I haven’t yet told the story of taking Yordanos, Beamluk, and Maryawit from the only home they had ever known. These three beautiful girls are now living at Selamta’s transition center where they will soon be placed with a permanent foster family. Last Monday would have been Beamluk’s first day of school, as Yordanos never had enough money to enroll her. Yordanos had received a scholarship to attend a private school and was then forced to leave the little girls on their own all day – no mommy or daddy in sight.

I didn’t know what to expect as I entered the compound, would the girls be crying, would they be smiling, or would they, like most Ethiopians, be reserved and try hard to hide their feelings – whatever they were. I walked to the back of the compound and found Maryawit getting her hair put into two little puff balls, one on each side of her head. She had different clothes on this day, proof that she owned at least two outfits. Beamluk was there next to her, assisting her little sister and making sure she looked pretty and clean. Beamluk wore the same clothes I had always seen her in. She only had one outfit; however, this time her jumper was under her shirt, she must have decided to change things up a bit. Yordanos was beautiful, she must have worked on her hair all morning as it was in small tight curls – and looked absolutely perfect. I tried to imagine just how scared she must have felt at the idea of leaving, though I know I have no comprehension for such things because I have never been in her shoes. She was quiet as usual, but also more withdrawn. Again, I tried to imagine what it would feel like to be a 16 year old girl, leaving the only family you have ever known (the community) and arriving at a place where you know no one, are worried about what everyone thinks of you – especially at her age, and trying to make a home of it. I was most worried about her but I also believed in her strength and perseverance to succeed. I gave the younger children suckers, as if to help convince myself that it would help them with this big step they were about to take.

Soon after arriving, Maryawit’s hair was finished and I knelt down to take her into my arms, which she was already walking toward. Like she always had she melted into the contours of them and relaxed. We soon made our way into one woman’s house, which comprised of a small room with a bed, couch, hutch, tv, and coffee table. I was invited to sit as is the Ethiopian way and so we sat down, waiting for the Selamta director to arrive so we could bring the children to their new home. There was silence as no one was sure what to say. The women in the compound didn’t want to see the children leave but they knew it was in their best interests. We didn’t want to take the children away from these wonderful people but knew they didn’t have the resources to provide for the children though they had tried in vein.

Soon enough, the owner of the house asked Maryawit, who was falling asleep in my arms where she was going. Maryawit quickly replied, with her sucker still in her mouth, as though it was obvious that she was going to “America.” The women giggled a little and asked her if she was sure. She was, as she continued to reply to the same question the same way three more times, “ America,” “America,” “America.” The first time was enough to break my heart. Oh, how I wished I could take these beautiful children home with me, but I, like the other women in the compound could not care for three children in a sufficient manner and it was in their best interest to stay in Ethiopia though I knew I would cry when I was forced to leave them.

The women began to quiz Maryawit again and one woman asked, “Well, who is your mother.” Again as though it was a matter of fact, she replied, “fereng” which garnered a gigantic laugh from the audience. Fereng means foreigner as I have explained before. She couldn’t remember my name, that wasn’t important. Her new mother was the fereng who adored having her in her arms. She insisted on replying the same another 3 or 4 times. Heart broken yet again. How would we get this tiny 3 year old girl to understand that she wasn’t coming home with me? Soon she was falling asleep again.

GREAT NEWS!!!! We have found a sponsor for each of the three girls! Thank you Rachel and Renee for stepping up for a great cause.