My European agency informed me that the MOWA will close for two weeks because of trainings. This closure does not affect cases having already the MOWA approval. New court dates for old cases will proceed in 1,5 weeks.
Just to see whether my understanding of the situation matches anyone else's: the ban has been lifted but Mowa is closed for training. So, those who already had the Mowa letter (possibly those put on hold at the very beginning of the ban) may pass immediately, the other will have to wait until Mowa comes back. However, that will happen on July 24 (reason why I do not understand the above reference to 1.5 weeks) which means it is possible they will not have the material time to write all the letters before summer closure. There is no indication that the summer closure is going to be postponed. Bottom line: if we do not have a Mowa letter already chances are we'll have to wait until October. Ayone sees it differently?
Anon 8:28: If you have already the MOWA letter you do not need MOWA to pass court, only after court for the documentation. Therefore, for those cases MOWA closure does not matter.
July 8 to July 24 is 17 days or ~2.5 weeks, not 1.5.
My understanding is the same as Anon 8:28. Sounds right. My guess is the MOWA closure has little effect as those who already have letters will fill up most/all of the two weeks. The biggest issue is the court closure and if/when that will happen. Obviously, we all feel it shouldn't happen at this point, and there are rumors to that effect. There are also rumors it'll close early, and it'll close in mid-August. At this point, it's anyone's guess as to what will happen. Wait and see, I suppose.
I don't think so, anon 10:09. MOWA stopped writing letters during the ban, so I'd think anyone with mid-May court dates and beyond wouldn't have the letter already. could be wrong, hope i am!
I am hoping to get more info after court on Friday. Our agency has five cases to be heard. Maybe based on the outcome we can figure out the MOWA letter issue...
We just received word from our agency (U.S.A.) that we now have a court date on July 20. According to our agency rep, the court is requesting that MOWA make a few of their representatives available to prepare the needed pre-court paperwork for families with court dates before they return to their office. I realize that they will probably say no, but hopefully, MOWA will allow for this request from the court for families in similar situations. Also, we were scheduled for court on May 8, and our agency confirmed the hold on abandonment cases on May 7, so obviously our MOWA paperwork was either not done before we were suppose to go to court, or the paperwork has an "expiration date."
At least 4 people have passed court so far since the ban was lifted. How is it they had their MOWA letters? I really hope we can get more information on this soon.
Anon 11:44, I wish you good luck for your July 20th court date. I hope they're able to work something out.
Does anyone know if all of the MOWA offices are affected or just one? For example, I know there is a new one in Nazret that's nearly fully established (if not already) in the Oromia region...
Anon 12:58, Anon 11:44 here. The only reason for my negativity is every time in this process when I have gotten excited and encouraged, something has knocked me down a notch. One example is the week prior to us sending in our dossier, wait times increased. We were so excited to get the dossier in, but it was tempered by another several months being added. Please do not think this is a "poor pitiful me" situation, but this process has taught me to temper my excitement with the reality of a situation. I hope and pray we are all pleasantly surprised very soon!
I contacted our agency rep today. We were told that they and other agencies they talk to have not heard of any cases passing and that their paperwork has not been accepted. They don't think they will be until after court closure.
Congrats to those who are passing, and getting courtdates.
why all the discrepancies? Even the Mowa closure we are all hearing different things. Is is that dysfunnctional? I was told 2 weeks from wed by my agency and then others are coming up with the 27th? Oh and who ever thinks Mowa would come early from the training break and write those letters is smoking something. Your agency can ask but there is no way that would happen. The entire office is CLOSED. My agency can't even find a person to ask questions to down at the office
The court has asked MOWA to send representatives to their office to write the letters, not the agencies. Of course MOWA will not listen to the agencies - why start now. However, if the courts tighten up on MOWA, then maybe some letters will be written. I'm guessing (purely opinion) that the backlog of cases is really starting to get to the judges. We've asked our agency to contact us once cases involving families who do not have pre-closure MOWA letters have thier cases heard. This will help us all determine whether MOWA honored the court's request. I'll share that info. once I get it (unless another agency informs one of you first).
This blog was started in May 2009, when a hold was placed on the adoption of children who were found abandoned within the city of Addis. The hold personally affected hundreds of prospective adoptive families world-wide. These families were soon disheartened by the lack of news on the investigation, with some agencies getting and passing on more information than others. This blog was started as a compilation of any and all information we could gather about the investigation into Addis abandonment cases. Since that time, this blog has evolved to include any information pertinent to Ethiopian adoption. I post information that agencies give to their clients, with all sources remaining anonymous. I rely solely on PAPs and APs of the various agencies to share what they are being told. If you have any information from your agency on any aspect of Ethiopian adoption that you'd like to share, please email me at ethioadoption@gmail.com
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ReplyDeleteIs everybody explaining the same??? or not?
ReplyDeleteGoodmorning Ethiopap... You jump bed to the computer!!! :-). No news in West Europe
ReplyDeleteIs that 1.5 weeks?
ReplyDeleteWe need a letter from MOWA and a new court date. How many is in same situation at this moment?
ReplyDeleteAnon 7.07am, sorry forgot the American punctuation: yes 1.5 weeks.
ReplyDeleteMy angency also has let us know that MOWA will close unitl July 24 for training.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard about the court closing timeframe?
ReplyDeleteJust to see whether my understanding of the situation matches anyone else's: the ban has been lifted but Mowa is closed for training. So, those who already had the Mowa letter (possibly those put on hold at the very beginning of the ban) may pass immediately, the other will have to wait until Mowa comes back. However, that will happen on July 24 (reason why I do not understand the above reference to 1.5 weeks) which means it is possible they will not have the material time to write all the letters before summer closure. There is no indication that the summer closure is going to be postponed. Bottom line: if we do not have a Mowa letter already chances are we'll have to wait until October. Ayone sees it differently?
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:28, that is exactly how I see it. I don't know if we have that letter or not, but I hope so!
ReplyDeleteditto anon 8:28 and 8:30.
ReplyDeleteWhy MOWA didn't wait until the court closure (if indeed there are any) time frame I don't understand.
ReplyDeleteThe 1.5 weeks is July 8 - July 24.
Anon 8:28: If you have already the MOWA letter you do not need MOWA to pass court, only after court for the documentation. Therefore, for those cases MOWA closure does not matter.
ReplyDeleteJuly 8 to July 24 is 17 days or ~2.5 weeks, not 1.5.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is the same as Anon 8:28. Sounds right. My guess is the MOWA closure has little effect as those who already have letters will fill up most/all of the two weeks. The biggest issue is the court closure and if/when that will happen.
Obviously, we all feel it shouldn't happen at this point, and there are rumors to that effect. There are also rumors it'll close early, and it'll close in mid-August. At this point, it's anyone's guess as to what will happen. Wait and see, I suppose.
Hi, I have a question. We shoul had have the last court date on 26. May, does it mean that we have already the MOWA letter or not? Thank you...
ReplyDeleteI don't think so, anon 10:09. MOWA stopped writing letters during the ban, so I'd think anyone with mid-May court dates and beyond wouldn't have the letter already. could be wrong, hope i am!
ReplyDeleteOur agency told us that the MOWA letter is written the day of court. I hope that isnt right..but I asked them this this morning. :(
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to get more info after court on Friday. Our agency has five cases to be heard. Maybe based on the outcome we can figure out the MOWA letter issue...
ReplyDeleteMy case was supposed to be re-filed today and I was told the power was out, so it was not done. Has anyone else heard the power was out today?
ReplyDeleteWe just received word from our agency (U.S.A.) that we now have a court date on July 20. According to our agency rep, the court is requesting that MOWA make a few of their representatives available to prepare the needed pre-court paperwork for families with court dates before they return to their office. I realize that they will probably say no, but hopefully, MOWA will allow for this request from the court for families in similar situations. Also, we were scheduled for court on May 8, and our agency confirmed the hold on abandonment cases on May 7, so obviously our MOWA paperwork was either not done before we were suppose to go to court, or the paperwork has an "expiration date."
ReplyDeleteAt least 4 people have passed court so far since the ban was lifted. How is it they had their MOWA letters? I really hope we can get more information on this soon.
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:44, I wish you good luck for your July 20th court date. I hope they're able to work something out.
Anon 11:44, What makes you think that the MOWA will say no? Just curious
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if all of the MOWA offices are affected or just one? For example, I know there is a new one in Nazret that's nearly fully established (if not already) in the Oromia region...
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:58, Anon 11:44 here. The only reason for my negativity is every time in this process when I have gotten excited and encouraged, something has knocked me down a notch. One example is the week prior to us sending in our dossier, wait times increased. We were so excited to get the dossier in, but it was tempered by another several months being added. Please do not think this is a "poor pitiful me" situation, but this process has taught me to temper my excitement with the reality of a situation. I hope and pray we are all pleasantly surprised very soon!
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:44, I totally see where you are coming from. It has been one set back after another. I know. I hope were get surprised!
ReplyDeleteI ask because our court date is on the 20th too.
I contacted our agency rep today. We were told that they and other agencies they talk to have not heard of any cases passing and that their paperwork has not been accepted. They don't think they will be until after court closure.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to those who are passing, and getting courtdates.
why all the discrepancies? Even the Mowa closure we are all hearing different things. Is is that dysfunnctional? I was told 2 weeks from wed by my agency and then others are coming up with the 27th? Oh and who ever thinks Mowa would come early from the training break and write those letters is smoking something. Your agency can ask but there is no way that would happen. The entire office is CLOSED. My agency can't even find a person to ask questions to down at the office
ReplyDeleteAnon 5:22 pm: I've also heard that MOWA will re-open on 22 July which is your two weeks from Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteThe court has asked MOWA to send representatives to their office to write the letters, not the agencies. Of course MOWA will not listen to the agencies - why start now. However, if the courts tighten up on MOWA, then maybe some letters will be written. I'm guessing (purely opinion) that the backlog of cases is really starting to get to the judges. We've asked our agency to contact us once cases involving families who do not have pre-closure MOWA letters have thier cases heard. This will help us all determine whether MOWA honored the court's request. I'll share that info. once I get it (unless another agency informs one of you first).
ReplyDelete