Recently James a special boy from Ekisa Ministries went home to love and a family, thanks to the hard work of the Ekisa Team and his mother’s unrelenting love. Ekisa Ministries provides those living with disabilities in Jinja, a place of understanding and assists them in their physical, mental, and spiritual growth. In Luganda, the local language of Uganda, Ekisa means “Grace.” Emily Ekisa Ministries’s Founder and Director tells us the story below in her own words:
I remember the day we brought James to Ekisa. He was a shy, quiet little boy clearly in need of care. Over the months, we saw James come out of his shell and transform to the feisty, spunky boy he is today. During this time, Rosemary, one of our care takers at Ekisa, was by his side the whole time. She expressed interest in taking on James as her own son, and of course we were excited.
We started to prepare to bring the case to the Adoption Panel , while Rosemary fell more and more in love with James everyday. Rosemary has a minor physical disability, and has spent much of her free time working on the community level to empower people living with special needs in Uganda. It was a natural step for her to decide to adopt James.
Rosemary went to Panel in April 2014, and was approved to proceed in her adoption of James. In August 2014, James officially went to live with Rosemary! We are so thankful for Rosemary’s heart and her willingness to open her heart and home to James. We pray she may inspire more families to come forward and adopt children with special needs!
We bring the very first behind-the-scenes video of the Ugandans Adopt campaign through the eyes of our Communications Officer. For the first time since the campaign began in 2011, we are giving our supporters an exclusive to see first hand the effort that goes into making this incredible campaign.
Why the Post Placement support service?
In the past, Ugandan families looked after children from within their kinship network and sometimes these children were ‘adopted’. In other circumstances, people took on the care of non-kin children and made these their own. These children were also referred to as ‘adopted’.
As such, there are a good number of Ugandan families who have ‘adopted’ and yet the children have grown up believing they are biological children of their families. Telling a child they are adopted has majorly been considered a taboo, something one cannot and is not permitted to disclose leave alone talk about. More people are becoming aware of formal adoption and many people will or have already started considering the need to tell their child their adoption story or the story could be accidentally be let out by someone else. However, they lack the ‘knowhow’ to do this. This is where the post placement support service comes in.
In addition once a family adopts according to Ugandan law, the family is closely monitored and supported during the 3 years of fostering before adoption. During this period, a family has regular contact with their social worker and placing child care agency. However, we realized that there is a gap in support and service provision after the 3 years period has elapsed. Families will have often felt isolated, abandoned and unsupported. This is likely to create opportunities for placements to break down causing significant emotional damage for both the child and family involved. What is the Post placement Support Service/Center about?
On behalf of the Government of Uganda (Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development) through the Ugandans Adopt campaign, The Post Placement Support Service is an initiative by Families For Children (an umbrella of over 150 Ugandan NGOs working with vulnerable children) and Child’s i Foundation through Ugandans Adopt .It is going to be jointly facilitated Staff members of these two child welfare organizations and the Ugandans Adopt team. Its activities will be reported to the Ministry of Gender Labour Social Development. The Post placement support Service / Center will begin operations in August 2014
Where we are right now.
The Post Placement Team attends a training by Child Psychologist, Sarah Mirembe .
In April and May we held discussions about the service and had meeting with our partners. In June 2014 we had a number of trainings of key staff on specialist areas of support. This month we will have a Workshop with MoGLSD to create awareness and then the service will be launched in August 2014
Through this service we aim to provide ongoing free support and become a ‘one stop shop’ for both fostering and adoptive families and their children in areas of need such as;
What next the child is finally home
What support to expect from their social workers
What support to expect from the probation service
Where to go for: counseling, behavioral management, emotional health issues, legal support
Family does not get the social work service they deserve or don’t get along with their social workers
They are worried about their child
Where to get training
etc
The service will empower foster and adoptive families with the right information to manage their situation(s).
Who is the service for?
A national country wide service
Adoptive Parents- local and international
Adoptees
Relatives/friends of adopters
Foster carers
Social workers
Foster children.
Individual office or home visits
What services are being offered?
