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It goes without saying that we are very much in favor of adoption as a means of growing a family. The depth of emotions -joy and love and amazement, and at times heartbreak - that we've experienced in the course of adopting Simon (and again now) and becoming a family of 4 (3 humans, 1 dog) are indescribable, much as I have tried to put them into words here for the last three years. They are life-changing in the best way possible.

Still, we are even more in favor of finding other solutions to help the many children worldwide who, for whatever reason, are not able to grow up with their biological families. We hope that bringing Simon into our family will prove to be in his best interest. We know he will experience love and security that he did not have readily available in Ethiopia, and we will do our best to always provide him with all of his needs and many comforts. For sure, adoption is good in so many ways. But we do not take lightly either the issue of having to remove children from their countries of birth (sometimes children who have living families who simply cannot adequately care for them) or the needs of those children who remain in their homelands, but without the same resources and opportunities that we have. In fact, we would be overjoyed if all of these children could enjoy the love and security of a family, a good education, opportunities to become self-sufficient... through means other than adoption.

So when we started the process of adopting Simon, it was important for us to look at programs in countries that focused on the well-being of all children - not just those eligible for adoption, as well as an agency that provided meaningful support in the country, helping to build infrastructure and create opportunities in that country for children whose birth parents are not able to provide these things for them.

One way Gladney, our adoption agency, has done this is by assisting older children in orphanages in obtaining an advanced education through either traditional and/or training instruction. Gladney's General Ethiopian Scholarship Fund helps children further their educations, by providing tuition fees, as well as money for school supplies, copies, clothes and transportation. The average funding which a child is likely to need is anywhere from $400 to $1,000 USD per year.

Before Gladney became involved, they only knew of one student from the orphanages they support who made it to University. Gladney has since hired high school teachers as tutors for those interested in taking the National Exams. Two years ago of the 8 who took the exam, all passed, which had never happened before in the history of either of those government run orphanages. This past August, the tutors assisted 12 more students and once again all 12 passed the National Exam, so another 100% pass rate! Of special significance, one of those students scored within the top 10% of everyone taking the exam in all of Ethiopia, and he is excited to start attending Medical School.

Gladney also supports a scholarship program. Through this program, over 200 students have become involved with studies such as medical science, construction technology, hairdressing/beauty profession, food preparation/hospitality, information technology, language, teaching profession and governmental institutions.

When we were in Ethiopia, we met the children in these orphanages, and are thrilled that so many of them have been able to pursue education and training through this program. Despite what most here would see as tremendous hardships, these children were so full of life... happy, kind, optimistic, hopeful. I cannot think of a better way to give back to Ethiopia, a country that has given so much to us. And I know, from having met these children, that they will truly, deeply appreciate the opportunities they are given as a result.

If you have any ability to help these children, please consider making a donation to Gladney. To restrict your donation to this program, you should make your check out to The Gladney Center for Adoption; c/o Ethiopian Adoption Program; 6300 John Ryan Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76132-4122. In the memo line write “Ethiopian Educational Scholarship."