CHSFS - Asnake's inappropriate behaviour

Registered: 01/20/06
Posts: 750

10/28/08 at 09:28 AM #43

As much as I would like to give a "source" for this information, I'm afraid that I must protect others (from Ethiopia and elsewhere) whom have entrusted me with the information. I can say that these are trusted and respected sources, but you'd have to trust me on that one, which you may not choose to do. I can respect that and apologize for not being able to be more clear. I understand that this is an issue on the forum. Some of the information I gleened myself:

1) I witnessed Asnake driving 2 different, very expensive cars while I was in Ethiopia. Each time he drove in, the guards would drop what they were doing, haul out hoses and wash them with the nicest, cleanest water you've ever seen in Ethiopia, minus the bottled stuff. Asnake is/was very proud of his vehicles.

2) While we were in Ethiopia, Asnake was building his second very large home.

3) When attending the meeting when to receive our child's lifebook, visa, passport, etc., the entire thing was video-taped with Asnake looking into the camera and smiling. This was a time when I felt there should be some privacy and respect. Instead, it was a photo-op for Asnake. Then we were all told to say something nice about CHSFS-ET and our experiences, on camera. This was the second time we had been asked to do this while in country. I felt this was extremely inappropriate and just provided more publicity for Asnake to glorify himself.

4) When at our group meeting (e.g., all of the adoptive families meeting with Asnake) he told us how much he paid all of his staff each month; at this time he said there were about 88 nannies and two doctors; I know there are other "staff" as well. I did quick calculations only to realize that he paid his staff (most of whom are the nannies) in one month what only around 1/2 of us in the room paid in country fees. Consider how many families go to ET on any given month. Then consider there were 7 of us in the room, each paying around $7700 in country fees. This wasn't a lot of money.

We were fortunate enough to spend time in ET before we met and brought home TN. We were able to really see and learn so much about ET (Addis Ababa, really). What we learned is how much it costs to live in Addis, an apartment, per month. When we arrived and heard Asnake's speech, I figured that probably none of the nannies could actually afford to live in an apartment and likely lived in the tin-roofed homes on the sides of the "subdivisions". Other families, whom I shall not name, have confirmed that this is true. I must admire the nannies who take such good care of our children, but go home to such subpar housing even though they have good jobs. Most of me is just thankful that they get to be someplace warm, clean and safe for at least 1/3 or more of their day.

Really, my complaints are largely about CHS-ET, and Asnake in particular. We switched agencies for a reason and so far are glad we did. My experiences with CHS-MN are better and I appreciated the process on this end, but still think there are definite changes that need to be made.

S
__________________
Sarah and Terry
Terefech Nerys, home: 8.4.07
REFERRAL (BFAS), 11.5.08
http://www.lovefromethiopia.blogspot.com