We Must Protect All Opiyos

Her behavior was not that of a human being, let alone from that of a woman. She should start to sort her own life first. Ugandan authorities in the US are also to blame for not providing protection to one of their citizen.

LETTER TO THE PUBLISHER

Re: “Opiyo’s Tragedy: Lost In Translation.�

Over a few days ago, thanks to the internet, I got an article from your newspapers that shocked me deeply.

It is regarding the story of the young Acholi boy, Opiyo Ivance, from Uganda, who found himself adopted under shady circumstances. As a human being and as the mother of half Acholi and half Ethiopian baby, I was outraged by the way Ms. Jeanette Quinn behaved.

How could someone be granted adoption, when she had no capacity to look after anyone? What was she thinking? Who asked her to adopt a child in the first place? The story revealed what I feared. I live in Ethiopia and every year hundreds of children are adopted (paid for mostly), in Spain, Italy, Sweden, and the US. Whenever I see them go, I feel deeply ashamed and sorry. How can we not look after them here in our respective countries? How can we let them down this way?

The trouble is that for the average Ethiopian, it is better to be adopted by a white person, rather than live in poverty at home, well…..is it really? Not every child is lucky as the little Zahara, ended up with Angelina Jolie. Actually I learned that her real name is Tenaadam—it is a plant that we use, when we drink coffee.

Ms. Quinn deserves an arrest warrant. She morally tortured a young boy, who never asked her anything. How can you blame an eight year old boy coming unwillingly all the way from Uganda, not to be able to speak English? Should Ms. Quinn be blamed in that case for not speaking fluent Acholi? For not trying to understand the background of the boy? I think she should.

The shocking thing is that she had no interest in him whatsoever. It was a cheap act of mercy. Who asked her?
This woman should blacklisted from all adoption agencies, and government bodies concerned. She should be kept away from the vicinity of any child in or outside the US.

Her behavior was not that of a human being, let alone from that of a woman. She should start to sort her own life first.

Ugandan authorities in the US are also to blame for not providing protection to one of their citizen. Should we understand that Ugandan children are worthless once abroad? I will have to consider twice, whether to give my baby a Ugandan passport, or not. 

Ms. Shiferaw writes from Ethiopia

To subscribe to or advertise in New York’s leading Pan African weekly investigative newspaper, please call (212) 481-7745 or send a note to [email protected]

“Speaking Truth To Empower.�

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *