Letter from Merrily

Here is an email we got from AAI's director, Merrily. Brought tears to my eyes...

Hi Everyone,

It is Sunday morning in Ethiopia, drizzly again. We have power this morning but no water. I have been invited for a shower at the home of a friend who has water which is a wonderful gift. We have not had water at the volunteer house for several days.

There were at least six families here this week to pick up their kids. Most stayed at the Ritmo and I briefly visited with them there. They seemed to enjoy each other's company comparing trips and kids. The going away party was fun with lots of singing and drumming.

This past week eight cases were heard in court, seven new ones and one old one. Seven passed, but one new case did not due to a translation problem. Gradually they are working through complying with new regulations for the older cases. We are hopeful that a couple more will pass before the court closes on Friday. Unfortunately some will not be heard till the court reopens in October. This week they plan to continue to file new cases so they can be ready to go when the court reopens.

Four new babies have come into care in August, all girls! We expect to be able to begin making referrals within a few days but these cases, of course, will not go to court till it reopens.

We are grateful for the supplies recent traveling families have brought. We continue to feed the Costco Kirkland baby formula, carried from the U.S. with traveling families, and the babies are doing well on it.

When I met with the social workers they asked me to remind folks to send their annual post-placement reports. Many times family members of departed children come to ask about the children and it is important to be able to show them current reports.

Monday I'll be visiting KM and AHOPE.

The economic situation here gets worse and worse, and there is lots of talk about food shortages. Inflation is a big concern and the cost of running Layla is going up and up. I went to the grocery store yesterday and was shocked at increases since my last trip, coffee from 24 to 36 for example and honey from 26 to 42. Here are links to two articles that came to my attention today:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1915544,00.html

http://en.ethiopianreporter.com/content/view/1508/1/

We are checking into possibilities for partnering with organizations that provide food. I hope to have more to share with you soon.

Merrily