Support with adoption order application
Support with care orders
Support finding a good trusted specialist – Lawyer, child psychologist etc
Support with Probation Office issues
Independent social work support
Telling a child they are adopted
Telling families and friends about an adoption
Life story work and memory book/box
Sign posting to Counseling for adoptees
Sign posting to Counseling for Adoptive Parents
Parenting skills support
Behavioral management guidance for parents
Link for any issues relating to adoption and fostering
A helping hand to navigate the adoption and fostering process
The support when agency social work support comes to an end after fostering period
Resource centre for information; books; journals?, testimonies, surveys, research etc.
How do I access this service?
On the Ugandans Adopt campaign website and Face book page.
In this video, NTV’s Rukh-Shana Namuyimba an adoptive mother, TV star and Ugandans Adopt ambassador talks about her adoption experience and why more Ugandans should consider opening their hearts and homes to Ugandan children .
Below we bring you the final part of Rukh-shana’s interview in which she discusses becoming a parent and how it has changed her life . In this part she also gives tips to Ugandan Prospective and adoptive parents.
How is your adoption experience so far? Has the experience been a good one?
Rukh-shana: It’s been an amazing journey – not just for me and my little girl, but my family too. I have absolutely no regrets. Would we do it again? Absolutely.
How has becoming a parent changed you?
Rukh-shana: I don’t recognize myself anymore. I am more patient and tolerant, and even my family has noticed that I’m less stressed. I guess knowing that there is this little person counting on you to keep it together really helps you keep your head. And she keeps me smiling, so I am feeling – and hopefully looking -younger.
What are some of the changes you have made?
Rukh-shana: Most were minor lifestyle-related choices, but the major one was connected to my career as a Corporate Relations Practitioner. It’s a profession with irregular working hours, so when I became a mum, I knew I needed to prioritize, and that meant making more time for bonding with my daughter. I swapped full-time formal employment for a more flexible option that gave me more time with her and it has been rewarding in many ways.
What have you learned most in this process?
Rukh-shana: I have learned that sometimes we think we are changing someone’s life, when actually we are changing our own lives too. We become better people and often growing into our own purpose and destiny without even knowing it. There is no greater reward than that.
What would you like to share with other adoptive parents?
Rukh-shana: Kudos to you for opening up your hearts and homes to the little ones. Never forget that children are a gift from God. Even when times are tough, stay committed to nurturing them the best way you know and God will honor you.
What would you like to tell Ugandan families or individuals who are thinking of adopting?
Rukh-shana: If you have fears, concerns or anxieties, get information, educate yourself and stop putting it off. There is a child in some home just waiting for you to welcome them into yours. I believe it’s one of the greatest acts of sacrifice, but also the most rewarding.
Finally, what are your last words to every Ugandan individual or family reading this article?
Rukh-shana: Some children come from mummy’s womb and others come from mummy’s heart. And you don’t need to be wealthy to adopt a child; all you need is a big enough heart. If you are reading this, you already want to make a difference. You can’t keep every child out of institution, but saving just one makes a huge difference to that child’s life.
To find out more on how you can adopt or become an adoptive parent like Rukh-shana, please send an email to [email protected] or call Aidah 0776110304
Recently Pastor Mark Kigozi a renowned motivational speaker and TV presenter with NBS TV visited us to express his interest in adopting from us. Below we bring you the real life story of Pastor Mark who together with his wife Maureen have three children, two of whom are adopted.
Pastor Mark and wife Maureen
In 1998, I fell in love with the most wonderful lady, Maureen. I had just made up my mind to follow my dream to become a Youth Pastor at Kampala Pentecostal Church, now Watoto Church. Maureen was the Youth Choir Leader and I was Youth Head, so working together gave us the time to build a solid relationship. It was a great courtship and we were married on 1st May 1999.
Little did we know it would be a long time until we could have a child. After four years of waiting, Maureen suggested we adopt a child. After all, there was no reason why we could not give a child the opportunity of having a place to call home and parents of its own. We were already opening our home to many teenagers who found comfort with us. Our lives were an open book. They spent nights tagging along on mission trips and ministry. We also did our best to be there for them when they needed a listening ear or helping hand.
