Balosky travels in perilous times

Toddlers of Adoption Advocates International orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Sometimes there are stories within stories. This September has proven to be such a case for Camp Sherman's Andrea Balosky. She flew to Ethiopia September 2 to escort two young girls being adopted by U.S. parents.

She did not foresee that while she was in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, a tragedy would take place back in the United States. Early reports were confused.

"I was told that the World Bank had been attacked and thousands were killed. Later that evening we got to hear the BBC describing the actual events that had shocked the world," said Andrea.

"I was scheduled to fly back to the United States with the two girls on September 16 and unite each with their new parents," Balosky continued. One child was to be taken to Washington, D.C., and the other to Portland, Oregon.

"Our 30-hour flight left Addis Ababa on the 16th and, after refueling in Rome, went on to Newark, N.J. and finally Washington, DC. The security was extremely tight at all of the stops. Several times our bags were searched and every item inspected. There were hours and hours of security checks. Body pat downs and metal detection scans were also performed.

"All the people were cooperative on both sides of the procedures as these were perilous times," she said.

Fourteen-year-old Rahwa was happily united with her new family in Washington. Now the problem was getting a flight to Portland and uniting three-year old Lulitte with her new family.

Schedules were chaotic, but finally Andrea and Lulitte got a Delta flight to Cincinnati and then on to Portland.

Balosky had started this humanitarian mission by becoming friends with Merrily Ripley through a quilting project. Merrily is an advocate for AHOPE (Aids HIV Orphan Project Embrace) House in Addis Ababa. As their friendship grew Andrea told Merrily, "I want to see the kids."

Thus began plans for her to escort two orphans from Ethiopia to the United States. Balosky had previous experience as a hospice worker in Bend and Redmond.

AHOPE House is a private project that houses children with AIDS.

"Orphans are tested for AIDS. Those that test positive stay at AHOPE house and the others are placed in the orphanage. Sometimes there is overlap when siblings are involved and one is positive and one negative for AIDS," said Andrea.

Approximately 20 children were at AHOPE and 60 at the orphanage.

While in Addis Ababa for two weeks Andrea got to meet with some of the people and sample life in Addis Ababa.

"Addis Ababa was not what I expected. This was the greenest place and the smells were delightful, especially from the eucalyptus trees. Also the coffee ceremony was wonderful with incense being burned and coffee beans being roasted. There were mountains, rivers, rain and holiday festivities," she said.

Balosky was impressed by the Ethiopian people.

"During my short visit to Addis Ababa I found the people to be the kindest, sweetest, well-balanced, intelligent and industrious people you would hope to meet," said Andrea.

Balosky is now an advocate for AHOPE House.

She is raising money for sponsoring a child. According to Balosky, $25 a month provides 24-hour care for one child.

Interested people may contact Andrea at AHOPE House, P.O. Box 160, Camp Sherman, OR 97730.

For more information contact Adoption Advocates International, 401 E. Front Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362; [email protected]