked to a doctor yesterday about getting hands on antibiotics and there are probably too many hurdles for me to overcome to get a good amount of those over there. Anything lightweight and not too bulky that kids would like to play with and is in good condition would be great for the older kids. We are bringing over a big bag of tootsie roll pops because those went over well last time.

how much is a goat?

It is negotiable. If the bus driver picks him out, $35~$40. If they see white people in the bus, $70. We paid $70 last time because we were nosy and peeked out.

 

[EvilMel]

I can get a recent list of stuff they are requesting if you'd like to see it.

Yes, please.

 

[volupte79]

Scott, that is great news!!! I would love to send some diapers and formula or money for a goat or something else that is needed. Please post a list of what is needed there. This is the season for giving after all!

 

[Engloid]

It is negotiable. If the bus driver picks him out, $35~$40. If they see white people in the bus, $70. We paid $70 last time because we were nosy and peeked out.

I will commit, at this point, to whole/partial goat ($40). Whats best to pay? paypal, if we don't see each other between now and then?