Yet these teenagers only came to us for what they missed out at home and eventually had to go back. Yet there were many children out there who were rejected, and we knew we could give them a loving home. Our adoption journey saw us visit a number of orphanages until we zeroed in on Sanyu Babies Home.
The choice of picking the first child fell upon me. I had always longed to have a little girl and so Maureen preferred that I make the final decision. Something drew me to a little baby girl, just three months of age, asleep in the hands of one of the caretakers. Before long she was in our care and we gave her the name Melissa, Kirabo Miracle Kigozi – Kirabo meaning” gift”. It was a delight to see her grow up and call us Daddy and Mummy. She is now 10 years of age.
When Melissa turned two, she decided that she needed a sibling and this time we wanted a boy. Since chemistry works better with opposites, it was Maureen’s turn to make the final decision. She said she had dreamt about this boy and seen his face.
The Kigozi’s : Maureen, Melissa, Pastor Mark, Melody, Eddie ( a friend of the family) and Maxwell
We went back to Sanyu Babies Home and met the little boys there. After interacting with the little ones, Maureen asked the person in charge if there was any other boy in their care. And there was one little boy playing by himself in the play room. Maureen asked to meet him and it was love at first sight!He was six months old and handsome. We went home with him after a few days and we named him Maxwell. Maxwell is now eight years old and is in P3. Our two children are a source of joy and fulfillment to us; above all, they are such good friends.
About a year and eight months ago, God blessed us with a daughter, Melody. She was an unexpected gift that we received with gratitude. Her siblings, Maxwell and Melissa, had been praying for her and the love her to bits. She is our third born, so we are now a complete family of three!
Our children are all gifts from God and we treat them in order of advent. Many couples fear to adopt due to stigma from society. But we see adoption as a miracle from God and a ministry to children and God. Sometimes we wonder what would have become of our lovely children if we did not have them in our family!
What if each family opened up their hearts and adopted a child? Wouldn’t that solve the problem of parentless and street children in our country? Wouldn’t that be pleasing to God and to the nation? Wouldn’t that be the answer for a rejected, parentless child crying on their own and asking why others have families and they don’t?
If you are considering adopting like Pastor Mark or fostering a child, we are very happy to answer any further questions that you may have. Please call Aidah on +25676110304 or email [email protected]. For more information and updates, like our Facebook page and follow us on twitter.
To watch Pastor Mark and Maureen’s adoption story, click on the video below:
We talked to Maureen Orogot, a senior Adoption Practitioner, about adoption assessments. Maureen, who has worked in adoption for over three years, explains why thorough assessments represent a critical part of the adoption process.
What is a pre-adoption assessment?
Every prospective adoptive parent has to go through a formal assessment process. It is a crucial step in the ten steps of adoption. The Social Worker assigned to a prospective adoptive parent is responsible for the assessment, including a home study. They visit the parent at home to discuss and explore why they want to adopt, the kind of child you would best be able to care for, and your overall suitability. References are followed up and checks are made as part of the assessment process.
What does the assessment process involve?
A Social Worker and a Prospective Adoptive Parent having a discussion during an assessment
The process involves the assigned Social Worker meeting with and interviewing the prospective adoptive parent. It also involves observation, monitoring and evaluation on the Social Worker’s part. This is the perfect chance for the two parties to get to know and understand each other. It is a great opportunity to build rapport and trust.
Are other parties /friends/family members consulted during the assessment?
All parties ‘who will be directly involved in the upbringing of the child are consulted and interviewed at this point. This may include immediate and distant family, family or personal friends, neighbors, local council leaders, chairpersons, children in the home. Anyone else who will have contact with the child is also interviewed during the assessment.
Why is it important to thoroughly assess prospective adoptive parents?
We carry out thorough assessments to mitigate any child protection risks. They are also important for getting to know the family the child is going into. A strong support network is vital and crucial in the child’s life given that most of these children have suffered loss and rejection. As a result, experiencing rejection or abandonment again could prove traumatic and harmful to the child.
How do you ensure that an assessment is not biased or incorrect?
