Anansi and his beloved Joson, February 2012
When four of the Dots went to meet Anansi for the first time, we met a very special young man named Joson. Not only is he one of Anansi's most cherished friend-mentors, he has managed to impress every family that ever went over, leading them to ask, "What about Joson?"
A few months ago, a lovely AAI family stepped forward with plans to adopt Joson. They have two other boys adopted from Ghana - both of whom lived with Joson as siblings at Daddy Paul's house (foster care). The family has always had a strong tie to Joson. Joson feels the same way.
JOSON'S TIME HAS COME: his paperwork is complete and he is ready to be adopted!
Joson’s total adoption fees are $12,000. (The agency and cooperating NGO in Ghana drastically reduced their fees in order to expedite Joson's adoption. This is how much he means to all of us!) Joson's prospective family has already paid about $4000 of this total (and they are currently saving for travel and I-600 expenses), leaving a balance of $8,000. In the meantime, an anonymous family has stepped forward to offer a matching grant of $4000, to be raised and matched in two increments: one before Joson's family goes to court and the another when the family applies for his Visa.
This means that we need to raise $4000 to cover the balance of Joson’s adoption fees.
I’m reaching out to my own family and friends, and folks who feel passionately about older child adoptions. Joson is one of those special kids who can grow up to make this world a better place. But in order to reach his fullest potential, he needs a family who will give him unconditional love and support, access to excellent education, and a chance to build the skills he needs to achieve his dreams!
I’m reaching out to my own family and friends, and folks who feel passionately about older child adoptions. Joson is one of those special kids who can grow up to make this world a better place. But in order to reach his fullest potential, he needs a family who will give him unconditional love and support, access to excellent education, and a chance to build the skills he needs to achieve his dreams!
Time is of the essence! Joson will “age out” of the system next April, which means that in under one year, he will no longer be eligible to connect to a forever family.
We just learned that Joson's legal representative can bring his case to court within a month of us raising the first installment of agency fees. The legal clock is TICKING, TICKING, TICKING.
Just think:
We only need 40 different people to donate $100 each to reach our goal of $4000. Or 80 people donating $50 each. Or 160 people donating $25 each.
Every contribution counts.
Although we never did any kind of fundraising for our own adoption (we were blessed not to need to do so), I'm hoping you will join me in spreading the word far and wide in support of Joson's adoption.
Here's the link to the Adoption Advocates International Agency site where people can make a tax-deductible donation towards Joson's adoption. Folks simply need to designate "Grace Fund" and then write "Joson" in the blank spot below. They can also make a donation by PHONE by calling the office and asking for Kathy and letting her know that the donation is for Joson: 360-452-4777.
Please, if you are willing, send this letter and link to family or friends or colleagues whom you think might support our efforts - and post it on your BLOGS to help spread it around the blogosphere! Simply let me know if you want pictures or other information that might be helpful in telling Joson's story.
AMAZING: $4000 raised + matching grant = Joson's adoption fees are PAID! (Any extra will go towards the family's travel fees - so if you would still like to help, donations are still being accepted. :) )
this is amazing, SO happy!
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