Another OFA family makes the news

Brian Wood — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:40:15 +0000

From the Timberjay Newspaper in the North Country of Minnesota–

Cook family planning to adopt children from Congo

The Congo River featured on NPR

Brian Wood — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:28:14 +0000

River Of Life – Congo Odyssey–A National Public Radio news series by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton–”The nearly 3,000-mile Congo River is the backbone of one of Africa’s poorest and most conflict-ridden countries. It supplies food and livelihood for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the way of life along the water route in many ways mirrors Congo’s checkered fortunes.”

New link to DRC documentary

Brian Wood — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:36:46 +0000

Director/producer Dan Balluf has given permission for us to link to his full length documentary Children of Congo: From War to Witches on the OFA website. Below is a description of this very moving and informative film.

“This film documents the plight of thousands of street children living in the Democrat Republic of Congo.

Over five million people have died during the past decade as a result of the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Few people are aware of the unimaginable scale of human suffering, death, and destruction that has occurred in this vast country deep in the heart of Africa.

In the aftermath of this brutal war, children have endured the brunt of the suffering. This 67 minute film documents the plight of thousands of street children living in Kinshasa and confirms the wide-spread accusations of child witchcraft, torture and child prostitution.

The film also examines the efforts to reintegrate demobilized child soldiers, displaced refugees, and orphaned children following the eruption of the massive Nyiragongo volcano, near the city of Goma in Eastern Congo.

These heroic efforts are finally bringing some measure of hope and stability to the lives of the Congolese people. Dan Balluff’s “Children of Congo: From War to Witches” is a must see film, showing individuals and organizations that are implementing positive change for the children and the people of the Democtatic Republic of Congo.”

OFA makes the news for Chase Grant

Brian Wood — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:39:51 +0000

Our Family Adoptions recently was featured in newspaper articles both close to home and far away. The first report is out of Clark County, Washington in The Columbian featuring an interview with Jilma Meneses, founder of Our Family Adoptions.

Camas agency wins grant to help Congolese orphans

This second article was printed in the Houston Chronicle out of Houston, Texas and profiles one of our OFA families, the Wood’s.

A family expands through adoption

OFA thanks friends and Chase Community Giving

Brian Wood — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:32:49 +0000

Thanks to all of you, your family, and your friends, Our Family Adoptions (OFA) is one of the winners of the Chase Community Giving contest! We will be awarded $20,000 thanks to the votes of nearly 1700 people around the world. These funds will be used by our organization to feed children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As most of you know, we continue in our cause of raising awareness about DRC, providing support to children in need, and often connecting them with loving families. I appreciate the tireless efforts of the OFA network in the last several days as passionate members rounded up votes from their family and friends. Carrie and Brian Wood motivated us and did an incredible job. What is most important is the outreach we have accomplished as a part of this campaign. Remember, our mission involves raising awareness and we have been able to fulfill our mission thanks to the wonderful network of Our Families.

OFA families are welcome to announce this achievement with their local media. Let’s use this accomplishment as a stepping stone for more awareness and fundraising in our respective communities! Thank you all so much! Congratulations!

Jilma Meneses–Director of Our Family Adoptions

OFA founder Jilma Meneses profiled on UMTV

Brian Wood — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:09:08 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

Follow Up to June 6 Message

Brian Wood — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:12:33 +0000

Adopting from DRC is not like adopting from a country with an established program. It is extremely risky, and the odds of a failed or delayed adoption are very high. There currently is very little in the way of systematic process, organized government offices, or dedicated personnel to process adoptions efficiently within the DRC government . If, for example, you switched from another country and expect the DRC process to be similar and programmatic – it isn’t. Throughout the 6 years OFA has been working in DRC, the procedural expectations for adoptions have constantly shifted. Within this changing landscape of regulations, what has not shifted is the need to maintain the highest level of ethical and professional behavior with Congolese partnering organizations, and the governments of both the United States and DRC.

If you are not adopting with OFA our advice is to keep in touch with your respective agencies for updates (if there are any) in the adoption process.

OFA is run entirely by volunteers. With a large number of families currently waiting to adopt, it seems to us that the most ethical way for us to proceed is to not accept new applications until we are confident that they can be processed in a timely manner and that we have enough resources in the US and in DRC to sustain the demand. OFA has done everything in our power to bring relief to the children of DRC. Regardless of what happens to the world of adoption in DRC our mission to assist orphans will not change. Our hearts are fully dedicated to these children in need and we hope that is the case for all the members of this group.

Urgent Message Regarding DRC Adoptions

Brian Wood — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:34:51 +0000

The logistics of completing adoptions from DRC to the United States are becoming more complicated by the minute for a variety of reasons, including practices not supported or endorsed by OFA. The risks of a failed adoption are increasing, which may ultimately impact the ability of any organization to facilitate Congolese adoptions. To families currently in-process, please be prepared for many more problems, delays, and disappointments. To any prospective families considering adopting from DRC, we regret to inform you that OFA will not be taking any new applications. OFA will remain focused on developing and delivering support to orphaned children in DRC.

Nathan Reynolds,
Board Secretary,
Our Family Adoptions

Mother and son search for comfort in new land

Brian Wood — Mon, 24 May 2010 21:25:07 +0000

Read the story linked here from the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Journal Sentinal about a mother and son who escaped political pursecution in DRC and are trying to rebuild their lives here in the U.S.

Obama Signs Anti-LRA Law! UPDATE

Brian Wood — Wed, 19 May 2010 03:01:44 +0000

NGOs Call on Obama to Move Swiftly Against LRA

For the latest update click here.

Thousands flee, many killed as Lord’s Resistance Army steps up attacks

Read the complete story at this link from the the UNHCR–The UN Refugee Agency website.

Uganda: U.S Congress Passes Anti-LRA Bill

Read the complete story at this link from the All Africa. Com website