During the assessments, confidentiality is very important – not just for the parents, but also for the children’s safety. We also carry out second-opinion assessments to avoid any bias or incorrect information. These second opinions, which include follow-up interviews, are done by an independent social worker. This Social Worker evaluates the actions of the assigned social worker and writes a report. During the second-opinion evaluation, the emphasis is on honesty and truth. This stage usually represents the first time that the parent meets the independent social worker. These reports are presented before the Adoption Panel.
What is the role of the probation Officer in the assessment process? Are there costs incurred in relation to the Probation Officer’s involvement in the assessment process.
The Adoption Panel reading through the assessment reports
We work together with the Probation Officers who also carry out independent family assessments. The involvement of the area Probation Office is vital in the assessment process. To assess the family’s ability to adopt a child, the area Probation Officer carries out an independent assessment of the family, including their history, home structure and support system.
The Probation Officer then generates an independent report on the capability of the family to adopt a child. Depending on the Probation Officer, there may also be some costs involved in carrying this assessment. In some cases, the family has to facilitate the probation officer to carry out the assessment. The facilitation will go towards covering transport and /or other costs incurred during the assessment process.
An as Adoption Practitioner, why do you emphasize thorough assessments?
Everything we do is in the best interest of the child.
Assessments prepare the prospective parent(s) for the adoption process – both psychologically and physically. Together with their social workers, parents work through any issues that may be standing in the way of their adoption process. In most cases, it is the perfect opportunity for us to counsel and encourage parents who might want to adopt, but are either still grieving or going through a hard time. It helps them to support the child when the placement eventually happens.
We are also responsible for ensuring the child is being placed in a safe place by identifying and limiting any child protection risks, establishing how we can best support the child during and after the placement and getting to know the family. At the end of the day, the child is our number one priority and everything we do is in the best interest of the child.
For more information on adoption, please call us on 0776110304 or send an email to [email protected]
Good social work is core to a smooth adoption or fostering process. Below we bring you the second excerpt of Social Worker Emmanuel’s interview. Emmanuel works with children and has been in the adoption and fostering field for years now. We hope you will enjoy the interview like we did:
In Social work, the child’s interests are paramount. What does that mean to you ? How do you apply it in your daily work?
We do everything possible to promote the welfare and well-being of our children. We’ve put structures in place that ensure each child is able to realise their full potential – now and as they grow up. My job means making decisions every day that will affect a child’s life. The question I always ask myself is: in whose interest is my decision? My answer should always be the child’s. For example, we had to make a very difficult decision to separate one our children from his foster mother’s care after discovering the dangers he was exposed to.
How do you work with families in these situations? Do you encounter any difficulties?
It’s very important that we try and help them understand the reasons why we are separating them. We meet with the child’s family to discuss the importance of child safety. We emphasise the needs of their child and the dangers they will be exposed to if something is not done immediately. Sometimes it might only be temporary as there are often opportunities to work with the family and improve their living conditions or otherwise. So there can be hope, too.
Emma with new arrival Ivan at a hospital where he was abandoned
At Ugandan’s Adopt we advocate for children being in families through domestic adoption and fostering: what do you think about this?
I think it’s a great thing that Ugandan children are being taken on and adopted by fellow Ugandans. Uganda doesn’t lose on her children as a future human resource and our children will be able to remain in their native country. It’s also very important to monitor the progress of adopted families and ensure the children are happy, healthy and continuing to thrive in their care. This is made much harder if they’re adopted internationally. I am happy that Ugandans are coming up to this cause
If you were speaking to someone who is considering adoption what would you say to them?
I would tell them they are doing a very noble thing by expending love and care to a child who needs them. The process can sometimes take longer than people expect but it is a very worthwhile and rewarding experience. Of course, adoption has its challenges but this is often no different from parenting your birth children.
Tell us about the most rewarding experience in your career so far?
It would have to be Andrew’s journey with us. He was admitted to Malaika Babies’ Home following a referral from a local police station. Andrew had been abandoned on a veranda outside someone’s home, who was known to his father. They kept him for a night with the hope that whoever left Andrew behind would come and pick him up but in the morning they reported the case to police.
