Ermias

As the Yantis-Blank family begins the drive back to Woliso, Firehiwot catches the van and gives her son a final good-bye kiss and embrace.

Returning Home - Stories of Adoption Reunions

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    As the Yantis-Blank family begins the drive back to Woliso, Firehiwot catches the van and gives her son a final good-bye kiss and embrace.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    As we pull up to the home of Ermias's birth mother, Firehiwot hugs Lacey Yantis as she exits the van cradling young Ermias in her arm.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    As Firehiwot, Lacey Yantis-Blank, Ermias Yantis-Blank and Kailey Yantis-Blank get situated in the home, other family, neighbors from surrounding homes as well as neighborhood school children arrive to see the reason behind the clamor and excitement at Firehiwot's home. For some of the neighbors it is one of the few rare occasions that they get to glimpse Caucasians.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Firehiwot, Lacey Yantis-Blank and her daughters Madden and Kailey get situated in the home other family, neighbors from surrounding homes as well as neighborhood school children arrive to see the reason behind the clamor and excitement at Firehiwot's home. For some of the neighbors it is one of the few rare occasions that they get to glimpse Caucasians

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Firehiwot looks on deeply humbled as she receives gifts from the Yantis-Blank Family, supplies and all the necessary hardware to start her own business, running her own coffee shop in Darge.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Lacey and Ermias step outside.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Ermias's Eldest uncle thanks the Aaron and Lacey profusely for adopting, caring for and enabling young Ermias to survive inspite of his daunting health condition. He explains that he didn't think Ermias would survive if he had stayed with his family in Darge. His statements and quite humility are evidences of his deep Orthodox faith. He takes a seat on his bed, a simple mattress on the floor that sleeps him, his wife and 2 children, the wall behind him decorated with posters and clippings of American celebrities and singers.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    A neighborhood elder joins the rest of the extended family in the home as neighbors from surrounding homes and neighborhood school children arrive to see the reason behind the clamor and excitement at Firehiwot's home. For some of the neighbors it is one of the few rare occasions that they get to glimpse Caucasians.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Firehiwot's brother Temesgen shows Lacey and Aaron the sleeping quarters for the other half of the family. He, his wife, their child, Firehiwot and her eldest daughter sleep on the other side of the home from the eldest uncle, separated by a wall. Temesgen hangs a poster of Britney Spears on his wall which is already decorated with newspaper covers and clippings.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Ermias's 10 year old sister, Tigest, looks on as members of both family's fill the home and neighbors from surrounding homes arrive to see the reason behind the clamor and excitement at Firehiwot's home.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Firehiwot.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Maddyn and Kailey Yantis-Blank, Tigist, Ermias and a young child pose for a family photo outside of Firehiwots family home in Darge.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Firehiwot kisses her son Ermias as she and Lacey Yantis Blank say their final good-byes before the Yantis-Blank Family make their way back to the town of Woliso.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Lacey Yantis Blank and son Ermias enter their vehicle as family and friends gather to say their final good-byes before the Yantis-Blank Family make their way back to the town of Woliso.

  • Ermias

    Ermias

    Firehiwot, Lacey Yantis Blank and Tigest take a walk as they say their final good-byes before the Yantis-Blank Family make their way back to the town of Woliso.