After the offensive series CBC Manitoba did this past week on international adoption entitled “Buy Babies: adopting babies overseas”, I did not think they could do more harm to the issues.  After all, the title alone is shocking and sensationalist.  However, with tonight’s documentary on The National proved me wrong.

Let me reiterate what I have said a lot over the last few days.  We applaud CBC’s desire to expose the challenges of international adoption, even seeking to expose the corruption in some cases.  As an adoptive parent and someone involved with international relief work, I want nothing more than for international adoption to be done only when necessary and beneficial, always keeping the child’s best interest in mind.  Again, we applaud CBC for this good intention.

What we cannot accept is the unprofessional and sensationalist approach that was taken in both of these stories.  The National story specifically deals with the Canadian agency Canadian Advocates For Adopting Children (CAFAC) and their Ethiopian program.  Not only are we adopting from Ethiopia ourselves, but we are doing so through CAFAC.  I say this to demonstrate that what I share is from first hand experience and a great deal of research.

In the report, CAFAC receives a very harsh criticism with misleading editing and unsubstantiated claims.  If you saw the series, here are some FACTS you need to keep in mind:

• CAFAC has processed nearly 500 international adoptions, almost 300 in Ethiopia and has a successful track record with nearly all of our clients (we are aware of only 2 formal complaints).  It should also be noted that CAFAC cannot even respond publicly to the specifics of those cases, as they legal are bound to protect the children and families.  So while the families can go to the press, they know CAFAC cannot share the whole truth.  As an insider to the process, the story they tell in the documentary is creatively incomplete.  In fact, some of details the parents interviewed have made public in the story and online is completely inappropriate.

• CAFAC is licensed, and fully compliant, with all laws and regulations of the Manitoba Ministry of Family Services and Housing and the Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs   The Ethiopian Ministry of Women’s Affairs issued a letter dated March 11, 2009 (attached) that states CAFAC and its foster home are “operating in Ethiopia according to the existing law, rules and regulation of the country
in the area of adoption.”  In other words, they are not being “watched” as a potential threat by Ethiopian gov’t.  ALL agencies are being examined by this group.

• CAFAC does not support spanking or corporal punishment. While it is a generally accepted practice in Ethiopian culture we continue to work towards eliminating it.  The interviews give little clarity on neither the cultural aspect nor the linguistic confusion when questions are being asked.  Diplomacy and respect across cultures is neither easy nor always clear.  CAFAC has proven their commitment to see these issues dealt with.

• CAFAC has a pediatrician visit the foster home every second day and has medical services on-call at all times.  I challenge any Canadian institution to hold to that standard.  Further, all CAFAC client families are not only made aware of the realities of health problems facing all children in Ethiopia, but also that because of differing standards, their definition of “healthy” is not comparable to ours.  This isn’t deception, but context and culture.

• CAFAC does not determine the ages of adoptable children. This is done by the Ethiopian Government through the relinquishment process. While it is rare, it is also not unusual for age discrepancies because of low literacy rates and a lack of vital statistics. Further, Ethiopia follows a different calender to ours, further complicating the issues.

• While referrals are presented by CAFAC, the information provided to families is from the Ethiopian authorities and complete details are not available until the court proceeding finalizing the adoption. Anyone who has worked abroad, especially through Africa, knows that it is different and difficult in respect to these issues.

• When making this documentary, CBC turned down dozens of families and children who wanted to share their overwhelmingly positive experience with CAFAC.  CBC clearly had no intention of genuinely addressing the full set of issues.

What people don’t see in this story is that the CAFAC founders are parents who adopted from Ethiopia themselves, whose children are involved in the adoptive world here and abroad.  For them to “play it loose” is so clearly far from the truth to anyone who knows them that it is ridiculous.  They are caring, hard-working and wonderful people who clearly do what they do because they believe in it.  They are also the most thorough and professional people I have ever worked with.

Again, we take no issue with CBC’s desire to expose questionable adoption programs.  However, this story not only fails to show the issue a fair exploration, they use for their example one of the most exemplary agencies in Canada.  By failing to meet basic levels of objectivity and professionalism, the CBC could potentially do harm to legitimate adoptions, unsettling the delicate relationships forged over time with partner nations.

We ask all of you to take the time to respond to the CBC, sharing your concern over this treatment.  Feel free to quote this document or contact me for more details.  You can contact the CBC via:

http://www.cbc.ca/contact/

You can also register a complaint with the CBC Ombudsman:

http://www.cbc.ca/ombudsman/page/contact.html

Thank you.