Our nine new additions with Amber Steckley and Lorena and Rodrigo Rosero.

Special Kids orphanage in Cuenca becomes OSSO’s
The day arrived. Monday, February 25, 2008. All nine children living at Special Kids in Cuenca became OSSO’s kids and moved to our orphanage “OSSO’s Little Ones/Los Pequeñitos de OSSO.” It was a day we’ve been waiting for for at least two years (a hope and dream really). Miracles do happen, and these children are living proof of that. To read more about this amazing journey and see a lot of pictures of Pablo, Brayan, Luis, Vanessa, Blanca, Martín, Román, Jorge and Laura, click here.

 

The Chicaizas are arriving March 29th!

The Chicaizas are leaving Quito March 28th and arriving into Los Angeles on the 29th. They’ll then be driving to Utah/Idaho, and we’re planning a couple Quito reunions! For details, read more.

 

International adoptions still stalled

In January’s newsletter I mentioned that international adoptions were stalled in Ecuador. None of the 12 adoption agencies from the United States that previously helped families adopt from Ecuador have current agreements with Ecuador to continue with this much needed work. In that newsletter I also mentioned that Ecuador’s president had appointed a new minister over social welfare and hopefully the new minister would be more favorable towards international adoption. Unfortunately that appointment fell through and the old minister remains in place. We’re hoping that international adoptions will soon resume. We will keep you informed. To read more on international adoption, read the article in this newsletter titled “International adoption, why so difficult.”

Rex Head, M.D.
Executive Director

 

Adopting is what other people did (the story of Guider’s adoption)

Adopting is what other people did. I’d never even considered it for our family. So when our oldest daughter Rachel, who in 2005 was an OSSO volunteer in Cuenca, Ecuador (and later returned as a Sites Coordinator in 2006), suggested that we consider adopting, I politely but firmly responded something to the effect, “That’s a sweet idea for you when you’re married, but your mother and I already have six children, and that’s all we’re having!” That was the beginning of the adoption process for us. Read more

 

Roseros’ trip to the US delayed for a year at least

While we’re so excited to have Quito’s Project Directors, the Chicaizas, come to the US, we’re very disappointed that the Roseros will not be coming. The reason is very simple yet frustrating. The US would not give them Visas. Since the Chicaizas in Quito had no problem getting their Visas, we weren’t too worried about the Roseros getting theirs. It seems we should have been more worried and been a lot smarter about how we applied for their Visas. Read more

 

International adoption, why so difficult

In the United States, as with most other developed countries, there are many more couples seeking to adopt healthy infants than there are healthy infants to adopt. In most third world countries there are usually more babies needing homes than there are families that want them. International adoption could be the perfect solution to both of these problems. So why isn’t it easier? Read more