AWAA Transition Home is Ethiopia!

I haven't done much updating on the adoption front...mainly because there hasn't been much to update. We are still waiting for a referral and those who have received referrals are still waiting for court dates.

In the meantime, this email was sent to all the Ethiopia families this week:
Dear AW Ethiopia Families,

We are excited and pleased to be able to announce that the new America World transition home in Ethiopia is up and running. Last week the first 13 children, who were recently referred to families were moved from Kids Care to the America World home. The home has been equipped with all the major needs and staff have been hired, trained and are providing loving care. There are still many things needed to help make the home a nurturing and stimulating environment for your prospective children as they wait the arrival of their parents. Therefore, we are writing to let you know of some of these needs and how you could help meet them, if you desire to do so.

America World employee Rachel (Duckworth) Ward and her husband will be making a 10-day trip to Ethiopia before their official move there at the end of January 2008. So if you would like to donate items for use at the transition home, please have them mailed to or dropped off at the America World--Tennessee office by close of business on Wednesday, November 21st. Items may also be dropped off at the Corporate office in McLean. Rachel will be leaving for Addis on Monday morning, the 26th.

Here is a list of suggested items:

Classic children's books
Coloring books and crayons
Children's Bibles and/or Bible stories
Hand Sterilizer (large bottles)
CD players, children's worship CD's, lullabies, etc.
DVD player and Children's Videos (ie: Veggie Tales, The Wiggles, Praise Baby)
Rubber coated children's spoons
ABC and 123 learning materials for toddlers.
Tape recorder
Little cosmetic mirror
Baby blankets, regular ones and one with hoods sewn in
Towels/soaps and bath items
Playdough
Jump rope
Inflatable balls,
Bubbles,
Lace cards, beads to string on laces
Clothing
Diapers
Baby Tylenol, antibiotics, probiotics

If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, you may write a check to America World and send it to the corporate office in McLean. In the memo line, please write "transition home support," so that our finance department knows how to allocate your donation. Rachel will be able to use these funds to purchase items while she is in Addis.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact Rachel at rachel.ward@awaa.org. Please mail donations to the America World--TN office at:
Attn: Rachel Ward
America World--Tennessee
256 Seaboard Lane, Suite G101
Franklin, TN 37067

Sincerely,
Laurel E. Ludwick

The is pretty exciting news! I will continue to update as news comes so stay tuned.
Love,
Holly