Message from Nicky in Ethiopia
Jul. 15th | Posted by Nicky
16 comments
Well folks, howdy from Ethiopia! Mom and I met another lady K and her sister at the airport
in Frankfurt – we saw each other’s Canadian passports. Many more parents are on the way….
We were picked up by Solomon… he and the rest of the staff are not getting paid but are sticking around for as long as they could. Apparently Imagine’s previous director arrived a day or two ago and bought food for 8-10 days – and gas for a few days. But warning to parents coming… what used to be free may not be since, for example, Solomon won’t have a paid for van in 2 days. So we’lll have to pay for his servics (that’s moms recommendations, not from him…)
So the trip. Really long! 23 hours from when Mom met me in Ethiopia. We didn’t enjoy the trip – I’m so worried about getting the kids… and then doing all my citizenship paperwork myself. And not wanting to spend 3 months in Ethiopia, which is my current guestimate on time… if our citizenship takes the regular 8 weeks (we don’t have our court docs yet – hopefully Martha at the transition home has them tomorrow, but I’m not holding my breath.
It’s really lovely here. Of course, it is dark since we arrived in the evening.. but everyone is friendly and it is very safe to walk out on the streets. We’re staying at the Weygoss guest house with the other two moms who have been here already for a few (2 and 7 weeks respectively) and it’s so convenient. I don’t think we can afford
to stay here for 3 months… but I will see what type of negotiating I can do tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow!!!!
God, I REALLY wish Jrock was here – I was thinking of him all day for the last two days, wishing we were here together…Tomorrow I meet our babies. Solomon says they aren’t going anywhere – so tomorrow I will meet them… and then the next day I will pick them up and take them home. THAT will be something It sort of hit me when we climbed on the Luftansa flight and there were all these Ethio kids and one little 2-3 year old girl in the seat behind me . Tomorrow I will see them!!!
There is an avalanche of parents arriving.
If you are still at home, this is what you can do - families of parents, please do too:
CALL YOUR MP… tell them the kids who are legally children of Canadians need to get emergency passports and get home… or at least speed up the citizenship process in Nairobi, so people like me aren’t here 3 months waiting for the High Commison in Nairobi to process the paperwork at the usual speed….
Then
CALL THE MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION and say the same. Get these kids home in a timely fashion
Then
CALL ONTARIO MINISTRY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH provincial minister, Deb Matthews
and tell her that the bankruptcy accountants need to get food and operating money to Ethiopia for the kids and that visas need to be expedited so people can get their kids home (also relieving pressure financially on the agency there…
I’ll keep you posted… I’ve had 4 hours of sleep in the last 48 hours. I had a hard time sleeping on the plane – so anxious – and mom snores like a bear. 
Cheers
Nicky
—–Well looks like July 16 will be the first day we meet the kids. It is also Nicky and I’s 4th anniversary!!——J Rock
Glad you are there safe and sound! Now go get those kids! (And say hello to Solomon for us; he really is a wonderful man.)
Thank goodness that you’re there and that you will soon be with your girls! I am so grateful for all the dedicated people that work at the transition home for doing what they can under terrible circumstances. Please let Solomon and Rebecca know that we think of them often and are sending our gratitude for their strength and committment. We are writing letters and lobbying for all,
Blessings,
Tam, Rekor, Addis & Semegn
Oh my goodness, that is quite the post! I have written my MP, and hope for speedy paperwork for you guys over there… I can’t wait to see the happy post that you have your girls and are coming home!!!!
By the way.. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! It’s one you’re certain to never ever forget!
I hope that you get really speedy docs and you are united as a family of four and back home soon. Enjoy your time there – the Weygoss was great for us. Tell Solomon that Mekdes says hi.
-Kari
Nicky, it is wonderful to hear from you. I hope tomorrow is great day and that you are able to fully rejoice in its significance. I am thinking about you and hoping all your paperwork pulls together quickly so that you can all come home soon!!
Wow, good for you girl!! I hope everything works out perfectly and and a timely manner…there is a lot of noise being made in Canadad so hopefully that will help with the process. Give those girls extra hugs and lovin’ from their Canadian cousins…we can hardly wait to meet them and spoil them. Look after your mom…she ain’t in Fort ST John anymore
WOW!! M & I are sending all of you our thoughts and prayers. Just wrote to our MP as well. If anyone can make things happen there, you can. J, hope things go well for you here and let us know if we can help.
ooo..goose bumps…
I’m glad to hear you arrived safe and sound Nicky! I can’t wait to read about your meeting tomorrow!! wow! I admire you guys so much for what you are doing for your daughters…the sacrifice of being apart for this, the sacrifices made to stay in Ethiopia…your children are so blessed. It is amazing feeling this kind of love and responsibility, hey?! such a gift to have our hearts opened by our children in a way nothing else can.
I never even thought to send a message to Deb Matthews! will do so right away.
sending you all the positive energy I can muster?
and Jrock…J-rock…I feel like I should somehow say something…maybe just that I feel like you are parallel with my hubby in many ways…being the rock..staying and making sure that things that need to get done at home are getting done…I can’t wait to see the pic’s of you with your girls!!
Oh, I’m so excited that Nicky will get to meet the girls tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear about it and eventually see some pictures. It is a bright spot in this devastation to think of your girls finally being in your arms. Well at least one of you will have them in her arms tomorrow. I know it is not the perfect family meeting that you two have been dreaming about for so long, but it will be very special anyway and when you (Jrock) finally have them in your arms, what a special day that will be too! Please keep us posted. We’re praying that the paperwork will speed up and Nicky and the girls will be home soon.
Alysia
Wow, what an amazing journey! I hope that your stay in the lovely country of Ethiopia is amazing but short too as I’m sure that JRock can’t wait to have his two little girls in his arms as well.
Happy Anniversary!
I’m just teary eyed for you! Try to soak up every moment of meeting those beautiful children, I’m sure JRock wishes he could be there to see all of his girls together.
Take care, we’re thinking of you and hoping so much that this paperwork can be expedited and you can come home soon!
Happy Anniversary
Grant & I have been talking about your family for the last 2 days! Nicky I am so glad that you are there and so glad that you are getting your girls but I am still so sad as to the cirrumstance. We will continue to send our good Juju and prayers and I will continue to stalk your blog too.
Happy Anniversary to a lovely couple!
Glad to hear from you. Wow I miss Solomon. You’ll love him – he’s great. Enjoy your big moment tomorrow and don’t let all this other crap take away a minute of that special time together.
Nicky! I just got off the phone with JRock! Sooooo glad to know you’ve taken immediate action! WE are thinking of you and pray that you’ll be back soon with your precious daughters!!!!!!
Happy to hear from you! We are all thinking of you and are here to help in any way!
Enjoy your Gotcha Day! It will be a very special day for all of you!
Happy Anniversary!