Still trying to catch up

Anyone for a little Soju, Andong, Korea

Ever since we received news of Dads accident, I've lost some incentive and/or run out of time to get up to date. I'm still a day behind.

How about soju on tap? Andong, Korea

Firstly news on Dad, we las headed about an hour ago he had been in surgery for four hours. Since the injury is above the artificial knee joint, there is probably some extensive rebuilding to be done around the join from metal to bone. Our thoughts are with him as he will likely be quite sore after surgery.

Now Tuesday proved to be quite emotional for those that went to pyeontaek, especially if you read Monday's blog where those seeking to view files were disappointed not to learn anything new.

Some of the donation made to Pyeontaek. We also made donations to ESWS Seoul. thanks to Karina at work for your contribution. It was gratefully accepted.

One thing learned from our observation of today is that ESWS file in head office may not necessarily be the complete file. After some gentle insistence that two families wanted to see the files held at Pyeontaek where their boys were born. They found some extra information at Pyeontaek that was not held or recorded in head office ESWS. In one case it was a letter from the birth mother. The other family found out that there was. I letter, but the birth mother had made contact with ESWS on a couple of occasions to enquire how her child was. There was some extra information the families found that in respect to their privacy I will not disclose, suffice it to say the information is very significant to the two boys concerned and the families are respecting the privacy of what was learned.

Fish at the Aquarium still nibble your fingers

What we learned is that like Australia, the paper trail does not end at the head office. The advice at ESWS. for adoptive families and children, is respectfully dig further. As you may find there are several locations where records are kept and the data within is not always duplicated faithfully. Seek the location where the child was born, there may be some part of the record there not kept in Seoul. If the child had some relationship,with another department, or health provider, go there and ask if it is possible to access records as long as you respect the laws, and rules of Korea and ESWS.

For me the hardest spa spect of the trip was to see the turmoil that the facility is experiencing. In part it is much like Australia. Funding and laws regarding how social services are controlled and delivered seem to be undergoing major restrutual changes. Often these changes are driven by ideals and it is left to the institutions to somehow adapt. Often. New laws and procedures cause conflict, demand facility closures, demand major reform with little guidance to achieve the ideals set out by legislation.

dinner anyone?

As I state, this is not unique to Korea. We in Australia have many dilemmas brought about by recent budget changes and legislative controls that greatly affect our delivery of social welfare services. Sometimes I with the Inuit approach of considering 7 generations ahead and 7 generations behind, may help negate the brashness of ideal driven decisions, especially those based on religious fundamentalism of any persuasion. Here ends my rant.

I feel for those at Pyeontaek. The single mothers home faces eminent closure as it is deemed a conflict of interest to offer support and counselling whilst being an adoption agency. The home for special needs children is now deemed over crowded. Sheltered workshops face cost pressures as those working are now meant to be getting above minimum wages. The facilities them selves are becom,I g dated and in need of expensive rebuilding and maintenance.

the staff at Pyeontaek are recognised as highly skilled, dedicated and well respected. I am sure ESWS wil exist well into the future, but like much of ?Korea will undergo huge transformation in the process. Some may feel a little sad to hear we have learned of the problems they face, but fro my perspective it only increases my respect for the work they have done and continue to do.

The day ended on a celebratory note as two families rejoiced in new knowledge about their children and their origin. A toast was raised to the good news and plans made for upcoming days when more families arrive from Melbourne and events coordinated whilst all together in Seoul.

Meanwhile for Liz i unwittingly sabotaged her plans for a day with Amelie. she was a little tired fro. The previous late evening, so Liz thought to take her to try some of the craft activities around the Bukcheon district. I reminded Amelie of the previous trip to Coex and the Aquarium. There were little fish that nibbled at her fingers and all sorts of naff places to put fish like toilet bowls, telephone booths and refrigerators.as I headed off with Mother to catch the bus to Pyeontaek, I'm sure I heard Liz mutter "thanks" through gritted teeth.

Turns out the best bit, according to Amelie was the Penguins. She could have watched them for hours.... And almost did. She is now officially taller than a penguin having finally surpassed even the lagers of the species, The Emporor Penguin.

Unfortunately for Liz, much of Coes is undergoing major, major renovation. This means she could not even console herself with a ,title self indulgent shopping. Two-thirds of the complex is currently off limits to consumerism. I think I'm not quite yet forgiven.

 

Posted with Blogsy