As we tried to trace his family, I went back to the house where he was abandoned and discovered Andrew’s father had been in touch only two weeks before. We investigated the call logs which lead us to Andrew’s grandfather. We and told them about their grandchild which they didn’t know existed. They were so happy! After spending time together, we successfully resettled Andrew with his extended family. We’re very pleased with progress Andrew has made and we’ve continued to support the family, helping the grandfather to expand his piggery project and increase their household income. Andrew is happy, healthy and has formed strong bonds with his family.
At a recent team meeting we were discussing the incredible progress we’ve made since we began Ugandans Adopt three years ago. We had a vision for all Ugandan children to grow up in loving homes, with a family to belong to. We believed we could make families, not orphans.
Turns out, you believed us too. Not only did you believe us, you helped us. Since we started our campaign, we have been able to place over 130 children in loving Ugandan families – and we couldn’t have done this without you.
This post is just a little something we wanted to do to say thank you and to recognize the contribution you have made. Ugandans Adopt has become a passionate community, united by our vision and bound by its commitment to our children’s safety, health and happiness.
A happy family
Because of you, we have found families for children who would otherwise have nowhere to call home. Because of your love and support we have been able to grow – and we’re still growing. You have helped prove beyond doubt that there are Ugandan families and individuals willing to open their hearts and homes through adoption and fostering.
Whether you’re an adoptive or foster parent, a friend, a supporter or if you’re just following our journey on Facebook and Twitter, we wanted to say thank you. This isn’t just our success – it’s yours. And with your help, there’s no stopping us.
We are excited about embarking on the next steps of our journey together with you. Your support is going to become even more vital as we continue to grow but we believe we can do this together. Please continue to help us spread the adoption gospel by telling your friends and family about what we’re doing, sharing our vision, or simply just inviting them to join us on Facebook and Twitter so they can see for themselves.
If you’d like to know more about how you can help, or would like to become a Ugandans Adopt Ambassador, please contact Aidah on [email protected].
“Adopting is a personal decision”, says Amelo an adoptive parent .Below we bring you the rest of the interview with this inspirational single mother
Adoptive parent Amelo with her beautiful daughter at Malaika Babies Home third birthday
My inspiration to adopt was influenced by my mother during my childhood. She worked as a Nurse at a hospital and took us to visit the orphans there, a number of times, when she was taking clothes she sewed at home for them. I vowed then that I would adopt a child and I am glad that I was able to fulfil it.
How is your adoption experience so far, has the experience been a good one?
I must say the adoption experience was not as traumatic as I thought it would be. This was because of Malaika Babies Home’s efficient structured approach to the process – assignment of social worker, brief of the process, assessment for adoption approval, follow up and assistance in the legal process, pre-bonding month with baby at Malaika Babies Home and a couple of day and sleep-over outings, handover of the baby and periodic follow-ups to check on baby and mother progress. It may sound like a long process; however, with all the requirements ready from my side, it took less than two months to complete the process.
How did the other siblings (if you have children) take to the new adopted child.
Sasha Mayowale Oluka came home at 3 months old, she has settled in well and is a very happy child. It is now one year since she came home. She was given the name ‘Mayowale’ by one of my friends and it means ‘you bring joy home’ in Yoruba language and living up to her name!
Was your family happy with your decision to adopt a child?
Yes, my family and friends were happy with my decision to adopt.They have been and still are very supportive in all ways, and so has Bishop Erwau of Soroti Diocese, Church of Uganda, whom I consulted prior to the adoption for reassurance of the Church’s position on it, and after the adoption, participated in the Christening Service.
Bishop Erwau of Soroti christening Sasha as Mum looks on.
In what ways has your social worker been helpful? Do you feel well supported by your social worker?
My social worker has been very, very, very supportive. I now see them as friends and not as ‘the people with stern faces on the other side of adoption paperwork’. I appreciate the time they have taken to attend Mayowale’s 1 year Birthday party and her Christening Celebration, outside the formal adoption visits.
What advice/tips would you give to other people who are thinking of adopting a child?
Adopting is a personal decision.
While you seek advice from family and friends, look for it outside family and friends, in order to get a balanced view, and help in making your decision.
Below is a video of Amelo and Sasha/Mary, it follows the adoption process from beginning to end through Child’s i Foundation.
