Thoughts on birthparent meeting

The birthparent meeting, what an honor to experience! We drove to Durame and stopped to drop off our bags and grab a quick lunch before heading over to the Holt office. Holt Eugene staff informed us that we’d be sitting in the same room with birth parents while we waited our turn to “meet”. Fortunately that was not the case. We sat in a big room waiting for our turn. The birth parents were in another room or outside. Though Ethiopians will typically greet with a hug and kiss, in this instance this shouldn’t be expected. It’s a sad event and therefore not appropriate for the Ethiopians to show any sign joy. They are expected to be sad. Things might also get a little jumbled in translation. For us personally, info was double translated – from English to Amharic to Wylotinga. After our official meeting with a birth parent, we were able to share some photos and videos from our camera. Our birth parent expressed emotion during this time and it was precious! If you have the opportunity to print a recent picture of your child to give to a birth parent, it will be worth it. Take along your camera with pics and video to share with your parent – to show them how well their child is being cared for.