A wonderful surprise was on my front porch as I carried a sleeping Maleia from the park. As I looked down I saw that it was from All God's Children. My heart still jumps when I see their name come up on my phone or when we get a piece of mail from them! So, thankfully, I opened it carefully and found a green envelope wrapped in brown packaging paper. The front says, "From: Abebu Ambese and To: Brendan and Kendra Cosgrove." The back says, "Mekdes Cosgrove." My heart skipped a few beats as I quickly opened it to find our three type written pages that we left at Hannah's Hope for Maleia's birth mother. All of my questions were answered! That means that she went back to Hannah's Hope probably trying to find out more information on Maleia (She didn't come to the birth family meeting when we were there). That also means she got our photo album that we made for her and a letter we wrote to her. Wow.
I copied all of our questions and her answers below. I tried to copy her answers the best I could. It was difficult to make out some of the letters. This was most likely written by a translator. Maleia's birthmother speaks Oromo and the national language is Ahmaric. The last question and answer is the most frustrating. I just don't know what she meant. I will definitely write back and send some pictures. Hopefully she will check back with Hannah's Hope periodically. I am so incredibly happy for Maleia. I know that ANY information that I can get is going to help answer a few of her many many questions as she grows up. I was so sad leaving Ethiopia knowing that her birth mom was so close, but either not willing or unable to come talk to us. These questions were originally written to guide us in our conversation with her. It sounds like she loved this precious child so much. She couldn't bear to see her go hungry. My heart aches for Abebu Ambese. I can't imagine the horror of having to walk away from my child. Thank you God for protecting Maleia!
Birthmother Questions:
Tell me about your family. Village? Family name?
My father name is Anbesa Ayanew and my mother name is Fitalle Tullu. My father is a farmer and my mother is house wife. I have one brother and two sister. My village is located Northwest Shewa reglcity. I don't say Mekdes. I said Obse, but our village woman call Mekdes and I agreed with them.
What are your likes and dislikes?
I like horse but I dislike mouse.
Favorite color?
red
Favorite food?
meat and chicken
music?
I like listening Oromic music
games?
riding horse
stories?
About Oromiya culture
Favorite physical feature about yourself?
I like fat woman.
What did you like to do as a child? Hobbies? Sports?
I like fetch water from the river. My hobby is riding horse and I like to jump string.
What are you good at?
I am good at washing clothes.
What are your plans for your future?
I want to go Arabian country to work.
Who was the other woman in the HH photo?
She was my sister. Her name is Gdane Anbesa. She lives in Regu City
Mekdes’s Father- Tell me about him.
Mekdes' father name is Kebede Alemu. He is technical students.
Where was Mekdes born?
In Burayuketa City. It located west Addis Ababa.
Time of birth?
3:00 PM
Who was with her?
Birqu
Any problems during the pregnancy or delivery?
No problem
Did she nurse?
No, she didn't
Does Mekdes have any birth siblings?
No, she does not have any siblings
Where did she and Mekdes live?
Burayu Keta City
Why did she make the decision to put Mekdes in the orphanage at that time?
I can't prepare food you my child because I haven't any money.
Can she describe Mekdes as a baby? Fussy? Happy? Energetic? Cautious?
She is fussy and happy because when she become hungry she will fussy but when she get milk she will happy.
What do you want Mekdes to know about you?
She now about when I born her. How I protect her. and she now about my history when she grow up.
What are your hopes and dreams for her?
When she grow up she will be a good lower.
This last question/answer is going to haunt me. The letters are definitely "l-o-w-e-r." Hum... Any thoughts on that one?
